Longing home.

Some years ago after a church service I had a conversation with an elderly woman who said:

“The last time I saw you, you were about this tall...” She lifted her hands to about waist high and smiled. “Time really does go fast. You know.. it seems to go faster and faster.”

My answer surprised both of us: “That means we will be home faster!”

With that one sentence our conservation had change from small talk to something that was at the heart of our Christian experience. She looked earnestly at me and said: “I long so much for home!”

I have often thought of that short conversation. I believe it reveals what Adventism should be all about. For me the essence of Adventism is not the belief that Jesus will come back soon, but the longing to see Jesus and his kingdom.

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. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”- Revalation 21:1-4 - New International Version