Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Revelation 21:1-8 (NIV)
A New Heaven and a New Earth
21 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. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 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. 4 ‘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.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty, I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Who is the bride? In what way(s) will the bride be prepared? Where are you in this picture?
Holy God, life is hard. There is illness, aging, heartbreak, mourning, crying, evil and destruction. All of these things are caused by sin and separate us from You. That is not what You had intended and it is why You died for our sins to save us. You said you are making something new. You are preparing a place for those who believe in You. This place You are preparing will be perfect; beautiful, sparkling like from fine jewels of a bride. There will be no sin, sadness, pain or death but only joy and love of a wedding day. It will be a fresh start for all Your people to live with You in this new home forever. This new life will be filled with the joy and blessings that You intended for Your people to enjoy. No matter what I am going through right now, I know that one day my troubles will come to an end. In the meantime, You are my strength for today and hope for tomorrow. Thank You for the amazing hope for the future. Help me to wait for it with sincere faith, steadfast hope, and fervent love. Amen