Chapter 21

          This title much deserves an exclamation mark.  Can you imagine a world where there is no pain?  Can you imagine a world where there is no tears?  Can you imagine a world where there is no more death?  It is so hard for us to imagine, because this world we live in has plenty of it all.  "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.." For some, this is such glorious truth.  You have experienced much heartache in this world.  You have seen your children go through much grief, you have been in unhealthy relationships that have brought many tears,  you have experienced much persecution, you have been through so much financial hardship.  You have cried more tears than smiled smiles.   For you, the thought of no more tears in heaven seems almost impossible.  But I can assure you that you will not shed one tear in heaven.  Your face will be radiant from God's glory and your joy will be complete.  

        "...Neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore."  For some, you have shed many tears from the pain you have experienced- whether physically or emotionally.  For some of you, this  text seems unattainable.   Maybe you have had back pain that is excruciating.  Maybe you have had cancer for years, or months, and the affect it has on your body is agonizing.  Maybe your life consists of pain medications 4 times a day, every day... and you can't remember the last time you got through a day without them.  Maybe for you, your children have caused you to be on your knees everyday asking Jesus to save them- and the thought of what your child might do today, causes you much pain.  Maybe the bruises on your body are not from a disease, but from your husband beating you.  Maybe your idea of being pain-free is living without abuse.  Friends, in heaven, you will not experience any pain.  No one will tell you that you have cancer.  No child will cause grief in their actions.  No body will be sore.  No one will need to take meds.  No one will experience physical abuse.  Instead,  your body will be in praise and exaltation to the One who redeemed you and brought you to such a place!

        "...And death shall be no more."  Have you lost a loved one- a child, a spouse, a close relative or friend?  Does it seem that you keep losing the people close to you?  Have you lost someone unexpectedly in an accident or from a matured disease?  Isn't it great news that in heaven there will be NO MORE death?  We will never experience it after we enter the gates of heaven.  Instead, we experience life to its fullest- holy, perfect, joyful- eternal.  I know heaven can be hard to imagine.  I know people have their differing opinions on it.  But God's thoughts and plan on heaven is much more than our human minds can dream up.  What you think might be good, isn't even a fraction of His best and perfection.  Heaven is way better than you'll ever imagine, and it will be more glorious than anything on earth could ever show you.  

        Thank you Jesus that, "The dwelling place of God (will be) with man.  He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God." Thank you Jesus that, "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."  Amen.

On Revelation Chapter 21

• Leanne