Bible Pathways 12/31/2000
December 31
Revelation 21 -- 22
We are not left with uncertainty as to what lies beyond the grave. All true followers of Christ will soon dwell in a new Heaven and a new earth: for the first Heaven and the first earth had passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God (Revelation 21:1-3).
The struggles of this life, and our war against sin, will soon end. Then God shall wipe away all tears from their (His people's) eyes; and there shall be no more death (21:4). The resurrection will be past, and he that overcomes shall inherit all things (21:7).
Within the new Heaven and the new earth, there will be the Holy City (21:2). The glory of the Lord once inhabited the Temple in the Old City of Jerusalem, where, above the mercy seat (Exodus 25:22), His presence was limited to the Holy of Holies. The New City of Jerusalem will be filled with His presence in all His glory and splendor (21:11). There will be no Temple . . . (for) the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple (21:22). What a glorious Temple!
The City had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it, for the glory of God lightened it, and the Lamb is its Light (21:23). There will be no more crying, no physical distress, and no pain from disease; and no condemnation will press on our consciences. There will be no fear of evil from within; only they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life (Revelation 21:27) will be there. Oh! the joy that awaits us in its full realization. Praise His wonderful Name! We will soon be there!
Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the City (22:14). Rejected from Heaven are dogs (unfaithful leaders and false prophets (Isaiah 56:10), and homosexual prostitutes (Deuteronomy 23:18), and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and everyone who loves and makes a lie (Revelation 22:15).
In our future eternal home, nothing can enter that defiles; so let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Corinthians 7:1), bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (10:5).
We close this glorious Revelation of Jesus Christ, having completed the reading of the entire God-given Guide to Life, and we hear Jesus say: Surely I come quickly (Revelation 22:20). Our heartfelt response to our wonderful Savior is: Even so, come, Lord Jesus. For our readers, our prayer is that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen (so be it) (Revelation 22:21).
Prayer:
Government Official: Rep. Harold Rogers (KY) · Pray for God's Unlimited Prayerline and Gloria Winfree · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio Broadcast in memory of Anna Schweitzer · Country: Paraguay (5 million) in southern South America · Major languages: Spanish and Guarani · Religious freedom · 96% Roman Catholic; 2% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Seek God in prayer continually and depend on His strength (I Chronicles 16:11).
Memory Verse for the Week:
Revelation 22:14