All Things Made New

Read and Pray.

EXCITE

Before we begin, I want to pause for a moment and think about Revelation 20-22 in light of the end of Ezekiel, because I think it might help with some grand pictures.

First, the vision in the Valley of the Dry Bones. Ezekiel prophesies to bones that have no semblance of life left in them. And what happens? The Word of God through the prophet combines with the Spirit of God to bring dead things to life. We know that: Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” with Ephesians 2:1 “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins” and Ephesians 2:4–5 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—”. Those who have faith in Christ have come alive by the grace of God, death to life.

Now, think of Ezekiel 38-39 and the imagery of God and Magog, or Gog from Magog. Here are some high-level notes from Ezekiel 38-39 and the larger context extending through chapter 48.

Gog (from Magog) picks up on imagery from Genesis 10. It seems it is intended to show any and all violent kingdoms. Gog is allied with seven nations from all directions of the compass, a representation of all nations. Remember that Satan, at his release, gathered nations from “the four corners” for the final “battle” against God. Gog and Magog are used similarly to the kings of Egypt and Tyre — an archetype of rebellion against God’s good rule (similar to how Babylon is also used).

Gog is consumed in Ezekiel, once by an earthquake, twice by fire, and one time God strikes him in a field where he will be consumed by birds and all sorts of beasts of the field. Remember how the birds of the air were summoned in Rev.19:17 where the beast and false prophet were judged, and then again how Gog and Magog were consumed with fire as soon as they encamped with the dragon around the people of God. In Ezekiel, the prophet uses a full employ of poetic symbolism to describe Gog’s fall. It’s meant to portray God fully defeating evil in order to pave the way for His new creation. (For this new creation, read on through chapter 48!)

So, reading through chapters 40-48, and painting with big strokes, we get:

Ezk 40-46 showing a new temple and city.

It is larger and more complex than Solomon’s temple. Remember that the NT temple includes all of God’s people everywhere.

There are new priests, a new altar, and a new system of worship. Remember that in the NT, saints are priests, Christ provided a once-for-all sacrifice on the altar of the cross, believers daily lay down their lives as a reasonable service of worship, and true believers worship God in Spirit (being born again) and truth (in accordance with God’s full revelation).

God’s glory chariot returns in Ezekiel (Ezk.43). This is fulfilled in the NT when the Spirit of the Lord descends on His people at Pentecost.

Ezk 47-48 picturing a river flowing from the Temple, filling the Dead Sea Valley, and teeming with life in a way that is very reminiscent of the Garden of Eden.

It serves as a reminder that God’s plan has always been to restore His creation to His life-giving presence.

This is underscored by the last line of Ezekiel: “The LORD Is There” (this is the name of the new city [Ezk48:35]).

All this to say, there are deep spiritual realities described though symbolic language in Ezekiel that are again repeated at the end of Revelation, culminating in the final defeat and rebirth of the world in a glorious, new way.

That’s a lot, but it seems to really inform what is happening at the end of Revelation!

EXPLORE

A New Heaven and Earth

First, the idea of neos vs. kainos.

At the “great white throne” of judgment, the “earth and sky fled away” from the “presence” of the One seated on the throne. All that had been stained by sin is now removed. The sea is no more, a reminder that all that pertains to death has been done away with. Further, the sea was a place of chaos and danger, and the sea was symbolically the place from where the beast emerged (Rev.13:1; Dan.7:3). The source of rebellion has been removed; righteousness will now dwell on the earth (2 Pet.3:13).

The Holy City coming down fulfills God’s promise in Rev.3:12.

The “tabernacle” motif is fulfilled and man is dwelling in an edenic state again. God is with His people, fulfilling Lev.26:11-12; Ezk.37:27; 43:7; Jer. 24:7; 32:38. This is the final and full end of those promises that were simply applied to the church before Christ’s return.

All shall be comforted. Death has been put to death. All that has caused sorrow has been dealt with because the former things have passed away. God reverses the curse of sin and its effects (Isa.25:8; 65:19-20.)

God is making all things new. We read this informed by Isa.43:19-44:8. It really is powerful how God promises to do a new thing. Yet, Israel has burdened God with their sin, failing to live out the covenant stipulations. So, judgment will come upon the unfaithful. Then, God will “pour water on the thirst land” and His “Spirit upon” their “offspring.” Through the death and resurrection of Christ, a new thing began. With the new heaven, earth, and Jerusalem, it will be complete and total.

How can Jesus confidently say, “It is done” or will certainly be accomplished? He is the Alpha and Omega. Further, the fact that He is the beginning and the end implies that He is beyond and outside of His creation, for He both started creation’s history and brings it to its intended end. He is outside of history and exercises authority and control over it.

Grace (without payment) has supplied the saints with all they need, a spring from the water of life. It’s an allusion to Isaiah 55:1 ““Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”

More promises fulfilled as 2 Sam.7:14 comes into view — God will be his God and he will be God’s son.

