In just a few days, you will most likely be taking down those Christmas decorations and packing them up until next year…when you will be pulling them out and decorating all over again! Yes, Christmas is coming again…unless Jesus comes back before then.
This year, as you pack away those tinseled treasures, I want you to think about this: The babe who was born in a manger, who lived a perfect sinless life, who died on the cross and rose again so that you and I can have eternal life…He’s coming again! Only next time He will not come as a babe in a manger, but as a reigning King.
John saw Jesus as He will appear when He returns, dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters” (Revelation 1:12-16).
He will come again to reign in Zion forever. When that day occurs, we will have eternal “peace on earth.”
Here’s how God revealed Jesus’ second coming to John.
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them.” And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And he who sits on the throne said, “Behold I am making all things new.” And he said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:1-5 NIV)
I don’t know about you, but I can hardly wait. The prophet Joel said that the day was drawing near. I don’t know when Jesus will return, but I do know that it is sooner than it was yesterday. In the meanwhile, we’ll continue to celebrate Christmas until He comes to take us home where we will have the most wonderful eternal Christmas celebration imaginable. And the good news is…God has already decorated for the party.
Dear Lord, Thank You for the promise of heaven. What a wonderful celebration it will be to see Jesus face-to-face. Until then, I’ll celebrate Christmas in my heart everyday, thanking You for the gift of Your Son. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What is one thing you are looking forward to about heaven? Leave a message and let’s share.
Digging Deeper
As we move into the New Year, let’s make 2024 a year of prayer. Get your copy of Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe or Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe…A 30 Day Guide to Powerful and Effective Scripture-Based Prayer. Also, consider buy 2 extra copies to give to someone who would love to pray more effectively for their husband, children, or grandchildren.
© 2023 by Sharon Jaynes. All rights reserved.
Comments 71
No more tears!
Yes I can hardly wait to see my savior face to face, and my family members that are already there, no more pain, crying, sorrow, evil nothing but joy unspeakable and full of glory joy in Praising God for eternity ❤
My 34-year-old special needs daughter Shannon left me for Heaven this February 2023. I dream about her and miss her every day. All I have are her ashes now but I long for that day I will see her joyously whole and beautiful and running to me.
II also have a 35 yr old daughter with special needs. She is in a nursing home,I am unable to care for her at home because I have fractured my lower back and I’m in constant pain.she has multiple physical problems and is suffering. I have asked God to help her but so far it hasn’t happened. I have even asked God to bring her home to heaven tho I would miss her so much. I don’t want to be selfish I want what’s best for her. Her mental age is 4 and she has been suffering most of her life. I am there every day trying to comfort her.. I know God and Jesus love her her smiles have been few since she aged out of her pediatric nursing home which she loved into an adult nursing home. She is not happy there the care is not good, due to staffing issues etc I just want her to be at peace and not cry everyday and ask me to help her. It breaks my heart
Praying all my animals that have passed will be there. Not sure if it will be that way but I’d exchange gold and pearls for my four legged fam 😊❤️
I love your note! I am looking forward to seeing all my fur babies too! Don’t need gold and pearls!
Me too. The ones who have passed and my current one because I pray he is not left alone.
You are so right; I can’t imagine Heaven without my beloved animals.
Our border collie passed 3 days before Thanksgiving…….I hope the same as you!!! She was almost 15 yrs old!!! I miss her terribly 😢
Yes, All Creatures Great and Small the Lord God Made them All 🐾💞 For sure ,He 💜✝️💜has told me I will see ALL my “Fur Angels ” in His Loving Arms when I meet Him💜✝️💜in Heaven 🙏
Yes and Amen, I believe they will be as we were w/ our fur baby girl Dallas take her last breath this May 2023, my heart sank and I grabbed her and sunk my face into her limp body, I then heard in my spirit the voice of the Lord saying, no need to worry she’s up here with Me in the Kingdom, one day you’ll see her again…I could hardly believe it b/c I questioned it for years myself but now I know what I know and I heard what I heard, Thank You Lord Jesus for confirming a question and concern that she was gone forever, their not gone but living their lives to the fullest rn in the Kingdom of Heaven,
Author
That is so sweet. I have a baby girl in heaven too and had a similar experience.
