In 1997, musician and writer Michael Card released an album Unveiled Hope, based on the book of Revelation. Titles of songs on this album include reminders of themes we’ve encountered in our devotional study this month, such as “To the Overcomers,” “You Are Worthy,” and “The Dragon.” One of my favorite songs is “The New Jerusalem,” drawn from Revelation 21–22.

At the start of Revelation’s final chapter, John recaps and expands his description of the New Jerusalem. In this city, there is a river of the water of life flowing from God’s throne (vv. 1–2). Salvation is a reality we’ll experience fully and always in this place. And not only as individuals: The leaves of the tree of life will bring about the “healing of the nations.” That tree, last seen in Eden, will bear fruit monthly.

The curse (Genesis 3) and the realities of the fallen world we live in today will be utterly gone (vv.  3–4). God will dwell directly with His people, with no barriers in between. We’ll “see his face.” Fellowship with Him will be intimate and unhindered. We as His servants will serve (also translated “worship”) Him, meaning in part that we’ll have meaningful things to do—as opposed to the stereotype that we’ll be sitting around on clouds strumming harps. His name will be on our foreheads, graciously marking us as members of His eternal family. The 144,000 Jewish evangelists similarly will have the Father’s and Lamb’s names written on their foreheads (Rev. 14:1).

In the heavenly New Jerusalem, there will be no darkness or night (v. 5). God will provide the light, and there will be no need for the sun or even for lamps. There we’ll reign forever with Christ. This is the ultimate “And they lived happily ever after”!

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