“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2, ESV)
There are places in this world that I have always wanted to see in person … historical in nature … entertaining … and aesthetically beautiful!
The truth is we all have a ‘bucket list’ of places we would like to visit and see … and the list would vary with our personal interests.
But there is one place every child of God desires to see … Heaven! In fact it could be affirmed without discussion that those who are children of God actually long for Heaven, even as it is said of Abraham that he “… waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:10)
Abraham was keeping his eyes focused … living under a promise from God of something far better than anything he could see that was built with real, eternal foundations … built by the Lord Himself!
Life certainly carries with it the heartaches, disappointments, fears and uncertainties that we are all too familiar with!
One day, those who made the deliberate choice to surrender their will, their life, and their heart to God will be able to hear the coveted words, “Well done, good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21, ESV)
The language used by the inspired apostle John, in the Book of Revelation is way beyond our ability to fully comprehend … to be able to visualize. Just the concept of such a perfect relationship with our God is so wonderful … so marvelous … that when it is considered it just overwhelms our thoughts and imagination!
Unlike the visuals of modern-day technology displayed in movies and on the TV … the words of Revelation will pale in comparison when what has been longed for becomes reality!
The apostle Paul would pen by inspiration these encouraging words, “But, as it is written, ‘that no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him’” (1 Corinthians 2:9, ESV)
Think with me for just a moment … how in this world can we imagine a place, a life like this one described in the Book of Revelation?
Death … mourning … pain … tears … sorrow! It really is beyond our ability to truly imagine a life which bears none of these identifying marks that each one of us is more than familiar with!
The early Christians, who received, listened to and reflected upon these words must have been so encouraged to hear and hold them dear to their hearts in the face of unimaginable persecution.
They would have been so strengthened by these promises … even as you and I should be now!
One day, my friends and brethren, what has only been imagined will become reality!
To hear those words … to be adorned with robes of righteousness … crowns of life that will be our privilege to lay at the feet of Jesus, our King, Lord and Savior …
And to see the Lord face to face … truly it is so … if we miss Heaven we have missed it all!
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20, NKJV)
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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