November 21 “Now!”

Revelation 21:1-4 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
 
“NOW,” says the angel. “the dwelling of God is with men.”  This is the renewal of Paradise. God dwelled with Adam and Eve until sin separated the Father from his children Adam and Eve. He formed them to be in fellowship and friendship with the Holy Trinity. But they turned from their God-given dwelling. They sought happiness through Satan’s lies and their own limited eyes.  So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. (Gen 3:23)
    Separation from God has marked mankind’s heart-breaking challenge since that ancient day. But God so loved the world he made a plan. In that plan was a promise. In the promise is a new beginning to the earth one day. Even more, it is a new beginning of God’s intimate relationship with all who receive his salvation.
    He spoke the promise to Adam, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses affirmed the promise in Exodus 6:7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. The prophets promised, too, as in Ezekiel 36:28 You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.
    Then came God in the flesh to offer this profound eternal promise: John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going." Yes, our dwelling will be with God, and he with us.
    Now is when all promises come true for those who are holy in Jesus’ blood. The first earth had passed away. Great physical change prepares the way for God’s entrance. He is the groom coming down th aisle to meet his bride as she is the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven. The new city is perfect, just as God originally intended. The city is Jesus’ church, a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Yes, the Husband has come for his Bride. God’s dwelling with his people is personal, intimate, loving and complete. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit join with the perfect bride for a joyful eternal union with Jesus Christ, Savior, Redeemer, King and Husband.
    What joy! The Comforter “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
    Praise God. This is true.
 
Prayer: O Lord God, thank you for dwelling with us now through the Holy Spirit. We look forward to dwelling with you eternally in the new home you have prepared for us. Amen!