When we think of heaven, we usually think of some place in the sky. But in John’s vision, heaven is a new city. I love this image. We can easily imagine a new set of city gates leading to a downtown that supports all the city’s residents to the glory of God. Let’s take a stroll through that city and see what we find.

First, the tree of life is present in this city. The last time we saw it was in Genesis when Adam and Eve were banned from ever tasting its fruit. But in this new city the damage that was done by humanity’s first parents—and then replicated by all of us over and over—is healed. We are able to live in the presence of God and one another for eternity. This is because our metaphorical robes have been washed by the gift of grace in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Jesus sends an angel to declare that he is the rightful ruler descended from king David, but even more than that he is the “bright Morning Star.” His presence declares a new day. He is a light that guides our every moment in this new city.

All who wish to drink the water of life and receive it as a free gift are invited to come into this city. The thirsty will thirst no more. Perhaps this is more than just a physical thirst. Perhaps it is also a thirst for love and mercy and justice. All of these things we now only experience in part. In this city we will experience them in full.

The author of Revelation ends the book with a prayer we all can pray: Come, Jesus, and be our Lord. Do not tarry any longer. Let us no longer sit in the shadow of harm and injustice and the lack of love that we experience in the cities and towns and countrysides where we live today. Come, Jesus, and remake our life together according to your will. Amen.