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The Approaching City

You may have driven or flown toward a big city, and as you approached, had the illusion that the city grew before your eyes. As you came closer, more and more details emerged. What did John think as he saw a great city coming down from heaven and the details becoming clearer and clearer to him? (Rev. 21:9-16)

He had been carried away to a great high mountain with a promise he would see the bride of the Lamb (v. 9). What he saw was a city descending from heaven (10). The city was shining, brilliant “like a Jasper, clear as crystal,” and John tells us this shining was from the glory of God (11). He had been told to watch for the bride, and what he saw was this glorious city. His vision revealed to him the city-bride.

As John watched, the details emerged. The city had twelve gates and twelve foundations to support the wall between the gates. All of these were inscribed with names. The gates had the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the foundations had the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (12-14). These were John's first impressions of the city that represented the bride. 

The city is called “the Holy City, Jerusalem.” It represents all the people of God from every age. In Hebrews 11 when the writer comes to the end of the catalog of Old Testament saints, he writes, “These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (39-40). This is the fulfillment of their faith. They opened the way into the city, and they are to be united with the New Testament people of God. 

God does nothing that is shabby, dull, or boring. Everything he does is very good. He has prepared an exciting future for his people, not a scene of airy clouds and harps, but a vibrant city with all the life of a city—and more; and this is where we are to live. Neither is it a concrete jungle, as we will see, but a city full of pulsating natural life.

Prayer: Lord, even as I fully appreciate this world you have made and try to serve you in this life, help me to live with excited anticipation of that coming city.