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REVELATION - Behold, I am Coming Soon
Studies in the Book of Revelation
BOOK 7 - YES, I AM COMING SOON! (REVELATION 19:11 - 22-21)
PART 7.5 - THE NEW WOLRD OF GOD (REVELATION 21:1-8)

4. God in the Midst of Men (Revelation 21:3-4)


They Will be His People: This core sentence of the Old Testament concerning international law contains the special assurance of grace by God to the people of Israel which he revealed to them by his servant Moses (Exodus 19:5-6). This principle was deepened and updated for the people in the exile several times 800 years later by the prophets Jeremiah and Ezekiel (Jeremiah 7:23; 11:4; 30:22; 31:1.33; 32:38 and other verses; Ezekiel 11:20; 14:11; 34:24; 36:28; 37:23 and other verses). Whoever reads these promises concerning the law that were given by the Lord to his people of Israel, will recognize three fundamental items:

  • This unique and graceful promise of God to His chosen people is only in effect as far as the chosen observe the commandments of their God of Covenant, live according to his ordinances and do what He says.
  • As the all-wise God knew beforehand that His people would not keep to the commandments enjoined on them, He granted to them the privilege of sin offerings and trespass offerings so that they had not to fall out of His grace inevitably.
  • To those of His people who are repenting with a broken heart, however, the Lord revealed precious promises for a new covenant indicating to the advent of Christ and extending to the completion of His salvation after His return:

Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband to them, says the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, says the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:31-34; cf.: 30:18-22; 31:1; 32:38 and other verses.)

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and you shall keep my judgments, and do them. And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Ezekiel 36:26-28; cf..:11:19-20; 34:24; 37:23-24.27 and other verses.)

These promises of grace of Yahweh will be completely fulfilled only when no more sin will keep the holy God off His Spirit-born children out of all nations. Here we must not forget that this right for grace is based on the subtituionary death of Jesus. Without the atoning sacrifice of Christ God would not be able do dwell with His stiff-necked people. The Lamb that is slain remains the only way to God (John 14:6). Without Jesus the Holy neither can dwell with individuals nor with nations.

Whoever is reading the words of the angel in the Greek manuscripts, will be astonished that the plurality of these original texts does not speak in singular but in plural form, “They will be my nations!” This statement will be confirmed through Revelation 21:24.26 and 22:2. Israel is since the Ascension of Christ not any longer the chosen people of God solely. All those who are called out of the nations (ecclesia) became likewise the people of God. Peter, the spokesman of the apostles, put the basic right of Israel “to be the people of God” with powerful words on all born-again Christian followers and testified, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; Who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10; cf.: Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 4:20; 7:6-7; Isaiah 43:1.21; Matthew 21:43; Acts 28:25-28; Romans 9:24-28; Ephesians 5:8; Revelation 1:6; and other verses.). The Catholic Church has not the privilege to apply these promises solely to Catholic Christians! The Holy Spirit blows where he wishes and revives everybody who reads, believes and keeps the Word of God (Luke 11:28).

We should not only keep an eye on our own blessedness, but should also be responsible for the entire people of God; otherwise we will run the risk of becoming spiritual egoists rotating only on their own axis.

PRAYER: Merciful Father, we worship You because you did not reject Your obstinate people, but You reconciled them with You through Jesus Christ, and invited us too to join Your people. We thank and praise You for Jesus' self-sacrifice, which qualifies us to become worthy of lawful membership in Your spiritual nation. Teach us how to call the strangers that are far from You and draw them to You. Amen.

QUESTION:

  1. Memorize your invitation to become a member of the people of God according to 1 Peter 2:9-10!

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