"Then, I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and no longer was there any sea. I saw the new Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from GOD, out of heaven, adorned as a bride prepared for her husband. A loud voice came from the throne, 'Here is the dwelling of GOD among mortals: HE will pitch HIS tent among them, and they will be HIS people, HE will be GOD-with-them.
HE will wipe every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain, for the world that was, has passed away.' The One seated on the throne said, 'See, I make all things new.'
And, then, HE said to me, 'Write these words, because they are sure and true.'" - Revelation 21:1-5
(First vision of the heavenly Jerusalem. "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it dawned on the mind what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM" [1 Corinthians 2:9].
Scripture began with a vision of the first creation in which GOD was conversing with Adam, HIS friend, in the garden of Eden. The Apocalypse ends with a more beautiful vision in which there is overflowing delight in GOD. See, I make all things new. The holy and permanent city of people has been built.
A new heaven and a new earth. The risen body of CHRIST was the principle of the new spiritual and material universe we were hoping for. Now, the power of HIS resurrection has transformed the whole world. It will not be a paradise for isolated "souls," nor for pure angels, but a city of human beings: humans have fully become GOD's children: he will be MY son [verse 7].
HE will wipe every tear. GOD dwells among people and HE pours HIS own happiness into them. The sufferings that filled so many lives, the martyrs' tortures, the inner pain of repentant sinners, all this is over. Such joy and peace, as cannot be found in any place on earth, are finally found in the heart of GOD.)
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