Devotional:

In the Disney movie “Frozen,” the snowman Olaf sings a jingle about how happy he will be when summer comes.

His friend says, “Really? I’m guessing you don’t have much experience with heat.”

Olaf responds, “Nope! But sometimes I like to close my eyes and imagine what it’ll be like when summer does come.”

Olaf has an accurate image of the joys of summer but he is naïve to believe that he will have an opportunity to enjoy them. In Revelation 21, John tells us of a glorious heaven where God and Jesus will live among us. But John warns us that not everyone will enter, only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

In heaven, those who love God will live forever with no more death, pain, sorrow, or crying. God promises in Revelation 21:5, “I am making everything new…write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

We don’t have to be naive like Olaf about what’s to come. Jesus references this kingdom that is to come more than 110 times in the gospels (Luke 13:18-30). He tells us that the only way to experience this new life is through Him (John 14:6).

God isn’t hiding things from us or making Himself hard to find. He gives us lots of insight into what eternity will be like so that we might join Him there forever. Why not accept Jesus today? Not only for the promise of eternal life with God and His Son, but also for His promises that He will never leave or forsake us here on earth.

Reflect:

• In heaven, God and Jesus will live among us. What might that look like? How might the people in heaven behave? How might those heavenly surroundings compare to our earthly surroundings?
• If your name is not written in the Lamb’s book of life, where will you spend your eternity? What does that place look like?