Can you hear Him?

READ Revelation 20–22

A particular social media account tells of Christians in various places who are banned, burned, beaten, or beheaded because they tell others about Jesus. Their pictures fill me with anguish and sorrow yet at the same time hope. By the promises of God, I know that I will see them again:

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4)

This thousand years reference is a mystery as to when and why, but the characteristics are vivid. After it is over, Satan will be released to test the nations, attack God’s city, and then be destroyed to join the beast and false prophet in the lake of eternal fire and torment. (20:7–10)

Then Revelation tells of two deaths. The first is understood, but the second is far more serious. John describes what he saw:

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades (the grave)  gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (20:11–15)

Clearly, no one gets into the book of life after they die. That happens only to those alive. There is no purgatory or second chance to repent and be saved from sin. However, those who are saved can get excited for eternal life is so incredible. Scripture describes it in ways we can grasp, but I’m certain that no vivid imagination can fully realize the glory. John’s view:

And I 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 the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (21:2–4)

Imagine God Himself wiping away all tears, removing all sadness and pain! Even just that line that says death will be no more fills my heart with joy. And there is more:

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son . . . . And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (21:6–27)

As glorious as this is, the next line brings tears of joy: “They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.”

I will see His face. That is enough. Never mind that no light is needed and that I will reign with Him forever; I will see His face. He says: “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (22:4–7)

Those words remind me of the sound of bagpipes off in the distance, heard for miles yet not yet seen. I lean toward the One who is coming, longing to do what He asks but even greater — longing to see His face. Even so, come Lord Jesus.