Rev 21:9-27 City of God

Rev 21:9-27 NIV
The vision of the Holy City, the City of God, is awesome. However, the beauty of the city is not the most amazing thing about this vision.  The city is built as a perfect square, just as the first earthly temple was built. God's Name dwelt in that earthly temple. But, in this heavenly temple God not only dwells there; the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple. We will abide in that temple of God, who is God, Himself.

It makes me just a little "crazy" when I hear people speak of the riches that Christians will inherit in the city of God. I remember a Sunday School teacher telling her students that for every good deed they do they would receive a jewel in their crown when they get to heaven. Really!? That's why we want to receive eternal life? To receive jewels and a crown?

The Holy City of God is much more than the gold and precious jewels seen in John's vision. In this Holy City we will be totally reconciled, abiding with and in Him for all eternity. What can be more precious than that? What can be more precious than dwelling with and in Him; walking in His most intimate presence for all time?

May God help us to understand that He is to be treasured more than any silver or gold.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 21 - Day Of Judgment

Have the people not been listening? Has King Zedekiah heard none of the prophecies of Jeremiah? After much warning, Zedekiah finally realizes that Nebuchadnezzar is coming against them and sends word to Jeremiah to inquire of the LORD if He will deliver the people. It is, in fact, the LORD who is sending Nebuchadnezzar against them. It is too late. The day of judgment arrives. All those wasted days and years living for themselves rather than for God and doing what was not right in His sight, have finally come back on them.

 “Furthermore, tell the people, ‘This is what the Lord says: See, I am setting before you the way of life and the way of death.  I have determined to do this city harm and not good, declares the Lord. It will be given into the hands of the king of Babylon, and he will destroy it with fire.’
  “Moreover, say to the royal house of Judah, ‘Hear the word of the Lord. ¹² This is what the Lord says to you, house of David:

“‘Administer justice every morning;
    rescue from the hand of the oppressor
    the one who has been robbed,
or my wrath will break out and burn like fire
    because of the evil you have done—
    burn with no one to quench it.
I am against you, Jerusalem,
    you who live above this valley
    on the rocky plateau, declares the Lord—
you who say, “Who can come against us?
    Who can enter our refuge?”
I will punish you as your deeds deserve,
    declares the Lord.
I will kindle a fire in your forests    that will consume everything around you.’” (Jer 21:8, 10-14)

It will not be good on the day of judgment. There will many who will think, as King Zedekiah thought, that the LORD would save them and in the end, the LORD will say, I knew you not, because you knew me not. Hear the prophecy of Jesus, just in case you haven't heard it before and a reminder if you hadn't, like King Zedekiah, paid attention.

   “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
   “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
   "He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’" (Matt 25:41-45 NIV)

Feed His Sheep! And have a blessed day!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 21 - Looking Out

I am having just a bit of a problem focusing this morning. It is already dawn. Maybe the sunrise has already come; but, it is hard to tell. The skies are once again darkened with clouds. My eyes keep straying out toward the river as I hope for the sun to show its face so that I might get out on the water today. I am on the lookout for sunny skies and calm seas. I'm afraid both may not happen for some time.

I am on the lookout, this morning, for signs that summer will actually come soon, for things that please, while the lookout in today's reading is waiting to hear the news that "Babylon is fallen."

Part of my job description (whether anyone likes it or not) is to be on the lookout - to be observant. I look for both the gifts of God so that we might be good stewards of God's gifts. I also watch for those things which need to be avoided. It absolutely drives some members of my family bonkers that I spend time watching for things that need to be avoided or stopped before they begin. I definitely adhere to the saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." (Benjamin Franklin) In order to know what needs preventing, we need to be on the lookout for those things that might cross our path that will cause much pain and suffering. And... even if it looks good, but will bring danger, I don't have a problem calling it for what it is. That is, warning others.

Not long after the Boston Marathon Bombing my husband (who is a retired Marine) and I had a conversation about being aware of our surroundings at all times. I found it quite interesting that he does not look out for dangers in the crowds around him, while I stay on the lookout for things that may bring unwanted surprises. I have been this way most of my life. I don't know if it's learned, genetic, or simply a gift from God. Sometimes, standing on a watchtower gives us this broader view so that we can be alerted in ample time to prevent tragedy. At other times, it is simply a distraction keeping us from seeing and enjoying the intricate and infinite possibilities that are close up.

Whatever, I apologize for being distracted this morning. Watch... Keep alert!

God's Peace - Pr. J