sulfur. “ “This is the second
death’ ” (Rev. 21:8, NIV. Compare
with Jude 7 and 2 Peter 2:6 for
clarification.)
Today, much of society is plu-
ralistic. Almost anything is ac-
cepted as long as it doesn’t bother
too many people. No matter how
deceitful or shameful the practice,
people claim it is their “right” to
do as they please. Not so with
heaven. God is selective: “Nothing
impure will ever enter it” (Rev.
21:27, NIV; see also Rev. 21:8;
22:15). There will be nothing in
heaven to spoil it. No falsehood,
slander, stealing, immorality, or
rebellion will mar our future
home. Nothing that leads to death
can be allowed in God’s new
world.
A coach once said, “Practice
doesn’t make perfect, practice
makes permanent.” Can Chris-
tians be pluralistic? If so, to what
extent? (See Heb. 10:26, 27; 1 Cor.
9:20-23.)
3. The New Jerusalem (read
Rev. 21:9—22:6)
John is taken in vision to a
high mountain where the prophet
can see the Holy City of God de-
scend from heaven. He recounts
the events that then take place as
best he can. It must have been
breathtaking. “It shone with the
glory of God, and its brilliance
was like that of a very precious
jewel, like a jasper, clear as crys-
tal” (Rev. 21:11, NIV). As the city
is described its dimensions dwarf
the senses. The city is found to be
about 1,400 miles long (12,000
stadia, Rev. 21:16, NIV), and the
same distance in height and
width. The wall around the city is
about 200 feet thick (144 cubits,
Rev. 21:17, NIV). Jewels decorate
the wall and foundation, while
the street and city itself are pure,
transparent gold. Each of the
city’s twelve gates is made of a
single pearl.
This word-picture is compara-
tive. Although the cities of the
world sparkle with architectural
triumphs and may have beautiful
botanical gardens and parks, they
will dim in comparison to God's
city. This account serves to make
us aware of that. God has
planned the New Jerusalem so
there is room enough for all who
have set their minds on things
above. He will be our temple, He
will supply our light from His
glory. He will give us fruit from
the tree of life, heal the sorrow of
people from all nations with its
leaves. He will provide crystal
clear water, living water, to any
who thirst.
Are the river of life and tree of
life mentioned here symbolic or lit-
eral or both? (See John 7:37; Gen.
2:9.)
4. Jesus Is Coming! (read
Rev. 22:7-21)
At the conclusion of the Revela-
tion John is overcome with the
prophecy’s message. Three times
he hears the words, “I am coming
soon” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20, NIV). He
is told once again who will and
will not be in the kingdom of God.
He is also told that it is Jesus
(Rev. 22:16) who has sent this
message through an angel. Then,
a final warning: If anyone
changes the message of this book
his share in God's kingdom will
be taken away. John responds. He
longs to see his Lord and Saviour.
His desire has echoed down
through the centuries. “Even so,
come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).
If “home is where the heart is,”
where is yours? (See Matt. 6:19-
21; Heb. 11:13-16.)
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