In Times Like These, Look Toward Heaven

In these hard times, look toward heaven. It is a paradise prepared for those who love God, those who have placed their faith and trust in Christ and have received (and have right now) eternal life. “What no eye has seen, not ear heard, not the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9). Revelation 21:9-22:5 describes the New Jerusalem that God has ready and prepared for us.

In place of darkness, God has prepared light. Indeed, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (Jn. 8:12) In heaven “the Lord God will be their light.” (Rev.22:5)

In place of famine, economic and financial hardships and hunger God has prepared food – “the Tree of Life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month” (Rev. 22:2) - always there-always enough. It is provided for our enjoyment, for we will not have to eat to live. We will never die. (Jn. 11:25,26) We will not have to eat to stay well, for there will be no sickness. The leaves of the Tree of Life is for healing. (Rev. 22:5)

In place of drought there will be the river of water of life flowing constantly from the throne of God down the street of gold.(Rev. 22:1) We may drink of it freely. Thirst will be unknown for Jesus has said, “Everyone who drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn. 4:13,14)

In place of wars there will be peace. Life will be free from violence, false judgments, persecution, reviling, quarrellings, hatred. There will be no corruption, evil, deceit, filth, coarse talk or swearing, hatred or murder. “Nothing unclean will ever enter it (heaven), nor anyone who does what is detestable or false.” (Rev 21:27). “For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it” (Rev. 22:3) God and the Lamb will rule forever; all will pay homage and worship Him.

In place of rejection will be acceptance. No longer will we feel lonely or devalued; for we “will see His face, and His name will be on their (our) foreheads.) (Rev. 22:4) We belong to the family of God; we are special; we are His! We are privileged, for we will reign with Him forever. (Rev. 22:5) All around will be beauty – no ugliness. (see Rev. 21:10-21) Never will there be sorrow, or sadness, or mourning, or crying, or pain. “For God Himself will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death will be no more.” (Rev. 21:3-4)

“O, that will be glory for me, glory for me, glory for me; when by His grace I shall look on His face, that will be glory, be glory for me!” (Charles H Gabriel, 1856-1932) Oh, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20) Come today! Come now! Come and set Your people free! Come and take us to live in Your Presence forever!!! AMEN