Scripture

And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

Observation

Heaven and earth disappear to be replaced by a new heaven and a new earth. The new Jerusalem comes own from God like a bride dressed for her husband.

The Lord declares that God’s dwelling place is now with His people. There will be no more death or pain. It is finished! All who are thirsty will receive living water, and all who overcome will inherit all the blessings.

Application

We might be tempted to believe that all of this talk about new heavens and earth, and a new Jerusalem is future tense. In a sense this is true, as the ultimate fulfilment of this vision is yet to come.

In another sense, it is already here. When Jesus died on the cross, a new covenant, a new age, was inaugurated. In prophetic literature this is described as a new heavens and a new earth because everything has been made new.

The new Jerusalem comes down from God as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. That is the church; we are the bride and we are clothed in Christ.

God’s home is already with us. He wipes away every tear. He gives living water to all who are thirsty.

All of these promises receive their full glory at the end of all things. But they are also real right now.

We have the promise of God that He is with us- Emmanuel- now. He will meet every need that we have.

To see the promises come to life, all we have to do is trust. As we walk with the Lord day by day, He will light the path for us.

Prayer

Lord, our imaginations of heaven barely scratch the surface of what you have prepared for us. In this present age, we know the joy of your presence and the glory of your Son. Grant me the grace to see you in every part of my life. Amen.