No Sorrow
A few days ago a friend said, “I’m having a hard time understanding that in heaven there will be no more sorrow or crying. I cannot imagine being in heaven and not sorrowful about my loved ones who are not there.” I told her there are many things hard to understand. The following illustration is simplistic, but may give you some insight into Revelation 21:4.
Imagine this. You are walking through your kitchen and stub your toe. The pain is excruciating. The phone rings and you hobble over to answer. The call is from the adoption agency saying they have a baby girl to place with you and your husband. Immediately you begin shouting, jumping up and down, hysterically happy. You no longer feel the present pain in your stubbed toe, or remember the past pain of loss with infertility. You are finally going to be a mother, and soon your life will be changed dramatically with such joy!
As we live day to day, we agonize about loved ones who are spiritually lost. We also deal with illness and other sorrows. However, when we die and enter heaven we will see and hear things that will change us forever. The eternal gift we receive will be much greater than anything we ever dreamed.
We will hear the Father say, “Enter in…” Perhaps we’ll see and hear what Isaiah witnessed in the long ago, winged seraphim hovering above the throne crying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!” and see him sitting on his majestic throne, high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filling the temple (Isa. 6:1-3). When we look around we will see a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb (Rev. 22:1). We’ll see Moses, Elijah, and other great men and women of faith. And at last we will see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us (Gal. 2:20).
How will God wipe away every tear? It has not been revealed. But this we know, the pain we experienced on earth, whether emotional or physical, will certainly dim in the light of God’s unfading glory, unending mercy, and unfathomable grace! Today’s Verse: And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away (Rev. 21:4).
–by Teresa Hampton