Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Revelation 20-22
Revelation 21:1
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Talk about a climatic end of a book, this is it! Welcome home. Well, no, we are not there yet, proven by the fact that you are reading this devotion on this old earth, but that is what we read about, our new home on a new earth. If you are a child of God, born again through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, this “new heaven” and “new earth” is your future home. Just as the Bible explodes on the scene of creation in its opening chapters, so too does it close with a new creation, the new earth.
Think about it. A new earth. In the mind’s eye of this writer a new earth is one that is pristine like the old earth was at one time pristine. Meaning the hills, trails, waterways, and terra firma are clean, clear of any trash carelessly thrown about by selfish people. Perhaps on this new earth its inhabitants will do a better job keeping it the way God intended.
As far as one can know from the Word of God this will be an everlasting earth. In it will be at least one city. This is clearly discussed in some detail. That city will be called the “New Jerusalem.” The very next verse records this: And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2). This one city is approximately 1,5oo miles east to west, 1,500 miles north to south, and 1,500 miles high (that is from Texarkana to Las Angeles and Brownsville to Chicago) Its walls are about 265 feet tall with twelve gates, three on each side. Those walls have twelve foundations wherein precious stones are used as gravel in their construction. Those stones are evidently seen which means that they will sparkle, like a prism, or a kaleidoscope, when the light shines upon them. The light? There will be no sun, but rather the Shekinah glory of God will lighten it. The Lamb will be the light of it.
One of the greatest features of this city is found in the concluding verse of chapter 21: And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. As it has been said by many preachers over the years, “God saves from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and one day the very presence of sin.” Yes, a thousand times yes.
Then there is the river life, the tree of life with its twelve manner of fruits (talk about a fruit of the month club…) and all the rest. This is such a magnificent communication of such a far reaching and colossal magnitude, that our Lord considered it necessary to reassure the reader of its truth. Revelation 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
In John 14: 1 when Jesus stated that He was going to prepare a place for us, this is it! It is that place. His place, our place, and if desired any person, anywhere, at any time in any condition can reserve their place there, for the invitation is still open: And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17
The entire reading of the Bible brings the reader here. Home. That is if, today, they trust that which the Word of God teaches about Christ and the new life He offers.
Congratulations, you have moved from “I will read the Bible” to “I have read the Bible” in one year. I trust it has been a benefit in all ways that it can benefit you. If we never meet here, let’s plan to meet there on the new earth. You will be able to find me somewhere where the trees grow tall, the streams are filled with trout, and the forest filled with game. No, I don’t know if that is true, but if God gives me the desire of my heart it will be, for my mansion will be a log cabin in a remote range somewhere on the new earth.
Thank you for reading your Bible this year.
On to a new year and the new theme of “Minding your thoughts.”
Until tomorrow.
Your servant,
William T. Howe aka “Billy Tom”
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