The Final Thing to Know
*Revelation 21.9-22:5 [Take a moment and read this passage.]
Observations from the Structure of this Passage:
The way “the Bride, the wife of the Lamb… the holy city Jerusalem” (21:9-10) is described involves details, symbols, allusions, too rich for this devotional. Here are a few key references, and what they mean.
Vv10-14 describes the structure of the city—walls, gates, and foundations. These picture “the names of the twelves tribes of the sons of Israel,” and also “of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” This alludes to all God has done to build His people in both the Old Testament era and the New Testament era. So what God has been doing in everything recorded in Scripture has come to completion.
In vv15-17 the angel pulls measurements. This alludes to the plans God gave in Exodus for building the Tabernacle, and in 1Kings for the Temple. We are to understand that this entire “city” is the fulfillment of every hope the Temple was given to sustain.
Then, in vv18-21, the jewels and precious metals allude, first, to the bejeweled breastplate the priests would wear, which itself alluded to features of the Garden of Eden in Genesis 2. What was lost in Eden, which Israel’s worship were meant to stoke hope for, is now fulfilled.
And in 22:1-2, the river alludes to the hope of Psalm 1, Ezekiel 47 and John 7:37-38. The picture here is that that vision of health and wholeness is now finally true.
Emphasis
Behold the fulfillment and perfection of all the hopes, failures, symbols, prayers, and promises given in Scripture.
Argument of Revelation 21:9-20:5
All the stories will come true and we get to be there.
There is a place that is perfect and yet we get to be there.
There is a place where God Himself is and yet we get to be there.
There is a place where all good will be gathered and yet we get to be there.
There is a place where no bad will be allowed and yet we get to be there.
There is a place where all is healed and we get to be there.
Good News
Who gets to be there? All whose names are in the Lamb’s book of life, all who have been washed clean.
The gates of the city are open wide to all who will trust in Jesus.
And what is described here in its fulfillment has already begun to be in Christ. This is what Christ accomplished and what He has given us in His Spirit as a “down-payment.” (Eph 1:14)
This glorious hope has gloriously begun, through the indwelling of the Spirit.
Application
To the reader back then who looked at the promises and stories of the Bible, and the work of Jesus, and wondered, Is it true? When will these things be? What will it be like? To those who “patiently endure”, the angel says, Yes, all the stories will come true. And yes, you will be there.
(“patient endurance” in Revelation: 1:9; 2:2, 3, 19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12)
To us today who try to “patiently endure” the sufferings, frustrations, indignities, and anxieties of our world, who wonder about the end and what will be, The Spirit says, All the stories will come true and you will get to be there.
But perhaps even more, the Spirit says, “And you don’t have to wait till then to live in that place with God. What will be has already begun through Christ! You can live in the light of these truths!”
Christ has done a work so all-fulfilling that this final vision is already accomplished in that Eternal Place. That wonderful End is already here. And you, in Him, are already there.
The story is already told. The city is already built. The light is already shining. The river already running. And you are already there, in Christ.
By His Spirit, this vision may accomplish God’s purpose—to strengthen our hearts to “patiently endure.” We know how the story ends. And the end has already begun.
Prayer
Father God, All the stories will come true. They will. They have. And I will be there. And I am there. And it is finished. And it is finished for me.
Spirit, by this vision, open my eyes. Turn this joy into confident hope, patient endurance, freedom and peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Photo by Anandu Vinod on Unsplash