Forever with the Lord

Someday, all things will be made new: a new heaven and a new earth. John writes in Revelation 21 that he saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, like a bride adorned for her husband. Here's what comes next: a voice saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."

That is the great blessing of eternity: for God to dwell with us and us with Him. It reminds me of the phrase that describes the time Jesus was on the earth: "God with us." How wonderful it was for the disciples to behold the glory of Christ every day, to walk with Him in fellowship, to hear His preaching and teaching, to be in His presence. Our eternity will be that and more, to be with our dear Savior and Lord, our precious Redeemer, but in glorified bodies and completely apart from sin.

Look at the peaceful conditions that accompany dwelling with God: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." The beauty, the wonder, and the joy of being forever with the Lord! That is an eternity to look forward to.