While You prepare a place for us, Lord, prepare us for that place.

主为我们预备地方，我们也当预备迎见主面。

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

 Revelation 21:4

不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭号、疼痛。-启示录21章4节

James Oglethorpe (1696–1785) was a British general and member of Parliament who had a vision for a great city. Charged with settling the state of Georgia in North America, he planned the city of Savannah according to that vision. He designed a series of squares, each having a green space and designated areas for churches and shops, with the rest reserved for housing. The visionary thinking of Oglethorpe is seen today in a beautiful, well-organized city that is considered a jewel of the American South.

詹姆士·奥格尔索普（James Oglethorpe，1696-1785年）是英国将军，也是国会议员，他心怀大城市的愿景。当他负责英属殖民地的北美乔治亚州的建设时，就依此愿景规划萨凡纳市（Savannah）。他设计一系列的广场，让每个广场都有一片绿地、教堂和商店街，其余则保留为住宅区。奥格尔索普的高瞻远瞩，缔造了萨凡纳这座美丽、井然有序的城市，今日更被美国人视为南方的一颗珍珠。

In Revelation 21, John received a vision of a different city—the New Jerusalem. What he said of this city was less about its design and more about the character of who was there. When John described our eternal home, he wrote, “I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them’” (v. 3). And because of who was there—God Himself—this dwelling place would be notable for what was not there. Quoting from Isaiah 25:8, John wrote, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” (v. 4).

在启示录21章，约翰在异象中看见一座圣城──新耶路撒冷。他叙述这座圣城时，较少着墨于城市的设计，反倒较为重视谁住在城里。当约翰描述我们永恒的家乡，他写道：「我听见有大声音从宝座出来说：『看哪！上帝的帐幕在人间，祂要与人同住』」（3节） 。因为上帝亲自住在城里，这个地方就不再有眼泪和死亡。正如约翰引用以赛亚书25章8节，说道：「上帝要擦去他们一切的眼泪。不再有死亡。」（4节）

No more death! Nor will there be any more “mourning or crying or pain.” All our sorrow will be replaced by the wonderful, healing presence of the God of the universe. This is the home Jesus is preparing for all who turn to Him for forgiveness. 

不再有死亡！也不再有「悲哀、哭号、疼痛」。在那里，因为有宇宙创造主的同在，一切的悲伤都被除去了。这就是耶稣为罪得赦免的人所预备的家乡。

Thank You, Father, that Your Son is preparing 

a place for us to live with You. 

Thank You that it will be more than just a wonderful place.

It is where we will live with You and know You forever.

天父，感谢祢，因祢让圣子为我们预备地方，
使我们能与祢同住。感谢祢，这不仅是奇妙的新城，
更是永远与祢同住，并得以认识祢的家乡。

Read:Revelation 21:1-7 New International Version (NIV)

A New Heaven and a New Earth

21 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. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘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.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

启示录 21:1-7

新天新地

21 我又看见一个新天新地，因为先前的天地已经过去了，海也不再有了。 2 我又看见圣城新耶路撒冷由神那里从天而降，预备好了，就如新妇装饰整齐等候丈夫。

不再有死

3 我听见有大声音从宝座出来说：“看哪，神的帐幕在人间！他要与人同住，他们要做他的子民，神要亲自与他们同在，做他们的神。 4 神要擦去他们一切的眼泪，不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭号、疼痛，因为以前的事都过去了。” 5 坐宝座的说：“看哪，我将一切都更新了！”又说：“你要写上，因这些话是可信的，是真实的。”

主必将生命泉源的水白白赐给口渴的人喝

6 他又对我说：“都成了！我是阿拉法，我是俄梅戛；我是初，我是终。我要将生命泉的水白白赐给那口渴的人喝。 7 得胜的，必承受这些为业：我要做他的神，他要做我的儿子。

整理：于姊妹