The Daily Word of Righteousness

God Has Needs and Desires, #6

Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed. (Isaiah 61:9—NIV)

The new Jerusalem, the holy city, is the eternal dwelling place of God. Where it is, God is.

It may be true that the new Jerusalem is a living city, having not only a specific site where it is located but also the capability of being in any place of its choosing in the form of its members. Perhaps this is why the three names are written on the victorious saints and why they are viewed as pillars in the Temple of God.

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name. (Revelation 3:12—NIV)

We understand therefore that we Christians will actually be a royal priesthood, governing and blessing the saved peoples of the earth.

Speaking of the new Jerusalem, the glorified Church:

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (Revelation 21:22—NIV)

There will be no temple, no church building, in the holy city. This is because God in Christ will be dwelling in untroubled rest in the hearts of His saints.

All of the elect will know the Lord, from the least to the greatest. They shall see His face. There no longer will be a wall or veil between them and God. That which is perfect has come to the earth. The throne has been joined to the footstool.

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. (Revelation 21:23—NIV)

This is the same light that shone during the first three days of the creation, before God established the sun, moon, and stars in the firmament of the heaven in order to govern the day and night.

Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. When Christ is dwelling in us we also are the light of the world. When people see the righteous works that proceed from Christ who is in us, they will give glory to God.

The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. (Revelation 21:24—NIV)

Until one understands that there will be people on the earth who are saved but who are not part of God's elect, His Church, he will not understand the Kingdom of God.

The Church consists of Jesus Christ and His Body, the Lamb and His Wife. The saved nations of the earth are their inheritance. The Church will serve the saved nations as the revelation of God's Person, will, and ways. The saved nations will serve the Church by bringing their wealth and splendor to it.

Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; the wealth on the seas will be brought to you, to you the riches of the nations will come. (Isaiah 60:5—NIV)

To be continued.