Reading: Revelation 21-22, Psalm 48
How does it all end? The Story we have been reading for the last year began with God creating the heavens and the earth. The closing chapters of the Story describe exactly the same thing. John sees a new heavens and a new earth, for the first heaven and first earth has passed away. I think it noteworthy that there is no description of this passing away, other than the appearance of God on the great throne giving judgment. John hasn’t been shy about using natural disaster language in this book, but here all we get is that the world is gone, and a new world appears. The new creation is almost the opposite of the old, which unfolded beautifully all the way back in Genesis 1. The new creation’s sudden appearance on the scene makes me think that what Genesis 1 was to the old creation, the entire Story we have read is to the new. Where is the creation story for the new heavens and new earth? You just finished reading it. It took about 1700 years to write and you a year to read.
This new creation begins with a new vision of the image bearers that Adam and Eve were supposed to be. The bride of the lamb, the New Jerusalem, is coming down out of heaven to earth. Unlike the story that says God’s people will evacuate the earth to some Other place, this Story ends with God’s great city coming down from heaven and occupying the earth. The Story we just read is literally written all over it, from the gates with the tribes of Israel inscribed on them to the foundations with the names of the apostles, and the jewels like the breastplate of the High Priest. The Story of Scripture built the new Jerusalem, and now God will live forever with his people.
The new world is clearly Eden, but more so. Like Eden, the tree of life is there, and a river flows through it. But there is no sea, which is almost universally an image of disaster in ancient literature. The charge to the humans has changed from fill the earth and subdue it to inhabit the City of God and delight in it. Like Eden, God speaks to humans directly, but unlike Eden God inhabits it constantly. The dwelling place of God will be with humans. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people. God himself with be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning or crying or pain, for these former things have passed away. The image is not of God just ruling, but engaging people in incredibly personal ways- wiping tears way from their faces like a parent with their child. It is like Eden, but more so. Heaven, the dwelling place of God, has come to earth to stay.
The end of John’s vision carries a charge to the believers who read it. I believe this book was written as an encouragement to persecuted believers. But the way it ends calls for a very different response than instinct would suggest. If you were a Christian in Nero or Domitian’s Roman Empire, you might want to hide this book away, reading it for your own encouragement, but certainly not sharing it with anyone who might report you to the authorities. Even if you did, you might want to leave out that bit about Babylon being built on seven hills or the 666 thing that upon reflection anyone sees references Nero. That option is not left open to the faithful reader.
The closing of the Story of Scripture is a charge not to seal up the words in it. Throughout the Story the responsibility of humans has been primarily one of proclamation. Declare the faithfulness of God. Declare the righteousness of God. Declare the good news to all people. Declare the coming new creation. Declare the return of the Lord Jesus. This is the great commission of the church. The only effective weapon against the deceitful serpent and his followers is the proclaimed Truth. Maranatha.