Read Revelation 21:9–27
Questions from the Scripture text: Who talks with John in v9? What will he show him? Where does he carry him (v10)? To show him what? Descending from where/whom? What glory did she have (v11)? What did her light look like? How many, of what, did she have, with what names on them (v12–13)? And how many of what else, with what names (v14)? What did the angel have, for what purpose (v15)? What were the dimensions and shape of the city (v16–17)? Of what were the walls, foundations, and gates made (v18–21)? What didn’t it have (v22)? Why not? What else didn’t it need (v23)? Why not? Who walk in its light (v24)? Who bring what into it? What doesn’t happen there (v25)? Why not? What is brought into it (v26)? What doesn’t enter (v27)? Only who enter?
What is the glory of the church? Revelation 21:9–27 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nineteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the glory of the church is her glorious God.
John is now shown the point, the ultimate end of all this: the bride of the Lamb (v9).
She proceeds not from man from God (v10), having not the merely he greatest creaturely glory, but a glory that is of God (v11).
She is complete, with none of the tribes of Israel missing, as gates by which all the nations enter (i.e. are grafted in, v12–13).
She is correct, being built upon the correct foundation of the apostles (v14) and with the correct materials of gold and precious stones (v18–21, cf. 1Co 3:10–17).
None of God’s elect will be missing, and His work in them will be correctly and completely done.
His work will be enormous (2 million square miles, v15–17) and brilliant. As gemstones do not have actual light in them but bring forth the brilliance that is contained, invisibly, within light, so also it is the very glory of God Himself that is refracted and reflected by the church (v18–21).
God doesn’t communicate His presence through a temple, but more immediately (v22), and His own glory illuminates it (v23).
Man doesn’t understand that the glory and honor of nations is the elect who are within them, and all of this glory and honor streams into the city (v24–26). These sinless, and these only, enter in, because so God has written from before the world began (v27).
What glorious hope, and secure confidence, we should have—even as we cleanse ourselves of everything that will not be a part of the bride at the last!
What do you think of the church? How are you “building” yourself, your family, and your congregation? What do you consider to be the glory of your own nation? With what/whose glory do you seek to radiate?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for being so impressed with creaturely glory, when You have destined us to radiate with Your own glory. Forgive us for being discouraged about the porgress of Your church, when we know that Your work must be completed and perfected. And forgive us for tolertating in ourselves anything which must not enter glory. Continue and complete the work that You have begun in us, we ask through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP45B “Daughter, Incline Your Ear” or TPH389 “Great God, What Do I See and Hear”
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