Revelation 21:1-6a (NRSV)
Read Revelation 21:1-6a on biblegateway.com
Chapter 21Then 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. Verse 2And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Verse 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; Verse 4he 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." Verse 5And 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." Verse 6Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
Devotion
Two scenes from children’s fantasies come to mind as I read this passage. In The Lion King, a scarred world is revived by the return of the rightful heir to the throne. In The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a land is revived with the return of its resurrected lion king, Aslan, and the arrival of four human children.
Our world is likewise scarred by greed and destruction. We long for a chance to begin anew, using the knowledge gained to do things differently.
God has promised us that new earth – a heaven in which we have a full and joyful role – upon the return of the King who rules at his Father’s own right hand. Then, Isaiah says, lion and lamb will live together in a paradise transformed.
That is no fantasy. “It is done!” says the King. May we live in anticipation of and in rehearsal for that day.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, come, bringing with you the new heaven and new earth that you have promised. Help us to anticipate your coming with words and actions that rehearse the healing transformation you have promised. In your name we pray. Amen.