“The New Jerusalem – Pt. 2” (Revelation 21:22 – 22:5)

What this episode covers

The New Jerusalem – Pt. 2 (Rev. 21:22-22:5) I wondered whether we should take a week to consider how the Bible might encourage us during this Coronavirus pandemic. The response from people around the world has ranged from sheer panic to complete indifference. We certainly want to avoid both extremes. We also need to prepare to show compassion to those who are vulnerable and in need during this time. And we cannot allow this virus to become our all consuming passion. A lot more could be said about that, but this morning I would like to stay the course in our sermon series because I believe it is entirely relevant to our situation. What better way to fight the fear of panic, than to meditate upon the goal and consummation of our faith! Rather than worry about things that are largely outside of our control, we want to strengthen our faith with a view of our eternal destiny. We are in the final cycle of Revelation looking at the reward of the saints. This description of the New Jerusalem began at v.9 and concludes at 22:5, which pictures our eternal state and the benefits that accompany that state. The more we meditate upon heaven the greater we will long for it. Read Revelation 21:22-22:5 This passage encourages believers by focusing on what is and is not included in the future kingdom. The glory of heaven includes what is absent as well as what is abundant. So let us begin by considering… I. What Is Absent (21:22-27) John’s vision portrays the absence of four things: 1. No temple (22) God and the Lamb are its temple. God’s presence was always what the physical temple represented. Communing with God is the aim of all worship. The temple simply represents the physical space where the gathered saints met with God. There will not be a need for a designated location to gather, because we will always be in communion with God. Some make so much of this concept, that they minimize the importance of gathering together in a church community. They emphasize the fact that we can commune with God on our own. And, for a season that may be the wise thing to do. But Scripture never suggests that as the ideal situation in this life. We ought to long to gather for corporate worship now, and at the resurrection on the last day, when we receive our glorified bodies, our faith will become sight. That is when the symbol of the temple will become the reality of God’s abiding presence. The Garden of Eden represented this very same thing. Adam was instructed to “work and keep” the garden (Gen 2:15). The same Hebrew words are found with reference to the priests who “serve and guard” the tabernacle and temple. Surely Moses understood this and was making an intentional connection. What Adam lost in the garden, was partially restored in the temple, and will be finally and fully recovered in glory. 2. No Light (23-24) Isa 60:19 prophecies a time when the light of the sun and moon is replaced by the Lord’s “everlasting light”. Light is provided by God’s glory so that all of the nations are able to walk by that light (24). This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 60:3, 5 which anticipates “the wealth of the nations” coming to Jerusalem. Revelation adds the idea of the kings of the nations bringing their glory into Jerusalem. It highlights the universal apprehension of the gospel as worshipers from every tribe, language, and nation offer themselves to God (Isa. 2:3). This contrasts the earthly glory that is brought into Babylon throughout this present age. Those who have been redeemed from the nations, will bring with them their cultural identity that has been purified. All their unique diversity, without any sense of superiority, will serve to magnify the God we worship for eternity. The infinite facets of the grace of God will be on display forever. And God’s glory is placed on display by the Lamb, who is the lamp. The Lamb’s deity is emphasized. Again, we must keep the symbolic nature of this apocalyptic book in mind. This isn’t really about how we are going to

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