I totally feel the same way. We rescue animals (dogs) who need a good home and have had many. Loved them all, but my last golden retriever was my heart!
When our pug passed, I prayed and cried out to God. I came to the point where I was willing to accept if he had created heaven without them.
And then – I began to see I scripture in so many places God speaking about the birds making a home with him, horses in heaven, noticing again his tender care for animals while on earth. I re-read in Jonah about how God says to him,
”Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”“
Jonah 4:11
“As well as many animals. “
And –
”For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.“
Romans 8:19-22
Whole creation – Earth and the animals that God brought to Adam and allowed him to name.
No more sickness in my body.
Being able to sing with my full voice again!
No mourning, crying or pain
I look forward to forever praising The Lord.
To see Jesus!! When He takes me by the hand and leads me through the promised land!! What a day glorious day that will be!!
That’s a beautiful picture I remember that song. What a glorious day that will be.
One thing looking forward to is the continuing warmth of love
I am looking forward to continuous peace.
Me too. No fighting, no hatred, no battles for power. What a wonderful world it will be!
Sharon, I appreciate this so much today. The holidays are special, but hard for various reasons. This devotional puts it into perspective. One day the pains of this life will be no more. God will take away all pain, physical, mental, and emotional. When I look at the nativity in my living room I need to remember that hope. Not only has He saved my soul through His sacrifice, but also delivered me from everything that’s hurt me throughout my life. I’m so thankful for that!
I look forward to seeing my beautiful savior Jesus and my loved ones.
God Bless you all!
Debbie L
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve felt a sadness sweep over me the day after Christmas. Now, it’s not so bad bc Jesus lives in my heart. What I look forward to in heaven is never again having to miss what I don’t have anymore on earth, like my parents and big celebrations for Christmas. There will be nothing missing.
Merriest of Christmas time memories to you. Want to express how much I look forward to your devotionals. Again today the Blessed hope shared of Christ’s return , but give. To us by yout words to remember…this should be a celebration that never stops! Thank you! I love sharing your devotions with
Th everyone!
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Thank you!
I am looking forward to spending eternity with Jesus. Seeing his beautiful face and knowing that this is what everything I went through was for. There will be no more pain, no hurting, no killing, no hate, it will be so peaceful and being with Jesus is what I am longing for. I know that this world is not my home, and I am so looking forward to either the day he calls me home or comes back to gather his children to him.
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Amen. Me too.
Thank you for your weekly devotion. Always so uplifting. I pray that God continues to bless you, your family and your ministry.
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Thank you!
Looking forward to being able to love without fear of betrayal as repayment.
I know you shared how John described in Revelation the return of Jesus as he thought He will appear, “dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters.”
May I venture a guess that He may NOT appear in this way? I don’t need to know in advance, but we don’t want to make the same mistake as Judas did – DISAPPOINTMENT that our Heavenly King was not all that “heavenly.”
I don’t know how we’ll know, but I’m not going to necessarily expect Him in a long robe sashed with gold, with hair as white as snow, blazing eyes, and so on. It worries me to think how people would react to that kind of entrance.
No matter what, I feel ready to Welcome Him!
Author
Lynn, Yikes! These are not my words. They are directly from Scripture. Here are the verses:
I (John) turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. Revelation 1:12-16. I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, so if the Bible says it, I believe it will happen exactly the way God says.
Same here, if the Bible says it’s and it will happen.
I look forward to seeing Jesus face to face and then seeing my mother and dad, my brother and so many other special loved ones that have passed.
Amen!
I’m excited for my granddaughter Katie to be healed from her terrible seizures. I look forward to playing with her and her twin sister Andrea. Andrea is already waiting for us in heaven.
Peace!
