What a vision John was given! To actually see the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven! Wouldn't that an amazing thing to get to see? I want to start singing Mercy Me's "I Can Only Imagine!"
This verse comes immediately after our last verse, Revelation 21:1, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea existed no longer."
John has seen the old pass away to make room for the new...the new cannot be seen until the old is gone. And now he sees God's crowning jewel, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven...the new Jerusalem, to take it's place on the new earth. Not the Jerusalem that we have come to know --- a divided city, torn apart by strife and religious wars. No, this Jerusalem is beautifully prepared like a bride ready for her husband and coming down the aisle, but instead coming out of heaven.
Today is Good Friday, the day that Jesus went to the cross for our sin. We should be mournful on this day....but we should be mournful over our sins that sent Jesus to that cross. Not grieving over a crucified Jesus that was less than we thought He was going to be...no, we, unlike the disciples on that dark day, know that Sunday is coming. We know that Jesus is EVERYTHING He said He was and we have the resurrection to attest to His deity and the power of God displayed. And because of Good Friday, we can also know that Jesus' willingness to die for us, gives us the ability to claim His blood over all our sinfulness and to know that we will have life with Him forever. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13)
Because of Good Friday, and then because of the miracle of Easter, we will see the new Jerusalem in all it's glory. We will see the new heaven and the new earth that John was given the opportunity to preview.
We have a risen Savior, and we should thank God every day for that provision. But Christ's resurrection and ascension is only part of His story of the redemption of mankind. Just as the disciples on Friday didn't understand what Sunday would bring, I don't believe we can completely understand the rest of Christ's story: His second coming to reign forever. But for those who believe in His name, and in His saving grace, we will come to understand just as fully as the disciples saw the holes in Jesus' side when He appeared to them. All will be made known...all our questions answered.
All things new....and beautiful!
Let's review this section of verses as we start our 98th verse!
Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be on His shoulders. And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor,The mighty God, The eternal Father, The Prince of Peace."
Luke 2:10 "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news of great joy, which will be for all the people.' "
Luke 2:11 "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."
Luke 2:12 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped snugly in a cloth and lying in a manger."
Acts 1:11 "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven."
Revelation 21:1 "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea existed no longer."
Revelation 21:2 "I also saw the Holy City, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband."
Thank You, Lord God, for all of Your glorious plans...plans made for our eternal good. Let us look back and see how Your promises have been fulfilled, and let us look forward knowing that all of Your future promises are just as sure. Thank You for our forgivness supplied through the blood of Jesus, our Savior! Amen!
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