Behold, I Make All Things New

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He 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.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  (Rev. 21:1-5)

Ironically, the Bible does not provide much detail about heaven. There are a few specific characteristics given, but not many. However, the few tidbits we have are fantastic! How about this one: There will be no more tears, death, mourning, crying, or pain. 

Absent of a lot of details, perhaps a little Holy Imagination is in order.  Heaven will be a place of exquisite beauty.  The splendor of this life will pale in the brilliance of the next.  Green fields

, gentle ponds will stretch as far as the eye can see, and the heart can long for.  We will enjoy those fields and meadows, mountains, and valleys in the energy of our youth.  Our bodies will never grow weary or thirst, and when we reach for the sky, we will be carried there. 

Things familiar to us now that we will never see?

• We will never top a rise and see a cemetery in the distance. 

• Tombstones that mark our existence, like granite calendars, will not exist in heaven.

• In the grand and glorious cities of heaven, you find no hospitals.

• No ambulances or police cars will shriek through the dark of night. 

• You will never hear these words again: pandemic, cancer, riots, crash, war, coronavirus, brutality, fake news, partisan politics, or funeral, to name a few.

I am looking forward to the moment when I inherit holy amnesia, to the moment when these words come to pass: “I am making everything new!”

As life buries you in troubles, know heaven will immerse you in blessings.  Jesus Christ was crucified, died, and rose from the grave so that we might claim this promise. 

Have a Great Week!

-Pastor Corey