“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and 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. “
Revelation 21:1-4
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The word bride is our emphasis for this week in Revelation 21. The Holy City, the new Jerusalem, is “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” In our Western context we might picture a woman wearing an exquisite white wedding dress gracefully progressing down the center aisle toward her groom. This is a moment of celebration, fulfillment, and anticipation of new life together.
John’s vision is also one of celebration, fulfillment, and anticipation. The new Jerusalem is descending from the new heaven to the new earth, our present earth and heavens having passed away. I cannot help but try to imagine what John is describing in terms of space and vantage point, but this is fruitless.
As the Holy City arrives to earth a loud voice from the throne announces, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will live with them.” Continuing the wedding analogy, this statement is reminiscent of the pastor saying, “I now pronounce you husband and wife.” A new relationship is established. They will live together from now on.
God will be with His people as their God. They will live in His presence thereafter. This is a restoration of the face-to-face communion God had with creation in the Garden. Living by faith will be replaced by living by sight. God will dwell in full view of His people.
But there’s more: there will be no death or mourning, crying or pain. Somehow the concerns, regrets, failures, and disappointments of this current life will be done away with and remembered no more. The actual presence of God will fill our consciousness. Passionate worship of God, literally before His face, will fill God’s people with continuous boundless joy.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- What is your concept of eternal life?
- How does worship prepare us for life in the presence of God forever?
- How does anticipation of this life with God eternally embolden you to engage in gospel conversations?
Church Reading Plan: Isaiah 21; 2 Peter 2