Daily Devotional

Apr 16, 2023 | Devotional, The Reality of Heaven

Day 5

“Heaven is not a mere fairy tale but a reality illuminated by the light of Christ.”

Pope Francis

The Glory of Heaven

Read:

“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.”

And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:1-5 (ESV)

Revelation 21:1-5 is a prophetic vision of the future state of creation. This vision shows the destruction of the old earth and heaven and the creation of a new heaven and earth where God’s presence will be fully manifested and He will dwell with His people forever. This passage offers hope to Christians as it highlights the victory of God over evil and the complete restoration of creation, including the elimination of suffering, pain, and death that are the consequences of sin. The passage also emphasizes the glory and beauty of heaven, symbolized by the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, which is prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. This symbolism emphasizes the intimate and joyful relationship between God and His people, demonstrating the closeness and depth of this relationship. Finally, the passage emphasizes the significance of the promise of the new creation as it is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. The promise of God wiping away every tear from their eyes and the absence of death underscores the complete victory of God over sin, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of creation.

Apply:

How does the promise of a new heaven and new earth give you hope and strength in difficult times?
How can we seek to live our lives in a way that reflects the glory of heaven and the promise of eternal life?
How can we share the hope of heaven with those around us who may be struggling with fear or despair?

Take Action:

Spend some time today reflecting on the glory of heaven and the promise of eternal life. Consider sharing your hope and faith with someone who may be struggling with fear or doubt.

Pray:

Lord, thank you for the promise of a new heaven and new earth, where you will dwell with your people and wipe away every tear. Help us to live our lives in a way that reflects the beauty and glory of heaven, and to share our hope with those around us. Amen.

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