Follow the Lamb - 21 Day Study on the Book of Revelationعينة

Day 15: A New Jerusalem Imagination

Scripture Reading:

‘For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore.’

- Isaiah 9.6-7 (NRSV)

One of the big differences between Christianity and other faiths is the incarnation. This simply means becoming flesh. God, as always, does the unexpected, the outrageously generous. You’d think if you were God, if you could do anything, be anywhere, you’d choose to be in heaven. You’d think God would want to stay well clear of planet Earth, with its wars, diseases, disasters, death, and all its imperfections. When we read Scripture, we see that God has always been with his people, in the garden with Adam and Eve, walking with Noah, paying a house call to Abraham, speaking through the prophets, and having a wrestling match with Jacob. As always, God is consistent, and so his engagement with humanity is brought to its culmination in God becoming human in the form of Jesus.

God has always desired to make his home amongst us. When Moses led the people through the wilderness, he didn’t leave them to make the journey alone, but guided them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, and blessed the ark of the covenant with his presence. He commanded Solomon to build the Temple and was spiritually present in the inner sanctum, the Holy of Holies. Beginning at Pentecost, God the Holy Spirit has chosen to make all believers temples, as he dwells in the hearts of each and every believer. The fulfilment of God’s intention to live with humankind is present in John’s portrayal of the New Jerusalem. God will move into house-share earth with us and create a perfect place where we will have unlimited access to his loving presence.

Some things to think about:

1. What is your dream house like? Where is it? What is in it? Who is in it?
2. Do you have a place that is spiritually special for you, such as a church, a space to pray, or somewhere you had an encounter with God?
3. How does it make you feel to know that you are invited to live in God’s home for eternity?

Prayer:

Immanuel, God with us, I thank you for giving yourself in your Son. I thank you for preparing an eternal home for me. I pray that today I show hospitality to those around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.