This picture describes a feeling I had this morning. Notice the intertwining complexities of this "wind sculpture". It simply exudes magnificence in the complexity of its beauty. That is how I felt this morning, as I sat on my sofa, with a dog sitting on each side of me, as I viewed the bright sunshine reflecting from the yellowed sided trailer just behind ours. The sunlight shimmered and danced with glee and even though it is only 38 degrees outside, I could feel the warmth of the blessing of God, warming my soul with its ubiquitous love. WOW, what a way to start the day!!!! So, today's post is all about feeling, which naturally led me to think of heaven and of course, the following passage...
Revelation, Chapter 21
10 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13 On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 15 He who spoke with me had for a measure, a golden reed, to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. 16 The city is square, and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. 19 The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. 23 The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 25 Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there), 26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter. 27 There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Imagine if you will, what the feeling will be like as you enter the pearly gates and see the foundations of the NEW JERUSALEM!!! Of course this picture does not really do it justice, as the light from Almighty God is not shining through the stones, giving them an iridescent quality, but just think a moment about the emotions these hues will evoke. The complexity and joy of the experience will be akin to the first time we are blessed to be in the presence of the Triune being HIMSELF!!! Nature can be a wonderful thing to behold, but even its splendor is nothing compared to what awaits God's one true church. Colors may never look the same to me again!!!!
