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.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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
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