260 in 2012 DEVOS - Day 259 - Revelation 21: The New Creation

These last two chapters totally ROCK! When Adam & Eve chose to go against God and sin entered our world, one of the results was God’s curse on our planet (Genesis 3:17). We not only live as sinners but in a sinful world and planet, but in this chapter, God changes that! “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, ”for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…” What will this place be like? Hard to imagine a place without “sea” since 70% of our present planet is covered with water. It will be “Holy” because sin won’t exist. We will literally dwell with God! Tears will be wiped away and there will be no more death or mourning or pain. This will be the Garden of Eden recaptured! Who is this for? “Those who are victorious” – believers for whom Christ secured our victory! “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” The capital city of heaven will be brilliantly glorious and like no other ever! · Great wall – symbolizing protection · Jewels as clear as crystal - beauty · 12 amazing gates, 3 on each side – easily go in & out · And our new home is a ginormous cube! o 1400 miles wide, 1400 miles long & 1400 miles high! That’s like the distance from Katy, TX to the Canadian border & from the west coast of the USA to the Mississippi. This is a B-I-G place! · Walls of jasper, city made of gold, multiple foundations of precious stones, a street of clear gold (whatever that is) and gates made of pearls (that is one huge oyster)! Unfathomable! · No sun or moon because God’s glory is more than enough. · Bountifully fruitful trees, river as clear as crystal, no curse, · No night – sorry you nocturnal peeps. · And best of all NO SIN!!! · Indescribable, Incomparable, Sinless, Beautiful Perfection! And all of these are the reward to those who belong to God “whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” SO WHAT?! *Throughout history, believers have been pre-occupied with heaven (Hebrews 11:13, 16) and our citizenship (Philippians 3:20, Colossians 3:2). 1 Peter 2:11 describes us as “aliens” on this earth. So here’s my question: Are you and I looking forward to all that was described in this chapter more than we want all that the world has to offer? Instant gratification, materialism and comforts that this world offers can often blur our view. A heavenly perspective is vital because it causes us to live differently! How’s your perspective? *Give thanks again today to God if your name is written in the Lamb’s book of life and if not, why not go to our Lord and ask Him to write it in there today!