Session 11 – Chapter 21-22

New heaven & new earth

Consummation = coming together (heaven and earth, God and His people, Bride and Bridegroom, Israel and the Church)

Jesus at the centre (Colossians 1.15-17)

Covenant fulfilment – “They will be His people and He will be their God” (Ex 6.7/19.6)

No sea – Humanity no longer defined independent of God’s life. Our experience will be internal to God’s life. The life we have “hid with Christ in God” (Col 3) will be fully experienced. A movement from faith to sight.

Holy city / bride

God will dwell with His people on the new Earth

Picture of union/consummation – The place where God dwells (holy city) merges with God’s covenant people (clothed as a Bride)

Isaiah 65 (Promise to Israel)

• New Jerusalem (joy, delight, no crying), blessing and fruitfulness, intimacy – “before they call I will answer”, superior ‘wont recall former things’

Images that reinforce promise of sharing life - Drink from spring of water of life / He who overcomes will inherit 

John is shown the city

Represents a profound reworking of the Jewish framework for the promise of sharing in God’s holy life (Ezekiel 40-48)

Vision parallels Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 40.1-5)

Look for what’s missing, what’s included and what’s transformed?

Ezekiel

• 43.4-5 – restored presence. God fills the Holy of Holies (contained in one place for the sake of Israel)


• 43.10-11 – describe Temple “that they may be ashamed of their sin”  = call to spiritual renewal of Israel. Understand God’s otherness – He is Holy and the people are not


• Measuring, sacrifices and regulations included to emphasise SEPARATION. Key to maintaining holy life with God = don’t get too close


• 44.6-9 “No foreigner in heart or flesh is to enter my Sanctuary”

Contrast w/ John’s vision

• Difference between what John hears from the angel and what he sees. The Holy City, Jerusalem, has become the Bride.


• Names of 12 Tribes on gates and the 12 Apostles of the Lamb on foundations symbolises the coming together of God’s covenant people – Israel and the Church


• John is invited to measure the City (not the Temple)


• City is a perfect cube (v16). See 1 King 6.19-20 – The whole city is represented in terms of the perfect dimensions of the Holy of Holies. God’s presence fills the whole city – no longer hidden or contained


• There is no Temple. God/Lamb are the temple. No need for separation. Holiness is now defined by the relationship between the Lamb and His people.


• God’s light reveals glory (true nature of things)

Ch 22 – Recalls Genesis account of creation in the Garden of Eden

In John’s vision, the fulfilment of God’s purpose doesn’t simply restore Eden, it surpasses anything experienced by Adam & Eve

• River of water of life flows from the Throne (cf Ezekiel 47.1-9)


• Tree of life – amazingly fruitful, leaves for healing of nations


• No longer any curse = restored access to Tree of Life, a life of joy, fruitfulness and productivity

No tree of knowledge of Good and Evil = true freedom

Concluding exhortation

"I am" statements, blessings & warnings, urgency "coming soon", encouragement to participate in His life now

Questions

1. How does John’s vision of a new Jerusalem rework the Jewish framework of Ezekiel’s prophecy?

2. What is at the heart of God’s creation of a new heaven and a new earth?

3. How does a vision of our future hope of a life with God help us to live with Him now?