Revelation 21:1-5a (NRSV)
Read Revelation 21:1-5a 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."
Devotion
A German man once told me how, in the last hours of WWI, he watched Allied planes overhead and prayed, "May there never again be war." A day of no more tears, no more sorrow-this is the timeless prayer of all faithful people. It is also the great promise of God, our Divine Rescuer. Strangely, though we have a perfect picture of peace in Jesus Christ, we still make war and weep. Where is the promised day?
Prayer
Lord, help us to participate in peace-making; help us to live as though everything depends on your promise, "I shall make all things new." Renew us, change us and lead us into tomorrow. Amen.