As we start out 2013, my thoughts are directed to the Bible verse for this year:
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:14)
The name of my hometown Weiterstadt actually means "continue city" or "further town". Simply the name of my town can remind us that there is more to life on this earth and to life in my town.
This is why I called my blog Here today and gone tomorrow. It is the story of my life. One day here, another day somewhere else. Having grown up in Germany, I then went to study in the USA, then studied in England, then worked in Ireland, then worked in Germany, then studied in England again and now am back in Germany, preparing for service abroad. This month, I am in my hometown Weiterstadt and next month, I plan to move to Freiburg to live closer to my fiancée and be involved in the ministry of our sending church before we get married in June. We will then find a new place to live but only until we are ready to move to our next home in Mexico.
And yet, all our living and being in towns and places on this earth is only for a short time and serves as preparation for where we will spend eternity. Those who have trusted in Jesus Christ and lived for Him can look forward to leaving this earth and living with Christ in the city that is to come, the heavenly Jerusalem.
This is how the apostle John describes the future city God has prepared for His people:
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Revelation 21:2-7)
This is the wonderful future and everlasting city for God's children. A place where all things are made new. No more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain. A place where God dwells with His people and wipes away their tears and gives His children water from the fountain of life. A place where life never ends - a continuing city. This is what God has prepared for His people. Now is the time for us to prepare and get ready for the continuing city that is to come.
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:14)
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