Our Eternal Home - The New Jerusalem
17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
What is the New Jerusalem?
Today I want to share some more about eternity. We will take a look at Jerusalem, our eternal home.
The New Jerusalem, which has also been called the Tabernacle of God, the Holy City, the City of God, the Celestial City, and Heavenly Jerusalem, is literally heaven on earth. It is referred to in the Bible in several places, but it is most fully described in the 21st chapter of the book of Revelation. The 21st chapter of Revelation is the recorded history of man at its end. All of the ages have come and gone. Since we are talking about eternity, lets look at a series of events.
1) Christ has gathered His church in the Rapture.
15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17 (New International Version)
2) The Tribulation and the Great Tribulation of the book of Revelation have past. The battle of Armageddon has been fought and won by our Lord Jesus Christ.
17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh. Revelation 19:17-21 (King James Version)
3) Satan has been chained for the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth; he was released and deceived the nations once again, causing them to rise up in rebellion against God once more, but God has defeated Satan again and Satan has received his just punishment, an eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1-10.)
4) The Great White Throne Judgment has taken place, and mankind has been judged.
11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The Sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15 (New International Version)
5) Now in Revelation 21 the new heaven and the new earth have come, God the Father then brings heaven to earth in the New Jerusalem where He dwells with His own for eternity. Only God's children will be with Him in the New Jerusalem
12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name. John 1:12 (Amplified Bible)
THE NEW JERUSALEM
One of the more striking features of the New Jerusalem is its vast size. In Revelation 21:16, the angel measures the city with a golden rod or reed, and records it as being 12,000 stadia by 12,000 stadia at the base, as well as 12,000 stadia high. This translates to 1500 miles square or 1500 miles on each of the four side and 1500 miles high. If rested on the Earth, its ceiling would be inside the exosphere or the outer atmosphere. If the entire flat area of the foundation was set on the United States it would reach from Canada to Mexico and nearly from the east to the west coast.
The New Jerusalem is where believers in Christ will spend eternity. The New Jerusalem is the ultimate fulfillment of all God's promises. The New Jerusalem is heaven, paradise, God's goodness made fully manifest. Have you accepted God's invitation to the New Jerusalem? If you have accepted God's invitation to the New Jerusalem, I look forward to seeing you there!
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; Titus 1: 2
Note: GOD and COFFEE is written daily for your inspiration. Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors you may find due to the time restrictions we have in publishing this daily teaching.
Reference
http://www.gotquestions.org/new-jerusalem.html
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
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