City Life Starter

Written by Efe Abbe

The Word

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 

Revelation 21:1-5 (NASB)

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves.”

Revelation 22:12 (NASB)

Reflection

Writing this devotional during the Passover week, I have a heightened sense that it’s only through the revealed Word of God i.e. the combined Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the New Testament that all life finds purpose. The Bible presents God’s epic story in which everyone has been presented with a choice to yield to God’s wisdom to find real life or choose our own way, which leads to death (Genesis 2:16-17). The Bible is very emphatic that we all have chosen our own way and that God in His mercy took on Himself the just punishment for our sins in the death of His Son Jesus (Isaiah 53:5-6; Acts 2:36). So we have solemnly marked Good Friday, waited on Holy Saturday, and rejoiced on Resurrection Sunday, but where does the rest of the story lead?

This is where the rest of the story is headed:

One day Jesus will return as the rightful King, bringing God’s final just judgment and to restore all of creation. This world that is corrupted by sin and death, along with all who reject God’s gift of grace will be destroyed. In its place, a new heaven and earth where God and those who have received God’s gift of grace will be reunited to live forever. The choice God gives us has stark eternal consequences.

We who have placed our faith in Jesus are in a long line of generations of His followers who have been marking the time between His ascension and His second coming. When I read letters to the early churches, I’m struck by the tone of urgency and anticipation they have about Jesus’ return (Hebrews 9:28, 2 Peter 3:10-13). Roughly two thousand years later, we are still waiting, but the reality is that we are much much closer to His return than our forbears in the faith were.  I have to confess that I don’t come close to their sense of anticipation that Jesus could arrive any day – Lord have mercy.

Application

From the opening lines of the Bible, God desired for humans to live forever by trusting His wisdom. Everything in us revolts against death and the decay of this present age – telling us that things are not as they ought to be. If we have trusted God’s wisdom and placed our faith in Jesus, we will live forever with the triune God in the new creation – it’s God’s promise and He will keep it. In the meantime, we should practice living in anticipation of His return and as we wait and rely on the Holy Spirit to carry out His command to love God, love fellow believers, and make disciples.

If you have not yet placed your faith Jesus, please know that you are personally invited by God to be part of His story – He earnestly wants you to be in it and has graciously provided the time for you to choose Him (2 Peter 3:8-9). Please pray to receive God’s gift of salvation or reach out to talk about your decision with someone. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, please help me to keep watching for Your return with my whole heart and mind. Please help me to keep Your commands, so that I will welcome Your return with gladness. Amen.