The Great Story | Revelation 21
Welcome to Real Life. What was real life supposed to look like before our world was broken by sin? The final chapters of Revelation give us a glimpse.
The theme of the Bible is redemption – God calling man back to himself - restoring the relationship that was lost. We were created to know and live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. But, when they chose to sin – that sin separated them from a holy God. So he sent his Son to pay the penalty for that sin on the cross. When we accept Christ’s sacrifice, we are cleansed, forgiven, and clothed in his righteousness. We can once again enter the presence of our holy God. The lost relationship is restored.
However, we still live in a sinful world. Even though I follow Christ, I still stumble and fall into sin. My perfect relationship with God is not perfectly restored … yet. In this broken world, I can’t always see God. I can’t always feel his presence. It can be like trying to make out his features through a foggy window.[1]
The theme of the Bible is redemption – God calling man back to himself - restoring the relationship that was lost. We were created to know and live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. But, when they chose to sin – that sin separated them from a holy God. So he sent his Son to pay the penalty for that sin on the cross. When we accept Christ’s sacrifice, we are cleansed, forgiven, and clothed in his righteousness. We can once again enter the presence of our holy God. The lost relationship is restored.
However, we still live in a sinful world. Even though I follow Christ, I still stumble and fall into sin. My perfect relationship with God is not perfectly restored … yet. In this broken world, I can’t always see God. I can’t always feel his presence. It can be like trying to make out his features through a foggy window.[1]
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.[2]But in the kingdom to come, I will see God clearly. I will walk with him as Adam and Eve did in the garden. My continual battle against the sin that separates me from God’s presence will be over - forever. I will never again taste the bitterness of shame and regret. I will never pierce another with my sharp words or insensitive actions. The ever present temptation to worry, fear, be selfish and vain will vanish. I will never feel alone. I will be with God. I will dwell securely enveloped in his love, joy, and peace.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.[3]This promise grew especially precious this week as I read it to my dying mother. I will never again sit helplessly watching and praying over a dearly loved one who is suffering. The deep ache of grief in my heart will cease. I will never plan another funeral. I will once again hug and kiss and love-on those who've left this world: dear Momma, Dad Tustan, Grandma Eskra, Uncle Laco, Linda, Annette and many others. Morphine, antibiotics, anti-depressants, chemotherapy, physicians, hospitals and nursing homes will not exist. My tears will only express joy. Hallelujah!
The old story of this broken world that I know so well will come to its final page. A new adventure in “The Great Story” will begin:
"And, for this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But, for them, it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover, and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on Earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."
―C. S. Lewis from The Final Battle
Jesus said, “Whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”[4]
Taking it further …
[2] Revelation 21:3
[3] Revelation 21:4
[4] John 11:26
- Will you enter “The Great Story”?
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." (John 3:16-18 NIV) - Read the last two chapters of Revelation.
- Link to Mary Salva’s Memorial.
[2] Revelation 21:3
[3] Revelation 21:4
[4] John 11:26
Peggi, you have a wonderful way of bringing scripture into today's world. God bless you, your dad, your family, and your precious mom.
ReplyDeleteThanks, friend!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful peace flows through our hearts when we know that we will see them all again. When I think about it your mother is now in heaven and maybe she will meet my mother up there. There are so many loved ones that I am looking forward to seeing. People who prayed for me and interceded for me to the Father, through Jesus Christ. People who saw something I did not see in me, and they fulfilled their purpose in my life by laying a foundational stone that has made me what I am today. Yes, my dear, it will be a halleujah time when we all get to heaven. It is going to be a great time.
I hope you are continuing to march forward in the legacy that has been laid out before you.
Ciao,
Patricia
Hi Pat,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your precious words. What a happy thought, that our mothers may meet in heaven. Appreciate your encouragement and your challenge - to walk in the legacy laid out for me!
Love you, friend!