“I Am Making

All Things New”

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”

And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:1-5

In 2002, Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped from her home in Utah. She lived a vagabond life in the constant presence of the couple accused of abducting her. Nine months after she was abducted she was found and returned home. It was the happy reunion her family had been longing for.

John describes the benefits that come to God’s people when He takes up His abode in their midst. Abolished forever are the debilitating consequences of sin. In John’s vision, sorrow, death, pain, and separation are all part of the first things that are now gone. The old order gives way to the new and perfect order – a reunion of eternal blessedness.

One day, we will rejoice over a happy reunion in heaven with our heavenly Father. We cannot imagine what a day of rejoicing that will be.

Separation is the law of earth – reunion is the law of heaven.

Our Daily Bread – June 20, 2009