Today’s reading is Revelation 21:1-22:21.

One of the most repeated themes of the Bible is of God’s children leaving, wandering, being disbursed and then returning.

Abraham traveled into Egypt from the promised land and then returned. Jacob went to Paddan-aram but later returned. Joseph went down into Egypt, but his body was later returned. Jacob’s family went down into Egypt, but later returned. Naomi went into Moab, but later returned to Judea, bringing Ruth. David fled Jerusalem before Absalom, but later returned in victory. Israel was led captive into Assyria and Judah led captive into Babylon, but later returned to Judea under Medo-Persia. Even Jesus’ story begins as He was taken down to Egypt, but then later returned to Nazareth.

Over and over again, God’s people are sent away from their home and later come back. Really then, it should be no surprise to see how Revelation ends. It is not just a fitting end for Revelation but for the whole Bible. In Genesis 3:222-4, God’s children were sent out of their home. God had made a garden. In the midst of the garden was the tree of life. God sent His children away from that tree. However, in Revelation 22:1-5, they return. God’s children are able to drink from the river of life and eat from the tree of life. 

It was a long time coming. It took tremendous planning. It took tremendous time. It took the sacrifice of God’s Son and the surrender of our lives to Him. However, in the end, we will return home. Christ is victorious. Satan loses. The battle began in the beginning, but Jesus has already won.

If we want to be in that homecoming, we need to be on Jesus’ side. I can’t wait to get home. How about you?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?

To be honest, as we wrap this trek through the New Testament, this final reading leaves me almost speechless. I almost feel as if anything I might try to say will only detract from the glorious picture of victory John painted by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

I could share with you that I think this is not necessarily a picture of heaven, but rather an apocalyptic vision of the church victorious. But what would be the point in that. You could just as easily point out that the greatest picture of the church’s victory is it’s place in heaven for eternity. Perhaps that is the picture Jesus used to portray that victory.

Whatever is the case and whichever you prefer to believe, this one thing is true. Jesus wins. His people win. We want to be on that winning side that needs no sun because the Lamb is our lamp and needs no temple because the temple is the Lord God almighty. We want to be with the victorious who eat of the tree of life while swimming in the river of life.

I want to be there. I know you do too. 

Stay with Jesus no matter what. You will have this victory.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC