It is well for us to anticipate what lies before us. Hope is not uncertain. Our God would have us full of hope in the power of the Holy Ghost. Hope in the world is uncertain—not so in the word of God. Here we have the eternal state—new heavens and a new earth—new conditions—no sea.
How different the “holy” city to the “great” city! Holiness, fitness for the presence of God marks the bride, the Lamb's wife—the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. Every blessing comes from Him, but he “that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” He is the One we may glory and boast in, in the fullest way, “Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” Don't we know with joy of heart that it was God Who made Him to be sin for us? and every blessing comes from Him.
Here she comes from Him: and more—once espoused as a “chaste virgin to Christ,” she here comes down “as a bride adorned for her husband,” the same as a thousand years before. “He shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied.” We know that the Lord God brought to Adam in Eden all the animals, and what he called them was their name; but when the woman was brought to him, he said, “This! this shall be called woman, for she was taken out of man.”
You and I belong to the tabernacle of God. I hope we value our church privileges; there is nothing like them! God dwells in the midst—with men, not nations; all distinctions are passed away. But He Who came down into the garden of Eden has His dwelling place with man, and “God Himself, their God.” Oh, the reconciliation of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Then that next verse! (verse 4). We are accustomed to such actions by our Lord Jesus Christ. He entered into all circumstances when down here. But one title is very precious— “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Our God and Father too; and here GOD wipes away every tear.
You and I came short of His glory; now we rejoice in hope of it. We are brought to God.
“No more death,” —the ways of sin are paid; “no more pain,” summarized as “former things,” —the whole creation groaning and travailing—no more of that. It is not our imagination; the Spirit of God writes this: they never return. The arch-deceiver gets in here no more.
Look at verse 5. The Sitter on the Throne says, “Behold, I make all things new.” God sets His seal, and who shall interfere? And then He “commits” Himself (as we sometimes speak). Men are careful of what they write. Job said, “Oh, that mine enemy had written a book!” We rejoice in true and faithful sayings. The Epistle to Timothy is full of them. Fables then were rampant. “These things are true and faithful. It is done.” God has not only “committed” Himself by writing, but it is “done.” Is it not blessed to know what you and I are taken up for, even the immediate presence of our God? “I am the Alpha and the Omega"-still more secure!
Our church privileges are highest, and we never ought to divorce them from the gospel. God is jealous of His grace. Look at verse 6, and compare it with chap. 22:17. The church turns round to the thirsty, or to the not quite thirsty, “whosoever will, let him take"! God never presents anything less, or anything apart from Christ. “To anyone who is thirsty, I will give the fountain of the water of life freely.” To any poor sinner who says, I would like to be in that glory, God says, I want you to be there. It is a question of what Jesus has done. No experience or aught else can be added to it. God cannot tell us of that future glory without adding this invitation.
“He that overcometh.” Who is the overcomer? Turn to another portion by the same writer—1 John 5:44For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4),. Faith! what does it rest on? Jesus, the Son of God... come by water and blood. The overcomer is he whose faith rests in Him, and what He has done. “He that overcometh shall inherit these things.” Here is individual blessing, infinitely precious to the soul! May we be continually praising Him in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
W. N. T.