Rev. 21:1-6a (NRSV)
Read Rev. 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
“Behold, I make all things new.” Jesus, the Lamb in Revelation who has conquered the beast, is the same Jesus Christ who was risen from the dead. The same Jesus who gained victory over sin, death and the power of the devil.
What a promise as we enter the new year! “The new Jerusalem has come down. . . . The dwelling of God is with mortals.” God walks beside us day by day, every moment. God Invites us to share his vision of hope. God offers us the power of the Lamb to heal our broken world, even when we feel despair.
In The Rapture Exposed, Barbara Rossomg writes, “Revelation’s story is about seeing the Lamb beside us every moment of your life – in the car, the shopping mall, at work or school ... about looking more deeply into God’s picture and seeing how the Lamb is leading you even now into a world of joy and healing.”
Prayer
“O, Lamb of God, give us your vision and your power to help wherever we can to heal your world.” Amen.