Heaven (Part 3)ഉദാഹരണം

Oh Jerusalem!

Why does God promise us a New Jerusalem, and when will it come?

To fully grasp its significance, let me take you back to my own experience of walking through earthly Jerusalem.

A city filled with wonder, contrasts, and stories that stick with you forever. Kerrie and I have been to Jerusalem a couple of times, and it left an unforgettable mark on us.

I remember walking the Via Dolorosa, retracing the stations of the cross, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of daily life. It’s a city full of contrasts, with sacred history alongside the chaos of modern life.

We stood on the temple steps, imagining Jesus teaching there. We prayed on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the city Jesus wept over, and we visited the garden tomb, a place of quiet hope and reflection.

One part of the trip I’ll never forget (though not for the most spiritual reason) was exploring Hezekiah’s tunnel, a narrow, ancient waterway beneath the City of David. You will remember they used it in the Old Testament to bring water to the city.

It’s an incredible bit of history, carved out thousands of years ago – but let me tell you, it’s tight!

There’s one section in particular where I wasn’t sure I was going to make it through. I was, shall we say, well fed at the time, and only just managed to squeeze through.

If you ever get the chance to try it, be prepared – it’s not for the faint of heart or anyone who enjoys their food a little too much!

All jokes aside, Jerusalem left us awestruck – walking the same paths as Jesus, standing in places where His story played out. But even as beautiful and meaningful as that city is, it’s still imperfect, just like the world we live in today.

And that’s why God gives us the promise of a New Jerusalem. This heavenly city will be everything the earthly Jerusalem points to but could never be: perfect, eternal, and filled with God’s glory.

It will come down from Heaven onto a New Earth; not this broken one, but a completely renewed creation.

This New Jerusalem will be vast, stunning, and awe-inspiring. Its gates are made of pearls, its streets of pure gold, and its foundations are adorned with precious stones. But the real treasure isn’t in the size or splendour; it will be found in the presence of God Himself.

There’ll be no temple because His presence will fill every part of it. No sun or moon because His glory will be its light. It will be a place of perfect peace and joy, where every tear will be wiped away and sorrow will be no more.

This city comes after Christ’s return, after the final judgment, when all things are made new. Heaven and Earth will be united, and the New Jerusalem will stand as the centrepiece of this eternal, restored creation.

For me, imagining that city takes me back to my moments in earthly Jerusalem – the awe, the history, the sense of God’s hand on every part of it.

New Jerusalem will go beyond anything we could ever experience here. It’s not just a promise for the future; it’s a hope that shapes how we live today.

So, here’s my encouragement to you. Think about that city. Picture yourself walking through its gates, standing in the presence of God, surrounded by His glory, and let that vision shape your perspective.

New Jerusalem reminds us that this world is not the end. What we see now, the pain, the struggle, and the chaos, will one day be replaced by something perfect and eternal.

What might it mean to live as a citizen of that city now? Let its values, peace, love and holiness, be reflected in how you live your life today. Every act of faith, kindness, and worship is preparing you for that eternal home.

'He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"' (Revelation 21:5 NIV).

The New Jerusalem is not just a dream. It’s a reality waiting for those who have responded to the RSVP.

Reflect

• How could you bring the values of the New Jerusalem into your life now?
• How could you reflect those same values to others around you through your day-to-day conversations, actions, and connections?
• Have you responded to God's invitation and welcomed Him into your life yet?

Pray

Lord, thank You for the promise of the New Jerusalem. Help me live every day as a citizen of that eternal home. Shape my life with Heaven’s values, and prepare my heart for the day when everything is restored and made perfect. Amen.