DAY 233- BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE LAND

Reading: Revelation 21:1-8

Today’s focus is on the New Heavens and the New Earth. In our reading for today, we see that the first heaven and the first earth have ‘passed away’. In our imagination let us try to see this new universe, with every believer living in it that there ever has been, living in harmony with God, under His rule and experiencing His full blessing. What a wonderful scene!

Imagine. The foundations of the earth have been purified. Every stain of sin, every scar of wrong, every trace of death has been removed. After the great Day of Judgement, a new universe has been born, being created by Jesus, who makes everything new. It may be a ‘new’ earth, but it is not an ‘other’ world. It is quite possibly the same heaven and earth but gloriously rejuvenated with no weeds, thorns or thistles - purified by fire.

The people of God are symbolized as the bride, the New Jerusalem, who descends onto the earth from heaven. The dwelling of God will be with His people. They will enjoy close communion. Revelation pictures a new order where God fellowships with us; where believers will sit with God and reign with Him; where we will constantly worship God; where God will shepherd His people; where God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. There will be no more crying or mourning or death or pain there. We will enjoy our eternal rewards and will rule over the new heavens and new earth, and will be entrusted as caretakers and managers of the new earth.

The wicked, by contrast, will experience the second death which is separation from God’s presence in Hell.

Prayer:

Dear Father, we are really looking forward to a restored, new creation, the home of righteousness. This is Your sure promise and we thank You for that certainty. Amen

FOR THE FAMILY

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