TUESDAY, November 15

Revelation 21:1-8. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” (RSV)

Here is the other side of the Book of Revelation. Put behind you the revolting scenes of yesterday’s reading and similar passages and let today’s reading saturate your soul. Here we have a vision radiant with hope. The new Jerusalem is not Jerusalem as it is on this earth, wracked with division and conflict, but the city of God, human community as God would have it be. The city includes the faithful of every race and clan, joined to Christ as a loving bride to her husband. Again, don’t think literally—this is a dream after all—but let these images dance through your heart: the holy city, new Jerusalem, come from heaven, in love with Christ, God himself wiping every tear away, our happy home.

PRAY for the Diocese of Vellore (South India)

Ps 97, 99, [100] * 94, [95]; 1 Maccabees 3:25-41; Matthew 17:14-21

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The New Jerusalem!

Nov 15, 2011 at 6:05 am

Written by emeline,

What a gloriously painted image of the New Jerusalem! Jesus welcomes us into His Kingdom. He shows us what to expect when we follow His instructions and live our lives according to His precepts. We must accept the fact that Jesus wants only the best for us and IS giving us the best. All we need to do is welcome His offer and live for Him while here on this planet earth. Jesus I love you, I know You are mine!

90 Minutes in Heaven

Nov 15, 2011 at 6:55 am

Written by Linda,

I am currently reading the book 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. His account of dying and briefly experiencing heaven makes me think John got a pretty good look at the place... Even the "pearlescent" gates. Revelation is certainly a book of wonderments. I think I better keep my focus on serving God in the here and now, so I can be with Him in the hereafter!

3 FEATURES OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

Nov 15, 2011 at 7:31 am

Written by BobinKy,

Three features of the New Jerusalem are noteworthy: (1) continuity, (2) this world location, and (3) fulfillment of God's purpose in a city.

CONTINUITY: The new heavens and the new earth do not simply replace the old one. This world, God's good creation, is not replaced but redeemed. God does not make all new things, but all things new. The ultimate city bears the name and recognizable features of the earthly city.

THIS WORLD LOCATION: After the 1,000-year reign on this earth, John does not transfer the scene to the heavenly world, but has the heavenly city descend to this renewed earth, God's creation. The kingdom of God in this world is not a matter of human achievement, but rather the eschatological act of God. The New Jerusalem is not built, Babel-like, toward heaven, but comes from God's side at the fulfillment and demonstration of God's promise.

FULFILLMENT OF GOD’S PURPOSE IN A CITY: The fulfillment of God's purpose is a city. A city represents human community, life together. Eschatological existence is not individualistic but communal. The church, the community of faith, the people of God, is the anticipation of this new city.

[Adapted from The New Interpreter's Study Bible, 2003, Nashville: Abingdon Press, p. 2238-239.].

Work toward the Kingdom

Nov 15, 2011 at 9:11 am

Written by Norm,

BobinKy,
I like your, as you put it, adaptation from the The New Interpreter's Study Bible. One phrase they use, however, needs to be viewed carefully. They say, "The Kingdom of God in this world is not a matter of human achievement, but rather the eschatological act of God". Some people reading that might think that we as individual Christians or Christian communities have to do nothing but wait for God to act. Much of scripture would not agree with that. Two examples would be God forcing Jonah to do what God required even though Jonah resisted or Jesus' instruction of, "Feed my sheep". Even the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples says, "... thy kingdom come thy will be done...". The word done implies action on our part.
Also, the author of today's meditation says, "Again, don't think literally - this is a dream after all..." That is good advice when ever one reads Revelation.

"Northfield" shape-note hymn captures this spirit-dream

Nov 15, 2011 at 11:40 am

Written by Mark B.,

Google for "Northfield" sung on Youtube.com, and follow the lyrics:

http://resources.texasfasola.o...y/155.html

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