The Lord's House (Ps 122)

Are we glad to assemble with fellow imperfect saints to praise the name of the Lord? Let’s begin in Psalm 122.

A Song of Ascents. By David. (WEB)

Though we don’t go to the temple in ancient Jerusalem, are we glad to go somewhere the Bible is preached? Oh sure, the people there are very faulty, just like you and me, but don’t some of them sincerely want to follow Jesus? Do you? Are you glad?

I was glad when they said to me, “Let’s go to the house of the Lord.” Our feet are standing Within your gates, Jerusalem (Ps 122:1-2 NASB)

Though modern Jerusalem is very different from what is described here, can we imagine heavenly Jerusalem in this picture?

Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up—the tribes of the Lord—to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. (Ps 122:3-5 NIV)

Do we pray for modern Jerusalem, that its inhabitants may eventually find peace? Do we pray for peace in all the assemblies of the saints?

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good. (Ps 122:6-9 NKJV)

Does the church focus on a troubled city in modern Israel or is the assembly of the saints somehow related to heavenly Jerusalem?

No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. (Heb 12:22-23 NLT)

Does Christ’s message to the church in Philadelphia reveal a little about New Jerusalem?

I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. (Rev 3:11-13 WEB)

Are we glad to assemble with fellow imperfect saints to praise the name of the Lord? You decide!