Today’s Reading: Revelation 21; Psalm 29
As we near the end of the book of Revelation, we come to some of my favorite verses — the beautiful description of what it will be like when the presence of evil and sin are removed and Christ reigns victoriously! Can you picture it? Because we have never known a world without sin, hate, and disease, it is hard for us to fully grasp the fullness of what John is describing here. I encourage you to read the following verses aloud and let the joy of these truths wash over you.
LOOK! GOD’S HOME IS NOW AMONG HIS PEOPLE!
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
I heard a loud shout from the throne saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever!”
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!…It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.” – Revelation 21:1-7
The God of Creation, who existed before the world began and has always existed, is also the God of the end of life as we know it and the God of everything in between. He has plans for our life we cannot fathom and He has a new heaven waiting for us that is beyond what words can describe.
LOOK! I AM MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!
The New Jerusalem will shine with the glory of God and sparkle like a precious stone. The city walls are made of jasper and the city of pure gold, as clear as glass. There will be beautiful stones of various colors making up the foundation of the city and the gates will be made of pearls. The main street going through the New Jerusalem will be made of pure gold. Let’s listen to John’s description:
I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. Its gates will never be closed at the end of the day because there is no night there. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty – but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. – Revelation 21:22-27
Tomorrow we will focus on the last chapter of Revelation, and I will share my mother’s experience of heaven this weekend. Thank you to all who have journeyed with me from Genesis to Revelation over the last 21 months. In 2010, I felt like the Lord was calling me to be accountable in my time with him. I started writing out my daily time with God and sharing it with my staff. Two years later, I started a blog and named it My Morning Coffee. Fast forward to 2023 and I am asking God to guide me from here. My plan at this point is to start Genesis again on January 1st. Between now and then, I am praying God will lead me to the scriptures and truths He wants me to focus on. I never want to stop learning and growing as I open His word each day, while enjoying a cup of my morning coffee.