The Bride Made New

Text: Revelation 21:1-27

Thesis: Christ gives us new life through the presence of God.

Application: Live in God’s presence today and forevermore.

Reading of the Word

Revelation 21:1-27

Intro

Christ did not only come to kill death, He came to give us new life.

The new life we have in Christ is all about presence.

God Dwells With His People

Revelation 21:1-7

What Happens when God Dwells with Us?

All Evil, Suffering, and Death will Disappear

We Will Live Freely in the Providence of God

We Will Reign with God as His Children

Luke’s Genealogy - Luke 3:38 “the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.”

God Does Not Dwell With Everyone

Revelation 21:8

Why are we able to be in God’s presence?

Because of Jesus’ atoning work on the cross and redemptive victory through the empty tomb.

The entire Bible is a story about God dwelling with humanity:

The Garden

The Fall

The Exile

The Tabernacle

The Temple

The Immanuel

The Garden-City

No evil of any kind can stand in God’s presence. Nothing which leads to death will survive in God’s presence.

But even though humanity has chosen sin, God still desires to dwell with His beloved creation.

Those outside the city cannot enter the city because they have clung to their sin which cannot exist in God’s presence, just as those who were unclean could not enter into the Tabernacle/Temple.

The description of the city itself speaks to its priestly connection with the tabernacle.

A Priestly City

Revelation 21:9-27

Gates Mirroring the Tribes’ Positions Around the Tabernacle

v. 9-14

God is at the center of the city.

Big Enough To Hold All of the People of God

v. 15-17

12,000 stadia = 12 x 1,000

144 cubits = 12 x 12

A City of Priestly Jewels

v. 18-21

The city itself reflects the high priest’s breastplate.

The city itself points to Jesus’ work as our high priest. No one in the New Jerusalem will ever think that they are there of their own will or effort. The walls, the buildings, the architecture, everything in the new creation is an eternal testament to what Jesus has accomplished through His life, death, and resurrection.

No Barriers

v. 22-27

Life Now / Life to Come

Application #1: Live Today in the Presence of God

Believe in Christ Jesus for the forgiveness of sin

Boldly approach the throne room

Christ has given us His body and blood

Where two or more are gathered

Your body is a temple

Application #2: Anticipate the Full Presence of God in the New Creation

Every longing to be with God will be fulfilled

You will never be distant from Him again

You will never experience anything oppositional to God again

So take heart in this present life

Outro

Our God is With Us