Posted: 8/16/05
BaptistWay Bible Series for August 28
Draw comfort from God’s awareness
• Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-6; 16-17
By Wayne Smith
First Baptist Church, Lamesa
When Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, God’s redemptive plan was set in motion. The remainder of human history is to be spent bringing sinful humanity into a redemptive relationship with God.
Last week’s lesson focused on the final destruction of evil and its banishment from creation. The destruction of Babylon prepared the way for the new Jerusalem, God’s home for his redeemed. The final chapters of Revelation picture the beginning of eternal life with God.
Revelation 21:1-8
The old universe passes away as a perfect environment for the redeemed comes into existence. God comes to live among men. God, speaking from his throne, invites his people to partake of the blessings of the new creation. Unbelievers and those who practice evil will be denied entrance to the new world. Those who have followed Christ will enjoy fellowship in the presence of God. Those who have followed Satan will be condemned to the second death.
Revelation 21:9-27
The wall of the Holy City has 12 gates, symbolic of the 12 tribes of Israel. The wall has 12 foundations, symbolizing the 12 apostles. The gates and foundations symbolize continuity between the old and new covenants. The city is a perfect cube, symbolic of the holy of holies, where once only the high priest came into the presence of God. Now God welcomes all into his presence. The wall is a symbol of the security found here. There is no temple in the city because the Lamb is the temple.
Revelation 22:1-6
The redeemed live in a paradise of perfect health and provision. The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. The sun and the moon no longer are needed since God and the Lamb radiate light. Here God will reign forever.
Revelation 22:7-15
After the vision of the New Jerusalem, John is returned to the reality of his immediate task. The revelation to John is authenticated. John is told not to worship the angel who has brought the message. God is the center of all worship in the new Jerusalem. John is told to disseminate the prophecy rather than to seal it up. Christ states he will return soon.
Revelation 22:16-17
Jesus says he has sent his angel to give John the message to be sent to the churches. Jesus declares himself to be the Messiah. The Spirit (Christ) and the Bride (church) invite all the redeemed to come to the New Jerusalem.
Revelation 18-21
John is told to warn everyone not to alter the prophecies as presented in the Scripture. Jesus himself testifies he is coming soon, in God’s own time.
The closing passages of Revelation present a picture of the perfect environment created for man when history ends. The final chapter brings John back to the task at hand. John has been given the full revelation of Christ and the completion of history as a message he is to communicate to Christians. He is to impart to the suffering Christians the glorious promise of Christ’s return and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
John may have been tempted to ask God to take him on to heaven to await the awesome events he has envisioned. Instead, he is reminded of his role in God’s plan. He has been granted an enormous blessing and a formidable task. He must reveal to suffering Christians the hope that one day they will be a part of what he has witnessed in his vision.
Revelation brought hope to struggling humanity. As terrible atrocities were committed against them, Christians could discern the plan of God at work in the revelation. God was allowing evil to bring about its own destruction. Even as Christians were being slaughtered, the power of the gospel was evident through Revelation. At the same time Christians were dying, the church was becoming stronger.
The New Jerusalem is not simply relief from the pain of human life. It is the fulfillment of God’s plan for his relationship with man. Man will no longer be separated from God by sin—“missing the mark.” Now man will live in perfect harmony with God and with other men. Nothing will detract from the relationship God and man will enjoy. God’s will for man and man’s obedience now are realized completely.
Application
The perfect relationship with God pictured in the New Jerusalem reminds us we can enjoy a relationship with God during this life, in whatever circumstances. We do not have a resurrected and glorified body now, but we do have an indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit can comfort and strengthen us just as he comforted and strengthened first century Christians.
The glimpse of heaven provided by Revelation gives hope to those who struggle today just as it gave hope to suffering first century Christians. Knowing God is aware of our situation brings comfort.
God can use our situation to develop a stronger relationship with him. As we struggle and pray, we can be certain he hears our prayers. We also can be certain he is active in our lives. We become more aware of God’s presence in our lives when we begin to look at our situation and find where God is working and leading. As we become more aware, our relationship becomes stronger.
That relationship will one day be realized completely. Until that day, we can be sustained by the same hope imparted to the first readers of John’s Revelation.
Discussion question
• Do I try to strengthen my relationship with God daily through Bible reading, prayer and meditation upon the promises of the Scripture?
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