The World We All Want: New Creation in the Garden City of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-5 & 22:1-6)
This week we conclude our Garden Tour titled, “A Tale of Three Gardens.”
Our first stop was in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-3) where we witnessed God’s great power and creativity in all that He made. This, unfortunately, was followed by our horrible fall.
Our second stop was in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26) where we heard our Savior cry out to God in anguish as he contemplated having to drink “the cup” of God’s wrath. Because he did, we don’t have to. Because of Jesus, we can make our way to the third and final garden.
The Garden City of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22) is unlike any place we’ve ever seen. It’s almost too good to be true. Almost.
You won’t want to miss this Sunday as we’ll be spending time reflecting on where we’ve been and anticipating – with great joy – our final destination.
Also, it’s our final service on the lawn (at 9:30) before we head back inside and kick off Advent. I hope to see you at one of the services.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
- Revelation 21:1-5, 22:1-6