Part 19
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Where does a vision come from?
Vision is born in the soul of a man or woman who is consumed with the tension between what is and what could be. Anyone who is emotionally involved—frustrated, brokenhearted, maybe even angry—about the way things are in light of the way they believe things could be, is a candidate for a vision. Visions form in the hearts of those who are dissatisfied with the status quo.
Me: My origin story goes back to my relationship with my step-father. You see I wanted him to have a relationship with Yeshua but he wanted to be Jewish. At that time, I could not offer him a place to be Jewish and have a relationship with the Messiah and he could not reconcile how a person could be Jewish - practically speaking, not theoretically - and believe in Jesus/Yeshua without becoming a Christian. He wanted a place to be Jewish, legitimately Jewish, first before he would consider a relationship with the Messiah. At a bare minimum that meant it could not feel like the church, nor a messianic cult, nor be at odds with the Jewish community. At a maximum it meant, it embraced Jewish traditions, religious systems, and culture.
There were two such place I thought “maybe” I could take my step-father to for a Shabbat service. Lauren and I went and scoped it out one and I scoped out another. One was a group of people dressed up like Jewish people but really just a baptist group. The second group was a little larger, had a few more traditions but felt like a charismatic church that focused heavily on experiences. Neither of those two places would meet the minimum nor maximum of what my step-dad wanted.
This is what broke my heart and formed a deep dissatisfaction in me for the status quo.
Lauren: Share her story about Kerry. She took him to First Baptist Church. But, why wouldn’t people go to this one congregation? The congregational leader had a negative report with the Jewish community. He would stand out on the side of the road by the JCC with tracks and posters, he wanted conversions, not relationship.
Robin Rose and the Gentile Wife
What is our vision for the future? - Our Vision for the future of Beth El Shalom comes from the final vision of God’s future eternal city.
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life—bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s street. On either side of the river was a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life—bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
Well, in chapter 21 and in chapter 22, we have a great picture of what the world looks like when God gets it exactly the way he wants it. When Yeshua’s redemptive work is complete, and when God has the world exactly the way he wants it, it’s a city. Do you see that? Look at verse 2. There’s a city. There’s a great street. Do you know what that is? That’s a boulevard, the main street. It’s a city.
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life—bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s street. On either side of the river was a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Well, in chapter 21 and in chapter 22, we have a great picture of what the world looks like when God gets it exactly the way he wants it. When Yeshua’s redemptive work is complete, and when God has the world exactly the way he wants it, it’s a city. Do you see that? Look at verse 2. There’s a city. There’s a great street. Do you know what that is? That’s a boulevard, the main street. It’s a city.
Well, in chapter 21 and in chapter 22, we have a great picture of what the world looks like when God gets it exactly the way he wants it. When Jesus Christ’s redemptive work is complete, and when God has the world exactly the way he wants it, it’s a city. Do you see that? Look at verse 2. There’s a city. There’s a great street. Do you know what that is? That’s a boulevard, the main street. It’s a city.
Timothy J. Keller, The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013).
Stanley, Andy. Visioneering: Your Guide for Discovering and Maintaining Personal Vision (p. 17). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
So if you want to understand the narrative arc of the whole Bible, what you actually have is history begins in a garden, but it ends in a city. When God has the world the way he wants it, it’s urban.
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life—bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s street. On either side of the river was a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Now this is interesting. Notice it’s a garden city. Here that brings up something. When I say it’s a garden city, the word city means dense population, lots and lots of people. But this city is filled with rivers and water and trees. That’s something important to look at. Here’s why.
Now this is interesting. Notice it’s a garden city. Here that brings up something. When I say it’s a garden city, the word city means dense population, lots and lots of people. But this city is filled with rivers and water and trees. That’s something important to look at. Here’s why.
When God gets things the way he wants them, he has a human city with all of the advantages of human cities and none of the disadvantages.
