📅 January 31 – The Joy of the Redeemed and the Beginning of Eternity

Monthly theme: The blessed hope – living in expectation
Year theme 2026: “Soon the King is coming – hope beyond the end”

📖 Central Bible Verse of the Day

“And God 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.”
— Revelation 21:4

🌅 Devotion of the Day

The great controversy is over.
Sin and death are defeated,
and the universe finally breathes in perfect harmony.
The voice of the Lamb echoes through eternity:
“Behold, I make all things new!” (Revelation 21:5)

The redeemed stand on the sea of glass (Revelation 15:2),
their garments shining in the light of God’s glory.
The hardships of earth are forgotten,
and every heart resounds with praise to the Eternal One.

“And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God,
and the song of the Lamb, saying:
‘Great and marvelous are Your works,
Lord God Almighty;
just and true are Your ways,
O King of the nations!’”
— Revelation 15:3

This is the joy of the redeemed —
not only because they are saved,
but because they are with Jesus,
the One who purchased them with infinite love.

✨ The End of Tears – The Beginning of Joy

On this earth, pain was a constant companion.
But in the New Jerusalem, no tear will ever fall again,
no heart will ever break,
no voice will ever sigh.

“They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them
and lead them to living fountains of waters.”
— Revelation 7:16–17

Ellen G. White describes this glorious scene:

“There will be no more graves to be dug,
no more tears to be shed.
The river of life flows clear as crystal,
and on its banks grow the trees
that bring healing to the nations.”
(The Great Controversy, p. 677)

There will be no more separation there,
no farewell, no loss.
The love that was only partially experienced here
will be complete there.

🌿 Eternal Life With Christ

“They shall see His face,
and His name shall be on their foreheads.
And they shall reign forever and ever.”
— Revelation 22:4–5

The greatest gift of heaven is not gold or glory,
but the presence of Jesus.
The redeemed will see Him —
the One who died for them,
whose hands still bear the marks of love.

Ellen White wrote:

“The greatest happiness of the redeemed
will be to live in the presence of Jesus.
When they see His love and hear His voice,
no thought of suffering or the past
will darken their hearts.”
(The Great Controversy, p. 678)

Learning will never end there,
for in every new age
new depths of divine love will be revealed.
Knowledge will grow,
joy will increase,
and the song of praise will never fade:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!”

🕊️ Heaven Begins Already Here

Heaven is not only a place —
it is a condition of the heart.
Whoever loves Christ today
already carries the joy of eternity within.

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,
but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
— Romans 14:17

Ellen White wrote:

“Heaven begins in the heart
that allows Christ to dwell within.
When we love Him and serve Him,
we already carry a foretaste of the world to come.”
(Steps to Christ, p. 103)

Whoever lives in this fellowship
will not be afraid at His return,
but will rejoice —
because the One they loved
now appears in glory.

🌄 Eternity in Fellowship

All the differences that once divided us
will disappear there.
The redeemed from all nations
will praise God together in perfect unity.

“After this I looked, and behold,
a great multitude which no one could number,
of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues,
standing before the throne and before the Lamb,
clothed with white robes.”
— Revelation 7:9

Ellen White describes:

“From the smallest atom to the greatest world,
every created being will unite its voice
in praise and joy.
Everywhere it will be proclaimed:
‘God is love!’”
(The Great Controversy, p. 678)

There, the story of redemption
will be the eternal theme,
and the song of experience
will never grow silent.

🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
thank You for the glorious hope of Your return
and for the promise of eternal life.

Hold my faith firm
until I see Your face.

Teach me to live already today
in the spirit of heaven —
in love, joy, and gratitude.

Let Your light shine in me
until the day dawns
when You wipe away every tear.

Amen.

💭 Thought for the Day

“Heaven is a school of love,
and earth is the preparation hall for it.
Whoever lives in Christ here
will dwell with Him forever there.”
— Ellen G. White, Maranatha, p. 230

💡 Personal Application

1. 📖 Read Revelation 21–22.
   Imagine the New Jerusalem and thank God for this hope.

2. 🙏 Pray:
   “Lord, let me live today with the joy of heaven.”

3. 🤍 Practical step:
   Comfort someone who is suffering —
   remind them that pain does not have the final word.

🌺 Closing Verse

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and He will dwell with them,
and they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God.”
— Revelation 21:3