To see the face of our Lord; to see my parents; to have peace… no more evil, no sickness, no death. Eternal joy!!!! Lord to praise you forever!!!
I am longing to see Jesus Face to Face. What a day that will be. I am also looking forward to a new Heaven and Earth. All of Gods promises fulfilled. Amen.
Wonderful, hope in his word. He is coming back for us; or taking us up to him it’s a win-win situation. Love your devotional.
Looking forward to live in all the promises God has written are ours forever and ever! Oh my, how glorious, thrilling, comforting, beautiful and wonderful our forever will be with Jesus, with Abba, with the millions of angels, with our beloved ones. And a banquet awaits us. I am grateful, full of His love for the hope inside me that awaits for that Day!
Thank you for this encouraging blessed message this morning. The day after a beautiful love filled celebration of Jesus, I find myself a little weary (actually a lot weary) . But staying focused on Him and His return is just what I need to hear. Blessings
yes 🙂
I will be glad to meet my 3 babies that were miscarried. I don’t know for sure but maybe Jesus will greet me followed by these tiny ones grown up into children or young adults.
I look forward to exploring forever the place Jesus went to prepare for me and to seeing loved ones that have passed. I look forward to whatever assignment the Lord has for me in eternity along with praising God continually.
Looking forward to peace… total peace …
Now that Christmas is over, and our loved ones have left our homes to return to their homes, it leaves us sad, and we miss them. Oh, but one day we will all be together again! Praising Jesus for his perfect gift. We can be together with all our loved ones never to separate again!
There is so much I would like to say, but there is a song that kind of sums up my thoughts and emotions. It is entitled I Can Only Imagine. It thrills my soul every time I hear it. Take a listen if you can. It will b worth the effort. There was another chorus that we used to sing in our church years ago. My dad called it a ditty but it sure got the people excited. I’m gonna have the time of my life when the time of my life is over. Gonna get beside myself when I stand beside the King that day, Gonna let the glory’s roll when the roll is called in Glory, I’m gonna get carried away when I get carried away!
There are loved one gone home just a few steps of ourselves and I look forward to the great reunion, but most of all I long to see Jesus and to know that all our pain, sickness, hurts, disappointments, misunderstandings and death will b no more. I long to spend eternity praising and glorifying Jesus, my Lord and Savior
Filling the “void”. We spend so much time trying to find the missing piece not filled by spouses, family, friends—a true connection that settles the needs and wants. I know in my heart it is a place only resolved by my Lord and I look forward to the void being filled by him.
So many hugs, no more tears…my Dad will know me again! Going to play some music with my Grandpa
But especially to hug Jesus, thank Him and meet my steed for the battle
Putting my head on Jesus’ heart and feeling the peace the world cannot give. Seeing my family, friends and pets again.
Seeing Jesus of course, but meeting God face to face and the Holy Spirit would be wonderful. I always am curious and seeing the Godhead three in one is exciting to me. Of course seeing family members is also a must.
Peace on earth; goodwill toward men! <3
I cannot wait to get to Heaven. The suffering and pain that I’ve had in 2023, has been the worst of my life. One daughter got married and it was so awesome, my other daughter got married and we’re estranged due to the husband and the other daughter is living with the bf. My mom was also diagnosed with cancer, but by the grace of God, she survived and is fine. My job has been a wreck, and I just don’t understand with all of my praying and begging the Lord to take this pain away, that I cannot get away from it. My faith is so shaken right now, and I just don’t know how much more of this I can take before I lose my ever-loving mind. I don’t know what the Lord is trying to tell me.
Hi KT, I find that God often does not take the pain away, even when we beg him to. Remember, God did not even spare Christ when he asked for ‘the cup’ of imminent betrayal and crucifixion to be taken from him.
