Rev. 21:3-4 ESV …“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

The end of that Scripture reminded me of this verse: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17).

I like to say we have eternal life in Christ now and always. Eternal doesn’t start at death. We have that life in us now that will continue when our bodies are gone. We have God with us now. He is our God now. He wipes away our tears, bringing peace and joy now. We shall not perish; death is overcome.

And while there is still mourning, and there are tears and pain until the final day, “Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!” (Ps. 149:2)