Before open-heart surgery, someone asked me, “Are you scared?”

My answer? “No.”

The worst that could happen would be for me to wake up. The best would be to live in God’s promise of Revelation 21.

No matter what you are going through, it is not the last word. God has written the final chapter of your life.

Today’s text describes the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, as a place where God will wipe every tear from your eyes. There will be no more death, nor any more mourning. You will never cry again and your pain will go away. Scripture says the first things have passed away.

What a wonderful truth for those of us who love Jesus! The very next verse in this text tells us that God is making everything new (Revelation 21:5).

What must we do to become assured of this transformation?

We must put our trust in the One who transforms us. God sent Jesus Christ to redeem us, to save us and teach us how to live here on this earth. We must accept Jesus, ask for forgiveness and grow in faith.

Learning to grow into a relationship with Christ will help us to transform ourselves here on Earth. The promise hereafter is pure love without pain, sorrow, anger, or tears. What a blessing we have before us!