The Fulfillment of God’s Eternal Purpose (3)
Revelation 21–22 shows us that God will fulfill His purpose. Along the way, there were many obstacles, from eating the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Genesis 3 to the last rebellion in Revelation 20. But by the end of Revelation 20 all the obstacles have been removed followed by Revelation 21 with a new creation with New Jerusalem.
Every aspect of New Jerusalem is precious. God and the Lamb are on the throne and the Spirit flows from it. The gold, pearl, and precious stone show the Triune God wrought into His people. Nothing could be higher than this.
We may say that God’s plan can be frustrated, but His plan can never be stopped. Since creation God’s work has suffered much frustration. In fact, it seemed as if His work was being destroyed and that His plan would never succeed. But in Revelation God has reached His goal. There is a group of people full of pure gold, which is something of God. They are full of pearl, which is the work of Christ. And they are filled with precious stones, the work of the Holy Spirit. They will reign forever and ever.*
Here are wonderful phrases about New Jerusalem from Revelation 22:1-5:
• a river of water of life…proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb;
• the tree of life, producing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit each month
• there will no longer be a curse;
• the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His slaves will serve Him;
• they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads;
• the Lord God will shine upon them;
• they will reign forever and ever.
* 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.
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Posted by Don on September 12, 2022
