Before the coronavirus pandemic, I couldn’t imagine not going to the gym several times a week. Then my group exercise classes went online during lockdown, and I delighted in working out in my lounge. So much so that when restrictions were loosened, I felt reluctant to return to the gym. But when I did, I was flooded with joy and a sense of homecoming. I saw people I’d forgotten about—the friendly faces of those as pleased to see me as I was to see them.
As I pondered the gift of community and welcome at the gym, I thought how much greater are the joys of belonging to a vibrant church with our brothers and sisters in Christ. And even more than that, the amazing and reverberating joy we will one day experience when God welcomes us into heaven.
We see a glorious picture in the book of Revelation, with God declaring that He will dwell with His people (Revelation 21:3). God Himself “ ‘will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (v. 4).
Whether or not we experience magnificent communities on earth, we can trust God to make everything new for us when we join Him in the new heaven and the new earth. He’ll slake our thirst with His water of life.
Are you coming?
By Amy Boucher Pye
REFLECT & PRAY
How do you live in the light of eternity? What hope do you find from these pictures in Revelation of the new heaven and the new earth?
Gracious God, thank You for making all things new. I place my hope in You.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Today’s passage gives us a glimpse of heaven, describing it as a physical place (vv. 1–2). Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for us (John 14:2–3), and this promise is fulfilled in the New Jerusalem, the Holy City (Revelation 21:2). While it’s a great comfort that heaven is a perfect place (v. 4), the most important thing is that it’s the dwelling place of God ( v. 3). In this final vision of the beginning of eternity (21:1–22:9), John hears Christ declaring, “It is done” (21:6). The New Living Translation renders it, “It is finished!” echoing Christ’s victorious cry from the cross (John 19:30). Sin’s curse will one day be completely removed and reversed ( Revelation 21:4–5; see Genesis 3:16–19).
K. T. Sim
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