The New Jerusalem

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven form God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'" (Revelation 21:1-5)

This was one of the texts read by our guest minister this morning as he preached about comfort. It was also one of the texts read at my dad's funeral. Listening to the reassuring words from our minister this morning and the comforting verses from God's Word, I could not stop thinking about my aunt who passed away last night and the tragic accident of a friend, losing both of her parents last night. I was reminded that when our loved ones pass away, they are in an unimaginably wonderful paradise. There will be no more pain or death, but life forever with our heavenly Father. Tante Annie's pain is gone and now she is with my dad, other loved ones, and her Saviour who took our sins upon Himself so that we could have life with him.