Today’s Reading:
Revelation 21:1-27
“And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among this people. He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone for ever.” (Amen) (vv. 2-4)
In this passage, the Kingdom of God was revealed to Apostle John as a new Jerusalem city from heaven (vv. 1-22:5; Isa. 6:1-8; Eze 1:1-28). Isaiah and Apostle Paul confirmed that “eyes have not seen, nor the ears heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (Isa. 64:4; 1Corin 2:9). We would not be able to imagine what God has in store for all who obey and endure to the end, both now and in eternity.
The following facts can be drawn from the passage about the Kingdom.
The New Jerusalem is a holy city built and provided for by God Himself (v. 2; Heb. 11:10). It is the perfected state of the created universe and the eternal abode of God, Christ, and the Church – the redeemed as the Bride of Christ. The Lord Almighty and the Lamb are the temple (v.22). This symbolises serenity, righteousness, peace, and contentment; and because of the presence of God, joy replaces sorrows, and sufferings. It is a place of great relief and consolation for Christians of all generations, as we face and patiently endure tribulation and persecution to the end. This is very painful and sorrowful, but it is how God has designed his purpose. It is God’s perfect and eternal order of the future, hope, and encouragement, for us to press on in life, endure the hardship, and avoid giving into temptation. For this world is not the end of it all, the best is yet to come.
Christians who dwell in the Kingdom live in absolute active fulfilment of God’s eternal plan. It indicates a blissful, unbroken fellowship between God and His redeemed people. Humanity becomes all God planned it to be. Adam and Eve who initially dwelt in God’s Paradise chose to disobey, it was counted as sin against God and were expelled from the Garden. The Kingdom was since then closed to mankind (Gen. 3:24). But God in His love and mercy brought His creation back to himself, in the Law and Prophets first, and ultimately, through His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. As kings and priests of God and as we endure patiently, we will reign with Him forever beginning from here on earth (1:6). Because as believers, we are “seated with Christ in the heavenly realm (Eph. 2:6) and raised with Him at the right hand of God as co-heirs to the inheritance of the Father” (Col. 3:1).
This knowledge of the Kingdom teaches us to live in complete obedience to Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. With the experience of the foretaste, we are inspired to seek the fullness of God. According to Paul, “For now we see dimly in a mirror, but then, we see him face to face” (1Col. 13:12). Our worship is not solitary, but as the Bride of Christ - one Church, we join with the saints triumphant in heaven, giving thanks to God and King, who has magnanimously made us citizens of His kingdom. For John said: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1Jn.3:2-3).
The above is a tremendous hope and encouragement to us all (Christians) in whatever trials and tribulations we are facing. This calls for safeguarding our individual salvation ‘working hard to show the result of our salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him (Phil. 2:12). At this period, the community of faith is called upon to get rid of everything that may hinder her unity – division or discord and not be entangled with the world’s value order system.
As individuals, whatever we are or do, we are to be mindful of Eternity. We are to be careful of what we believe, and how we live, especially when we are alone. We are to completely allow the Holy Spirit to have his way in our lives and reveal the truth of God more and more to us. We are to grow gracefully in godliness and cultivate a dynamic devotion to God. We are to be zealous for the Lord and pursue holiness, without which no one can see God. We are to be totally committed to Jesus Christ. He is our source of spiritual power (Jn. 1:1-5), not trusting in human power, horses, and chariots (Ps. 20:7). As we walk with Jesus in faith, trusting him for understanding and wisdom, even at this trying period of the age, He will establish us and help us to stand firm in him.
At this period, the key to wise living and commitment is in listening to what the spirit is saying. When we listen and obey the Holy Spirit, we will not fear deception of the enemy.
Christ has already won the victory for us to key to his guidelines for gaining victory.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the provision and benefits of the blood of the Jesus.
Every power assigned to pull me down the spiritual ladder, die, in Jesus name.
Fire of the Holy Ghost purify every area of my life for the service of the Master, in Jesus name.
Every voice from the pit of hell, speaking destruction to my destiny, be silenced by the power in the blood of Jesus.
Father empower, strengthen, and encourage Your Church to live your purpose, in Jesus name.
Father bulldoze the stronghold of wickedness and blood-thirsty people in our nation and descend your judgement on the wicked, in Jesus name.
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