THE HOLY CITY
Suggested Reading: Revelation 21
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The city skyline of Toronto. There are many great cities on earth, but the city known as the New Jerusalem mentioned in today's reading will be constructed in Heaven. There is no place on earth where it could settle down. Therefore, it must be a great satellite in stationary orbit above the earth, the closest point to it here on earth would be Jerusalem. I am a private pilot and on one occasion I was flying at the correct altitude past the Toronto shoreline when I looked up and there above me was a man working on the world's highest free standing tower seen on the skyline above. It was unnerving to say the least. Just imagine how bewildering it will be when by God's grace we first see the New Jerusalem.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Revelation 21:3-4
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Jim and Kathy Cantelon write today’s 100 Words segment (originally published in Crossroads’ Day Unto Day devotional series)…
Suddenly, there is great excitement as the Lord declares, “I am making everything new!” The old heaven and earth give way to “a new heaven and a new earth” (verse 1). And, somehow suspended between the two, the “New Jerusalem” appears.
This new city is called “the bride, the wife of the Lamb” (verse 9). It has huge dimensions (a 1,400 mile cube! That’s 27,440,000 cubic miles!) and it is overwhelmingly beautiful (verses 11-21). It is always daytime there, and there’s no temple, for God and the Lamb are its Light and its Temple (verses 22-25).
The new Jerusalem, as mentioned above, is somehow “suspended” between the new heaven and the new earth, for the “nations…and the kings of the earth” have access to it – they “bring their splendor into it” (verse 24). These gentiles must be those from every nation (7:9 – including their leaders) who have embraced Christ and “whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (verse 27).
It’s an exciting prospect. Life will be made new. And we will be fit to live both in the new Jerusalem and on the new earth. There will be no more sin, no more sorrow, and no more pollution. In a very real sense, it will be “heaven on earth”.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, Your Word reveals that sin will not be present in the “New Jerusalem!” Thank You that John also wrote, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “God be merciful to me a sinner” is a prayer that Jesus guaranteed makes me right before You! I pray this to You, O Lord! And I thank You that You allow a forgiven sinner to participate in Your ultimate and final victory over all evil. Through my Saviour and Lord I pray! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In yesterday’s reading I said that I would comment on the books other than the “Book of Life” which are also opened at the “Great White Throne” of judgment where all the dead of all time whose names are not in that “Book of Life” are arraigned (Revelation 20:12). I may be wrong but I believe that as well as a record of the “works” proving sins against God, the books of the Bible may be on display. There are many questions that I have for which I believe I will receive an answer someday. In the meantime, I’m so glad that I am not anyone’s judge. God is the only truly righteous and just Judge. I back off from judgment and leave it all totally with God.
Jim and Kathy wrote about the New Jerusalem being “somehow suspended between the New Heaven and the new earth.” I suppose it will be like the moon, held in place by the earth’s gravity. On one occasion I calculated that if there was a floor upward every mile, there would be enough room for everyone who ever lived to have an acre each. That’s 1400 to 1500 miles high as well as almost 1500 miles on each side.That’s the distance from London, England, to Moscow, Russia. Just imagine the challenge John had in describing what he saw. Like my Dad often said to me, “David, just wait and see for yourself.” By God’s grace I believe I’ll do just that!
Yours for complete confidence in humbly trusting in God!
David
P.S. Tomorrow’s reading is the final chapter in the Bible. I’m a little sad that we are through God’s books already. But I’m also very excited that I’ll start again June 3rd in Matthew then move to Genesis, and so on. Until then, God willing, I’ll direct our attention to portions of Scripture I have selected for extra emphasis. Please, please stay with me as faithful partners in consistently reading God’s Word. Ours is the only two-year reading program I’ve come across. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You, for your loyalty and support!!!
I am filled with awe, respect and gratitude for the many thoughts and insights, the many hours and prayerful moments and the heart and dedication that you David Mainse, and everyone helping you, have put into this living, life changing blog. Our Lord’s strength and blessings to all! Blue skies and tail winds all the way!
Amen! Appreciate the symbolism and descriptions; makes the vision of New Jerusalem more real Am on board, David for the second reading. Have a great day, saints!
I came into this blog about halfway through, and I can’t wait to start over. Thank you David, for your dedication.
Thank you Pastor Mainse for your loyalty and faithfulness in preparing this daily devotional for the past 2 years. I am so sxcited to spend the next 2 years going through it again! It has been such a blessing going through it during very difficult times with my children. Your healing has also been such an inspiration as well.
Blessings to you and your family!!
Thank you David and all who have contributed
to this inspirational blog over the past 2 years.
I’m very grateful for your time, effort, insight
and experiences shared with us. God bless you
as much as you have blessed us. Looking
forward to seeing the New Jerusalem.
I agree with David. Thank you David Maines looking forward to starting next week
Lianne
by the Grace of God i will be committed all the way:
God bless you sir
Thank you David M and Family, to God be the glory, for your dedication in helping God raise his children on solid food from the Bible each day. I’m with you and am thrilled to be! I started reading along daily last summer and it will be such a blessing to continue.
God bless!
PS I received your promotional cards in the mail for the blog and will pass them out at church on Sunday. Praying more readers will join us!
Looking forward to studying God’s word and the revealing stories of Jesus. The greatest history book ever written.
Thanks very much for this DM.
That two years went so fast! Looking forward to a re-run!
Onward and upward, I am so excited to join you Pastor David and my fellow blog buddies for the next two years.
If you are a visional person, today’s reading must be amazing to you. I weep and rejoice that my Saviour has won the battle I should have been fighting. I pray for His strength to endure and Praise His Holy Name for salvation.
May we all find at least one additional person to join us in our partaking of daily fresh bread!!!
