Bible Studies

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The Letters
Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 – Kingdom Come, Now!

Key Verses: (NIV)

• 10: “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.” – In his vision, John is lifted and carried away by one of the seven angels in order to get a better view of the Holy City.
  
  
• 22: “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” – A temple is not necessary in this new Holy City because God lives among His people.
  
  
• 23: “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” – The living presence of God provides all the light His people need in order to see clearly and follow His path.
  
  
• 27: “Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” – This required holiness and purity is only possible through Christ Jesus, the Lamb.
  
  
• 22:1: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life…, flowing from the throne of God…” – The river of life symbolizes the eternal life that God offers.
  
  
• 2b: “On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.” – Unlike the tree of life in the Garden of Eden, these trees yield an abundance of fruit that is available for all to eat.
  
  
• 3: “No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him.” – Nothing will separate God from His people.
  
  
• 4-5: “They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads…And they will reign forever and ever.” – An eternal promise available and assured for all who believe.
  

Points to Contemplate:

• Where do you go to seek God? Jerusalem had served as the religious center for the Hebrew people since David. It symbolized where God lived. At the time of this writing by John, the temple and most of Jerusalem had been destroyed. This image taught his readers not to fear or worry about this destruction because there is a holy city not made by man that can never be destroyed. Do you rely on physical man-made structures in order to feel close to God? Or can you find Him actively involved and present in your life wherever you find yourself?
  
  
• Is Christ the light of your life? Or do you seek wisdom and clarity from other sources? Do you accept that all you truly need in your life is the love of Christ? That when this occurs, God’s light, through the Holy Spirit, will shine, guide, lead, and inspire you through all things? Is there darkness in your life? Are there certain aspects of your life that you have kept secreted away and hidden? Do you see the importance of opening all parts your life to the light of Christ so that He can lead you closer to His glory?
  Are you pure and holy? Will your name be found in the Book of Life? What can you do to insure that it is? Are you still trying to earn salvation? Have you given up hope of eternal life because of your consistent tendency to falter and fail at living a holy life? Do you need another reminder of God’s grace? Do you feel assured by His love for you? Will you fully accept Christ’s sacrifice and allow Him to wash away your imperfections?
  
  
• What curse do you face in your life? Is this curse or thorn, as Paul described it, keeping you separated from God? Are you allowing it to grow and fester or have you handed it over to God? Do you trust God enough to recognize that He will not allow anything to come between you and Him? Is it possible that the more you turn to Him and offer yourself as a servant to His kingdom, the closer you will grow to Him? Is it through your humble servitude and the focus on building His kingdom in the lives you touch where He will wipe away the impediments and barriers in your life?
  

Promises of the Gospel:

John writes of a glorious time when the kingdom of Heaven is like a beautiful city, resplendent with brilliance and light. The city is alive with the presence of God, the river of eternal life, and the tree of knowledge. Christ enables access to this holy city through the purification power of His love. The question remains: When is this city? God does not want us to wait. Access to His kingdom and the closeness of His loving arms are available now. He lives among us and His Spirit can fill our hearts. We can be made holy today through our faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Now is the time for the kingdom is near.

FUMC Devotionals

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