Scripture reading for June 25: Revelation 21:1-4 “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 will be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
We all desire to know what will happen in the future and there have been many who proclaim that they know what the future holds. But when it comes to future events, believers are never to seek out information from sorcerers or fortune tellers. These are not from God but work from their flesh for fame or gain. (Deuteronomy 18:14) (Galatians 5:19-21) But we can trust God’s Word to reveal what is truly planned by God for His people and also for those who reject His rule.
The apostle John shared the heavenly vision he had received from God and was instructed to write down to encourage and inspire the church through the ages of God’s patience. The church was to be about God’s plan of preaching the Gospel to all nations. They were to proclaim this prophetic Word that details God’s plans and how the kingdom of heaven will ultimately rule all. God is preparing a heavenly city as a dwelling place for Himself and His Bride, the Church. As God walked with man in the garden at the beginning of His story, so God will dwell in the midst of His people. There will be no more crying, no pain and suffering, and no death. These will be forgotten and forever pass away!
In addition, there will be no first responders needed in God’s City. God will personally take care of all people by removing the curse of sin and death, sickness and disease, rebellion and pride. He Alone will be exalted and heaven’s King will rule in peace and righteousness forever and ever!
Prayer: Father God, we long to hear the trumpet call and to meet our Lord Jesus. This world is not our home, but the heavenly City with You as Lord and King will meet our deepest needs. Amen.
Scripture reading for August 16th: Isaiah 62-65
Key Scriptures: Isaiah 65:17-19 “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in My people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.”
Isaiah wrote what God revealed about the future of the earth. God would create a new heaven and new earth and what was before would not come to mind again! He was also recreating Jerusalem–the New Jerusalem–to be the joy and delight of the people of God–forever! There would be joy there and no crying or weeping ever heard again! God would take delight in His people and their eternal abode!
Rejoicing over Jerusalem: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling place of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be there God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)