How many of you have seen those celebratory events where the red carpet is rolled out in honor of a special occasion?
It seems every sport, association, organization and political group has their own red carpet event honoring the best of the best.
Just last weekend there was another awards show on television and every news outlet and society page has carried a story about who attended, what they were wearing, how they performed and who the big winner was.
It’s like a fairy tale. A dream come true. Being recognized by the world for your accomplishments. Most of us will never walk a red carpet and have an adoring public calling our name.
However, those of us who know Christ have a much greater celebration awaiting us!
Remember yesterday’s verses? We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus. Our Father has given us an amazingly, incomprehensible inheritance. We will do more than walk a red carpet for just a few hours. We will walk on streets of gold for all eternity!
“The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass.” Revelation 21:18-21 NLT
The Apostle John gives us the above description of heaven. It sounds beautiful, absolutely heavenly. But that’s just part of it. There won’t be a golden award to place on a mantel. What we receive is so much greater. We will receive a new body – no pain, no sickness, no tears, no heartache or death. Our minds will be new – no senility, no tormenting thoughts, no emotional distress, no deficiencies; peaceful, strong minds.
“I heard a loud voice coming from heaven. It said, “See! God’s home is with men. He will live with them. They will be His people. God Himself will be with them. He will be their God. 4 God will take away all their tears. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All the old things have passed away.” 5 Then the One sitting on the throne said, “See! I am making all things new. Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Revelation 21:3-5 NLV
And we will be in the presence of God Almighty. We will see Jesus face to face and we will hear Him say “I am making all thngs new”.
I can truthfully say that I do not crave any earthly red carpet treatment. My desire is to live in glory with the King of Kings and walk the streets of gold!