Peculation And Worry about the effects of global warming are increasing; political unrest and the war against terrorism are gathering momentum. In a world full of fear and turmoil, it is so reassuring to refresh our minds about God’s wonderful plan for the future: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God” (Rev. 21:1-3).
Although our understanding is imperfect, the new heaven and new earth, the bride, the Lamb’s wife, and the holy city, New Jerusalem, are symbols of great beauty describing the glory prepared for us through the saving work of Christ.
A summary of the eight chapters, prior to the vision, reveals the outpouring of God’s judgments on political powers and corrupt religions; the destruction of the armies of the beast and false prophet by the Lord Jesus and his thousand-year reign with the saints. Finally, we see the judgment upon the rebellious mortals of that era leading to the abolition of sin and death when: “…The Son also himself shall be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all” (I Cor. 15:28).
The future community
John sees the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride for her husband. Later in the chapter she is called “the Lamb’s wife” (Rev. 21:2, 9). Here are lovely word pictures of the great new community of faithful men and women that God created through and for His Son. In them God dwells and they are His people.
The world order that preceded this new heaven and new earth is described as “the first heaven and the first earth.” That heaven and earth is the sphere of today, the era in which we live, where God continues to work with sinful people likened to “the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt” (Isa. 57:20). Notice that in the new heaven and earth there is no sea, the metaphor is obsolete because the earth is then free from sinners (Rev. 21:1).
The new order, this beautiful city, is depicted as coming down from heaven because God is the creator. It is the kingdom of heaven, and its people are those “born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (in. 1:13) through the work of Christ.
Measured faith
Every detail of the extraordinary city shows order and balance. From the golden reed, which is the measure of a tried and perfected faith, to the measurements divisible by twelve, there is evidence of perfection and the divine architect. The dimensions, length, breadth, and height, 12,000 furlongs or 2,400 kilometers, give us a sense of the size of the community that God is creating. He does nothing on a small scale. Abraham’s seed, the Israel of God, are as many as the stars of heaven and the grains of sand on the seashore. These faithful people from all ages (including the millennium), who comprise this new Jerusalem, will be a mighty company. “They shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men” (Mic. 2:12).
God is light
Many and strikingly beautiful are the representative features of the vision. The city is pure gold like clear glass, and its streets pure gold like transparent glass (Rev. 18, 21). The principal material is gold which speaks to the tested and purified faith of people like us who will give praise, honor, and glory at the appearing of Christ (I Pet. 1:7).
The wall and foundations, garnished with precious stones, tell us of the perfected characters that inhabit the community (Rev. 21:19). The gems that men and women prize have little beauty when first found. Yet when cut, polished, and shown in the light, the uniqueness and quality of each can be seen.
There is no light of sun or moon in the city for the glory of God and the Lamb illuminate it. In their light the reflected radiance of the perfected gems of God will shine: “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels…” (Mal. 3:16-17).
There is not a temple in the city, “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (Rev. 21:22).
What an awesome thing to consider, this beautiful city of the future, and realize that, despite our often faltering faith and self-centered sin, we are potential citizens. By the grace of God, we have been called and throughout our lives He is preparing us to be part of this holy city, new Jerusalem, when, with the Lamb’s name in our foreheads, we will see his face and serve him throughout eternity.
Providing building material
Amidst the compelling symbolism there is a hint that being part of this holy city where God dwells begins now. The concept of God tabernacling among His people recalls God’s words to Moses: “Speak to the children of Israel that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly…And let them make me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” (Exo. 25:2,8). There follows a comprehensive list of items necessary for the building. In order to create a sanctuary in which God will dwell, His people must provide the materials. In our dispensation this means giving of ourselves willingly and from the heart.
Qualifications
The idea of Almighty God dwelling amongst ordinary people is both inspirational and frightening. It is inspirational to see that God has this glorious purpose for no account people like us and gave His only begotten Son that we might be constrained by His love to respond to Him. It is frightening because it means inviting Him into our lives now and surrendering ourselves to Him to be reshaped for His purpose.
From the vision it is clear that an enduring association with God is only for those who thirst for Him: “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (Rev. 21:6). These words recall God’s appeal through Isaiah: “Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isa. 55:1).
This call is not for part-time disciples or for Sunday pew warmers or those with only an academic interest: “Hearken diligently unto me…Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live…”(Isa. 55:2,3).
Jesus echoes the concept in a moving way: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
This is no superficial thing. It means taking his yoke, his teaching and his way on our shoulders, allowing our lives to be directed by him. Having taken the initial step, we will find that instead of being weighed down, the burden is lighter than we anticipated because the Lord himself shares the load.
Jesus, the Son of God, promised a foretaste of the future city: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (Jn. 14:23). Even to the lukewarm ecclesia at Laodicia he said: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20).
Although these promises extend to the here and now, they are not all-embracing. Not everybody wants the pure and altogether lovely things promised in his word. They are for those who, like us, hunger and thirst for them, and in obedience to his instructions meet on a weekly basis to break bread and drink wine in remembrance of him. How wonderful it is that God wants to dwell among us and that He should be giving us an opportunity to be part of the holy city of the future.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One