Revelation 21:1-6a (NRSV)
Read Revelation 21:1-6a on biblegateway.com
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
We commonly think of heaven as a place we will go someday. But in John’s reorienting vision, the Lord comes here because God wants to live with us. When death is wiped out, then sorrow and pain will be, too. This story has no surprise ending. Jesus has already told it. God came to dwell with us in baby-flesh. He grew into a man who gave loving acceptance to everyone. Although we still suffer death, we know it is not the real end. Jesus died on the cross, was sealed in a tomb, yet broke out alive on the third day. So, you know the true ending of your story. It doesn’t matter whether you will go somewhere to live with God, or the Lord will come again to dwell with you. Either way, you will be in God’s presence where all things are made new, including you.
Prayer
Dearest Jesus, we are so thankful that you came to live with us and die for us, and that you proved your power over death when you rose again. May we be living testimony to the hope and assurance of eternal life that we have in you. Amen.
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