The Other Side - Pt 2

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 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 dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 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.” (Revelation 21:1-4 ESV).

We’ve been looking at heaven the last few days. As I began to prepare today’s thought I was taken back to some of the wonderful conversations I have had through the last fifty years with people who were near death and the families who were taking care of them in the last days of their lives. In every case for those who were believers, there was an incredible divided between the one who was dying and those who were to be left behind. The believers who were facing death were typically calm and resolute, simply waiting for their final release from pain and suffering. During their conscious times we would often talk about how much they looked forward to heaven. Often they had a spouse or other loved ones that were already dead and they longed to see them again. The family members were often on the other side of the emotional spectrum. They were beginning their grief and sadness seemed overwhelming to them. It is to the these folks that I have some GREAT news. In heaven sadness is permanently unmade. We know that earthly sadness cannot enter heaven. This is true, but the Bible seems to point to something even more profound — that heaven will enter our earthly sadness. My thoughts are often drawn to our reading today when I confront grief. This verse claims more than the fact that we won’t weep in heaven. The imagery of God wiping away our tears seems suggests consolation for, as well as the end of, earthly grief. Heaven will not merely end our pain, it will mend it. Tim Keller says it like this: “Resurrection . . . means that every horrible thing that ever happened will not only be undone and repaired but will in some way make the eventual glory and joy even greater.” Imagine yourself newly arrived in heaven. God Almighty summons you. As you stand trembling before him, he surgically draws up the deepest wound of your life, healing you and transforming your pain into glory and joy. Such imagery is tender to the point of embarrassment. This is the other side Jesus is preparing for all of we who believe! That is such a comfort for me. I hope it is for you as well.