Heaven • Devotion 1: All Things New

Jeannie Yates

Almost everyone I know that has grown up in the church has made their own “replica” of Heaven out of paper towel rolls and cotton balls. I remember that day of Sunday School well. We were given an assortment of everyday items to build and create what we thought Heaven looked like, and then the best part, we spray painted it all gold! We all wonder what Heaven will be like, in fact, there are even songs written about our “mansion just over the hilltop.” When I was younger, I thought the idea of Heaven sounded great and all, but I wanted God to wait until I was older. I am sure I am not the only one that had those thoughts. I realize now that my focus was all wrong. I was focused on the things of Heaven, the stuff, and missing the great delight of Heaven, God Himself.

Revelation 21:1-5 says, “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 shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’ And he who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I am making all things new.’”

In his commentary on Revelation, James M. Hamilton, Jr. writes, “So this new Jerusalem is a city because God will dwell there, and it seems to be likened to a bride because God will covenant with his people who dwell with him there.” This is not a new concept. Throughout the Bible, we see God making covenants with His people. In Genesis chapter 17, we see God’s covenant with Abraham, “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you” (verse 7).

Here in Revelation chapter 21, we hear God making another covenant with His people. Not only will He dwell with His people and be their God, but He will wipe away all the heartache from the sin-ridden world they knew before. In verse 5, He says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” If you are anything like me, all it takes is a look at today’s current headlines and you will long for this day where death, mourning, and pain are no more. Let us not miss the fact that we can have a taste of this even now. This is the Gospel - the Good News! When we recognize our need for a Savior, ask God for forgiveness, and submit to His authority as Lord, He makes us new. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” All the hurt, disappointment, mistakes, and failures that were there before are now made new and we become “the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Hold that thought for a moment and go read the rest of chapter 21; I will wait.

Does that not sound incredible?! May we have a longing for that day. Not for the mansions and gold-paved streets, but may we long for Him. Revelation 21:23 adds, “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”