If its not worth doing, then don't do it!
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If its not worth doing, then don't do it! |
     
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The Seventh & Last Cycle Revelation 21: 1-27
Admiral Yamamoto, the mastermind of the Pearl Harbor strike very definitely warned his superiors that the first year of the war would be very good for the Imperial Japanese Navy. He then hastened to point out that there was no hope for a final Japanese victory. He knew what the final chapter of had to be. America must win! Chapter twenty is the beginning of the seventh and last cycle describing the prophetic history of the Church between Christ's first and second coming. We have to keep reminding ourselves that the most important message of this entire book is its revelation of the final chapter in the history of creation. This message Jesus Christ is and will be Lord of Lords and King of Kings. We know that just as certainly as Yamamoto knew the outcome of World War Two even as he started it. Chapters twenty and twenty-one reveal five essential phases concerning Christ's final victory. Rev 20:1-3 1st, Satan's power was circumscribed when Christ first came. Our first phase is reinforced by the Gospels. READ: Luke 10:17-21: The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." He replied,"I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." This is the image that we see recorded by John, Satan's power is now to be limited. Our second phase is also addressed in this passage. The Church has a mission and it is to reign with Christ. We are to work and witness on behalf of our Lord and King. This is the place in this last and seventh cycle of Revelation where we find ourselves. We may even possibly be moving into phase three? But, we do not know! There have been many times in history when Christians have thought the endtimes were being experienced. And they have been wrong every time. Our third, fourth and fifth phases are beyond our experience. These three phases constitute the blessed hope to which we look forward: The final defeat of Satan. Everything as we now know it will disappear to be replaced. As he comes to the end of his visions John has a magnificent sight of the final state of things. We should not take these scenes in chapter twenty-one too literally. his use of material images is meant to convey spiritual states, not physical realities. He would encourage us to hope for the coming of the heavenly kingdom as we more and more put aside our worldly concerns with the babylonian realities of our present life. Verses one through four show us the establishment of the new order. And the key truth here is that "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them." In verses five through eight God Himself speaks. Notice the present tense in verse five "I am making everything new". Certainly we know that this will happen at the end. However, we should consider that God is still active in the affairs of earth and even now He is working towards the finalization of His plans. In verse six God announces that "they are done". The plural reference here is to all of the events which must take place within His providence. He follows that announcement with a declaration and a promise. He who is the author of all human history from beginning to end will reward those who thirst for His truth and righteousness from the spring of the water of life. In verse seven we are assured that believers will inherit all things. By contrast verse eight describes the fate of the wicked. And that eternal fate is terrible indeed. The next section in this passage includes verses nine through twenty-one. Here is described the Holy City, the Bride of Christ, or as we should understand it: the glorified Church. There are four features of this city that should catch out attention. The first feature that should awe us is the glory of the Church. Just as in chapter four, John uses precious stones to symbolize glory. The essential jewel is the diamond like jasper. Now the glory of the diamond is in its ability to reflect light. Thus, we should understand that the glory of the Church is in its ability to reflect the far greater light of our Father and God. All God's infinite perfections and virtues, all His knowledge and grace and righteousness and love and holiness and wisdom and goodness are reflected in the church. The church is adorned with the glory of God radiated within it. We would all do well to remember that fact! Our purpose in work and witness is to reflect the far greater glory of our God and King. Whenever we fail to remember and apply this fact we dishonor our Christ. The second feature is the security of the church. Notice the references to the walls of the city, the gates and the foundations. Last winter I read an article in National Geographic about the Kremlin palaces of the Romanov Czars. Also in the last few years there have been films made for the first time within the Forbidden City of the Chinese Emperors. Multiply those images and we begin to comprehend the far greater glories of the heavenly city described in this passage. Our understanding of this feature should focus on the security features of the various elements. We no longer live in walled cities. However, one large city has begun an experiment to close off access to one portion of their town and to make everyone come and go through check points. Now, at least the residents there feel safe and life even for the poor is becoming easier and more prosperous with the wicked dealers and death merchants shut out. Security is the by word here in this passage. And that security is eternal for those who belong to Christ and Church. The third feature noted here is the intimacy of the church's fellowship with God. The city measures out to be a perfect cube. Earlier in the history of Israel only the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle and temple was built to such specifications! Remember that the Holy of Holies was where God Himself dwelt. So the image here is that God is indeed in the very midst of His people. That will indeed be intimate fellowship with our own God and Father. The fourth feature concerns the life of the Church. In this intimate perfect fellowship there will be three facts. In verses 22-23 we see that there will be no need to go to church. Life itself will be a life of worship. In verses 24-26 we see that everyone in heaven will be serving God. People from every nation will bring their splendor to His service. All of those things that we do well in interests, skills and love will shine out for all eternity. In verse 27 we see that there will be no more sin to separate us from God. But only the pure will enter in. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. May your name be found therein on the last day. Amen.
Christ Covenant REFORMED (Presbyterian Church in America) Box 13926 -- Columbus, OH 43213 Rev 21a 27 May 90
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