Now this is interesting. Notice it’s a garden city. Here that brings up something. When I say it’s a garden city, the word city means dense population, lots and lots of people. But this city is filled with rivers and water and trees. That’s something important to look at. Here’s why.
Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life—bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s street. On either side of the river was a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
when God gets things the way he wants them, he has a human city with all of the advantages of human cities and none of the disadvantages.
There is more of the beauty of God per square inch in the city than anywhere else. The city is where there are more people than plants, and the country is where there are more plants than people. Since God certainly loves people more than plants, he must love the city more than the country.
We laugh. Ha ha, it was funny. That’s why I told you. Now that we’re done laughing and laughing that we laughed, we’re left with an uncomfortable theological truth.
Years ago, a friend of mine gave me a little way of understanding cities that I have never forgotten and I use all the time. Therefore, if you’ve been around, you may have heard it before. He said, “The city is where there are more people than plants, and the country is where there are more plants than people. Since God certainly loves people more than plants, he must love the city more than the country.” We laugh. Ha ha, it was funny. That’s why I told you. Now that we’re done laughing and laughing that we laughed, we’re left with an uncomfortable theological truth.
How do you understand beauty? For I have a tendency to say, we all have a tendency to say, “I have to get out of Houston and go to Austin or the Hill country. I have to get out of the city. I want to get out to see some beauty.” When we think of beauty, we mean trees and grass and water.
Can a tree or a river compete with the image of God? Human beings are made in the image of God. A human being has a beauty and a depth about him or her that a tree can’t match.
Do you know what Houston is? There’s so much of the image of God per square inch in Houston because there are 3,662 people per square mile who live here according to the last US Census. Did you know that? There are only three other cities more densely populated than ours (New York, LA, Chicago). There’s more image of God out there, and therefore, I wasn’t kidding when I said, “How do you define beauty?” When God looks at the world, he has to love cities. Do you love cities? There is more beauty there, real beauty there than anywhere else.
Abundant Life in the New City
Not only does this city have the glorious density of humanity, it also has natural beauty. Look, it has trees and leaves and an incredible river as clear as crystal. Three things you need to know about the waters and the tree. First, the waters are life giving and calm. Do you remember that the waters around Babylon were turbulent, contained the dead, and great chaos monsters came from them. These waters are as crystal clear as the Caribbean waters in Summer or the mountain melt waters in Canada at the turn of the seasons. But these waters come from God and the Lamb. They possess his potency, power, and potential.
Second, the tree of life is there so that no longer is death part of this city. Babylon had death on every corner, this city has the fullest possible kinds of life at all times of the year.
Last, these trees have leaves more beautiful, more fragrant than anyone has ever seen. They heal not just individuals but the nations. They heal societies. We have leaves on trees that create medicine or are fragrant and they’re very refreshing, but we’re talking about trees, we’re talking about a river of life clear as crystal, we are talking about abundant life.
Let’s keep looking, and this might be the most important part of this city. Look at
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall serve Him.
We know that there are three main curses in the Bible. The curse of the Garden on Adam and Eve, the curses of the Abrahamic covenant, and the curses of the Law. The Messiah brings an end to all the curses through His redemptive work. First, we are no more under the “curse of the Law.” We know what the curse is:
For all who rely on the deeds of Torah are under a curse—for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep doing everything written in the scroll of the Torah.”
Messiah liberated us from Torah’s curse, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)—
Gal 3:12
He also took away the curse associated with the Abrahamic covenant:
in order that through Messiah Yeshua the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so we might receive the promise of the Ruach through trusting faith.
This does not get taught much in the messianic movement to its own shame. There is one deep theological truth you must realize, the Messiah is the promised seed to Abaraham that blesses the world. To believe in the Messiah is to be under the blessing of Abraham; regardless, of your position on national Israel. Here is the second theological practice you must do. Remember
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Here is my point, you are blessed to be a blessing. You are not blessed to call down curses. Messiah takes away the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us, he takes away the curse of the Abrahamic covenant by offering the blessing of the covenant to all who have faith in Him, and last, he takes away the curse of Adam.
