…after watching a biography on Jack.
longing :: pining :: aching :: groaning ::: beauty :: truth :: peace :: love
_____________________
working :: watching :: waiting ::: wedding :: feasting :: consummation
…after watching a biography on Jack.
longing :: pining :: aching :: groaning ::: beauty :: truth :: peace :: love
_____________________
working :: watching :: waiting ::: wedding :: feasting :: consummation
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
______________________________
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
_____________________________
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.
Neil, sometimes, when I try to imagine what life will be like without sin I get a bit depressed. I can’t phantom life being about anything other than fighting evil, ESPECIALLY the evil in myself. Honestly, I assume the root of my sadness is brought on by the realization that God wont NEED me when everything is made right. Silly considering, technically, HE doesnt need me now (a truthTanya had pointed out in her blog recently). Its just SO easy to believe God needs us when we see the mess of the world, and the way people respond to Gods love thorough us. In any case, Im thinking I wont be able to comprehend what serving Him will be like without presence of sin until I’m serving Him without the presence of sin. Till then, Im open to thoughts on the matter and I say, God forgive my pride for thinking you are dependant on me in any way, and forgive my lack of trust that you are a good God loving me for more than my accomplishments. Thanks for your post Neil. Your blog is a huge blessing.
Heidi, thank you for your kind words. You bring up a good point. It does seem impossible to me at times that I will be able to be an inhabitant of heaven or the new earth given the mess I so often make of things and the selfishness at my core. I do not believe in it, but I totally get the logic of purgatory. We are, truly, justified right away and made fit for heaven. In another discussion sometime, though, I would like to explore how we are made fit for heaven in our sanctification as well (an area our grace centered church does not address much).
Last night my yearnings were more for the perfection of the new heavens and earth, perfection of nature and communication. I really like the notion of the Tree of Life being present again in Revelation, in the end as it was in the beginning, as a source of joy and life more amazing than we can imagine, and also, since the Fall has occurred, for the “healing of the nations.”