The New Beginning

Backstory:
The first chapters of Genesis announce God’s creation of the heavens and the earth. The last chapters of Revelation describe a new heaven and a new earth where God dwells with those who are faithful to him. The heavenly city is also referred to as the new Jerusalem or the bride of Christ. The bride — symbolic of the church, the community of those redeemed by Christ’s blood — is pure and faithful to Christ the Lamb.

God’s Story:
Ever since I created the heavens and the earth, I have wanted my people to glory in it and to live in devoted relationship with me. I have called them continuously throughout the centuries. I claimed Abraham and built the great nation of Israel from him; I sent my messengers as prophets, judges and kings and called the Israelites back to me; I sent my Son to live among my people and make a way for them to have a relationship with me; I established my church and worked actively through my faithful children. And still, after all that time, things are not perfect. But I am not yet finished! I will establish a new heaven and a new earth. I will complete what I started in the Garden of Eden and gather my prized family to me. Only then will my plan be complete.

Read Revelation 21:1 — 22:21

Your Story:
God is going to take this earth in which we now live and rejuvenate it in heaven. Everything he created in the beginning will be new again. The new Jerusalem will be magnificent. It will be free of loneliness, tears, pain and death. God will be present, and his ultimate dream of gathering his faithful people — his family, his children with whom he will live forever — will be fulfilled. There is only one question left:

WILL YOU BE THERE?