The Beauty of Our Dwelling Place

 

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).

 

The John Oliver Cabin, which is set back from Cades Cove Loop Road, is the first historical structure you will come to. The parking area for this cabin is immediately past Sparks Lane. John and Lucretia Oliver, the original owners of the cabin, were the first permanent white settlers in Cades Cove. When they moved to Cades Cove in the 1820s, the only road into the cove was a primitive trail and there was not a working grist mill. In the absence of a grist mill, the Olivers had to beat corn into cornmeal using only a mortar and pestle. During the early years, Lucretia feared she would starve to death. Now, the Oliver cabin is one of the most visited historical structures in the National Park. The cabin is held together by gravity and notched corners; it does not need pegs or nails to hold it together. It must have been one of the most prominent homes in the Cove. Although the National Park Service eventually took control of the structure, it was one of the last historical structures to be vacated. The cabin remained in the Oliver family for over 100 years!

 

As I come to an end of the Smoky Mountain inspired series of “God’s Beauty,” I thought it would be good to look at the end god has promised for all believers. Our reading today gives us some description of what that new life will be like. While God doesn’t tell us exactly when this will take place, He does give us some pictures to help us look forward in hope. The Olivers may have stayed in their dwelling for over 100 years, however, that is but a blink of the eye compared to eternity with God. And, we won’t need to worry about accommodations!

 

Look at the Apostle John’s description of this vision of the new heaven and new earth. He sees the city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. In the world as John knew it, the people could go to the temple in Jerusalem to be with God. But in this vision, the city comes down out of heaven to be with the people. John describes the city as “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” The city was radiant, looking beautiful for the sake of celebration and love.

 

All of this sounds nice, but the best news comes when John hears what this means. A voice tells him that the coming of this beautiful city means that God will now live with his people. Because of the presence of God, in the new heaven and earth there will be “no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” God will restore his creation to complete wholeness and peace. When you face death or mourning or crying or pain in your life today, take courage. Though these things are very difficult, they are not forever. God will make all things new.

 

We don’t need to plead for “a little cabin in the corner of glory-land” … He is preparing a wonderful place beyond our imagination for us! That’s God’s great beauty working through His grace!