The Bible sees Jerusalem as the sum of God's people in this world and in the next.

Monday, 3/7/16

In the first reading Isaiah wrote, “I am about to create new heavens and a new earth,” and I create Jerusalem to be a joy.”

Jerusalem, throughout the Bible, in addition to its being the city from where David came to rule in 1,000 B.C., it has also symbolized all of God’s people through the ages. It was for them and for us as well that Jesus wept, saying, “Jerusalem, if only now you could realize what things are for your peace, but they are hidden from you.”

Chapter wenty-One of Revelation gives us a marvelous picture of Jews and Gentiles coming together in the heavenly Jerusalem.

The angel showed him “the Holy City Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It had a massive high wall . . . on which were inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The wall had twelve courses of stone as its foundation on which were inscribed the twelve names of he twelve Apostles”   

As the song has it. “And once again the scene was changed, new earth there seemed to be. I saw the Holy City rise beside that tide-less sea. The light of God was in its streets, the gates were opened wide. And all who would might enter, and no one was denied. It was the new Jerusalem that will not pass away. It was the new Jerusalem that will  not pass away.



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