Revelation 21:1-4 - 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, 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, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

In Revelation 21:1-4, John shares a vision of heaven he was given by God. He sees a new heaven and new earth, as the current ones have passed away. He sees the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a beautiful bride for her husband. John hears a loud voice from the throne proclaiming that God will dwell among his people and be their God. God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, as the old order has passed away. This passage gives us a glimpse of the perfect restoration and fellowship we will have with God in heaven.

What a beautiful picture this passage paints of heaven and our eternal home with God. So often in this broken world we experience pain, suffering, sadness and death. But God promises that one day he will make all things new. In heaven, God himself will wipe away every tear and be present with us, and we will be his people in the most intimate of ways. We will experience perfect restoration, fellowship and joy with our Creator. The holy city New Jerusalem depicts the pure, sinless community we will enjoy with the saints for all eternity. What a day that will be when God makes right all that has gone wrong and we are forever with him! Until that day, we can take comfort knowing that our true home and hope is in heaven with our Father. Even during times of sorrow here, we can look forward to that place where God himself will wipe away our every tear.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the hope and promise of eternity with you that is revealed in passages like Revelation 21. This world is fallen and filled with pain, but your Word assures us that you are making all things new. I pray that I would keep my eyes fixed on heaven and the restoration that awaits. Give me strength to persevere through trials, and comfort me with the knowledge that one day you will wipe away every tear. May the hope of eternity with you sustain me each day. I love you and long for that day when I will see you face to face. In Jesus' name, Amen.