Neighborhood Watch
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Have you seen these signs around your neighborhood?
The neighborhood watch was created in the 1970s.
The intent was to create a deterrent for criminals who wanted to enter a neighborhood to commit a crime
How safe do you feel in your own neighborhood?
Do you feel comfortable leaving out your toys or bicycle?
Do you feel safe leaving your car door unlocked and the windows rolled down?
DO you feel safe leaving your home unlocked?
Some of us would say that as the population has grown in the TV, we feel somewhat less safe compared to 10 years ago; prior to the population explosion.
Now even in the Bible, we see there was great concern for safety.
It was customary for towns/cities to build strong thick walls around the perimeter with one main door where everyone would need to enter or exit when visiting the town.
At night, the door was closed to ensure the safety of the inhabitants.
Well, today we see a description of the Holy City that will descend for heaven and we are given a peculiar detail.
23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.
Notice what John says - he actually says something that would never happen in the ancient world.
The Holy City of God is described as as having gates that are never shut.
We expect that the gates are shut at night to keep the city safe.
But there is no night…and therefore, the city gates are never shut.
What does this teach us?
This city is completely secure.
There is no danger.
There is nothing to fear.
The city’s inhabitants can rest at peace knowing that nothing will endanger them or their families.
What are we to learn from this?
We can apply this to our current state and also to our future life in eternity.
If we are in Christ we have nothing to fear.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
This does not mean that we will not encounter hardships, trials or tribulations.
In fact, the Bible says that in this life we will encounter obstacles.
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
But it does mean that whatever may come our way, nothing can harm our soul or eternity destiny.
We are safe and secure in God’s hands and nothing will snatch us from God’s hand.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
What does this say about our eternal destiny?
It says that after judgement day, when we enter into our eternal dwelling place…we will not need to fear any harm, we will not fear the devil or demons (for they will be destroyed), nor will we fear any of God’s enemies (for they will have been judged in the lake of fire).
We will live for all eternity in the City of God - enjoying the peace of his presence.
