Revelation 21:1-6 (NRSV)
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Chapter 21Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Verse 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Verse 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; Verse 4he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away." Verse 5And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." Verse 6Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
Devotion
Local election days are here. As citizens, we are responsible for rendering judgment on things present. Our calling as Christians is to use the gifts that God has given us to help make a better and more believing world. We are living out the promises of Easter and the empowerment of Pentecost.
Now a new note is struck! What we are about will one day “pass away!” “A new heaven and a new earth” will take over. One thing is promised for sure: “God in person will be with us.” Rejoice, dear hearts, for the best is yet to be.
Helmut Thielicke’s testimony is worth sharing: “I can live forever,…and live in fellowship with God. What a joy! Today I will spare no energy in reinforcing in the new freedom that has come to all creation. I will share it with someone.”
(From "New Life in Christ", prepared by Larry Neeb for Creative Communications for the Parish, 1981)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me this day to make it a better day and more hopeful world for (name of your friend or family member in need). Amen.