When Former Things Have Passed Away

Sometimes, whether foolishly or wistfully

I use the phrase 'heaven on earth' as I did this morning,

while gazing awe-dazed, at a rain-mist dazzled flower garden/roses...

However, Bible readers know what Scripture tells us;

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

1 Cor.2:9

When we without dark glass between

Will see Him, face to face...

When former things have passed away

What a day that will be

When God transforms The Potter's Clay

To Immortality

  

When hope becomes reality

When prophecies shall cease

When knowledge ends and love will be

Eternal joy and peace

When God will wipe away our tears

When He settles faith's score

When pain and sorrow disappears

When death will be no more

No jealousy, envy or greed

No sin to mar or taint

When former things of want and need

No longer test/try the saint 

When we without dark glass between

Will see Him, face to face

And the Unseen becomes the Seen;

God's fulfilled Gift of grace

When we behold His dwelling place

When He makes all things new

When we are drawn in the embrace

Of God, Faithful and True

Tears, fears, grief, pain yield to decay 

Death crowned with victory

When former things have passed away

For all eternity

~Janet Martin

A few versions of a hymn that is growing increasingly dearer with

every parting of loved ones who have believed and received the gift

of salvation; eternal life! 

What A Day That Will Be Lyrics

Drew Parker - What A Day That Will Be (Acoustic Cover) // The Church Sessions

And last but not least one of the most precious and sobering passages in Scripture!

Rev.21:1-8

All Things Made New

1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth,

the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.

Also there was no more sea.

2Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem,

coming down out of heaven from God,

 prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, 

He will dwell with them, they shall be His people. 

God Himself will be with them and be their God.

4And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; 

there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. 

There shall be no more pain, 

for the former things have passed away.”

5Then He who sat on the throne said,

 “Behold, I make all things new.” 

And He said [b]to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6And He said to me, “It[c] is done!

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

7He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things,

and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

8But the cowardly, [e]unbelieving, abominable,

murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers,

idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake

which burns with fire and brimstone, 

which is the second death.”