As he is picked from the machine by The Claw, the Alien from Toy Story utters those immortal words, “I go on to a better place”. That’s often how we talk of death, our ultimate hope. But it is more than that – the better place is coming to us, to the whole earth. An earth renewed and perfect – how God always intended it to be.
Revelation 21 is the climax of the bible, the hope of our lives, Life with God – forever.
One day, Jesus will come finally to complete the work of salvation, which he began in Bethlehem, in Nazareth and in Jerusalem. THEN we will see beyond our weakness, and the suffering and ambiguities of our life today, to the perfect goal God has in store.
So what is this new thing that God promises?
- All that is will disappear, and the new Jerusalem will come – prepared and ready. All will be as it should.
Isaiah promised God would create new heavens and new earth, where life is one continual act of worship. The Jews have always longed for the restoration of Jerusalem, even when it was obliterated. Here is the hope that one day, it will be renewed. Renewed with one thing missing – evil. What is now mysterious, and even remote, taken by faith, will be seen. God’s promises will be fulfilled – all will be well.
Along with that is the promise that all things that have broken will be renewed – sorrow forgotten, sin beaten, darkness ended – for ever. No more death, pain, grief, crying. This is the place of ultimate healing for us and for our world.
It is also the place where our most basic needs are met. God promises to give to drink without cost from the spring of water of life, the river of water of life flows through the middle of the city. God, creator, sustainer and saviour promises to satisfy the thirst of our souls, that which nothing else can complete. The Water of Life, is central to the city, flowing from his throne. What the church in Laodicia could not supply for itself, and was refusing to receive from Jesus, will be freely available to all who admit their thirst.
Nourishment is also provided for the city’s people. On the banks of the river stands the tree of life. The right to eat of it is now granted. Eden is restored.
The new Jerusalem is a place of safety and space. There is no darkness. However bold you think you are, there is always some uncertainty in darkness, some apprehension of what may be there. Not so in this place. Darkness is gone. Evil, uncertainty, hidden things have no place where God dwells.
Can you imagine such a place – and not long to be there.
- It’s a city for us.
The hope that is put before us is a reality for those who receive God’s love and respond to it.
God’s home will be with people. The imagery reminds us of wilderness wanderings, and how God went with his people, never leaving them. The city of God is more than just a place, it is the presence of God – He is the place where his people live. His presence surround, protects sustains and nourishes. When a child falls and hurts itself, all it wants is its parent to love and soothe it. This is what God promises to do for us. Tenderly wiping the tears from our eyes. The tears that have been there, cried or uncried for years. God comes to wipe them away. His relationship with his people is that close and intimate. He knows what we’re crying about and makes it right. As children, we believe our parents can make everything all right – from broken toys to fights with our friends. God can make everything right.
As Mother Julian of Norwich recounts in her ‘Revelations of Divine Love’, “Our Lord, saying most comfortingly, I will make all things well, all manner of things shall be well’.”
But there are warnings in the letter of Revelation. All people will be held to account for their lives, but those who trust in God will receive the blessings. Those who overcome will inherit it all. God’s servants belong securely in his presence. Labelling shows ownership. If you think of luggage on a journey or property coded with the owner’s name and postcode, it shows who it belongs to – especially if there is any dispute. God offers to his own, that they bear his name, and his city – proof of the where and to whom we belong. His promise is, “I will be their God and they will be my children.” God offers us nothing less than to be his own, living in his hometown for ever.
The choice is for each one. The city is there. It has room for all who want to come, and respond accordingly, but not for those who have no desire to be there. There has to be a time for decision.
Our challenge for now, is to try to make the city we live in, to reflect the New Jerusalem, the world which is to come, bringing the values and faith of the City of God.
Today’s Gospel reading points us to this. Jesus said,
“You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.”
Before we reach that ultimate goal, there is life to be lived – and how we live that life is important. Love is how we do it. Our love for others should reflect God’s love for them. People should know he loves them, because they see us doing it
The concluding words of Revelation, of Gods Word to us are, “Amen. Come Lord Jesus.” Are we ready to pray that prayer? To respond to all God asks of us, and to long to take our place in his renewed Kingdom.
