September 30, 2010

End of the Story

Revelation 21

The glory of God gives [the city] light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light …
Revelation 21:23-24

— 

This month we have walked through the Bible while examining many passages about walking with God. I hope you have enjoyed this walk as much as I have. And I pray that it has strengthened your walk with God.

Revelation brings us to the end of the story. It pictures the new Jerusalem coming from heaven, where God dwells. This city is pictured as needing no sun or moon, since God provides its light. Thus there is no night. Every nation on earth will live by God’s light, and their rulers will bring into that city all the wonderful things that we as human beings have accomplished. God values what we have done, and he will use our treasures to bring honor and glory to himself.

Best of all, the darkness of sin will be absent, because nothing impure will be allowed to enter the city, and only those whose names are in the book of life may come in.

The people who enter that city are already citizens of God’s kingdom (Ephesians 2:19). They trust that their guilt is washed away through Christ’s sacrifice. And they strive to walk in thankfulness with their Lord every day. They look forward to a wonderful future in which God walks with us forever.

Are you ready for that wonderful future with God?

Lord, we thank you for the Bible and the promise of the new Jerusalem. Remove whatever is sinful in us so that we can enter that city. May we always walk with you! Amen.

About the author — Adrian A. Helleman

Dr. Adrian Helleman served as a pastor in British Columbia before being called to serve as a missionary-teacher in the Philippines. He and his wife, Wendy, later taught philosophy at Moscow State University in Russia, and then philosophy and theology at the University of Jos in Nigeria. They have also lectured in Canada, the United States, South Africa, and Tanzania. They have three children and three grandchildren.

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