Revelation 21:1-5
“Then 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. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Are we there yet? How much longer?
When my children were young and in the car for a long ride to the grandparents, they would frequently ask how much longer before we would arrive. I would often hold my fingers apart a few inches and say, “this much farther on the map.”
That worked when they were small. Today the family has access to mobile phones that can tell them the number of miles and the time of arrival with just the push of a few buttons. Some journeys are long and some quite short, but there is always preparation to reach our destination.
As a child I remember the trips to see my sister and her family at USL in Lafayette Louisiana. We would travel Hwy 190 before I-20 was built. It led through the swamps and back roads of my home state. The only glimmering stop along the way was a Stuckey’s with fudge, fuel, fudge, drinks, fudge, bathrooms, fudge, cheap souvenirs, fudge, and a chance to get out of the car – and eat fudge. Miles before we reached this glorious destination, there were small signs along the way – 30 miles to clean restrooms – 25 miles for hamburgers – 20 miles for fuel – 15 miles for fudge – 10 miles for fudge – 5 miles for fudge. The anticipation was incredible! Luckily my parents knew the border line between filling my sweet tooth and stomach disaster.
We are on a spiritual journey to a heavenly home. You make preparations to travel there through a relationship with Christ. Be sure to read the signs along the way. “Just up ahead, no more tears,” “Coming soon, no more death,” “A little while longer, no mourning, crying or pain.” The anticipation is incredible!
Don Wyrtzen penned these words for our consideration in his song “Finally Home.”
“Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven
Of touching a hand, and finding it God’s
Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial
Of waking up in Glory, and finding it “Home!”
- What is something that you are anticipating about Heaven?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
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Today's reading - Revelation 21:1-5. "Some journeys are long and some quite short, but there is always preparation to reach our destination."