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 we’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!!!
Thank you to Ron and Ann for continuing with our study of God’s Word, the Bible as well as Reynold’s photo’s which add so much to my understanding of the text. I have been so blessed by this journey through the story of God’s love for His people and for all of us because of Jesus sacrifice, His death and resurrection. May the Lord continue to bless the Mainse family and Crossroads for many years till He returns. Thank you, also, to our blog friends who add insight, wisdom, and prayers to this inspiring way of studying God’s Word. I am so grateful for this and though I do not often contribute to the ongoing stream of communication, you are all in my prayers. As David wrote at the bottom of this entry – thank you, thank you. thank you and may God richly bless you.
Amen sally!
Yes,amen.You express our gratitude well.Thank you.
Yes, Amen Sally!
Thank you for your prayers, Sally!
God bless you!
Amen Sally! It’s hard to imagine what it would be like living in the new Jerusalem. In the meantime we are living on this old earth struggling with diseases and distresses; however that is how we grow and draw closer to the Lord. The Blible says that He has made everything beautiful in His time. Sometimes it seems had to be disciplined and consistent in reading the Word but when you look back from time to time and see what you have learned then you realize it has all been worth the effort. Amen? God bless you saints as we finish out six years of reading the Word and David’s inspiring blogs.
“hard instead of had”
Thank you for continuing this blog and giving us a better insight to scripture. I must confess I’m not consistent, but it’s a great peace knowing that I have this understanding to go to, and I love David’s personal stories too.
Bless you all, and may more and more people come to read and understand God’s word through this daily reading.
Thank you Mainse family for continuing this blog. I had trouble before being consistent in daily reading. This is my third time through and look forward to it every morning. Gods blessings to all.
Ditto,Gwen.I am also on my 3rd trip through.I was away and just catching up.Blessings
May God have his way throughout this world, in and through all his people. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Its hard to believe that the this “two-year session” has come to an end!
But a new two year session will begin, with a fresh new start. God bless you Mainse family for your faithfulness in continuing what David was inspired to begin…a two-year bible study!
And, yes, thank you contributors for your insight through the two years!
Song
The Holy City.
Thank you for the Bible reading. I have read the Bible through again. It is a great blessing.