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.”
Revelation 21:1-8 ESV
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.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Just imagine
Whenever I’m reading Revelation, I try to imagine what a new heaven and a new earth will look like. I try to imagine heaven as it exists now. However, it’s probably so magnificent that my human mind wouldn’t be able to comprehend it. Even John, as he described it, gives me a sense that human words can’t possibly do heaven justice. When that day comes, either singularly, or as part of the rapture, that will be our truest new beginning. This life is just the practice field. It’s where we show our obedience to God, where we try to gather more souls for the Kingdom.
Goals for the new year
Therefore, whatever your plans or goals or aspirations are for the new year, just be sure they will please Jesus, and that they are God-honoring. Praise be to God! See my post in Seven Degrees of Me from 2 Peter 3:9-13.
Prayer
Please join me this week in praying for new beginnings. Let’s pray for wisdom and direction. Ask God for guidance. Pray that any resolutions, themes, or words that we come up with for the new year are for God’s glory and part of His plan for our lives. Let’s also pray for those who are hurting. So many people have lost loved ones recently. Pray also for those who are hurting physically, who are battling illness and disease; may God heal them in the new year.
