Wednesday, October 18, 2006

That beautiful City

John in the book of Revelation said, "I saw a new heaven and a new earth. I saw the Holy City, The New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. The angel told John the words of God, "Listen! I am coming soon! I will bring rewards with me. I will repay each person for what he has done. I am the beginning of all things. And I am the end of all things. People who have obeyed me will be blessed. They will get to eat the fruit from the tree of life. They can go through the gates into the heavenly city.

This last book in the Bible tells us about that beautiful city. It is described as a very, very large city made of pure gold. Its twelve foundations are decorated with every kind of precious jewel. It has a high wall with twelve gates and each gate is made of a huge pearl. The names of the twelve apostles are written on the gates and the gates are open all the time; they never close.
The street is also made of gold that is clear like glass. There is no sun and there is no moon there. The glory of God and Jesus provide the light. Nighttime never comes.

Everything there is good because nothing evil will be able to enter in. There will be no more sadness and no more crying. What a beautiful place! Jesus said, "I have sent my angel to tell you these things. I am the bright, Morning Star. Yes, I am coming soon." Come Lord Jesus!

Think of the most beautiful place you have ever visited. Maybe it was a place in the mountains or in the forest. Maybe it was a place by the water. Think of the happiest time in your life. Heaven is all this and more. John describes it in terms of beauty that his readers can relate to.

I want to see that place someday, don't you? Let's live our lives in such a way that we will be prepared to enter it. Jesus can make us pure so we will be able to live there.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

How beautiful Heaven must Be

We read of a place that's called heaven,
It's made for the pure and the free;
These truths in God's word He has given,
How beautiful heaven must be.

Chorus:
How beautiful heaven must be
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

In heaven no drooping nor pining,
No wishing for elsewhere to be;
God's light is forever, there shining,
How beautiful heaven must be.

Chorus:
How beautiful heaven must be
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be.

--- Instrumental ---

The angels so sweetly are singing,
Up there by the beautiful sea;
Sweet chords from their gold harps are ringing,
How beautiful heaven must be.

Chorus:
How beautiful heaven must be
Sweet home of the happy and free;
Fair haven of rest for the weary,
How beautiful heaven must be...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I believe that each and every one of us has that city of peace and happiness within us. We only have to close our eyes and still our thoughts to find it.

Pamela said...

Lori, just a beautiful post. I can't in my most humblest thoughts ever imagine how truly joyful and blissful and lovely heaven will be with no disease and no evil. I am at peace with that knowledge too, because I have the utmost faith that our minds are too small to see beyond what we have been told in the Bible. I just look forward to the day when all our souls are reunited in eternal life. :)

mouse said...

I have a question for you, do you think it is going to be bodies walking around heaven like here or do you think it is just going to be spirits floating around heaven? I hope it is going to be bodies, spirits seem weird.

J. Andrew Lockhart said...

This also makes me think of "The Holy City", a wonderful solo song.

Margie said...

Yes...what a beautiful place that must be!
Thanks for visiting my place!

Margie

LindaD said...

I think my heart is laughing! Beautiful post One of my favorite songs is "That Beautiful City" Music always draws me to Him.. allows my whole being to reach up in worship..
Thanks for sharing this

Lori said...

coll,

Thank you for your comment.

Pamela,

Thank you! Sometime I really long for heaven.


mouse,

Our bodies will be free from disease, pain and death in heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:40-49) We will still have physical bodies. The Bible says: For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body. (Philippians 3:20,21) The body of Jesus after His resurrection was physical. Jesus said: "Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have." (Luke 24:39) We will be able to recognize our loved ones. The Bible says: "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)


e
J. Andrew Lockhart,

Oh J. how I love that song "The Holy City". Yes, a wondful solo song.


samuru99,

I can't wait to get there.