Revelation 21:1-6 (NRSV)
Read Revelation 21:1-6 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
Bill Cosby jokes of being told by his father, “You know, I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!”
As Christians we believe that God brought us into this world. And we have God’s promise that, when our lives end, God will lovingly take us out. The opening verses of Revelation 21 affirm this comforting word, reminding us that God promises to make a new heaven and a new earth. Indeed, that new heaven and earth it is to be the very home in which God will dwell among us mortals. It will be a place where death, pain and crying will be no more.
Our God, who can make a new heaven and a new earth, will dwell with us. God will once again do a new thing!
Prayer
Ever-living God, we thank you for the gift of life and all the gifts that we daily receive from you. Help us to be mindful of these gifts and to be as generous with them to others as you have been to us. Give us the vision to see the new thing that you accomplish in our midst. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.