A good friend once advised me: “God is not interested in our comfort, He is interested in our character.” There is nothing like difficult times and challenges that build character and drive us to seek Him more than anything else. Keep reading and meditating on His Word, Ask Him to transform and renew your mind. Surrender completely to Him. ❤️
Dear KT, I was touched by this text of yours and that is why I would like to know your name so that I can pray for you. I myself went through a similar experience when my whole world fell apart in just one month. It’s not easy, there are a lot of events in a short time and it’s a lot of stress. The Lord will take you through all your suffering and will be close to you. Through many troubles, we got to the kingdom of heaven. Every experience has a purpose (you will discover that only after the dust from those events has settled a little). If you were close to me I would give you a big hug and talk to you a lot. I am in Europe and I will pray for you that the Lord strengthens you, encourages you, strengthens you so that you can continue, that you preserve your sanity and that you receive all the necessary answers at the right time. With love, Christ’s blessing, Goddess
Seeing my Savior clearly for the first time. Oh how exciting that will be!!! And rejoicing with the angels and saints forever!!!! No more sorrow, no more pain!!! To meet the children I miscarried and be reunited with loved ones who passed on before me. What a joyful celebration that will be!!! Truly paradise!!!
No more pain, no more hurt… Only love, and peace, and joy. Oh what a day that will be, to see my Heavenly Father, and to feel the hug of my earthly father, the late W. E. Manning. His passing has left a whole in my heart that has only been filled by the love of GOD, and the promise that I will see him again, through the eternal life that has been given unto me by the acceptance of Jesus Christ. What a reunion that will be…
Sharon you are one of God’s angels on earth that he uses to encourage us with His word. Thank you. I am looking forward to seeing Jesus and my beloved family who got to go home to heaven before us and of course our beloved pets waiting at the rainbow bridge.
Seeing my mom
I look forward to being in the presence of Jesus, being with my husband again and being able to be with my two babies I never got to hold and love on. It will be glorious!
I am delighted by these comments, so I am encouraged to share briefly one of my small experiences, which I call “a foretaste of heaven”. Recently, I went out for pizza with my small Christian group of 10 of us. We thought we would find a place without any problems, but unfortunately all the restaurants were filled to capacity. We visited 5-6 of them until someone remembered to pray. After the prayer, someone thought of going up to a restaurant on the cliffs (because we live in the Mediterranean by the sea). Miraculously, the restaurant was open but still full. We had already lowered our heads and headed for the exit when the waiter stopped us and said that there is a place in that restaurant called the Emperor’s Table. When we went to look at the table, we almost fainted because it was a wonderful table with high chairs just like for emperors and beautifully decorated with a view of the sea. We sat down, delighted with the final outcome and there was silence for a few minutes because all 10 of us had the same thought “how will it be in heaven at the table that the Lord is preparing for us” when it is so beautiful here and when this royal place was waiting for us. It must be something magnificent that our limited imagination cannot even imagine. I can’t wait to sit at the table with Jesus.
Love the thought of this email Sharon.
It will be such a great day when Jesus returns to us and we to Him and God.
🙏🏻💕🙏🏻
Kat 🐱
I’m looking forward to heaven when there is no more diseases, no more tears only of joy!
I’m looking forward to meeting my precious baby for the very first time. I can’t wait until Jesus places him in my arms!
I am excited to meet my two grandbabies who are already in heaven and see my mom and dad again.
I have an ailing husband for many years. He is getting better day by day. we have had many setbacks. Im looking forward to seeing all our loved ones who have gone on before us. What a glorious day that will be. We will see Jesus in all his Glory
I want to see my Lord and savior and thank him for being by my side , holding my hand and forgiving me of my sins while I was here on earth. The blessings he has given me have been bountiful . I will be blessed to see my loved ones again that have passed on before me .
Juselda
December 29, 2023 At 7;17 PM
No More Sorrow, nor Pain no Crying no Hearth Hake Just pure joy peace Love Thank you, Jesus, for
your redeeming Blood
No more pain, both physical and emotional. I’ve been through a lot and this holiday season was the most challenging yet, but I know heaven will be a wonderful, peaceful place and I pray all my loved ones will be there too.