| “Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth’…” |
| —Revelation 21:1a |
As believers in the resurrection power of the Lord Jesus Christ, we “Christ’s-ones,” or Christians, too seldom think about our ultimate destiny. I wonder, if we thought more about heaven, would we live with more determined urgency here on earth—urgency to more and more become vessels of God’s mercy, grace, and unfailing love? The Apostle John recorded these powerful words in Revelation 21:1-7:
Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”
Many, many gospel songs have been written to remind us of what our eternity will be like. Based on Scripture, these gospel songs intend to provide encouragement, comfort, hope, but also intend to motivate believers to diligently serve Christ and His Kingdom. In 1933, George S. Schuler wrote these words for just such a gospel song. In turn, Gertrude S. Dugan wrote an appropriate, yet haunting, melody:
When we reach the land of light
Where shadows are no more
O what a day!
When we meet our blessed Savior
On that peaceful shore
O what a day!
O what a day that will be
When my dear Savior I’ll see
In those mansions of love
Now awaiting above
O what a day, O glorious day.
When we see the Holy City
With its mansions fair
O what a day!
When we look upon the glories
That await us there
O what a day!
O what a day that will be
When my dear Savior I’ll see
In those mansions of love
Now awaiting above
O what a day, O glorious day.
To behold the faces of our
Loved ones gone before
O what a day!
From the Savior’s Presence
To be severed nevermore
O what a day!
O what a day that will be
When my dear Savior I’ll see
In those mansions of love
Now awaiting above
O what a day, O glorious day.
During my high school days in the early and middle 1960s, I had the privilege of singing the high tenor part in a gospel quintet. “O, What a Day” was one of our most requested songs. As I have already mentioned, it had a haunting melody that made George Schuler’s words fairly vibrate with emotion.
From time to time during the weeks and months ahead, let’s break away and occasionally think about heaven. As another gospel song writer has written: “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!”
Based on a blog originally posted on Wednesday, April 29, 2015
