E-pistle for January 18, 2013
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e-pistle
FreeWay Foundation January 18, 2013
The new Jerusalem
(Revelation 21:1-27)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the holy city, Jerusalem
1. In John's vision, the city came down from "a new heaven" to stand upon
"a new earth," vv. 1-2.
2. A loud voice from heaven announced that the tabernacle (dwelling place)
of God now is with mankind on earth, vv. 3-4.
3. God, Himself, will wipe away all human tears and banish all pain . . . making
all things new, vv. 4-5.
4. Carried away in the Spirit, John saw a beautiful, glorious walled city, representing
the bride, the Lamb's wife, vv. 9-21.
II. Meditation: on John's description of New Jerusalem
1. The city was lighted by the glorious presence of Almighty God, vv. 11, 23.
2. The city was a cube with length, breadth, and height all being 12,000 furlongs
. . . a furlong is one-eighth of a mile, so the city's dimensions were 1,500 miles
long, 1,500 miles deep, and 1,500 miles high.
3. The walls around the city were 144 cubits high (216 feet), and each side had three
open gates made out of pearls, vv. 21, 25.
4. The materials used in the construction of this heavenly city were gold and many
varieties of precious gem stones, vv. 18-21.
III. Revelation: on the significance of this place called New Jerusalem
1. It is a place where believers will dwell with their God; where God will acknowledge
that they are His people, v. 3.
2. It is a place with no death, sorrow, pain, or sin, vv. 4, 8, 27.
3. It is a place where Christ freely supplies the water of eternal life to His people, v. 6.
4. It is a place where saved persons from all nations will worship Almighty God and the
Lamb . . . who, in fact, are the "temple" of the New Jerusalem, meaning that this is
where God's people are completely "encompassed" by the Holy Spirit, vv. 22, 24.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Live in sweet communion with Christ through the Holy Spirit here on earth . . . as a
foretaste of the heavenly fellowship I shall enjoy throughout all eternity.
2. Realize that all my sorrows, disappointments, and pains are just temporary; they will
cease when I enter New Jerusalem.
3. The place that Christ is "preparing" for me (John 14:2) is beautiful, glorious, radiant
. . . and roomy!
4. Recognize that the source of my eternal needs . . . whether on earth or in heaven . . .
is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Philippians 4:19.
"I am coming quickly"
(Revelation 22:1-21)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the One Who is coming
(Jesus Christ is the Lamb, from whose throne flows the river of life producing spiritual
nourishment, health, blessings, and light, vv. 1-6.)
1. Jesus is the One Who blesses those who keep the words of prophecy in this book,
(Revelation) v. 7.
2. He is the One Who will give to everyone appropriate rewards according to their
works, v. 12.
3. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First, and the Last, v. 13.
4. He is the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star, v. 16; Numbers 24:17.
II. Meditation: on Jesus' promise to "come quickly"
1. Three times in this chapter, the Lord proclaims: "I am coming quickly," vv. 7, 12, 20.
2. It is the resurrected, glorified, living Christ Who shall return to the earth personally!
3. The sentence structure does not say, "I will come," but "I am in the process of coming,"
. . . not so much in the future as in the present.
4. "Quickly" means swiftly or suddenly, not "soon" meaning only a short time in the future.
III. Revelation: on the invitation to "come" (v. 7)
1. The Holy Spirit invites persons to come to God.
2. The bride (church) invites persons to come to God.
3. Those believers who have heard and responded to the invitation also invite other persons
to come to God.
4. Whoever spiritually thirsts or desires God's water of life may come and drink freely,
John 4:10-14.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Lift praise and worship, glory, and honor to the Alpha and the Omega, to the Son of David,
to the Bright Morning Star . . . Jesus!
2. Live in eager expectancy of Christ's return, every moment of every day.
3. As a member of the bride (church), be faithful to invite lost persons to come to the Savior.
4. Truly love the prospect of Christ's return, saying from my heart, "Amen! Even so, come
Lord Jesus!" (v. 20)
This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity,
our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other
character than that which we give it from generation to
generation. The choices are ours. "
--Woodrow Wilson
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