Little Bit of Heaven Today

Little Bit of Heaven Today

Yesterday I was studying about Heaven for a future adult Sunday School class and I came across a few tidbits that should brighten your day.
Speaking of the New Jerusalem, John writes in Rev 21:21,  “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”  
So, several questions come to mind when you read about this.  One is, why are we living in a city?  We are just guessing here, but John MacArthur guesses it is because the Jews were nomads.  A city represented a permanent home that allowed them to build families and friendships.
Why is there a wall around the city?  There are no enemies, nothing to protect us from.  It is Jesus’ way of reminding us, in a language we understand, that we are secure and safe.  Think about when you go camping.  A tent will not stop any animal but it still makes us feel safe.  Jesus wants us to feel safe in heaven.
Why gates?  Gates are there to remind us of our privilege that God has let us into his city.  Not everyone will be invited in but we are blessed to be in.  Also because we are not limited to the city.  We have an infinite heaven to explore and so we are totally free to come and go.
Why pearls?  I don’t think there are giant oysters who make the pearls. God made the pearls and we are reminded of his beauty and power to make anything he wants (like transparent gold that allows his glory to shine everywhere).  But it is also a reminder that every time we enter the city, we must go through a pearl.  A pearl is made when an oyster is wounded.  An oyster is wounded and then it begins to treat the wound and it creates a pearl.  Each time we enter the city through that pearl we are reminded of the one who was wounded for us so that we could enter into the new city.  We enter heaven through the wounds of our loving Savior on the cross of Calvary.
John shares with us that the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven.  If it comes down from heaven then it must have been up in heaven.  Jesus said in John 14:3, “I go to prepare a place for you”.  This is the place that Jesus has been preparing for us.  It is the most well thought out city every built.  Everywhere we look we will be reminded of his glory, of his majesty, and of his grace and mercy.  I can’t wait.
If you want to study these things out further:  Heaven by John MacArthur (where these thoughts were taken from) and Heaven by Randy Alcorn are a great place to start.

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