Saturday, May 28, 2022

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!!!

10 thoughts on “Saturday, May 28, 2022

  1. I love reading God’s word and our bible. The more I read it the more I understand it. I encourage others to do your 2-yr. study also David and feel you know that this blog is helping so many down here on earth. What joy you must be experiencing in Heaven with like-minded souls, especially our Heavenly Father!

    Blessings on those who love you so.

  2. I can hardly wait for the day Jesus returns. The beauty of the new heaven/earth and seeing those who have gone on ahead will be amazing. I’m ready for the start of another 2 year journey! Blessings all

  3. Father, thank You that in Heaven, “there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Please comfort all those who are going through these things here. Bless all those who work for Your Kingdom to come and Your will to be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. Help us to use our time well, in Jesus’s name, amen

  4. I have been doing the two year study from the beginning and looking forward to starting over again.
    Never tire of Gods word and learn something new every time.
    Blessings all

  5. Amen. I am also looking forward to starting on the next two year journey. The more I read the more I learn and remember which helps me to help others. I pray I am helping show others the way to salvation.

  6. Coming into agreement with all the comments above
    I too am ready to go again through the Bible for another 2 years starting June 3rd 🙏

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