Scripture:

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘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.” 

— Revelation 21:1-4 (NIV)

Devotional:

My vision of heaven is very heavily influenced by the last chapters of Revelation, the new heaven and the new earth being joined in the Holy City, the new Jerusalem. I see that city with Jesus at the heart of it, the light of the world, the Lamb, being the light of the city. This new Jerusalem has streets paved with gold, with all the glorious jewels as its foundation, and it sits on the top of the mountain — high on a desert plain. 

More important than the imagery is the sense of completion, of all things being made new, of the end of suffering and tears, all things and all believers enjoying communion with the King. As I’ve heard and tried to answer the question, “What does heaven look like?” I’ve realized that heaven is more than a place to me; heaven is the hope in which I trust. 

The Old Testament doesn’t describe “heaven” in a physical sense, but speaks often of salvation and of the sense of all God’s creation being made whole again. The Book of Isaiah tells us that enemies 

“will neither harm nor destroy
      on all my holy mountain, 
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD
      as the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:9) 

In the imagery of the U2 song Where the Streets Have No Name, the walls between us will be torn down and we will rest beyond the dust clouds and pain of this life and in God’s glorious shelter high on a desert plain. When we go there, it’s all we can do, all we can hope and pray for, all we dream about. Amen and amen. 

Prayer:

Gracious Lord Jesus, as we focus on the trials and pains of this world, help us to rest in the truth of Your final victory.  Fill us anew with the joy of knowing that You will make all things new. Thank You for making it possible for us to join You in that new heaven and new earth simply by accepting Your sacrifice for us. In Your precious name we pray. Amen.

Written by Jon McHenry. Jon leads our devotional team, is a council member, worship speaker and chair of the men's ministry at Arcola Church. He is a devoted husband and father.