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The best scriptural depiction of the end times and of eternity is to be found in the book of Revelation. Much of the book tells of terrible events, of tribulation and disaster. There are however passages of great hope and encouragement. We will take two or three of these passages for study and meditation. The book of Revelation is very pictorial and stimulates the imagination. We have to understand that the pictures are symbolic. Like the stories of Jesus they represent spiritual truths, so we have to search beneath the surface to find the deeper meaning. Heaven and eternity are beyond our understanding and our ability to visualise. John could only use earthly objects and ideas to point us in the direction of the heavenly and the incomprehensible. As you prepare for these final meditations ask prayerfully for Holy Spirit guidance.

MEDITATION E 1
This meditation is based on chapters 4 and 5 of the book of Revelation. Read the chapters carefully, using your imagination to visualise the scene, and to hear the sounds and the words spoken Then see the meaning of what the pictures are saying and what is being implied by each aspect of the scene. For example, the throne and what it says of 'the one who sat there' conveys for us the sense of God's wonder, beauty, majesty and power. The four living creatures are angelic beings who represent God's creation, and their praise is symbolic of the worship that all living creatures owe to their Creator. Likewise the twenty-four elders are angels who somehow represent the body of believers on earth, and whose worship is our own worship made perfect.

"You are worthy, our Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

This is the picture of heaven as it was at the moment that John had his vision. In chapter 5 Jesus becomes part of the picture. He is introduced as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. What John sees however is a lamb that has been slain. This double image speaks of the majesty and humility of Jesus. He alone in heaven and earth is worthy to open the seals. The great multitude of angels join in praising Jesus and the one who sits on the throne.

MEDITATION E 2
This meditation is based on Revelation chapter 7 vv.9 to 17. This gives us another view into heaven, but this time as well as the throne, the Lamb, the four living creatures, the elders and all the angels, there is a great multitude of saints. These are the people from every nation who have been redeemed. They are all those who have believed in Jesus and trusted in his sacrificial death for the cleansing of their sins. For this reason they are clothed in white robes, and their voices join with the angels as they worship God.

Whether this is a picture of heaven now or sometime in the future when all the redeemed people of God of every place and age are gathered together is unclear. What is certain is that all those who believe, who are the children of God, will share in this experience. They will see God and worship in his presence. Reading on in Revelation, we see that this is not the culmination. There is still something new which will come about. Let us now explore that.