Chapter 21

God’s Diamond Words for Chapter 21:

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps.46:10)

On Valentine’s day, 1943, my first brother, Bill, was born. I was eight. Bill never spoke a word in his life (lived to be 17). Doctors at the University of Minnesota told us the part of his brain that controls speech simply wasn’t there. Most doctors recommend he be put in an institution. My father said, “No! He stays at home.”

A new heaven and a new earth began for me the day he was born. I had to put aside verbal skills and learn to speak with him through hugs and eyes and smiles. I learned to be still; I learned to know God through my speechless brother.

The Book of Revelation talks about a “new heaven” and a “new earth.” Let’s not think, “After I die, the new earth heaven and earth will begin.” No, they begin all the time.

Every morning a new heaven arrives. When the sun peeks over the horizon a new earth is born. Every time I wiped a tear from my brother’s eyes, God wiped a tear from mine.

God’s great dream, the Book of revelation, tells me how God acts in my life now. Every minute of every day, He “makes all things new.”

Thanks to God’s fantastic love we live in the old and new heaven and earth at the same time -- We stand with one foot on this side of the Jordan and one foot on the other.

Yes, the sun still shines on me by day and the moon glows at night. Only When God slows me down long enough to be still (Psalm 46: 10), as I did often with my brother, Bill, do I see the glory of God as my light. Only then does His Word light up my path.

Praying through Revelation I have learned how marvelously God works his work in me.

He takes my eyes when they are haughty, my tongue when it lies, or any discord I sow, and throws them into the lake of fire and sulfur. Then he looks at the Lamb’s book of life, where my tossings and tribulations are recorded and all my tears written down. He takes me into his arms and says,“ John, you were hungry , and I gave you to eat; you’ve been homeless, and I am taking you home.” (Matthew 25).