The Family Bible Journey Podcast

John's final epistle is not hard to understand. He wants nothing more than to be with his spiritual children forever in heaven. Every parent and grandparent understands this. May we, motivated by love, be used by God to fill heaven with those we touch with God's redeeming love in Christ Jesus.

Feasting has been a part of worship since the institution of animal sacrifice in the Garden. In heaven, even though all sin is already forgiven, worship will include feasting with God. All the savory succulence of a gourmet meal, mixed with the love and joy of a grand family reunion, barely begins to describe the joy we will know there.

The physical measurements of the restored Jerusalem make it about the sized of Washington DC. It's huge! It's perfectly ordered. But more impressive than its physical aspect is its character. As the place where God will dwell with humanity forever, it's a place of perfect peace, love, harmony and righteousness.

The work of God does not stop when we come to faith. The same love that brings us to faith leads us to love others as God loves us. May we be preserved from any theology that seperates faith and good works. Instead, let us see faith and love as the two sides of a true faith in Christ.

Interesting historical fact about Jerusalem, the Eastern Gate described in this passage as the place where God's glory will return to Jerusalem, has been walled shut a number of times. Most recently closed by Sulemein the Magnificent, it's rumored to be closed so that this prophecy can't be fulfilled. What if Jesus already fulfilled it on Palm Sunday? How will these stones hold if God Almighty decides this is the place to make His re-entry to earth?

The glorified Temple is a vision of heaven on earth. The complex is about a square mile, with over-sized versions of the Temple and altar. It is a place where God's glory will dwell with mankind forevermore!

John's first epistle ends with admonition and encouragement to llive victoriously in Christ! This life is struggle and pain. But in Christ Jesus, we have the victory of eternal life!

When we look at the dimensions of the Temple, we see a place of perfect proportions and order. When God dwells with His people, they dwell in harmony and peace. We look forward to that day, knowing that Jesus has punched our ticket for us by HIs life, death and resurrection.

Ezekiel spends many chapters describing the perfect Temple that he sees in heaven. It is an oversized version of the earthly tabernacle and temple (which were built and rebuilt at least three times). Here, we will see a heavenly reality of the earthly reality.

John reminds us of the most basic truth that God loves us first! Too many mistakenly think that God loves only those who love Him. That God chooses those who choose Him. No. We love God because He first loved us. We choose Him because He has chosen us!