Revelation Unlocked #263.

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” – Revelation.21:1-3. NASB

What hope is there of a new heaven and new earth? There is only one source for such hope, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Our best hope for the future is in the faithfulness of God. This world and the life that is in it were put together by God. If He did it once, He can do it again. To know Him is to trust Him. If He has promised a resurrection, He will be faithful to carry out what He promised. The Old Testament promise, “But those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead!” – (Isa.26:19NLT) is reinforced by the resurrection of Jesus. If God raised Jesus from the dead, we know that He will raise the followers of Jesus as well (1 Cor. 15:20-23). His faithfulness is our best hope. My faith can see through death – can yours. 

A young woman who had been given 3mths to live was discussing the details of her funeral with her pastor. Just as the Pastor was about to leave she said there is one final important thing, I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.  The Pastor was mystified.

The young woman explained. “In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ It was my favourite part because I knew that something better was coming…like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.’”  

Our text’s description of the future is written with the past in mind. God’s eternal reward for His people includes the restoration of both Jerusalem and the Garden of Eden. God’s people will live in a “garden city” that offers the best of both “worlds;” the peace and tranquillity of a garden combined with the bustling excitement of a beautiful city. And best of all, God Himself will be there with us.  

Keep your fork.