When Former Things Have Passed Away
Sometimes, whether foolishly or wistfullyI use the phrase 'heaven on earth' as I did this morning,while gazing awe-dazed, at a rain-mist dazzled flower garden/roses...However, Bible readers know what Scripture tells us;But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,Nor have entered into the heart of manThe things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”1 Cor.2:9
When we without dark glass betweenWill see Him, face to face...
When former things have passed awayWhat a day that will beWhen God transforms The Potter's ClayTo Immortality When hope becomes realityWhen prophecies shall ceaseWhen knowledge ends and love will beEternal joy and peace
When God will wipe away our tearsWhen He settles faith's scoreWhen pain and sorrow disappearsWhen death will be no more
No jealousy, envy or greedNo sin to mar or taintWhen former things of want and needNo longer test/try the saint
When we withoutWill see Him, face to faceAnd the Unseen becomes the Seen;God's fulfilled Gift of grace
When we behold His dwelling placeWhen He makes all things newWhen we are drawn in the embraceOf God, Faithful and True
Tears, fears, grief, pain yield to decay Death crowned with victoryWhen former things have passed awayFor all eternity
~Janet Martin
A few versions of a hymn that is growing increasingly dearer withevery parting of loved ones who have believed and received the giftof salvation; eternal life!
And last but not least one of the most precious and sobering passages in Scripture!
Rev.21:1-8All Things Made New
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth,the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.Also there was no more sea.Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, He will dwell with them, they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”And He said to me, “It is done!I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.He who overcomes shall inherit all things,and I will be his God and he shall be My son.But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable,murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lakewhich burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”