Do you think that God gives us the things we love on earth so that He can say, “Ha! Just wait! You love this? You have no idea what is in store for you!” I’m beginning to think so when I read Revelation 21.
There are a couple of things mentioned in Revelation 21 that I know my husband and I both thoroughly enjoy here on earth; the sea and God’s creation of the sunrise, sunset, and the majestic night’s sky.
In Revelation 21:1 it says, “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.” What??? Did I read this correctly? Bible scholars, please reply. Earlier in the year Tim was reading a book on Revelations. I remember him telling me about this verse and inquiring about it. If you know the Shuff family, you know we spend many, many hours out on the water. Fishing, snorkeling, fishing, diving, more fishing, or just enjoying the slight rock of the waves is embedded in many of family memories. When Tim first mentioned it to me I automatically thought, maybe God is simply showing us that what we love to do here on earth is nothing compared what He has for us in Heaven.
Then, in Revelation 21:22-25 we read, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.” Again, two things that captivate me are not needed in Heaven. 
You can tell from the surplus of pictures I have on this site that I love a sunset. There is not one the same. And I can often look at a picture of a sunset that I’ve taken and recall where I was and the feeling of peace I had when I took the photo. Hmmmm, I guess that’s another adoration that God says, “Excuse Me, but you haven’t seen anything yet!”
Oh, but did you see the next set of words above? It said “for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Now THAT will be a photo op that will surely give me abundance peace and joy! Just imagine Christ standing there and illuminating God’s magnificence.
In Revelation 21 we also read about The Lamb’s Book of Life. Verse 27 says, “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” If you want to experience life everlasting, in a place that is splendid and glorious, with The Creator of all mankind, then please make sure your name is written in The Lamb’s Book of Life. How? Admit that you are a sinner, Believe in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and Confess with your mouth that He is Lord. (Click on the “How to become a Christian” tab at the top of the website for more details.) I don’t want you to miss out on the best photo op of your life. Start your new year off right. Start it off with Jesus as your BFF.
Blessings to you.
December 30
