Revelation 21:1-6
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 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. ‘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.” 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.” 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 without cost from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 21:1-6 (NIV)
In an earlier devotion I wrote about my fears as a teenager when I learned about “the rapture, the great tribulation, and the second coming of Jesus” and my cousin who wanted to go home that night and jump up and down until we were taken up to heaven. Who would have thought that a scripture passage from Revelation would have calmed my fears?
When John of Patmos was writing our scripture for today, the second temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed and the Jewish people were scattered and persecuted. These words from John brought them new hope. Not that the temple would be rebuilt or that after death they would rise to heaven, something even better! John tells them about God coming to dwell with them. And rather than a judgmental God who punishes and rejects them, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain . . . “
They had just witnessed this God in Jesus. In Jesus' service to and love of the poor and marginalized. In Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. In God’s Spirit given to all (1 Corinthians 12:1-7).
What these verses were saying to the Jewish people 2000 years ago, is true for us today. Despite all the brokenness in the world, the crazy politics, the wars, the poverty, the cruelty, the natural disasters . . . God is present, in us, and through God’s presence, God’s work is done.
When we reach across the ocean or across the street to “wipe the tear from someone’s eyes,” we are bringing God’s peace to the world. When God works through God’s people, we come a little bit closer to the new Jerusalem – of heaven on earth.
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you think about these verses in Revelation?
- What are your thoughts on Heaven? Is heaven just about a perfect life for us when we die or could how we live be part of the heaven/new Jerusalem here and now?
Prayer:
Indwelling God, I pray with gratefulness for your presence through Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Open our eyes, ears and heart to truly love one another and to make your world new again. Amen.
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