The words of this vision given to John have a Psalm 23 ring to them. What the ancient psalmist saw in his vision of God, John writes its completion and fulfillment. All we could hope for here on earth is seen by John and shared with us through this book. There is also a Palm Sunday ring to this passage too, a gigantic, all inclusive parade and praise gathering of the faithful from all over the world, thanking God for salvation, and praising God for allowing them to be among that throng. The angels will be leading worship and they will be singing and sharing their eternal praises to God as well. John records that "one of the elders addressed (him), saying, 'Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?'" John reports he did not know but he suspected the elder did and the elder replied, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Okay, so there's going to be laundry to do, but what a system! It's reverse from some of the messes I have made putting in perfectly white shirts in the wash with something red and out comes a very nice pink shirt, ruined for all eternity. This system will be the complete opposite; into the redness of the blood of Jesus will go our robes and out they will come, white and ready for worship! But what has always spoken to me and this is a passage I have used at many a funeral, verse 16 forward shares, "They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
What David saw, felt, and wrote in the words of the most famous of all psalms, will be eternally fulfilled in heaven. There will be none of earth's sufferings and wants. These things that we have been entrusted to provide for those in need, while we are yet alive (read Matthew 25 again), will be taken care of in heaven by God. Our job continues to care for the hungry and thirsty here on the earth. The heat of the sun that has damaged so many who have had no shelter from it, will not suffer the same in heaven. And He who guided us here on earth unseen, will be seen inn heaven, and as David said a good shepherd leads his flock here on the earth, The Good Shepherd will do the same in heaven, guiding us to springs of the water of life. And God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
While some may say this inspires me to want to go today, it really should inspire us to care more right now for the least fortunate. We are called to share what we have with those who have not. We are to provide water, food and shelter as well as a loving and caring heart with those who know no such things until that time we are all called to God's presence and receive that which we shared with others for ourselves, for all eternity.
Our work is not done. Get busy!
PRAYER: Lord of Hosts, the image shared with us by John is an inspiration to us to care for each other here on the earth. May we seek to provide as Your Son outlines in Matthew 25; and may be be faithful to that call. We do look forward to when You receive us into that place that John saw where we will enjoy You and Yours for all eternity. Let us share now heaven in each heart. This we pray in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
