REVELATION 21
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God”
(Rev. 21:3).
It is the hope of heaven that carries us through the troubles of life, sustains us in our darkest hours, and helps us look beyond this world of pain and sorrow. If there were no expectation of glory, how could we endure the injustices and the afflictions of this life? It is this very hope that holds us steadfast when everything seems to be falling down around us.
What is it about heaven that draws our minds from this slough of infirmity and rouses us to a sense of higher purpose? Is it simply the hope of a new body, of no pain, no grief, no war, no heartache? While these things certainly await us in heaven, the Bible teaches that the real attraction of heaven is something much greater than these things, something beyond ourselves. That something is God Himself. In his book Surprised by Suffering, R. C. writes, “The chief feature of the New Jerusalem is the immediate presence of God. God is in the midst of His people. He dwells with them. No longer is God seen as distant, remote from everyday experience. He pitches His tent in the midst of His people.”
Jonathan Edwards understood this point when he wrote that the people of God will then “see everything in God that tends to excite and inflame love.” We will see His glory, His majesty, His holiness, His righteousness in such an awesome display of perfection and purity that we will be filled with an adoration and love for Him, making everything else pale in comparison.
Being restored to glory ourselves, we will reflect the image of God without defect. We will be as we were always meant to be, without sin, without distortion, without even a shadow to dim our apprehension of God our Savior. The excellence of Christ will shine before us without any hint of sin deflecting His glory.
As you suffer through the many trials that daily tear at your heart and vex your spirit, remember “that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). And instead of allowing the concerns of this life to consume your thoughts, think of the New Jerusalem, a city that has no need of the sun or the moon, for the glory of God illuminates it. “The Lamb is its light” (Rev. 21:23).
CORAM DEO
Psalm 17–18
Acts 19:1–20
Read Revelation 21:1–22:5. What feature in this depiction has the greatest appeal as you look forward to experiencing eternal life? Why is it important for you to meditate frequently on verses that talk about heaven? What truth about heaven do you think brings the most encouragement to a person who is suffering?
For further study: Acts 7:54–60 • 2 Cor. 5:1–10 • Heb. 12:1–6
wednesday
july