Tag: New Jerusalem
Patient endurance rewarded
Scripture reading for December 3rd: Esther 7-10, Revelation 3
Key Scriptures: Revelation 3:10-13 “Because you have kept My Word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the Name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down from My God out of heaven, and My own new Name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Jesus dictated this short letter to the church at Philadelphia. These faithful followers had kept Jesus’ Word about patient endurance as they lived in a world and culture that was hostile to the believers of Jesus. In response to their faith, Jesus promised them escape from the final hour of trial that would ultimately come upon the earth in the last days of the last days. Jesus stated clearly that He was coming soon. They must continue to hold fast to their faith for a crown awaited the overcomers. Jesus would make them strong like a pillar and give them an everlasting inheritance which would never be taken away.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, open my ears to the Spirit’s voice and Your truth. Help me to have the patient endurance of those who fully trust Your Word. I want to be a pillar in Your holy temple and be marked with Your Name. Help me to proclaim Your Name to the nations!
Esther 8:15-17 “Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced. The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor. And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday. And many from the peoples of the country declared themselves Jews, for fear of the Jews had fallen on them.”
Eternal Joy with God!
Scripture reading for December 27th: Zechariah 7-10, Revelation 21
Key Scriptures: Revelation 21:2-4 “And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be nor more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
As John continued to look and write, he saw a beautiful city, descending from heaven. This city looked like a bride adorned for her husband. A loud announcement from heaven stated that God would dwell with His people bringing eternal joy, comfort and peace. This would be the ultimate fulfillment of God’s desire and prophetic word to live with His people eternally!
Zechariah 8:7-8 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save My people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be My people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for the vision of the prophetic Word made sure by Your own faithfulness and righteousness! I await the joy of being in Your presence for ever! Amen!
New Heavens, Earth and Jerusalem!
Scripture reading for December 30th: Revelation 21
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her Husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4)
God had promised through Isaiah to bring a new heaven and new earth. (Isaiah 65:17-19, 25) 66:22) This would come after the time of judgment after the millennial reign of Christ. God’s kingdom would fully come. God would dwell with His people as a husband with His Bride and fulfill the prophesy of “Emmanuel”, “God with us”! He would comfort His people, wiping away their tears and removing their need to mourn! The former things would not even be remembered, because God would make everything new! The earth would not be subject to decay and the animal kingdom would live in harmony with mankind in peace known before only in the Garden of Eden before the fall!
The new Jerusalem would be home of the Bride of Christ–Jerusalem would be made new and become a city of peace and joy with God in it’s center and it’s very light! It would have streets of pure gold and would be adorned with jewels and 12 giant pearls as it’s gates! “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Revelation 21:27) The kingdom would indeed be beyond what we, the saints, could hope for, think about or imagine!
The Holy City from Heaven!
Scripture reading for December 30th: Revelation 21:1-27
After the punishment of the wicked in the lake of fire, John watched the passing away of the first heaven and earth and a new heaven and earth appeared! What an experience that must have been! The view from heaven of this drama unfolding must have amazed and frightened John.
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” God’s desire has always been to dwell in the midst of His people. Sin brought separation of man from God, but God’s Son overcame and holds the key of death and Hades! (Revelation 1:18)
Now John saw a new heaven and earth and a Holy City, the New Jerusalem. This would be the dwelling place of man with God Himself. Death, sin, crying, and pain will be gone forever! God would wipe away all tears and fill each one with eternal joy in His presence! “You have made know to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Psalm 16:11)
“He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be His God and he will be My son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolater, and all liars–their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”” (Revelation 21:6-8) There are two possible outcomes for any man. Those who overcome Satan and his lies will inherit the New Jerusalem and new heaven and earth. Those who don’t believe will get the Lake of Fire!
I am coming soon!
Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 20-22
The end of the Bible tells of a new beginning! The faithful in Christ will live in a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells! John saw a Holy City, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. This city was prepared like a bride for her husband. (Revelation 21:2) A voice from heaven announced that God would dwell among men. There would be no more tears, crying or pain. God would make everything new!
But some will be left out: The cowardly and unbelieving who have put off following the Lord! The murderers and sexually immoral will not be invited in either. Those practicing the occult and living lies will be sent to the lake of burning sulfur with all those shut out. This lake is the second death spoken of at the Great White Throne judgment. (Revelation 20:14-15)
The New Jerusalem contains the most precious treasures for the redeemed. There is the River of Life that flows from God’s throne. Its banks will be lined with the Tree of Life, bearing fruit each month with leaves for healing. But the best treasure of all will be God and the Lamb dwelling in their midst and all will see His face! Living in God’s presence will bring eternal pleasures and joy to all the redeemed! (Psalm 16:11)
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:12-14)
Three times in this final chapter the Lord speaks of His soon return, and the final “blessed” concerns those who have their wedding clothes ready for His coming! The Spirit and Bride conclude with an invitation to all to come and join the Bridal party of those waiting for the soon return! Just reading the invitation to this party makes me want to be ready! May you be ready too! Amen! Come Lord Jesus!
Thank you for sharing this journey with me and please join me again next year as we focus on the New Testament in daily readings.
In His Love, Pastor John Morse
“I Am Coming Soon!”
Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 20-22
The end of the Bible tells of a new beginning! All who were faithful to Christ get to live in a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells. All who enjoy this new beginning have been faithful and trusted Christ. He has faithfully done what He promised.
John sees a Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. This city is prepared like a bride for her husband. (Revelation 21:2) A voice from heaven announces that the dwelling place of God is among men and He will live with them. He will comfort them and change the order of their existence. There will be no more tears, crying or pain. God is making everything new and His word is sure!
There will be some who won’t enjoy these new eternal accommodations. These are the cowardly and unbelieving, those who put off deciding to follow the Lord. Those who are murderers and are sexually immoral will not be invited in. Those practicing the occult and living lies will also be excluded and sent to the lake of burning sulfur. This lake is the second death spoken of at the Great White Throne judgment. (Revelation 20:14-15)
However, the new Jerusalem contains the most precious and beautiful treasures for the redeemed. There is the river of life that flows from the throne of God. It’s waters are crystal clear and flowing abundantly. The banks of the river are lined with the tree of life, bearing fruit each month of the year. It’s leaves bring healing to the nations. The best treasure of all is that those who dwell in this city will have God and the Lamb dwelling in their midst and they will see His face! What blessed peace and joy will be ours when we see Him and behold Him in all His glory!
“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:12-14)
Three times in this final chapter the Lord speaks of His soon return, and the final “blessed” concerns those who have their wedding clothes ready for His coming! The Spirit and Bride conclude with an invitation to all to come and join the Bridal party of those waiting for the soon return! Just reading the invitation to this party makes me want to be ready! May you be ready too!
As we come to the last day of this year, I am so blessed to have been able to write through the entire Bible. It is something that I haven’t done before but hope to do again next year! I know that I have experienced Jesus Christ in every book. I also know the Lord’s heart better and feel that I have grown spiritually in ways that I would not have without writing. Thank you for sharing this journey with me and please join me again next year! In His Love, Pastor John Morse