A couple of weeks ago, Allie came to me and asked if there were any pictures of Heaven in the Bible. Scattered throughout scripture there are glimpses of our awaiting glory.
Read Revelation 21:10-21 aloud and picture John’s description of the New Jerusalem—costly stones, high walls, foundation stones inlaid with precious gems, gates inlaid with pearls. Simply put, Heaven is gorgeous. No matter our social standing now, we will play the role of George Jefferson and be “movin’ on up…to that deluxe apartment in the skies!”
There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever. -Revelation 22:3-5
Even better, God Himself will live among us and will be the only source needed for comfort, peace, renewal, and security. Life is crazy busy sometimes with stress levels that never seem to drop. God promises His people that a time is coming when all the struggles, pain, separation, and death will be done away with. He will wipe away His people’s tears.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” -Revelation 21:3-4
This home is a result of the sacrifice of Jesus. His blood made reconciliation with God possible. Sin’s curse was because of man’s rebellion. Yet even as God assigned punishments, He announced His plan to fix the broken relationship with man. God wanted His people to be with Him for eternity.
In the Bible’s final chapter, we see the end result of God’s plan. The curse of sin will be no more. God and man will be together. God will provide everything we need. In the midst of all life’s struggles, our Creator and Sustainer provides us a picture to strengthen and encourages His people. This is a picture of Heaven. This is where we are meant to be—with Him.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. -Revelation 22:14