Thursday: New Creation
Read Revelation 7:15–17. Where are the redeemed, and how does this passage portray them?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
These verses describe the redeemed as kings and priests who serve in God’s palace and temple (Rev. 1:6, 5:10, 20:6). The promise that “He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them” (Rev. 7:15, NASB) alludes to God’s presence in the wilderness sanctuary, where He dwelt among ancient Israel as its Leader. On the new earth, the sanctuary once more becomes the perfect place of relationship where God and the redeemed meet. It guarantees shelter, protection, and the ultimate fulfillment of life in the presence of God and His Christ. The One who once tabernacled among men (John 1:14) now spreads the tabernacle over His saints so that they may “tabernacle” in His place.
Read Revelation 21:1–22. How is the New Jerusalem described? What parallels do you find between the holy city and the sanctuary in these texts?
John does not see a temple in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:22), but this does not mean that there is no temple. Rather, the New Jerusalem itself is the temple and the “tabernacle of God” (Rev. 21:3, NKJV). Several sanctuary elements are assigned to the New Jerusalem: it is “holy” and of heavenly origin (Rev. 21:2, 10); it has the same cubical form as did the Most Holy Place (Rev. 21:16, 1 Kings 6:20); similar to the temple precincts, “nothing unclean” is allowed into the city (Rev. 21:27); and, most importantly of all, God is present. In the sanctuary of God, we can live with Him in the closest relationship possible (Rev. 21:3, 7). This is the goal of salvation.
An eternity in a close relationship with God? Why is it, then, so crucial for us to walk, as Ellen G. White says over and over, “in close communion with God” now?
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The fact that we are mortal and of flesh and we live in a world which is sin sick we can not spent a second without God. Let's make our minds and hearts clean and conducive of the habitation of the Holy Spirit.
I have learned today that the holy city that comes down from heaven is the temple and tabernacle, it has the same perfect square dimension as the tabernacle on earth. This is amazing.
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I'd like to know Mr Frank, what made you think so? I really tried to find the answer. The holy city, Christ himself... what did John see? Are we working with a "it" dwells? Why does the text say "HE" dwells? And really, what matters is to be there FOREVER.
Us humans we have to do what is good so that we can enter into the new city that will come from the lord .
God is always watching us so let us be clean hearted, sinless and each day be close to our lord in everything to glorify the most high.
SIn is a costly disease, so costly that it necessitates the reconstruction of a NEW heaven and earth. I am encouraged to remain clothed in God's righteousness; I really want to be in that PERFECT environment.
if we should be waiting for the new sanctuary without preparing our hearts, then it means we are not preparing to partake in the heavenly throne. Now the work of the sanctuary is running through us and we need to acknowledge and receive its presence to manifest in us.
As I started this study , I realize that going to heaven it's not a game. If we really want to be saved, we must take our relationships with Jesus very serious.thanks very much for this website, may God continue to bless you abundantly.
It seems as though Inge, Tyler, and Maurice ran our of steam on Wednesday. I like Frank am awed by the mansion prepaired for us. A daily relationship with with Christ is how we abide with Him. If we choose to abide with Him we will be ready as He has commanded in Matthew 24:44. We abide in Him, we have answered His prayer for us as requested of The Father in John 17:3. We know Him, we see Him as implyed in Mark 10:52. Now we see Him, we hear The Word and do it. Luke 8:21. We do the will of Our Father Matthew 7:21 because we love Him, with all our hearts, and with all our souls, and with all our strength. Deuteronomy 6:5. Now we are part of that 144,000 refered to in Revelation 7 (all those who lived or died in the three angels message believing in Christ and keeping the Sabbath) Early Writings page 285-287. Don't forget the multitude so great no man can count. Again awsome to contempate the marvels He has in store for us. The Holy City, Open the Gates of the Temple.
Hehe! John we did not run out of steam - we just let other people have their say!. Actually I returned home to Australia after 10 days in NZ so there was a lot of catching up to do and comments on SSNET had to take second place after grocery shopping and so on.
I like your comment by the way. Abiding in Him and Him abiding in us is a powerful idea and I think that is the great theme of the sanctuary and its representations though the ages. And the good news of the Gospel is about sharing that experience with others. It is worth putting that idea into practice.
As I studied more it was revealed to me that to match Revelation 21:22. With Early Writings page 32- where it depicts Ellen White entering the Holy City then being taken to the temple within the Holy City, there has to be a temple within the temple. Our Church is the the temple we are the temple worshiping in the temple. 1Corinthians 3:16. 1 Corinthians 6:19.