One Day I Will Wipe Away Every Tear From Your Eyes
April 9
Revelation 21:3-4 “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.”
Growing up, I did not like any conversation about the book of Revelation. I found it to be an intimidating and hard-to-understand book of the Bible. There is a lot of imagery, symbolism, and “scary” things written in the twenty-two chapters, and to my young mind, it was better to not immerse myself in it. Rather than trying to understand Revelation, I avoided this book as much as possible. Even as an adult, Revelation was not a book of the Bible I chose to study. It continued to be a book I didn’t understand (and if I’m being honest, didn’t want to understand) and therefore chose not to read or study it.
After surrendering my life and addiction in August 2020, one of the healthy, life-giving choices I made was daily prayer and devotions. Since that time, I have read through the Bible four times including the book of Revelation. The last time I read through it, my focus changed and so did my understanding. Currently, I am in a men’s Bible study, and we are studying the book of Revelation. While there is still much I don’t understand about the book, what I have learned has given me a new perspective. Our discussions have been deep and meaningful resulting in more clarity and less fear.
None of us know when our time here on Earth will be done. We are constantly reminded of the fragility of life and that life can change in an instant when a loved one is no longer with us. We may wish to live to be 100 years old enjoying good health and prosperity. But the truth is we have no guarantee of tomorrow. In my younger years, I wasn’t ready to die. I wanted to live “forever” and enjoy all that this life offers. There was so much to live for. As I’ve gotten older, that desire remains, but I also long for the day when God calls me Home where I’ll forever be in His presence. I can only imagine what that will be like. The book of Revelation gives me much to think about, but, oh what a day that will be when God welcomes me Home and wipes away every tear. Imagine God wiping away every tear. I won’t need a tissue or the sleeve of my shirt to wipe away my tears - God will do it. God will look me - His beloved child, the one who has been redeemed by the blood of His Son - in the eye and will lovingly wipe away every tear. I can’t even imagine what that will be like. I will forever praise and worship Him and His Son, Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus.