It was homecoming for our high school last week. The students celebrated by dressing up each day, gathering around a bonfire and enjoying a night full of class activities, and then ended the week with the crowning of the king and queen, and of course, a dance.
Homecoming is always such a fun week. As a teacher, I used to love all of the extras and the excitement (though utterly exhausting) that came with it. This year, I observed the week as an outsider—no longer a teacher directly involved in each festivity, instead a mom with a daughter participating.
As I sat on the grass with my littlest in my lap, watching the flames of the bonfire swirl and sweep heavenward, I couldn’t help but think of that place—Heaven. And what a homecoming that will be when we enter the place Jesus came to prepare for us.
Though we won’t dress in fun and silly costumes each day, we will be given a new body—free of imperfection, pain, and suffering. We will be clothed and surrounded by God’s glory. All will be new.
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
(Revelation 21:3-5).
The bonfire and class activities will be replaced by fellowship like we've never experienced before. We will gather in UNITY. No longer will culture or geography or political parties or opinions divide us. Instead, we will stand together to worship and praise our God.
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb...” (Revelation 7:9a).
And the crowning . . . it will be more glorious than anything we’ve ever experienced. We will sit at the throne of God, the King of eternity, who is crowned as the ruler over all things.
“Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7: 15-17).
Then we will dance, of course. And sing and worship the God of our salvation. We will join the angels, and every moment for the rest of eternity will be spent praising the Lord.
“Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’” (Revelation 5:11-12).
Friends, I’m not going to pretend that I know or understand all the words of the book of Revelation. But I do know this: Jesus Christ came to this earth so that He could make a way for us to join Him in Heaven. He has prepared a place for you and me. One day, we will be where He is.
And the moment we enter the gates of Heaven, it will be the greatest homecoming ever.
