Category: New Creation

Nations, New Jerusalem

REDEMPTION OF THE NATIONS

David R Maas

The “nations” and the “kings of the earth” are found in “New Jerusalem” because of the work of the sacrificial Lamb and his saints.

The Book of Revelation presents images that are jarring and paradoxical, visions that do not conform to our expectations about how God works. His plans to subjugate His enemies and “judge” the nations differ radically from popular ideas. Just as his contemporaries did not understand him, so, too often, we fail to comprehend the “slain Lamb” who reigns from God’s throne.

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New Jerusalem, True Temple

EZEKIEL’S TEMPLE

David R Maas

The book of Revelation places Ezekiel’s vision of the ideal Temple in the middle of the city of New Jerusalem, the prophet’s comprehensive vision of the ideal Temple centered in a perfectly squared city of Jerusalem. Language from this prophecy is applied by the New Testament in Revelation to paint a portrait of the glorious city of “New Jerusalem,” which will encompass the entire New Creation.

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New Creation, Seven Churches

BEGINNING OF THE NEW CREATION

David R Maas

Revelation looks forward to the reign of Jesus in the New Creation, a reality inaugurated by his Death and Resurrection.

In his letter to Laodicea, Jesus declared that he is the “beginning of the creation of God,” for, in his death and resurrection, he inaugurated the New Creation. In the same sentence, and in the present tense, he also is called the “Amen, the faithful and true witness,” appellations applied to him already in the book’s prologue.

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His Return, New Creation

EPILOGUE

David R Maas

If anyone fails to keep the words of the book, he will be excluded from citizenship in the city of New Jerusalem – Revelation 22:6-21. 

The Book of Revelation concludes with an epilogue that recalls the earlier promises to “overcoming saints,” reiterates warnings against faithlessness, summons believers to render homage to God alone, and calls for Jesus to “come quickly.” Testimony and assurances from uncontestable sources attest to the trustworthiness of the “words of the book,” which are “prophecy” and the “testimony of Jesus.”

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New Creation, New Jerusalem

NEW JERUSALEM INHABITED

David R Maas

New Jerusalem is populated fully in fulfillment of the covenant promise to Abraham to “bless all nations” – Revelation 21:24-22:5.

In the preceding section, “New Jerusalem” with its massive dimensions was unveiled. It will take far more than a tiny remnant of “saints” to populate it. Now, John sees the “city” populated with the “innumerable multitude” of the redeemed from every nation and ethnic group, including many from among the “kings of the earth.”

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