2003-10-31
Good Morning Cherished Readers,
Please know that each of you is cherished by God and by me. I can say that with confidence, because the revelation that God makes of heaven for us in the Scriptures is meant to convey His sentiments toward those who love Him. If that isn’t clear, just remember RO 8: 28, “We know that in all things God works for good with those who love Him, those whom He has called according to His purpose.” I am led to continue writing about the description of heaven (specifically the new Jerusalem) He gives us, through John, in REV 21:1-22: 5. We will pick up at REV 21: 15-18, “The angel who spoke to me had a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city was perfectly square, as wide as it was long. The angel measured the city with his measuring stick: it was fifteen hundred miles long and was as wide and as high as it was long. The angels also measured the wall, and it was 216 feet high, according to the standard unit of measure which he was using. The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself was made of pure gold, as clear as glass.”
I have often said that when one is studying Scripture, there are certain words or phrases which are flags to evoke thoughts and connect with other Scriptures which reveal God’s will. One is “measuring stick” or “measuring line.” The Holy Spirit brought me back to IS 28: 16-17 which speaks of a Cornerstone for Zion, but has real connections to this REV 21 passage. “This now, is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘I am placing in Zion a foundation that is firm and strong. In it I am putting a solid Cornerstone on which are written the words, ‘Faith that is firm is also patient.’ Justice will be the measuring line for the foundation and honesty will be its plumb line.” As believers in Christ, we know that Christ is that Cornerstone [EPH 2: 20]. I only wish my traditional Jewish brothers and sisters had that wonderful knowledge. Imagine the justice and honesty that will exist in the new Jerusalem. God wants us to know about that and to desire living in such a place with these things in our lives.
One more example of the phrase “measuring line” arises in Ezekiel when in a vision where this prophet in exile in Babylonia is transported to Jerusalem in 572 BC, fourteen years after Jerusalem is captured. He is given a vision of the future [Millennial temple] in EZK 40: 2-4, “In a vision God took me to the land of Israel and put me on the high mountain. I saw in front of me group of buildings that looked like a city. He took me closer, and I saw a man who shone like bronze. He was holding a linen tape measure and a measuring rod and was standing by a gateway. He said to me, ‘Watch, Mortal Man. Listen carefully and pay close attention to everything I show you, because this is why you were brought here. You are to tell the people of Israel everything you see.” What followed is an incredibly detailed description of the Millennial temple. Then, in EZK 43, we are told of the Lord’s return to that place. The message here is a foretaste to those who believe God’s word that He will not only be in the Millennial temple, but He will also be in the new Jerusalem as well. REV 22: 3-4 puts the cap on it. “Nothing that is under God’s curse will be found in the city [the new Jerusalem]. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will worship Him. They will see His face, and His name will be written on their foreheads.”
The concept of the measuring line raises important personal questions for each of us. If God measures the city in His description of the new Jerusalem, does He not also measure us? I’m not speaking of our physical dimensions here, but instead, of our commitment and action taken to His teaching. This question is not meant to frighten us, but to cause us to wake up and examine our own lives as to attitude, decision-making, interaction with others, and actions taken. Praise to God, He is loving, compassionate, and patient with us. Our imperfections are many and varied. But, we must also remember that He has not only forgiven us through the blood of His Son [JN 3: 16], but He has also forgotten our past sins [HE 10: 17]. God doesn’t want us to be riddled with guilt, for guilt is a sin. But instead, He wants us to examine our lives and get rid of the sin we find. He reason for urging us to place a measuring line on our lives is purely righteous. He wants us to be brought back to Him and to be a co-resident for eternity with Him in the new Jerusalem. He has told us that “nothing that is evil will be found in the city.” God loves each and every one of His children. PS 103: 13, “The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who have reverence for Him.” It is my hope that each of us (certainly including myself) will cooperate with God in this process of sanctification, so that we can all be permanent residents together in the love of Christ in the new Jerusalem.
PRAYER: O Lord, You place a spiritual measuring stick in our hands and ask us to use it on our lives. We understand this is not to bring guilt or judgment, but instead, to let us find our sins and get rid of them. Only Christ has the authority to judge, which You gave Him long ago [DN 7: 13-14]. We are not to judge others any more. Each of us must cooperate with You to allow You to sanctify us. The Scriptures are full of instructions about the issues in our lives we must examine. Your word is clear on what thoughts, decisions, and behavior is acceptable to You and what isn’t. Our assignment is to become so familiar with Your word through daily time spent with it, that we can measure our own lives against its principles to see where we stand. You also ask us to come to You in prayer frequently with a willingness to listen to the responses You give us. Through the circumstances of our lives, we can see lessons You have for us, if we are willing to look for them. I personally have learned about waiting for Your perfect time, trusting You, and seeing Your healing hand placed on Peter and me in the last five years. Other believers will learn other lessons from You. PS 119: 93, “ I will never forget Thy precepts for with them Thou hast quickened me.” Being quickened to me means that through Christ’s death on the cross, Dearest Abba, You have made it possible for Your word to come alive in our lives, have forgiven our sins, and have granted us salvation. Your great gifts to every believer are faith in Him and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Because of the Your Spirit in us, each believer can use Your word as a measuring line for our lives. Oh how You bless us, Dear Lord, and how very grateful we are! Your promise in PS 50: 15 is so sweet. “Pray to Me in time of trouble. I will rescue You, and You will honor Me.” PS 34:8, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” We stand before Your throne as imperfect sinners and have confidence that You hear our prayers, offer us forgiveness for true repentance, and love us. Your forgiveness and Your guidance touch our hearts and let us burn with the desire to do what is right and, through our trails, endure in our faith. That desire extends to wanting to spend eternity with You in the glorious city You describe. We offer You heartfelt praise, adoration, and worship. In Christ’s holy name, we pray. Amen.
Next week, I am led to continue on in this wonderful descriptive passage about the new Jerusalem [REV 21:1-22:5] with REV 21: 19. This part gives us a physical description of the wall made of jasper and all the other precious substances that make up the city. From what we know in the Scriptures, these have spiritual connotations too, ones upon which we need to meditate. If one asks, why is God revealing so much? at this point, then he misses the huge message found in JN 6: 39-40. I do not apologize for repeating this passage so often. Christ speaking, “And it is the will of Him Who sent Me that I should not lose any of all those He has given Me, but that I should raise them all to life on the last Day. For what My Father wants is that all who see the Son and believe in Him should have eternal life. And I will raise them to life on the last Day.” What greater example of God’s love for each of us can there be? It is my hope that each of You feels the loving embrace of Christ’s arms around you today and always. Now, you can see why I call you “cherished readers.”
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn