| God will live with us; we shall live forever with him. Oh, the marvelous things we will do together with our glorious God! And with each other. Together we will rule the world and judge fallen angels. Together we will eat the fruit of the Tree of Life and be pillars in the temple of God. Together we shall receive the Morning Star and be crowned with life, righteousness, and glory. Most of all we will enjoy the best of togetherness—we shall be together with God.
Note how many times I’ve used the word together. Heaven is not a hangout for mavericks roaming solo across the universe, doing their own thing. It’s a place of sweet togetherness, and maybe that’s why Revelation 21 says we will live together in a city, the New Jerusalem. We won’t be speckled here and there in rural cottages isolated from one another, but we will live in harmony in a city. A nice city. A holy city.
Do you consider yourself a loner when it comes to being with God’s people? God has given us communal relationships on earth—with our families, friends at school, coworkers at the office—to prepare us for heaven. Scripture always describes our heavenly union with God not as private but as corporate. Today’s verse underscores that God will be with his people.
You can prepare for this heavenly togetherness today by “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25 RSV).
Lord, I look forward to the day when you will remove all barriers among your people. I long for the day when we will truly be one in you. Please help me to enjoy being together with all my brothers and sisters in you—and remind me that this communion of saints is preparing us all for heavenly togetherness. |
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