Utopia at Last

SCRIPTURE: Rev. 7:14-17
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ Therefore,

“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them.
¹⁶ Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
he will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

OBSERVATION: I love these verses! They declare the final victory of the Lamb of God. Here are people who suffered through the tribulation and stayed true to God. There reward is eternal LIFE in heaven. And look at the benefits! They will never be hungry, thirsty, scorched with heat or sorrowful, for God Himself will wipe away all their tears. No ill health, no trouble of any kind; only praise to a wonderful God and fellowship forever with our faithful Husband, Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION: Whenever I am going through trials here on earth, whether they be of health, money issues, relationship woes, or anything else, it is such a comfort to think on these verses. There will be a time when all that will be over. All I need to do is stay close to Jesus. He told me, even with Him in my life (and sometimes because of Him in my life) that I would suffer here on earth. But suffering here on earth happens to everyone, Christian or not. In fact, I think those without Him suffer more. So, I hold on to Him here and receive His comfort, wisdom and love while undergoing whatever trials I am destined to face, and then in heaven have eternal freedom from strife.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord! What a fantastic promise! I am so blessed even through all the trouble I face here to experience Your love, grace and sustaining power through it all. No wonder when we get to heaven and experience the fullness of Your redemption that we will be always overflowing with praise to You. Keep me mindful of my future with You whenever I am going through trouble here on earth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.