A New Heaven

Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.
Revelation 21:3‭-‬4 HCSB

It is hard to imagine no more grief, crying and pain, but this is what heaven offers. Along with the presence of God and tremendous security and beauty.

God's greatest desire is to be with His people and their greatest longing is to be with Him. We don't always recognise the true state of our need but the depth of our longing is to know Him and be known by Him.

The stones in the heavenly construct defies all the weath of our current world. Years ago when I was in England I went to see all the crown jewels. Some of the diamonds were breathtaking. Yet the imagine of the New Heaven is above and beyond all we currently know. 12 gates made from single pearls. Jesus is the pearl of great price, He also claimed to be the door, the way and the truth. Walls made of jasper, streets of gold upon foundations of 12 very precious stones. All of the whole building stretches 15 thousand miles. A long way that, a massive amount of precious stones.

The suffering of the present, for some, so great, is small in comparison to all that is to come. To live with our God. How amazing.

This chapter also describes the place all the vile and wicked go. Those who refused to come to Christ. A perpetual lake of fire awaits them. I cannot bear to think of people I know going there. This imagery is good for my prayer life.

Whilst my joy is coming, misery is coming to those caught in darkness. Have mercy Lord!