So then, through the transgression of one, condemnation came to all men; likewise, through the righteousness of one came righteousness of life to all men. For just as through the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of one man, many will be set right forever.
So this is a city full of Shalom, full of blessing, full of royal priests
I also heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is among men, and He shall tabernacle among them. They shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them and be their God. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away.” And the One seated upon the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new!” Then He said, “Write, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. Night shall be no more, and people will have no need for lamplight or sunlight—for Adonai Elohim will shine on them. And they shall reign forever and ever!
These are glowing people who experience the glory of the Lord that never fades like Moses’ face faded in glory. What is this thing about the forehead? Do you know who had the name of God on the forehead? It was only the high priest who had the name of Adonai on his forehead on Yom Kippur when he went back into the Holy of Holies with the blood sacrifice for sin. Only he was allowed to go back there.
What is this thing about the forehead? Do you know who had the name of God on the forehead? It was only the high priest who had the name of Yahweh on his forehead on Yom Kippur when he went back into the Holy of Holies with the blood sacrifice for sin. Only he was allowed to go back there.
Do you know what this is saying? In the city of God, we’re all high priests. We will all know the very presence of God, the very glory of God. We’ll see him as he is. We’ll have the very thing that used to be fatal on contact. Do you know why? Because Yeshua is the final sacrifice, the final blood sacrifice.
How is all this possible in the future city of God? because of the substitutionary sacrifice and love of Yeshua the Messiah? Yeshua took our curse for us. Yeshua took our darkness for us. Yeshua climbed the tree of death for us. Yeshua took our thirst for us. God’s future city can exist because of the Messiah death and resurrection exist.
because of you understand the substitutionary sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ? Jesus took our curse for us. Jesus took our darkness for us. Jesus climbed the tree of death for us. Jesus took our thirst for us. God has written substitutionary love into all of the world from the smallest to the greatest.
Here is what I am trying to say
Timothy J. Keller, The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013).
Here is what I am trying to say
When God gets things the way he wants them, he has a human city with all of the advantages of human cities and none of the disadvantages because of the Messiah’s substitutionary sacrifice .
The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive The Garden—City of God
when God gets things the way he wants them, he has a human city with all of the advantages of human cities and none of the disadvantages
Its filled with shalom, blessing and a royal priesthood because of Messiah’s substitutionary death.
Some of you might be saying, that is too idealistic and God never calls us to try to make a scared down version of this New Jerusalem. Wait, let’s test that theory. When the children of Israel were exiled to Babylon, they hated that city. But God said
Also seek the shalom of the city where I took you as captives in exile, and pray to Adonai for it—for in its shalom will you have shalom.”
You should love that city even though it’s filled with wicked pagans. Seek the peace of it. Seek the prospering of it. Seek the shalom of it. Make it a great place to live. Pray for it.” Babylon. Babylon.
When Jonah wanted nothing to do with that wicked, pagan city of Nineveh and all those awful pagans in it, God says to Jonah, “There are 120,000 people there who don’t know their right hand from their left. How could I not be moved with compassion for them?” When you study the Scriptures you will see that God is always trying to create cities that can get as close as possible to this future city. This is the end-goal that he is always aiming for.
Rabbi Paul said
For our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Yeshua the Messiah.
In , Paul says, “Your citizenship is in heaven.” Is. Present tense. Yet here, we have God saying, “There will be a city. You will be citizens of that city.
We are supposed to already live like those who are participating in the shalom, blessing, and royal priesthood of that city.
If that is his vision of the best possible future, then I want us
We are a foretaste of the future city living now in this city.
This our vision and now let me just give you a few hints “how” we should do this from our passage.
Resist the urge to drift towards the vision of any other city.
Abundant Life in the New City
Resist the exhaustion and oppression of the human city.
Abundant Blessing in the New City
Rise to the occasion as Messiah’s Royal Priesthood.
Abundant Relationship