DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE NEW CITY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE NEW CITY

"Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. .....But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life." (Revelation 21:2, 27)

This world is filled with pain and sorrow, death, and crying. But God is going to make all things new (vs. 5). The former things – as they are now – will have passed away. No more sorrow, pain, crying, or death (vs. 4). This is the prospect for those who are listed in the Lamb's Book of Life, who have received God's gift of salvation.

But perhaps the best of all is that we will experience the presence of the Lord God in a way we cannot experience in this life. God will dwell among us (vs. 3). He tabernacled with the Israelites in the Old Testament. And in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit – the very presence of God – dwells in Believers. But in the New Jerusalem, the presence of God will be magnified far beyond what we can experience here. I am looking forward to that day.

So, what is the requirement to get into that city? God has a book that lists those who have lived in faith toward Him. It has been around for a long time. Even Moses was aware of this book (Exodus 32:32-33). My name listed somewhere in a book that records my birth. It defines my privilege of being a citizen of the United States. The privilege of citizenship in the New Jerusalem will be by one thing only: having my name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Only those who have been born again – those who have received eternal life through faith in Christ – have their spiritual genealogy registered in the Book of Life. That is the requirement for entering the New Jerusalem. By God's grace, I will be there.

Love, Dad