Message paraphrase of Revelation 21: 1-6 I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. 2 I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. 3-5 I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.” 6-8 Then he said, “It’s happened. I’m A to Z. I’m the Beginning, I’m the Conclusion. From Water-of-Life Well I give freely to the thirsty. I’ll be God to them, they’ll be sons and daughters to me.
Our scripture reminds us that God holds our lives – and the lives of all creation – from beginning to end. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” God says, “the beginning and the end.” It assures us that whatever awaits us at the end – the story isn’t over yet, there is more to come – and it is exceedingly beautiful. But it also invites us into a vision of heaven – not just as a place of endings – but where God is always present – inviting us into the creation of a new earth where “mourning and crying and pain will be no more.” Heaven is not just a future event – it is also a current reality. God has moved into the neighbourhood – making God’s home among us. And we are invited to help bring into reality in our day, in our place and neighbourhood, in our time – God’s vision of wholeness, justice and peace for all people and all creation.