New Things – Revelation 21: 1 - 6
Intro: The City Bank of Binghamton, New York, sent an arrangement of beautiful flowers to the management of their new branch on the occasion of their opening a new facility. Unfortunately, the florist placed the wrong card on the flowers. It read, “Deepest Sympathy.” The florist called later to apologize for the mistake. But, what really concerned the florist was the message on the card placed on the arrangement that went to the funeral. It read, “Congratulations on your new location.”
I VS. 1b . . . and there was no longer any sea.
A The Hebrew word for sea is Yam. Many biblical images related to the sea had very negative connotations.
B The Israelites were desert nomads who saw the sea as alien and threatening. They were not at home there and depicted the sea as a monstrous beast and a place where Baal would battle with Yam, the sea god.
C The sea was also the home of the terrible dragon, Leviathan, which came to symbolize the pagan nations opposing Israel. The Greek word used here is ???assa / thaalassa often refers to agitation. It carries the meaning that there will no longer be any agitation or confrontation from other pagan nations.
II VS 2 – I saw the Holy City, the NEW Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God . . .”
A In this NEW Jerusalem there will be do agitation from pagan nations because this NEW dwelling place will come directly from God. It will not be constructed with human hands b/c it comes straight from God’s kingdom.
B The word “HEAVEN” here in Greek is ???a??? / Ouranos. The meaning of the word is not easily translated into English. It refers to the whole expanse of the sky beneath which is the earth and all that is contained in it. It also implies the place where believers are going to receive their incorruptible inheritance.
C This is why most individuals look up when they think of heaven with clouds and blue skies. However, it is not really seen as a place as much as it is a condition of existence. Everything will be beautiful and new in the New Jerusalem.
III VS. 3 – “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’”
A In the NEW Jerusalem God will be present. God will not be some far-off entity detached from humanity.
B The GK word for PEOPLE here is ?a?? / laos. This word is usually reserved as a title for the elect people. In the broader sense, it refers to believers who are bound together by what they believe.
C The NEW Jerusalem will be populated by those people who believe in God. There will be no labels like Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal. All people who believe in God will populate the NEW Jerusalem along with God.
Concl: So, what does all this have to do with us? What is the importance of this passage for us today? Here we find the reason for our belief in God. As believers in Christ Jesus, we look forward to glad, heavenly reunion where the negatives of our existence will no longer exist. Everything will be new and different because God will provide all we need or want.
