Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Revelation 21:1–22



THE NEW JERUSALEM

Revelation 21:1–22


John is now seeing what the new earth and heaven will be like. Again since these things would be at best he is writing metaphorically in a lot of instances. When our earth was created it was perfect and sin was allowed but only by choice. From that point the fallen angel Lucifer was ruler of the air.

Rev 21:1  Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.

A new heaven and a new earth have been foretold in Rom_8:20-22  Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, Rom 8:21  the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. Rom 8:22  For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
The earth as we know has been tainted by human intervention. Whether you believe in Global warming or things of that nature Romans spells it out. I have highlighted part of the three verses that states that. If you look ahead a few verses Rev 21:3 you will see that God. There are other verses that refer to the new heaven and earth, Isa_65:17-19,  2Pe_3:12-13, Both indicate that this earth will pass.

Rev 21:2  And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Rev 21:3  I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, God's home is now among His people! He will live with them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them.

Jerusalem, the city, has a place in  Christ's heart, Mat_23:37,  (NIV) 37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.
His wish will come true. Jerusalem will be created in to look like Jesus intended it to look like.

Rev 21:4  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Rev 21:5  And the One sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" And then He said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true."
Not much has to be said about these verses. I cannot imagine what it would be like with no death, sorrow or pain and crying. There would be no CNN or Fox news they would not be necessary. I also do not why God is doing this for us. I am one of those that believe that God has a plan for our lives.
 Isa_35:10 The Message (MSG)
8-10 There will be a highway
    called the Holy Road.
No one rude or rebellious
    is permitted on this road.
It’s for God’s people exclusively—
    impossible to get lost on this road.
    Not even fools can get lost on it.
No lions on this road,
    no dangerous wild animals—
Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening.
    Only the redeemed will walk on it.
The people God has ransomed
    will come back on this road.
They’ll sing as they make their way home to Zion,
    unfading halos of joy encircling their heads,
Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness
    as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.

Rev 21:6  And He also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life.

Rivers of water are described in John 4:13-14New International Version (NIV)13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Again in John 7:37  On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, "Anyone who is thirsty may come to Me! John 7:38  Anyone who believes in Me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, 'Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.'"
So what is this water that you must drink? It is believing in Jesus Christ as your savior. Have you ever been out on a very hot day without adequate water? When you get that first cold drink it tastes absolutely great. So it is with the water that Jesus offers. The difference being our water is temporal and his is eternal.

Rev 21:7  All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be My children. Rev 21:8  "But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

We who do not accept Christ will all die a second death. The Life Application New Testament Commentary says this, "John described the beast’s followers. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but is representative of all sin and rebellion against God. Those who refuse to believe, no matter how good or moral they are, will join those whose sins are more blatant, as recorded in this list. All unbelievers will face the same punishment. This is a warning to those who may be Christians in name only to be certain of their salvation. Which will they choose? The water of life, or the fire of the second death? Those who can endure the testing of evil and remain faithful will be rewarded by God."

Rev 21:10  So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Rev 21:11  It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. Rev 21:12  The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. Rev 21:13  There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. Rev 21:14  The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Rev 21:15  The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. Rev 21:16  When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. Rev 21:17  Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel). Rev 21:18  The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. Rev 21:19  The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, Rev 21:20  the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. Rev 21:21  The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. Rev 21:22  I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

John told what he saw by what he knew at the time. There is no Gold that is translucent but the color is what was being explained. It is also not likely that a wall would be needed but in that era walls were what kept people safe. That does not mean that there will be no walls but take everything you read above as imagery of what John saw.

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