THE HOLY CITY
Today’s 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 1,400 to 1,500 miles high as well as almost 1,500 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 like the way the blog is structured with several components – not only commentary on the passage, but photos, information about the photos, prayer, and personal experience (100 words). I also like that there is a link to the passage and the option to either listen to it or read it, or both. Thanks for providing this, and for all your work!
Amen.
Amen! Eleanor C.
I thank you as well Pastor David. For your faithfulness and dedication in preparing this blog.
I am on board for the next two years. Blessings to all on this sunny Saturday. Eleanor M.
Thank-you Pastor Mainse. Me too!
I enjoy your blog very much and look forward to the next two years. God bless you and your ministry.
Thank you Daviid for all you did and for all you will do the next two years
I read your blog from the beginning when you started and I will be faithful and I will pray for you for the next 2 years It always is a great start in the morning as you said “fresh bread
May God bless you and your ministry I am a fan and I will keep on praying for you because as my family and I also a prison of war camp survivor I know the power of prayer
God bless you today and for ever
Boudewina
God bless you, dear Boudewina!
Have been your wingman since you started the blog, Pastor David Mainze (PPL) !! Thanks for all your guidance and insight into Our Lords Holy Word. My wife has completed your blog and Bible now and intends to follow again with me for the next two years. God bless and keep you strong along our journey!!
Oh what an amazing place we are all journeying to! It is spectacular, and truly boggles our minds, when we read how wonderful heaven will be! We must keep praying for the unsaved to come to Jesus, the only way there! Whosoever will may come!!! All who repent, and run into the arms of Jesus, no exclusions! Hurray! What a blessing this blog is…..Thank you David for encouraging us all to read the most important book ever…..the bible!!
Amen, sister Christine!
Yes, what a place heaven must be! Am grateful to be following your blog another two years David. Thank you for ministering to us in this way!
Hope you refer back to my comments yesterday Beverlee. Thanks!
Yes, I did; thank you, Ger!!!
Read your Bible blog every day,thank you. Looking forward to beginning again June 3. Blessings,Carol
Very much looking forward to June! Thank you, thank you!
Oh, praise God, for this beautiful scripture of Revelation 21 from Jesus and the Angels to John!! Ohh, the vision of HEAVEN! “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” AMEN! Praise God for your blessing upon us with this Bible study and blog, dear David! So looking forward to another two years–have been with you from the beginning–so very blessed!! Wishing all saints a wonderful day, in the Lord!
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:1–2, ESV
Tasha Cobbs – Break Every Chain (Lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pD2zIuiC2g
Amen!! Christine.
Prayed your prayer for today Pastor Mainse.
So looking forward to your next 2 years of studying God’s Holy Word.
Praise our Lord God Almighty for His Love and Salvation for all to receive, Amen!!
Where has the time gone?? I thoroughly enjoyed reading through the Bible with you and all the other believers. I am sure something wonderful is happening in the spirit realm as believers all over the World worship God through His Word.
I finally figured out how to go on facebook and invite all my friends to join.
God willing I will be with you for the next 2 years.
I have been very sick for over 3 years and this blog has been such a huge blessing.
I can’t thank you enough David. What a wonderful act of love towards our Lord and for each of us.
Thank You David for your hard work through these years, I am looking forward to the next two years readings as I fell behind several times but now being retired I have caught up andwill share your blog with everyone I can. Blessings on you.
Dorothy…I pray you receive your Healing touch from the Greatest Physician, Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in whose Name I pray. Amen!!
I received a word for you, Sah. God sees your heart. Blessings are coming your way and for those whom you care!
Thank you Beverlee Kay!
Please pray that Jason and his Pastor will get connected!,
Also please pray for Eva who spoke God’s Word over me 21 years ago and IMMEDIATELY smoking/alcohol left me!
God’s DNA is in us and I believe that the cancer in her colon is completely gone,. no sign it was ever in her body!
She also needs to live in a safe home! Her father gets unruly sometimes! May the Holy Spirit enter his heart and change him to be the father that his daughters need! AMEN
Thank you seems so insignificant to write to you and all those who help make this appreciated study of God’s Word. To be able to see so many photos of places which are significantly tied to Biblical times and past/present life are a gift!!! Looking forward to all you have to relate, and many prayers for you all.