October 23, 2013
The reward for the difficult, uphill hike is the view from the top. Anyone who has ever hiked up a mountain trail can attest to this. In many ways, the journey through life is that challenging mountain hike, but here is the view from the top:
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4)
Someone has said that God's promise is not new things, but all things made new. That's exactly what we see from the mountaintop, as revealed in the Book of Revelation - a renewed earth and heavens, renewal through resurrection life, renewed relationships with our Father, His Son, and each other.
I've read those hopeful words at grave sites more times than I can count. My purpose in reading these words has always been to help those walking through the valley of the shadow of death to be able - amidst their grief - to ascend the mountain of hope, and catch of glimpse of this breathtaking scene.
When we know how beautiful the view is from the top of the mountain, the more determined we are to overcome hardships on the trail to the top. And that's exactly what the closing pictures in Revelation do for us - provide the incentive to be an overcomer.
"He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son." (Revelation 21:7)
Keep climbing. The kingdom trail often twists and turns, and presents sudden challenges and difficulties. But, know where it is headed. Keep the mountaintop view in mind. Ultimately renewal awaits the overcomer. The reward is worth the rigors of the climb.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4)
Someone has said that God's promise is not new things, but all things made new. That's exactly what we see from the mountaintop, as revealed in the Book of Revelation - a renewed earth and heavens, renewal through resurrection life, renewed relationships with our Father, His Son, and each other.
I've read those hopeful words at grave sites more times than I can count. My purpose in reading these words has always been to help those walking through the valley of the shadow of death to be able - amidst their grief - to ascend the mountain of hope, and catch of glimpse of this breathtaking scene.
When we know how beautiful the view is from the top of the mountain, the more determined we are to overcome hardships on the trail to the top. And that's exactly what the closing pictures in Revelation do for us - provide the incentive to be an overcomer.
"He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son." (Revelation 21:7)
Keep climbing. The kingdom trail often twists and turns, and presents sudden challenges and difficulties. But, know where it is headed. Keep the mountaintop view in mind. Ultimately renewal awaits the overcomer. The reward is worth the rigors of the climb.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
posted by steve @ 8:33 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home