ODJ: tears in heaven

September 21, 2014 

READ: Revelation 21:1-7 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever (v.4).

One of my favourite songs is the 1993 Grammy Award winning Tears in Heaven. It’s an intimate song that Eric Clapton wrote to help him heal from the loss and pain of the accidental death of his 4 year old son. Rooted in tragedy and grief, Eric expresses the hope of seeing his son again. He wrote of a place beyond this world, a place beyond tears—heaven. This song has touched me deeply. Like Clapton, we face painful, heartbreaking moments in life—times that make us long for the day when we’ll cry no more.
Whenever heaven is described in a sermon, we’re told that it’s a place where God “will wipe every tear from [our] eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4). One of the most comforting, assuring verses, we often hear it read during funeral services. Yes, what it proclaims provides blessing and comfort, but not the greatest blessing. The greatest blessing about heaven is that we’ll be in God’s presence: “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them” (v.3).

Jesus assured us, “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:2-3).

Our blessed hope isn’t just the absence of “death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4), but the very presence of our heavenly Father. It’s God’s presence that makes heaven heaven! One day we’ll all be home!

—K.T. Sim

365-day plan› John 18:1-24

MORE
Read Jesus’ promise of heaven in John 14:1-6. How do His words help you cope with the pain of this life? 
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Are you ready to go home to heaven? Why or why not? Does the idea of living in the same house as God comfort you or make you nervous? Why?