Before He was arrested and taken to be crucified, Jesus told His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Read Revelation 7:13-17. Revelation tells us that God collects our tears, but He will also one day wipe them away. What does this mean? It means that every trial has a time limit. It means that when we arrive at our heavenly home, there will be a lot of nos. There will be no separation, no sin, no death, no mourning, no crying, no pain. There will be no cancer, no broken homes, no broken hearts, no hospitals, no funeral homes, and no grieving of any kind.

Read Revelation 21 and 22 and make a list of what you see. The climactic series of events in Revelation all leads to the unveiling of the place that Jesus has been preparing for us. Scripture says that the first heaven and earth will pass away as God makes way for the new heaven and the new earth—the domain of God, the eternal dwelling place of His people. Its capital city, the new Jerusalem, will descend out of heaven like “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (21:2). You won’t be a disembodied spirit floating on the clouds, strumming a harp. John’s vision describes in breathtaking detail the physical, literal place where believers in Christ will live forever. It will be 1,400 miles high, wide, and long. There will be no sun because the glory of God will give the city light. It will be the true church of all believers. And it will be breathtaking.

But the most important thing to know about our heavenly home is that there will be nothing to separate us from Jesus. We will see His face, and His name will be written on our foreheads. Our every longing will be satisfied in Him.

How does this beautiful vision of our future impact us today? The hope of heaven is one of the greatest expectations of our faith, enabling us to soar above the trials, pain, and temptations of this earthly life. When life gets you down, think of everlasting life in the face-to-face presence of the Lord Jesus. Think of the continuous refreshment that comes from the river of life. Don’t you long for this hope, this peace? It’s only found in Jesus. He stands at the door and knocks; will you open it?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the promise of an eternity with You. I surrender all my struggles to You today and rest in that promise. I will follow You and praise You as I wait for Your return. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“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” (Revelation 21:6-7). 

Check out more from Dr. Michael Youssef, here!