In the Footsteps of Jesus #13

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed-- on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare; its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

(Rev 21:9-27)

"WAITING FOR THE NEW JERUSALEM"

As I write this meditation I am looking at the group photo taken from the Mount of Olives overlooking the city of Jerusalem. It reminds me how beautiful it was. You see the great stone walls rising up from the plain. The ancient city gates, many still in use today beckon one to enter in. Jerusalem is truly one of the world’s great cities.

In the very middle of the group photo stands Lloyd. Soon after our return from Israel, he was found to have cancer. Almost one year after we went to Jerusalem, Lloyd went home to be with the Lord.

Shortly before he died, Lloyd and I were talking about the trip to Israel. We were remarking on all the sights we saw and how wonderful a time it had been. I remember commenting how glorious Jerusalem looked in our group photo. Lloyd smiled and said: “That’s true, Pastor, but how much more glorious will be the New Jerusalem.”

What for you and me is still a living hope is a reality for Lloyd and for those who have gone before us. But someday soon, you and I will hear the archangel’s call and will see the Lord coming again in clouds. We, like John, will witness the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. Friend, will you be ready to enter in?

Question: Have you accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior?

Prayer: Even so, come Lord Jesus! Amen.