Finally, Verse 8 reaffirms, through a summary list, the deeds of those who were cast into the Lake of Fire at the end of chapter 20. This verse contrasts with the blessed hope of the redeemed expressed in the previous verses.

It’s almost something too glorious to imagine. It’s difficult for the finite mind to grasp it all. But, ALL THINGS are made new and gone forever are the things that have brought so much pain. Think of the most glorious moment that you have ever lived in this life, and know that it pales in comparison. Think of the most painful trial you’ve ever endured, and know that nothing like it will ever draw another tear from your eye. This is the glorious hope!

A New City

One of the angels previously associated with the judgment of the wicked now shows John a picture of the glorious Bride…of the Lamb. Much like Ezekiel in Ezk40:2-3, where Ezekiel is transported to a high mountain after Gog and Magog’s defeat in order to see the future Temple of God, John is carried away to a high mountain to see the new Jerusalem, the place where God will make His dwelling among His people. The visible expression of the glory of God is portrayed in terms of inexpressible value.

Verses 12-14 use symbolic language, and it is clear that the whole of God’s people are gathered. On the twelve gates are written the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. Then, on the twelve foundations of the city, the twelve names of the…apostles of the Lamb. There is unity between the testaments and between the saints of both the OT and the NT. It’s a reminder that there has been one thread, one story that has been told from the beginning.

The measuring rod is made of gold, a more precious tool than the reed used in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezk.40:3). Notice that the city is a cube with equal measurements. This mimics the Holiest Place in the OT sanctuary (1 Kgs 6:20) and the rebuilt sanctuary in Ezekiel (Ezk 41:4).

The construction of the city, made of pure gold, speaks of the priceless value of the bride. This beauty runs throughout verses 15-21 as you see precious stone after precious stone used in it’s construction. Further, The Eden motif is clear. Ezekiel described “Eden, the garden of God” with very similar language (Ezk 28:13-14). The faux-beauty of the Great Prostitute (Rev.17:4) is little more than tarnished tin next to the glorious splendors of the city of God’s people!

What was hinted at earlier is now stated more plainly: there is no temple for the city itself has God and the Lamb as its temple. And His glory is incomparable. Nothing, not even the sun shining in all of its splendor, is as glorious as the unique holiness of God put on display for all His people to see, so that the glory of God gives it light and by it, the nations walk. The OT reference is Isaiah 60:3 “And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” and Isaiah 60:5 “Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.” in the next verse. The fact that the gates will never be shut, shows there is freedom in this new city along with no threat of hostile and invading forces.

Finally, nothing unclean will ever enter it. This is the deliverance and assurance that God’s people will live free from the presence of sin finally and forever. It’s hard for us to imagine how glorious a place might be, for our entire existence has been in the presence of sin’s tyrannical rule. Every longing of our hearts to bring honor and glory to God that we have here and now, will be fulfilled. The purpose for which we were made will be lived out, unhindered. Perfect love for both God and neighbor. No pain. No heartache. No sickness. No disease. No mourning loss. No fearing the future. No crushing burden of guilt or shame. Only the goodness of God…only life for the sake of His glory…only forever the abundant life and no temptation to find in places that only leave us lacking. Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is…false. No wonder the theme of the next chapter is “Come!”

EXPERIENCE

The ESV Study Bible, which I believe is as solid as they come, has such a beautiful summary of God’s purpose in redemptive history. Scripture reveals that it has always been YHWH’s plan to create a people that enjoys His presence forever. The story both begins and ends with God, the Alpha and the Omega, and at the center of the drama stands the Messiah…the Lamb who was slain, the beacon of hope for all those before the cross, and the assurance of the fulfillment of His promises for all those after.

The story of creation as a whole provides context for the grand story of redemption. Both Adam, the first man, and Israel, God’s chosen people, were given a sanctuary to live near and next to the presence of God. However, failing to be faithful stewards, Adam lost the garden and Israel the Promised Land, both exiled from the sanctuary God had given them.

In steps Jesus…

He is the second Adam.

He is the faithful Son of Abraham, Son of David.

And, He is perfectly obedient to the Father’s will. Though the world saw Him sacrificed, His Father raised Him victorious to life again, defeating death in the process.

Now, through His Spirit, God gives spiritual life…resurrection from the dead…in His Son Jesus. He makes a new humanity in Jesus.

If you were to “bookend” the Bible, three chapters in we read of the age-old enemy, the ancient serpent, tempting mankind whereby sin enters into the world. In the third chapter from the end, that enemy is defeated. In chapters one and two, a perfect sanctuary paradise was created for mankind, the pinnacle of creation, to serve God faithfully and on His behalf while living and enjoying His glorious presence. In the last two chapters, the curse of sin is undone, creation is redone, and the world is perfectly ordered and holy as God dwells forever with His people.