On this Memorial Day, let us pause and thank Jesus for the many men and women who have paid the ultimate price for defending our county with the loss of their lives. We must trust that Jesus is holding the hearts of their families and friends.
Today’s passage about the New Jerusalem, as seen through John’s divine vision in Revelation, fits well with it being Memorial Day. At some point in each one of our lives, we have asked the question “why” when faced with trials, sorrow, pain, and death. God reveals through this vision that “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) This will be the nature of the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city that will descend onto earth after the final triumph over sin and evil, and once Satan has been cast into hell, along with all who rejected Jesus. This Truth should fill each one of us great hope and cause us to cling closer to Jesus during our times of trials, sorrow, pain, and death.
Regardless of how God chooses to conclude this sinful earth, today’s passage reveals that everyone of us has a choice between choosing Jesus or choosing Satan. We clearly see in verses 6 and 7 who will fill up heaven, and verse 8 tells us who will fill up hell. Our Creator, Who is the Alpha and Omega, wants each one of us to choose Him, so we spend eternity with Him.
Revelation 21:5-14 NLT
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
9 Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
10 So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the brave men and women who have, are, and will stand to protect our county. Please bless the family members and friends who have lost someone in service. May they see Your love and comfort even within their great loss. Help all of us to see how You are moving for our good even in the midst of our trials, sorrow, pain, and death. Keep us rooted in You, Jesus, and growing in Your Word. Holy Spirit, protect our souls from the enemy of this world, we call on Your holy wisdom and guidance for today and each day as we long to spend eternity with our Creator. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.