David, I want you to know that your blog for the past two years has been so enriching, I have been with you every morning at around 6:15. Thank you so much for all the time and energy you have spent, and most of all for sharing your deep and lasting faith with us. I will be with you for the next two years, God willing!
Thank you Thank you Thank you David Mainse for providing us with this blog 100Words.ca
God Bless you!!
I have enjoyed our walk thru the bible. The two years passed so fast…
I always wanted to read the bible thru I wud start but never finish..
This way we read every day for two years and I will continue on with u
As we can always learn from this experience ..
Thank you so much. Thoroughly enjoyed it
One chapter left – I can hardly believe that it has been 2 years!!!! The time has gone by so fast. I have stayed with you from Day 1 and Lord willing, I will do it again!!!
Thank you Pastor David for your time, devotion, love and inspirations into God’s Holy Word. Your 100 words each day have been so meaningful and inspiring. The pictures, Reynold, have brought the Bible to life and I have prayed the daily prayer each day. Pastor David, you are a true champion of the faith and I thank the Lord for His blessings on your life and for your complete healing!!! PTL
Thank you fellow blog-buddies for your input each day and also for prayers along this journey. Although we do not know each other personally, I feel that we are kindred spirits and we have a special bond through this blog. Your insights, poems, and prayers have been a real blessing and I thank each one of you from the bottom of my heart. We are all part of the family of God!! God bless each and every one!!
Thank you for the scripture reading program and the 100 Words commentary – I have followed for the past 2 years and am excited at the prospect of taking this new trip through the Bible once again. David, you have been an inspiration and may God continue to bless you physically and spiritually in the days ahead.
Thank you David Mainse, for your steadfast love ,and commitment to this blog. I look forward to reading every morning. It has changed my life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Thank you, David Mainse, for this amazing Bible study and blog. It has been an incredible past two years. So looking forward to Revelation 22, tomorrow, the last week of studies and starting again on June 3rd for another two year study! Well done, good and faithful servant! You are the leading authority to which I turn for biblical wisdom knowledge and guidance. Thank you fine sir, from the bottom of my heart!
And thank you, dear fellow saints. I have so enjoyed this blog experience with you and look forward to the next two years together. God’s continued blessings to each and every one of you!
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me,[b] “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” PRAISE GOD!!!!
Amen sister Beverlee!
Thank you David Mainse for these past 2 years. I have been with you from the beginning and will continue as it has become an important part of my day. I am grateful for all that I have learned and look forward to new understandings. thanks to you and and the Lord who encouraged you. Thanks also to your son”s pictures, the Holy Land has become vivid. I pray God will continue to bless you with good health for you and your family and ultimately to all of your followers.
I also have returned to church after many years of not listening to the signs that I needed to. Thank you and God’s Blessings to all! Andrea
Thank you David so much for this blog. I love it. It has been such a blessing to read along with you and everyone else along with us. And thanks too to everyone else who have contributed: your wonderful sons and daughters-in-love. May God bless you all and all my brothers and sisters in Christ reading. Please God help us all to live in your ways and bring more to know you every day. For boldness, courage, wisdom, love, obedience, to be more like you Jesus I pray..
Thank you for the past 2 years. This is my first time reading the bible. I have enjoyed this journey immensley! I look forward to another 2 years and learning even more. Thank you DM for your continued dedication. You have made me into a believer.
Thank you Mr. Mainse for all your teachings and to all who contributed.
Still enjoy your blog 🙂
Diane 🙂
I only started last year so I am glad you are continuing with a combination of new and previous material. Some of us live in places that makes attending a Bible study everyday out of the question and this has been such a blessing to be able to read and study the Word with other believers. The insight and the personal stories and the comments section has given the Word a depth I don’t think I would have had if I just read the Bible on my own. So thank you for following God’s leading in doing this and for doing it again.
Amen, Amen, Amen. I say to all the comments above..Sure looking forward to
reading the Bible for the next 2 years thankyou and bless you all….R…
I’ve now read my Holy book, The Bible, in its entirety, thanks to David and those that help and support him with this blog. Unfortunately there are many Christians who know that they’re Christians, but who don’t know much about the Bible. There are others and unbelievers who mock us because of that. They’re bring up certain verses, and question us about them. If more of us knew our Holy book thoroughly, we could be more confident in our beliefs, and answer their questions.
I’ve tried to introduce others to this blog. I’m sure many of you reading have as well. All of us should pray that more people come to join David, and the rest of us, so they can learn more about The Bible.
Thank God and our Lord Jesus for the wonderful healing he has done for you. We all share in this victory and celebrate the fact that the enemy has been defeated. It is by His mercy and grace and perfect plan that you have been given the gift of continuing to write this blog. How grateful we all are that you are faithful and committed. We are with you all the way. Your declaration that you are continuing for the next two years is a declaration of faith. We are overcomers through Jesus our Lord. Be blessed.
Thank you David Mainse that I can now say I have finally read through the bible. I have enjoyed and grown closer to the Lord in these last two years. I will definetly be joining you again next week, hopefully this time with more commitment waking up early and doing the study first thing in the morning. May God continue blessing you & Norma-Jean and family who have helped in putting this online with such dedication.
What a blessed hope this morning’s chapter gives us!!!
Looking forward to the next study Rev. David.
Thank You, David Maines for your faithfulness in providing this blog. I read it every day, I don’t always comment though. I even read it while I was in K.L. Malaysia. This modern tech knowledge is really something!
Thank you, Lord for Your word and all Your wonderful promises! I am looking forward to another two year blog.
May The Lord richly bless you, DM and all you fellow bloggers.
Thank you David, I look forward to what have to share every day.