Friday, February 7, 2014

Of Earthly War and Heaven's Peace

Revelation 22:1-5
English Standard Version (ESV)
The River of Life
22 Then the angel[a] showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life[b] with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants[c] will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 21:4
English Standard Version (ESV)
4 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.”
Matthew 13:43
English Standard Version (ESV)
43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

I'll look at pictures of World War 2 troops and wonder, "Dad, are you in there?"   I wish I could have known more about his war experience, but men from that era weren't always forthcoming.  I know a little of the in between but I'd also like to know what it was like to leave for war and what was it like to come home.  So I look at these pictures and try to imagine, try to understand.  I wonder if the throne of Heaven is a little like this, surrounded by troops happy to have finally laid their weapons down.  I have a friend who will be going home to Jesus soon and for him the mystery will soon be clear.  This is a good song by Thad Cockrell, "Great Rejoicing."
Thad Cockrell "Great Rejoicing"




There's gonna be a great rejoicing
There's gonna be a great rejoicing

The troubles of this world
Will wither up and die
That river of tears made by them all
Someday will be dry
There's gonna be a great rejoicing

There's gonna be a great joy river
There's gonna be a great joy river

Questions of this world
Someday will be known
Who's robing you of peace
And who's the giver
There's gonna be a great joy river

Someday you will find me
Guarded in His fortress
Open heart and wings 
That never touch the ground
Someday we will gather
In a grand reunion
Debts of this old world
Are nowhere to be found
Nowhere to be found

There's gonna be a great rejoicing
There's gonna be a great rejoicing

There's gonna be a great rejoicing
Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm
Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm Mmmm...

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