In a Perfect World

"For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears." 1 Corinthians 13:9-10 (NIV)

In a perfect world, there would be no death, no sorrow, no suffering. A perfect world would be full of loving, kind, selfless people, people who were redeemed, purified, justified, sanctified, transformed. In this world, no one would be afraid of the dark; there would be no need for night for this world would be filled only with light. There would be no need for hiding anything. Everything would be out in the open.

The citizens of this world would have imperishable bodies, bodies that would never know disease, disaster, tragedy, or decay. The streets of this perfect world would not be paved with good intentions, they would be paved in the purest of gold. And the river which flows through this world would never carry toxins, would never flood its bank, and would only bring life to all those who would drink of it.

The leader of this world would never have a hidden agenda, ulterior motives, or secret meetings. He would always be Trustworthy, Faithful, and True. His only concern would be for the well being of His subjects and every need of every person would always be met. There would be no hunger nor want, no conflict nor war, no taking of another's life at any time, for any reason. There would be no danger, nor peril, nor calamity, nor strife. This world in all its perfection would be filled with goodness and mercy, grace and peace, honesty, integrity, justice, and prudence.

A perfect world would have no addiction of any kind. There would be no self-righteousness, self-promoting, self-aggrandizing, self-deprecating, self-serving, self-sufficiency, or selfishness of any kind. People in this world would give instead of take, serve instead of demanding service.

The desire for power would be replaced by the desire for peace. The desire for money, or material things would be replaced with the desire for righteousness. In this world, there would be no jealousy, no covetousness, no greed. Every citizen would have an equally beautiful mansion filled with equally abundant joy.

This world will glisten with cleanliness and gleam with precious jewels of unimaginable beauty. There will be no refuse, no litter, no loitering, no laziness, no listlessness, no loss. There will be no thievery, no violence, no viciousness, no vindictiveness, only contentment, satisfaction, stability, generosity, and goodness. All of the occupants of this perfect world will have patience, gentleness, self-control, and love. No one ever experiences condemnation, judgment, separation, or rejection. They will all be embraced, loved, comforted, protected. They will only know peace not pain, beauty not ugliness, joy not suffering.

Amen, Come Lord Jesus!

"And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. And the nations shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it. And in the daytime (for there shall be no night there) its gates shall never be closed." Revelation 21:23-25 (NASB)

"And that's it. Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil." Ecclesiates 12:14 (The Message)

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." 1 John 4:17 (KJV)

"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel." Hebrews 12:22-26 (ESV)

"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2 (KJV)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galations 5:22-23 (NIV)

"He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God." Revelation 19:13 (NIV)

"And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them, and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.' And He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' And He said, 'Write, for these words are faithful and true.'" Revelation 21:3-5 (NASB)