The Lamb’s Eternal City

Rev. Philip Hoppe, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Colby, KS, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Revelation 21:9-27. In contrast to the great prostitute Babylon, John now sees the true Bride and Wife of Christ. He is shown the holy Christian Church in all of her true splendor as she comes down out of heaven as the eternal holy city. The glory she has is from God, and her features and dimensions come in multiples of twelve. This is a reminder that this same Church is a reality right now, evident in the tribes of Israel in the Old Testament and those who adhere to the doctrine of the twelve apostles in the New Testament. Even as John describes things too glorious for words, it remains true reality that he sees. The presence of God and the Lamb in the city is the defining characteristic; He is the temple and the source of light. “Come Lord Jesus!” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Revelation given to St. John. Although some look at Revelation with fear, it is a book of supreme hope in our crucified, risen, and ascended Lord. The book of Revelation gives a heavenly perspective on our earthly circumstances so that the Church in every generation is challenged, comforted, and assured of final victory through Jesus Christ.