Hope for the future . . .

NOTE: I usually change the look of this blog every new year. This is a bit early, but I had time today and who knows what tomorrow will bring! The devotional guide I hope to use is described in the sidebar. 

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This is the last day of the year, of a decade. What will the next year, the next decade bring? No one knows. Will it bring the return of Jesus Christ? Even the people of God are not supposed to know the day or the hour, yet we are given descriptions of the trends, the events that signal that Jesus is coming soon. The Word of God was not given to be obscure. It was given to be understood by those taught by the Spirit. And Revelation contains more promises of blessing than any other book of Scripture.

“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:7)

Revelation, both via its plain statements and its symbols, is designed to reveal facts and events relating to the second coming of Christ. Most Christians, thinking of the messy world events, are wondering if the time is near. I talked with a cult member yesterday and even he thinks that the time is near. Whenever it will happen, Jesus said it would be soon, meaning suddenly or quickly.

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:12–13)

In these verses, Jesus the Eternal One, promises rewards for what His people have done. This refers to the judgment seat of Christ (bema):

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. (2 Corinthians 5:10–11)

The next section reiterates what has happened to John and the identity of the One who is revealed. The invitation to come is repeated once more . . .

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:16–20)

The final warning essentially tells readers not to mess with the Word of God, deny His promises or subtract from His truths. Their choice means eternal life with the Lord, or no part in the tree of life or the holy city.

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Lord Jesus, You have revealed Yourself to John and to me through reading this final book of the New Testament. I have been blessed in the process, just as You promised, and I join with John in his final words: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21)

Today’s thankful list . . .

- as always, I’m thankful that Jesus is coming again.

- Jesus keeps His promises.

- Jesus is eternal, wise, full of grace and truth, and loves me.

- being able to have do my chores, a nap, and grab a couple burgers for our lunch.

- contentment in my heart.

Drinking deeply . . .

Rivers evoke dozens of memories. As a child, my dad took me fishing in a rowboat on the Bow in Alberta, Canada. We camped in the mountains besides gurgling streams of fresh, cold water. We’ve driven along the banks of the Columbia and other mighty rivers in the USA and lived near the Kenai in Alaska with its King Salmon and incredible scenery. I think also of rivers in several cities lined with ancient architecture like the Arno in Florence or the Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland, as well as picture waterways polluted with mud and junk in many parts of the world.

In the Revelation of Jesus Christ, John is given a vision of a river much more important than any of these. It may not be actual but symbolic. Either way, who would not want to drink from it or take a swim!

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:1–5)

The vision starts out with the river of the water of life, the trees that heal the nations, the purity of that place, and how it leads to the throne of God where those who serve Jesus Christ will worship Him. He replaces all sources of light with His brilliance and His people will reign with Him forever. I am enchanted by this vision.

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Jesus, I can imagine the river and its trees but I cannot imagine life without sin, lamps, or sunshine. I can only long for this remarkable promise to be fulfilled, to see Your face and never again experience sorrow or pain. This last book of the New Testament has increased my longing and filled my heart with joy and great anticipation. In the beginning, it said, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” (Revelation 1:3) I have been blessed by reading how You hand over the kingdom to Your Father after destroying all other dominion, authority, and power, and blessed as You demonstrate for all time that You are King of kings and Lord of lords for all eternity.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- glad for today’s vision, a bright spot in the sadness of my sister’s struggles.

- calls from family expressing their concerns and somehow comforting us.

- getting a pile of envelopes in the mail.

- herbal tea.

- being flexible with our plans.

I cannot imagine eternal glory . . .

I’ve tried to imagine heaven. It seems reasonable to suppose that everyone has done the same, yet we are not able to do it. The Bible gives very little to go on.

The Old Testament also says no one has seen God and lived. The NT echoes this about the glories of salvation by expanding something Isaiah wrote: “As it is written, ‘What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him’ — these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)

Yet John was given a glimpse of the eternal city, representing both the people of God and their eternal dwelling place. His description does not answer all my questions (such as will there be things to do there, or pets, or what will we look like?) but it is a spectacular vision, almost that of a structure of jewels.

John describes a large structure, like a cube or pyramid with a wall made of jasper and the city made of pure gold, as pure as glass. This is a language of appearance since both jasper and the gold are not like these metals as we know them. The city’s foundations have the apostles’ names inscribed on them using 12 stones of different colors. The city’s jeweled beauty may have symbolic meaning yet the description gives no clues or precise interpretation. Since it is was described at first as the Bride of Christ, I can assume that God’s people will live there and that this is my future dwelling place along with others who believe, both the church and Israel. The church is represented by the apostles’ names on the foundations, and Israel by the names of their 12 tribes on the gates. This maintains a distinction between the two even though both are people of faith.

John also says this:

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21:22–27)

Revelation often describes Jesus as the Lamb, but this is the only place where the book of life is called the Lamb’s book, suggesting that this is the home of those who trusted His sacrifice for their sin. In other words, the description does not answer all my questions concerning eternity with God, just that this revelation to John describes a beautiful and glorious future for all who put their trust in Jesus who died for our sins.

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Jesus, I’ve seen You in all the pages and passages of this Revelation and each one of them refers to Your gracious saving power. I rejoice again in You. Our lives are filled with uncertainties and even threats and dangers, yet You are the anchor of my soul, the One in whom I can place my trust. You are my refuge and my strength and my hope for these troublesome days and for all eternity.

Today’s thankful list . . .

- the hope of glory forever with Jesus.

- today’s challenge to not let the world’s idea of a great life be mistake for Jesus’ promise of abundant life.

- resting in Jesus.

- answered prayer regarding a friend’s marriage.

- apple crisp with whipped cream