Devotionals

Heaven is a city

by Susan Barnes 
05/22/17
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For he [Abraham] was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10 NIV

While we were on holidays we spent some time in Melbourne and it was interesting to reflect on city living. I've lived in many towns but never a city, but this verse tells me one day I will.

Revelation also describes heaven in terms of a city. John says, "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God" (Revelation 21:2). Why is heaven pictured as a city, and not as a garden, a farm or a village? I think we find the answer in Genesis 2:18 when God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Or as a modern writer expresses the same thought, “Isolation is a health hazard.”

There are many pictures in the New Testament that describe the church and in 1 Corinthians 12 Paul uses the analogy of the body, to demonstrate that we need each other. In verse 21 he says, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don't need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don't need you!’” We are not meant to be isolated individuals.

We were made for community and with a desire to connect with others. Modern cities may seem impersonal, yet God’s purpose is for redemption and restoration. His city will operate according to his original purposes of people having a sense of connectedness and belonging.

So as we, like Abraham before us, look forward to the Holy City, let's appreciate we are part of his body and made for community.