Thursday: New Creation

Read Revelation 7:15–17. Where are the redeemed, and how does this passage portray them?

Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com

These verses describe the redeemed as kings and priests who serve in God’s palace and temple (Rev. 1:6, 5:10, 20:6). The promise that “He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them” (Rev. 7:15, NASB) alludes to God’s presence in the wilderness sanctuary, where He dwelt among ancient Israel as its Leader. On the new earth, the sanctuary once more becomes the perfect place of relationship where God and the redeemed meet. It guarantees shelter, protection, and the ultimate fulfillment of life in the presence of God and His Christ. The One who once tabernacled among men (John 1:14) now spreads the tabernacle over His saints so that they may “tabernacle” in His place.

Read Revelation 21:1–22. How is the New Jerusalem described? What parallels do you find between the holy city and the sanctuary in these texts?

John does not see a temple in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22), but this does not mean that there is no temple. Rather, the New Jerusalem itself is the temple and the “tabernacle of God” (Rev. 21:3, NKJV). Several sanctuary elements are assigned to the New Jerusalem: it is “holy” and of heavenly origin (Rev. 21:2, 10); it has the same cubical form as did the Most Holy Place (Rev. 21:16, 1 Kings 6:20); similar to the temple precincts, “nothing unclean” is allowed into the city (Rev. 21:27); and, most importantly of all, God is present. In the sanctuary of God, we can live with Him in the closest relationship possible (Rev. 21:3, 7). This is the goal of salvation.

An eternity in a close relationship with God? Why is it, then, so crucial for us to walk, as Ellen G. White says over and over, “in close communion with God” now?

11 comment(s) for this post:

lawrence mupatsi:
09 Oct 2013 The fact that we are mortal and of flesh and we live in a world which is sin sick we can not spent a second without God. Let's make our minds and hearts clean and conducive of the habitation of the Holy Spirit.
Frank Caraveo:
10 Oct 2013 I have learned today that the holy city that comes down from heaven is the temple and tabernacle, it has the same perfect square dimension as the tabernacle on earth. This is amazing.
Oppong Mark:
10 Oct 2013 Us humans we have to do what is good so that we can enter into the new city that will come from the lord .
bikundo robert:
10 Oct 2013 God is always watching us so let us be clean hearted, sinless and each day be close to our lord in everything to glorify the most high.
ginger:
11 Oct 2013 [Please be sure to use your full name as stated in the SSNET Comment Guidelines when commenting on this site. Thank you.] I'd like to know Mr Frank, what made you think so? I really tried to find the answer. The holy city, Christ himself... what did John see? Are we working with a "it" dwells? Why does the text say "HE" dwells? And really, what matters is to be there FOREVER.
Lorraine Wilson:
11 Oct 2013 SIn is a costly disease, so costly that it necessitates the reconstruction of a NEW heaven and earth. I am encouraged to remain clothed in God's righteousness; I really want to be in that PERFECT environment.
TAIFA CHOIR:
11 Oct 2013 if we should be waiting for the new sanctuary without preparing our hearts, then it means we are not preparing to partake in the heavenly throne. Now the work of the sanctuary is running through us and we need to acknowledge and receive its presence to manifest in us.