“But you are come unto Mount Zion and unto the City of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem. . .”
Hebrews 12:22a
As the song says, “And the things of this earth will grow strangely dim in the Light of His Glory and Grace.”
How easy it is to “grow weary in well-doing and faint in our minds” (Gal. 6:9) if we take our eyes off Jesus and the “Place He’s preparing for us” (Jn. 14:1-3). Instead of looking through “the telescope of triumph” (I Pet. 1:9), we peer through the earthly “microscope of misery” and begin to pine and sigh in despair.
But, such need not be, Pilgrim—not when we remember that which awaits us!
The baker (writer) of today’s Manna says we’ll be coming “unto the City of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem.” We know the earthly city of Jerusalem is an ancient one indeed, probably predating the time of Abraham by several hundred years. Also once known as Salem and the “City of Peace,” it was ruled over by Melchizedek, who blessed Abraham after rescuing Lot from foreign captors (Gen. 14:17-24).
Established as the centrally-located capital of the Hebrew tribes by David, it became the home of the nation’s first, second and third temples. And, even though no temple currently sits atop the Temple Mount (Mt. Moriah), modern-day Jews and last day prophecies anticipate the laying of the cornerstone for a new temple any day now.
Regardless, the “City of the living God” being referred to in our Manna is the “New Jerusalem.” The Apostle John foresaw this City in his Revelation and described it as “coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2). Then, in vv.9-27 he described in vivid detail the design and dimensions of the City and how only those “whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (v.27) will enter there.
Although it’s really impossible for us to envision this “four-square City, which is 1,377 miles long and 1,377 miles wide, with walls that are 216’ high and adorned with precious gems (vv.16-20). . .12 gates made out of pearls (v.21a). . . with walls of jasper and streets of transparent, pure gold (vv.18, 21). . .and a crystal-clear river, lined with the Tree of Life with healing in its leaves, proceeding from God’s Throne (22:1-3)”. . .it’ll still be more beautiful than anything we could ever imagine or describe.
Are you ready for that City, dear Pilgrim?
Are you ready for the Place that Jesus has been working on for almost 2,000 years now—that Place of “The Great No More’s” (Rev. 21:4; 22:3a)—where there’ll be no need of locks or lights (21:5; 22:5) and “all things will be made new” (21:5)?
And, are you ready to finally see your Savior face-to-Face and kneel at His Feet, with tears streaming down your face, as you join in with the Heavenly choir, singing “Worthy is the Lamb” (Rev. 5:12)? No wonder it’s called “Heaven” and “Home.” And, no wonder the theme song there is “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found. ‘Twas blind, but now I see.” Hallelujah!!
