Tag: Revelation 21-22
Everything made new!
Scripture reading for December 31st: Revelation 21-22
The end of the Bible tells of a new beginning! All who were faithful to Christ would 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 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 the dwelling place of God is now 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 would make everything new!
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 those who dwell in this city will have 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 His return! 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. 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
A river to swim in!
Scripture reading for August 31st: Ezekiel 44-48
This amazing book of Scripture is coming to an end at last! A commentary note in my Daily Walk Bible stated that the rabbis that wrote the Talmud, the primary Jewish commentary on the Old Testament Scriptures, stated that Elijah would have to come back and interpret Ezekiel’s writings to give full understanding. Some of the visions and measurements as well as descriptions of offerings are difficult for American Christians living in the 21st century to understand, too. We know that God has His reasons for having them recorded and we should continue to pray for deeper understanding through the Holy Spirit.
As we close out Ezekiel, we come to the vision recorded in chapter 47. Ezekiel was taken by the man with the measuring line to the entrance of the temple facing east. There he saw a stream of water coming down from the south side from south of the altar. He then took Ezekiel out the north gate to the outside of the east gate and measured off a thousand cubits (450 meters or 1500 feet). Ezekiel found the water there to be ankle-deep. Another thousand cubits and the water was knee-deep and another thousand the water was waist-deep. A final thousand cubits and the water was so deep that he could not cross it by walking. Along the banks of the river, a great number of trees were growing. (Ezekiel 47:3-7)
Ezekiel was told by the man that the water entered the Dead Sea and there those waters became fresh. The waters were full of swarms of living creatures and large numbers of fish. Fishermen stood on the banks and cast their nets harvesting the fish. Fruit trees grew along the banks and they were always green and yielded fresh fruit each month. This fruit would be for food and the leaves of these trees would bring healing.(Ezekiel 47:8-12)
Following this vision, there are detailed instructions about how to divide the land among the twelve tribes. Finally, the city of Jerusalem has 12 gates named after the twelve tribes of Israel. The final verse states that the name of that city will be “The Lord is There”. (Ezekiel 48:30-35)
This vision points us to the Apostle John’s vision in the book of Revelation. John saw an angel with a measuring rod of gold who was measuring the city, it’s gates, and walls. (Revelation 21:15-21) The walls were made of precious stones and the gates were made of single pearls. The street of the city was pure gold! God’s presence filled the city with light and there was no need of sun or moon because of this glorious light! There was a river flowing from the throne of God down the middle of the street with trees bearing fruit each month. (Revelation 22:1-5) The leaves of these trees were for the healing of the nations! Best of all, God Himself and the Lamb would be with His people and they would behold His face! His glory would light their lives and world for ever and ever!
As we close this book, take time to reflect on the river of God and the life it brings. Do you have this river flowing in you? The Holy Spirit brings God’s river into us and will enable us to swim in it forever and ever! Come to Jesus Christ and drink freely of this water of life! You will be eternally satisfied! (Revelation 22:17)