I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will tent with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God." Rev. 21:2, 3.
A young woman diagnosed with a terminal illness learned that she had three months to live. So as she was getting her things in order she contacted her pastor to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the parishioner suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" the pastor replied.
"This is very important," she continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stared at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" she said.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request."
The young woman explained. "In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part, because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful--and with substance! So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand, and I want them to wonder, 'What's with the fork?' Then you can tell them: 'Keep your fork...the best is yet to come.' "
Our text's description of the future is written with the past in mind. God's eternal reward for His people includes the restoration of both Jerusalem and the Garden of Eden. His people will live in a "garden city" that offers the best of both worlds: the peace and tranquility of a garden combined with the bustling excitement of a beautiful city. And best of all, God Himself will be there with us.
Keep your fork.
Lord, from the beginning of my life I have sensed that there has to be something better ahead. Thank You for the precious promise of the New Jerusalem.
A young woman diagnosed with a terminal illness learned that she had three months to live. So as she was getting her things in order she contacted her pastor to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the parishioner suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" the pastor replied.
"This is very important," she continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stared at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" she said.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request."
The young woman explained. "In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part, because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful--and with substance! So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand, and I want them to wonder, 'What's with the fork?' Then you can tell them: 'Keep your fork...the best is yet to come.' "
Our text's description of the future is written with the past in mind. God's eternal reward for His people includes the restoration of both Jerusalem and the Garden of Eden. His people will live in a "garden city" that offers the best of both worlds: the peace and tranquility of a garden combined with the bustling excitement of a beautiful city. And best of all, God Himself will be there with us.
Keep your fork.
Lord, from the beginning of my life I have sensed that there has to be something better ahead. Thank You for the precious promise of the New Jerusalem.
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