“When Jesus returns to finish making all things new and beautiful, all harming and being harmed will be over, done with, and eternally kaput—just like all disease and death, evil and brokenness, lovelessness and selfishness. For the earth will be filled with God’s glory and grace. Indeed, the truth, goodness, and beauty of Jesus will fill the landscape of the new heaven and new earth, and the lives of God’s every-nation impossible to count family.” (Conflated paraphrase of Isa.11:9; Rev.7, 21:1-22:6, and the testimony of the entire Bible)
Lord Jesus, every promise God has made finds its “Yes!” in you. Hallelujah … we worship and adore you for securing the Day the entire Bible points towards and guarantees. More than ever, we crave the Day when all enmity, strife, and violence give way to wolves frolicking with lambs, leopards and goats napping together, cows and bears lunching together.
Political parties will be replaced with actual parties—Gospel parties. No one will be used or sold, only welcomed and cherished. There won’t be any more spite, fight, or flight—no more selfishness, racism, or tribalism. The very nanosecond you return will inaugurate the eternal-Day when we will finally and fully love one another as you love us, Jesus. Make it soon? It’s hard down here and it would be unbearable without you being with us and for us, Jesus.
Until that Day, keep us groaning and growing in grace, Lord. Grant us quick repentances, softer hearts, and a passion for reconciliation. May the world recognize us as your disciples by the way we love one another—no matter our voting record, denominational or non-denominational affiliation, favorite college team, ice cream flavor, worship style, favorite American president or world leader in the history of mankind. You have come, and you’re coming again, Jesus. How long, O Lord? And SO VERY AMEN.
