For Heaven’s Sake — Tuesday
Revelation 21:3-4
…God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes… (NIV)
We continue talking about Heaven on this first Tuesday of 2023. Our text describes Heaven as a presence-filled place and a joyful place. Notice it says, “...He will be with them.” He is God, and them is us! I can’t begin to fathom being literally in the presence of God. Can you? No more praying to a distant, unseen God because in Heaven, we’ll see Him face-to-face. Paul wrote, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then, we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:2, NIV).
Fascinating… this whole idea of being “face-to-face” with God.
“Uh, hi God! Um… I’m Gary… and I’m sorry, but I really don’t know what to say!”
“Hi Gary, I’m God, and it’s okay—I get that a lot.”
Oh, to be in His actual presence… to see Jesus with skin on, and His Dad, the Creator of the universe. Mind blown.
Did you know that we’ll recognize each other in Heaven? Several scriptures imply that. Many believe that we’ll have a physical body that will look basically like we look now. Rats! I was hoping to look a little more like George Clooney… you know, the actor, the Kentucky boy born in Lexington on May 6, 1961? Oh well, I suppose the “old Gary” will suffice.
The other thing John talks about here is that Heaven will be an immensely joyful place. Remember when UK beat Kansas in New Orleans in 1996 to win its 8th National Championship? I was out on the streets of Lexington well past midnight celebrating with thousands of jubilant basketball fans (sans the alcohol and burning couches), and the joy was palpable. Heaven will be a place of indescribable joy, infinitely better than Lexington in ‘96. John writes, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Incomprehensible, isn’t it? As the wonderful MercyMe song puts it, “I can only imagine…” Indeed!
Tuesday’s Reflection
I stood at the casket recently with a mom and dad who were tearfully saying final goodbyes to their 41-year-old daughter who died of cancer. All I knew to do was to put my hand on their shoulders. They both reached up and touched my hand, and then my composure went out the door. Spend some time today thinking about God terminating tears, all tears, especially your tears. Think about what “no more tears” will mean for you. See you right here tomorrow!
