New Testament | Revelation 21:1-4, 22, 22:5

Opening Song:
New Jerusalem by Eddie Hoagland, Jacob Sooter, Jon Guerra; sung here by Shane & Shane

Lyrics:
Somewhere we know but haven’t been
Like a song forgotten
A place prepared beyond the end
Our home in new Jerusalem
A palace made of promises
A garden and a fortress
A world that’s built on what you said
Our home in new Jerusalem
Our home in new Jerusalem

Standing there in purest light
With no more pain and no more night
He holds the tears her eyes have cried
The bride of new Jerusalem
Who filled with love would give his life
To save his one and only bride
Who’s name is true and lifted high
The king of new Jerusalem
The king of new Jerusalem

His will is done his kingdom come
Eternity has just begun
The multitude will sing as one
The song of new Jerusalem
A music free from bars or time
A symphony of His design
The Lamb of God enthroned on high
The hope of new Jerusalem
The hope of new Jerusalem

A music free from bars or time
A symphony of His design
The Lamb of God enthroned on high
The hope of new Jerusalem
The hope of new Jerusalem

Somewhere we know but haven’t been
Like a song forgotten
A place prepared beyond the end
Our home in new Jerusalem
Our home in new Jerusalem

Passage:
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 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. 4 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.”

22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.

5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
(Rev 21:1-4, 22, 22:5 ESV)

Musical Reflection:
Harp meditation No. 1 by Gretchen Kirby

Reflection Notes:
A repetitive pattern in the left hand provides a meditative foundation while the right hand experiments with ascending lines. The tune is meant to be joyful and evoke delight.

Prayer:
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.