The City of God

Rev. 21

John's vision now becomes very positive except for one very strong warning, that is as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."  No chance at all for them to enter!

He begins with the new heaven and earth since the old ones have passed away. How his eyes must have feasted on the holy city, the new Jerusalem!  Jerusalem descended from heaven as a bride adorned for her husband. A loud voice from the throne announced, "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." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." How exciting! God will dwell with man. No more flesh to drag man down into sin. All the negatives of life will be replaced with positives. Then He turned specifically to John and said, It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the springs of the water of life without payment, The one who conquers will have his heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. I am a conqueror because of Jesus has saved and sanctified me and has promised never to be separated from me. [Rom. 8] 

Then another angel came wanting to show John the bride, the wife of the Lamb [ which is of special interest to me]. He carried John in the Spirit away to a mountain top to see the holy city, Jerusalem. Its radiance was like most rare jewel [jasper] because here the glory of God would dwell with man. Surrounding it was a high wall with 12 gates, and at the gates were 12 angels. On these gates were written the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. Also the city had 12 foundations on which were written the names of the 12 apostles. What no bride, or is the bride the city? Then John was given the measurements of Jerusalem. Measurements are not really my thing, but I know God made it perfectly. However, the building materials are cool: Jasper and pure gold[were the wall and the city itself], sapphire, agate, emerald, onyx, carnelian, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst [12 in all used for the foundation], and the 12 gates were each one huge pearl. Wow! The streets were made of a transparent gold. It is amazing to me and at the same time incomprehensible. However,  I am picking up on 12 being a significant number!

John saw no temple in the city because God Himself and the Lamb will be the temple. The city needed no light for the glory of God shines magnificently and the Lamb is its Lamp. So no moon or sun. By the light of God's glory the nations and the kings will walk and bring their glory into it. It's gates will never be shut because there will be no night. No need for safety precautions! Nothing unclean will ever enter into it, nor anyone  who does what is false or detestable, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

With this severe warning God is asking people to make a choice. On one hand the city of God in all its glory and the other hand the lake of fire. How bad does a human want to be cowardly, faithless, detestable, a murderer, sexually immoral, a sorcerer, an idolater, or a liar? The choice seems to be a no brainer, but even in this choice God's plan is supreme. Only those drawn to Him and are covered with the blood of the Lamb will actually be with Him in this glorious city. Jerusalem is God. How could it be anything other than glorious?

Father,
You have a glorious future prepared for me. Thank You so much!  I will heed your caution and examine my life always confirming my calling and election.
In the name of the Lamb,
Amen