The Blessing For All Generations

Revelation 21:1-8 (KJV)

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there wan no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murders, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

My heart is saddened because of the tragedy at the historic Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina where Rev. Clementa Pinckney served as pastor and state senator, and was one of the victims.  Click here for more information on Rev. Pinckney and how he ministered in his community.  It is also a reminder that amid our sorrow and pain, there is much work to do for transformation to occur on earth first with our individual selves, and then with each other.  The new Jerusalem is being developed in each of us who believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and who are filled with his life through the Holy Spirit.

Father, we love and adore you.  Thank you for the comfort of the Holy Spirit for all families who mourn for their loved ones.  Thank you for peace that passes all understanding in Jesus name, amen.