“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.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”
- Jesus
Part I - Part II - Conclusion
I've been munching blueberries, oranges, and guavas sweeter and more fragrant than you can possibly imagine. I'm totally sated at the moment; God is surely in his heaven, and all's right with the world...
The world and heaven have recently been emphatically and finally united into what that rockin' fisherman/theologian Peter once described as "New Heavens and a New Earth, in which righteousness dwells."
And here I am, smack-dab, square in the middle of the wonder and glory of it all.
I've been wandering my old stomping grounds for a fortnight now, only occasionally seeing another soul. It's a big world with a recently reduced and scattered population, so most of my time has been solitary. I recall God once saying “It is not good that the man should be alone," and reflecting on that, I chuckle. For the most part—so far—it's been pretty darn good...
The glade I camped in last night would put the nicest parks I've ever seen to shame. It boasts a spectacular waterfall, vernal pools, and an assortment of friendly creatures.
Old things have passed away; everything—and I do mean everything—has become new. My brand-spanking new body feels just fine, ready and raring to take on my weight in wildcats—not that I'll ever need to, as none of the critters here are remotely aggressive.
Forget about "The Most Holy Place" of the old tabernacle and Solomon's temple... We are not excluded any longer... The entire universe is now "Holy of Holies," permeated with God's palpable presence.
I spin around to see who's talking.
"Are you planning to just stand there all day?"
"Carla?"
I'm stunned, frozen to the spot by the sudden appearance of an old heart-throb. Unfazed, Carla strides over and gives me a big squeeze. "It's great to see you, Benjamin. How on Earth are you?"
My surprise at seeing Carla is off the charts. Somehow I manage a feeble response:
"Ummmm..., How do you think I am? This is heaven on earth, after all."
"Of course! Old thought habits die hard."
I had the biggest crush on Carla back in the day. She, a grad student and I, a college drop-out, we'd occasionally chat after church. She worked for a publishing company and I was a lowly orderly. I wanted to date her, but never screwed up the courage to ask her out. Carla seemed so out of reach—and now, here she is, hugging me?
"What have you been up to, Ben?"
"Mostly wandering so far, being overwhelmed by all the beauty."
I explain that I haven't yet roamed beyond where I spent most of my first life. It's a territory some called "The People's Republic of California"—an even more depressingly oppressive regime than most of the once globe-girdling fiefdoms of satan...
Now that King Jesus has finally and permanently abolished all rival governments, every domain—including the former State of California—is forever safe from tyrants, finally able to flourish.
"Are you still a sci-fi fan?"
"Of course." I recall the occasional discussion Carla and I would have about the merits of Heinlein, C.S. Lewis, Scalzi, Clarke, Asimov, and others. "No reading recently, but I'm certainly enjoying a universe that outstrips anything those guys ever imagined."
Smiling, Carla reciprocates, enthusiastically sharing vignettes of her initial adventures in the glory.
By now, I've reluctantly unclenched from Carla's hug and stepped back a couple of paces. I'm also awake enough to notice in detail what I'm seeing.
Carla always struck me as attractive, but—have I mentioned this?—we all now have brand-new bodies. In the morning light it's unmistakable; Carla is drop-dead gorgeous. Not that anyone will ever drop dead again; but if I could have dropped dead, my first lingering look at Carla would surely have done me in.
Medium height, very nicely padded—in all the right places, and not a single wrong one—Carla is also wearing the most pleasing expression and luminous smile I recall ever seeing. Her chestnut hair frames classical features that include just the right number of artistically placed freckles to perfectly accent her cheeks. The infatuation I once felt for her returns in a flood, and I sense myself blushing a little.
I kneel by a bubbling spring; partly because I'm thirsty, and partly to hide my reddening face. The reflection looking up from the pool reveals a nicely ripped, amazingly good looking, robustly young man.
Sure; that guy is me; but I've never, ever looked so good. In this refreshed universe, age is truly "just a number." We've all drunk from the archetypal fountain of youth, the river of the water of life.
Rising, I react to what Carla's been saying. "It sounds like we've both been soaking up the wonder of it all. I think one of my favorite improvements is this new body."
Holding them out, I inspect the backs of my hands for the umpteenth time. They used to scream "You're old!" at me... Now, the age spots and corrugation are gone, and I can't get over how young and strong they look, prompting me to ask:
Carla laughs, and the sound is magical.
"That's easy. Wherever we want to go, and whatever we want to do. In this eternally new universe, it's flat out impossible to be—or do—or even imagine anything that doesn't honor God in the most comprehensive way possible."
I realize Carla is right. Rescued and redeemed humanity—of which we are now full-fledged, perfectly functioning members—naturally and quite artlessly go about implementing Jesus' Kingdom and executing his will. Oh, the joy!
"Carla, I'm perplexed. How is it that we're here, together, in the same place?"
"Simple; I decided to look you up, so I consulted The Library."
Carla's answer leaves me nonplussed... I vaguely recall some mention of a library at the Marriage Supper... Wasn't I paying attention?
I'm doing a very poor job of sounding clever.
"The accumulated knowledge of mankind has been gathered and preserved in The Library of Heaven. But since there is—and only ever will be—one Library of Heaven, most of us just call it "The Library" when we access library services."
"Library services?" Sparkling wit is clearly not my forte this morning. Can I chalk it up to 'Still not quite awake?'"
"Yeah. I asked Directory Service where to find you, and, voilà! Here I am."
"Well, thanks" I manage to stammer. "I'm really happy to see you." Then, in a sudden rush of transparency, I blurt out; "Carla; the truth is, I've always been taken with you. Seeing you here is a little flustering. I'm astonished you would think to look me up."
If I didn't see it, I wouldn't have believed it, but Carla's smile broadens. "Well, I'm here, aren't I? That ought to tell you how I feel."
Can I believe my ears? Though it's obvious my dawning realization has left me struggling for breath, Carla shows no mercy.
"I've been thinking; maybe you and I could hang out together for a while? You know, get to know each other better than before..."
I'm speechless; Carla presses on.
"If we put our heads—and maybe a few other bits?—together, perhaps we can start figuring out how to get this brave, new world off to a proper start."
Now I'm certifiably blown away. Carla wants to live with me?
"That sounds... that would be... Wow, that's just incredible."
I can't believe my good fortune, but Hey... after all, let's try not to forget where I am.
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