God is faithful and good. God is sovereign. God is our redeemer.
What can we look forward to?
All Things New
Act 5: Home, Week 1
When I was a young girl, I sang a song, along with Psalty the Song Book, about heaven. You can listen to it by clicking here if you want. Sometimes, I still find myself humming along to the truths in this song. Content with knowing that heaven is a wonderful place, filled with God's glory and grace, I rarely paused and pondered what it would really be like even more than seeing my Savior's face. Surrounded by brokenness, it is hard to process a place of extreme opposite in every way. As we move into this Act, the only Act we do not have history for, we find ourselves only imagining what we can look forward to. Letting my mind conjure up crazy ideas, I can't stop thinking about what our final home will be like. Honestly, I lack the vocabulary to write about this Act. But God's word is perfect, and the language of scripture is sufficient for each day. "And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also, he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:5) Through John, God gave us just enough information, as He always does, no more and no less than we need. His words and promises are true, and what He says describes what we can hope for and the rest we are not ready to know. He is making all things new. All means all! I don't know about you, but it is the "all" that I have limits imagining. I wonder about all the senses, look, sound, hear, feel, and taste, and then imagine that there are more senses that we don't even know about, and my mind is blown with possibilities.
When we moved from the old farmhouse into the newly built guest house, it was new! After living for a year in an old un-renovated farmhouse, I was so excited to experience this new home— new floors, cabinets, carpets, and everything else! But as time passed, it was not new anymore. Currently, the carpet is dingy, the floors are cracked, and the cabinets are worn. How wonderful that our Heavenly home will never fade, and we will never look around with eyes of discontentment and despair. We will never grow bored of the layout or style. In fact, it will always be new! Peter says that those in Christ "have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you"(1 Peter 3:4). This is more than we can even imagine.
God's Word also doesn't fade; it is timeless. When I sit down and spend time in His Word and walk with Him daily, it is the closest thing I (we) have to heaven. The Word is the limitless gift that He has given us that points to the greater gift, Him. His love and His physical presence all the time.
So, what can we heavenly hope for? What are just some of 'all the things' that are made new? What is it going to be like in that glorious garden as we walk and talk with Jesus-our Savior?
There will be a new heaven, a new earth (Revelation 21:1)
We will live with God for eternity (Revelation 21:3)
There will be peace and no bondage to sin (Romans 8:20)
Death will be no more (1 Corinthians 15:26)
The earth will be filled with the knowledge of His glory (Habakkuk 2:14)
We will sing a new song and reign on earth (Revelation 5:9-10)
It will be a constant 'mountain top experience' on a mountain top where we will feast and be satisfied (Isaiah25:6-7)
Tears and sorrow, pain and suffering will be no more (Revelation 21:4)
We will be united —every tribe, language, people (Revelation 5:9-10)
Our bodies will be glorious and transformed (Philippians 3:20-21)
Righteousness will dwell! (2 Peter 3:13)
SO MUCH MORE!!!
God wants us to anticipate the place he has in store for us and to long for what awaits us. So my friends, my sisters, do not despise the long-suffering of these days. I know they are long, and there is suffering! But look forward to these things, these circumstances, be diligent to be found by Him in peace (with one another), without spot and blameless (quick to confess). The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that we hope for, that will be revealed —consider the long-suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is salvation for us!
Remember, it is "according to His promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). It is what we can look forward to.
❤️ Meghan
If you missed the Home teaching, you can listen to it here.
