Revelation 21 - "God Himself Will Be With Them"

There are so many wonderful things about heaven that hundreds of books have been written about this subject. I can’t imagine the thousands of messages that have been preached on heaven over the centuries. The main thought at every funeral for a believer is about heaven. And some of the greatest and most encouraging verses in the Bible about heaven are found right here in Revelation 21-22. Today, I want to emphasize the thought of how John makes sure we understand the best thing about heaven will be the fact that God Himself is there. Over the centuries, especially in times of persecution of the saints, the question would be asked, “Where is your God?” “Why is your God allowing this to happen.” Even recently in national newspapers, stories have been printed by atheist mocking the Christians about the absence of their God in the times of tragedy and natural disasters. Remember even in John 11, Martha and Mary struggled with the fact that Jesus didn’t show up when their brother Lazarus was dying, and they needed Him the most. They both said to Jesus, “If You had been here our brother would not have died.” For sure at times, it seems that God was not there, especially when bad things happen to good people. John had just written about the suffering of the saints during the tribulation period. Remember how those who were martyred were asking the question, “How long would it be before God showed up to punish the wicked.” For sure God has always been there for His people and when we can’t see His hand, we can still trust His heart! He is always at work doing what is best for us. That is why I believe in these verses in Revelation 21:1-7, John especially is emphasizing the truth and reality of the ever presence of God with His people! When we step into eternity and the eternal city of God comes down out of heaven, God will be there in all His glorious presence! He promises not only His presence, but also that He will satisfy the thirst of His people. In John 4, Jesus told the woman at the well that if she would drink of the water that He would give her, she would never thirst again. “Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14) Jesus, “the Alpha and the Omega”, is Himself there as our God who will completely satisfy us with Himself for all of eternity! And my friend, even today, you can trust Him to satisfy your thirsty soul! God bless!