Daily Bread for Dec 30, Rev 20-22
Today’s readings are Rev 20-22.
In Rev 20, we
see the beginning of the thousand-year reign of Christ. The chronology is a
little confusing in these chapters. Suffice it to say that there is a wedding
and there is a reign. At the end of the reign, which lasts a very long time,
perhaps a literal thousand years, perhaps not, there is another battle between
the Lamb and Satan. This battle leads to the final defeat of Satan and judgment
on all who opposed God.
A new heaven and earth appear. This is the new
creation. Bear in mind that much of the language used is symbolic and
metaphorical, meant to convey the perfection and holiness of heaven and the
presence of the unbridled glory of God. Many pages have been written trying to
formalize what John describes in these chapters. Most of it is indescribable.
God is not giving John blueprints here. He is revealing His glory.
Once again, God reigns in sovereign authority over all. In
the beginning, man fell and was separated from God. Now man is restored to God.
The journey back to the garden has been completed by the grace of God, and all
things have been made new again. We see a new Jerusalem, this one with no
temple, no sun or moon. It is lit by the glory of God with the Son as the lamp.
It is a safe, pure and holy place, eternally preserved in its holiness (Rev
20:25-27).
The new city is marked by multiples of twelve. It is 12,000
stadia (presumably, squared). The walls are 144 cubits. There are twelve gates built
on twelve foundations, each of the foundations representing one of twelve
Apostles, each gate named after one of the twelve tribes. The foundations are a
clear allusion to the new church which has been built on a “foundation of the
Apostles and prophets” (Eph 2:20). The text does not distinguish which of the
twelve Apostles are honored in this fashion. Note that the text does not
limit the number of Apostles to twelve. It only says that the foundations of
the gates numbered twelve and each bore the name of an Apostle. No mention
is made as to who may be included in the twelve.
Laboring over that detail can be an intriguing exercise but
would miss the point being made here. Heaven is all about inclusion of all
believers to the glory of God. The Bible, which is rapidly coming to a
conclusion, is the story of God and His plan to reveal His glory in the
redemption of His children. It's not about who's who in heaven.
In the designation of the tribes and the Apostles on the
gates in Rev
21 we see a union between the Old Testament and the New. This is
symbolic on several levels. It honors the original, faithful Jews who are now
united with the new church, all of them occupying the new Jerusalem. It
recognizes that they have all been part of God's plan to bring His chosen ones
into His presence. It shows that God has been actively working throughout the
history of the world. The multiple twelves we see in the walls, gates and
dimensions of the city indicate perfection. Trying to determine actual
measurements or literalize any of these details would again miss the point John
is making. He is portraying a city that is intricately perfect in every way,
existing for the glory of God.
Rev 22 depicts
the river of life, running through the city. On its banks, we see the tree of
life, hidden since Adam and Eve's ejection from the Garden. The curse has been
reversed, man is restored to an intimate, eternally secured relationship
with God and His blessings are abundant and never-ending.
John ends his book with the encouragement and assurance
that Jesus will return soon. Meanwhile, we see a reminder that the Bible is the
complete and perfect self-revelation of God and is not to be tampered with,
edited or improved upon. Rev 22:20 makes it clear that the Scriptures are the
words of Christ. It is fitting that the last verse is a testimony to the grace
of God.
It is compelling that the first verse of Genesis tells us,
“In the beginning God…” This occurs at the very first moment of human history.
Thousands of years later, as those who believe in Him take their first steps
into eternity, the Bible ends with “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.
Amen.” The first and last words of the Bible are about our holy, sovereign,
omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, loving, triune God. We would do well to
remember that all that lies in between are about Him as well.
God is on the throne, Jesus is at His side and He has
brought His children home.
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