Saturday, July 22, 2017

Day 40


Day 40: Revelation 21-22
Today we come to the end of the story. We have seen the overarching storyline of creation, rebellion, and redemption throughout the Bible, and we have seen glimpses of the promised restoration in ourselves and in the world around us through the person and work of Jesus. But someday, that restoration will be complete. These last two chapters of the Bible offer a picture of the glorious hope that awaits believers. The imagery used here in this Holy City combines elements of Jerusalem, the temple, and the Garden of Eden, ultimately bringing the story full circle.
In this Holy City, the New Jerusalem, sin and its effects will be completely eradicated. God will be able to dwell with his people as he initially planned. No longer will rebellion and sinful nature separate his people from him. But as the prophet John writes, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (21:3-4). Throughout the Bible, we have seen God take steps to live with his people -- through the tabernacle and subsequent temple in the Old Testament, through the sacrificial system that gave people the categories to accept the death of Jesus on their behalf, and through the church that he built in his name. But now, at the end of all things and forevermore, God himself will be with them in a perfectly restored relationship.
When the angel measures the city, it is a perfect cube (21:16), thus reflecting the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle (see Exodus 26). Its gates are beautiful stones, its streets are made of gold, and the leaves of its trees bring healing to the nations. Whether this imagery is literal or symbolic, one thing is clear: God will reign with his people, and the evil things of this world shall become undone. Everything will be as it was meant to be. And, amazingly, wondrously, his people will see his face (22:4).  
All of this is possible due to the love of God and the work of Jesus and the invitation of the Spirit. Jesus reminds the readers that he is coming soon (22:12) and that he is the “Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (22:13). Whatever we experience in this world, he was before it and he will be after it.
Ultimately, we are left with a choice. Will we heed the Spirit’s invitation and come to Jesus for our salvation and for a restored relationship with the God who made us? The penalty has been paid on our behalf, and God is making an offer to us for him to be the center of our lives and the delight of our hearts. “Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life” (22:17). Come!
Questions for reflection and discussion: What aspects of the New Jerusalem described here are you most looking forward to? How are those who believe and those who do not believe contrasted in this chapter? Have you or will you come and take the free gift that God is offering to you?

Next Steps

Next Steps The past 40 days have taken you through 40 key passages in the Bible. You have experienced God’s overarching storyline of cre...