Sufferings and Transformation for New Jerusalem (2)
New Jerusalem is composed of materials which express the Triune God. Revelation 21:18b-19a say, “the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every precious stone.”
That life which God has imparted to us is the gold, while the life which God is constituting in us is the precious stone. Day after day, in all kinds of circumstances, He is making us in the image of Christ. This is the precious stone. God does not stop by just giving us a portion of Christ’s life; He wants to have the life of Christ wrought into us.
It seems that the things which other people encounter are all good, but the things which you are up against are not prosperous or easy….But you must realize that it is not without a cause. God is continually burning you; the Holy Spirit is working to constitute more of the life of Christ in you so that you may be transformed into His image.*
Whenever we turn our heart to the Lord (2 Cor. 3:16) we behold “the glory of the Lord” and “are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord Spirit.” Glory indicates that this is a part of the preparation of New Jerusalem, the city having God’s glory!
Our circumstances do not limit the Spirit’s transformation work; we could be in prison as Paul was for years. Romans 8:28 says, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
The good in this verse is not our human concept. Rather, it is explained in the next verse, “Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son.” This is the preparation of New Jerusalem to fully manifest and magnify God for eternity.
* From chapter 5 of The Glorious Church by Watchman Nee, published and © by Living Stream Ministry, available at www.ministrybooks.org/ and www.livingstream.com/en/the-church/8012401-glorious-church-the.html.
Posted by Don on June 29, 2022
