He Reigns
Bible reading
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’
– Revelation 21:2-5 (NIVUK)
5 He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’
Devotional
My friend died of cancer last year. It had been a long and often painful battle. Joni was a woman of faith and seldom allowed the pain and unfairness of the disease to get her down. Those of us who loved and knew her admired her strength and commitment, but we still prayed for a miracle. No miracle came and Joni left this world for a better one; one that we have been waiting for since that fateful day that Adam and Eve stepped away from God instead of towards Him.
How many tears have been shed since Genesis 3? How many people have died over the centuries? How much destruction, pain, and sorrow have been felt since we have been separated from God? This was not God’s original plan. God’s plan looked so different and so much better. Living in a garden, walking and talking with Him, being together in harmony and in innocence. It’s even beyond our imagination to understand fully what that must have been like.
But here is John in chapter 21:2-5 seeing a new vision! He doesn’t have to imagine it; he can see it right in front of his eyes. The earth is being restored, completely and beautifully. The distance between us and God is removed, and God himself declares that He will live among us. What is even more amazing is that our tears don’t just dry or stop, rather God himself will wipe them from our eyes! Like a loving and gentle Father holding his child on his lap, God will wipe away our tears! And with our tears God also takes away death, mourning, crying and pain. These things belong to the old way and God is making all things new!
The next time you spend some time with God, imagine what it will be like to sit beside Him and have Him lean in close and talk with you. Imagine spending every moment in His presence, filled with joy, peace and contentment. That is what we wait for in faith, our Shalom. God with us, for eternity.
– Connie Main Duarte
This devotional is part of a series that helps us navigate the texts of the book of Revelation with fresh eyes. A new devotional every Saturday.
These devotionals are available in Portuguese and in English.