Most of my life I have idolized nature. After all, humanity started in a garden. God created earth as a paradise full of animals, foliage, and no automobiles. I have presumed that the industrial revolution was a tragedy and that technological progress is a curse. When I was younger, I often longed to live like the Indians. I wanted to live off the land because I considered it more holy. I believed God was found solely in nature. I don't exactly know why I considered the country atmosphere more spiritual than the city. I guess a forest feels more picturesque than a city bus. It might just be a preference. However, my preference isn't in line with scripture.
A sermon made me rethink my bias. We started in a garden, but our end is a CITY. The new Jerusalem is a city. I knew this, but it never registered. A city is full of people, full of activity, full of business, and not quiet. We aren't heading to a quiet, reflective garden. We are heading to a kingdom in a heavily populated city. After this registered with me, I had a shift in thought.
Obviously, the new Jerusalem will be a redeemed city. Therefore, it won't be littered with cigarettes and pop cans. It won't be filled with pollutants and there won't be a crime rate. It won't be built with human hands. We will have Jesus as our light, instead of the sun. This city will not be the typical city. However, it will be more like a city than I first expected.
This revelation has sent my imagination soaring!
A sermon made me rethink my bias. We started in a garden, but our end is a CITY. The new Jerusalem is a city. I knew this, but it never registered. A city is full of people, full of activity, full of business, and not quiet. We aren't heading to a quiet, reflective garden. We are heading to a kingdom in a heavily populated city. After this registered with me, I had a shift in thought.
Obviously, the new Jerusalem will be a redeemed city. Therefore, it won't be littered with cigarettes and pop cans. It won't be filled with pollutants and there won't be a crime rate. It won't be built with human hands. We will have Jesus as our light, instead of the sun. This city will not be the typical city. However, it will be more like a city than I first expected.
This revelation has sent my imagination soaring!
4 comments:
Hey Tamara,
This is Antione. Anyway, you have to understand that in the bible God uses illustrations to get his point across to the Jewish people. He use a "city" b/c the jewish was living in cities and they would better understand God's point/message through that b/c it's there culture. Same as with the statement about that "Jesus will come back for us, His bride, at a time that no one knows, not even Jesus, but only the Father God." That was another illustration God use with them. In the Jewish culture when a male wanted to marry a young lady that he liked, he would go up to the her father, ask for her hand in marriage; if the her father agreed, then they would make whatever transaction (gift or whatever) they ageed upon and then the son(male) would go back home to his Father's house and prepare a place for his bride to be. He would work and work and work until his Father tells him that it is time to go back and get his bride, marry her, and bring her home to the place he prepared for her. This is the same with Jesus departure from the disciples and giving the Holy Spirit to us and then later when the rapture happens and on when Jesus comes back after the Father God tells Him that it is time to come back for us and take us, marry us, and bring us back home to the place that He has prepared for us. Text me tamara if u read this. Please let me know. Thanks.
Antione F. Lagarde
I am not of the group who believes that Revelation is figurative. I think there are figurative aspects, but I think it is a literal city. I took the Omega course (a study on Revelation)and it explained this phenomenon in detail. I don't think the church is a metaphorical bride either. I think we really are His bride. You don't need to agree with me. However, that is my theological stance. I don't think God needs to use abstract symbols to relate to His people. I won't give my reasoning here. I just thought I should reply to your comment.
Well, not really wanting to get into a theology debate, I was mainly trying to encourage you. Not sure what else to say. I really like talking about things like this, but only to grow and have a good conversation.
Your words are encouraging! I love hearing that Jesus is returning! How could that not be encouraging. I just wanted to clarify the thought because I know some believe that all this imagery is just an illustration. I think the gospel message carries more encouragement when we accept it is reality! Thanks for reminding me of my bridal identity. He is coming soon!
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