S3: Revelation 21: God's Dwelling Is With Humanity - A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace

Summary6 min read

A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace: Season 3, Episode on Revelation 21 - God's Dwelling Is With Humanity

Release Date: December 26, 2024
Host: The Daily Grace Co. (Kristen and Katie)

In the penultimate episode of Season 3 of A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace, hosts Kristen and Katie delve into Revelation 21, exploring the profound theme of God's ultimate dwelling with humanity. This episode encapsulates a year-long journey through the New Testament, emphasizing the transformative understanding of Jesus Christ both intellectually and emotionally.

Reflecting on the Journey

Katie opens the episode by acknowledging the culmination of their extensive study of the New Testament. She encourages listeners to reflect on their spiritual growth and the time invested in "beholding your Savior." This reflection sets the stage for the hopeful and restorative messages of Revelation 21.

Katie [00:17]: "Take a moment to think about all you've learned this year and more important, all the time you spent beholding your Savior."

From Genesis to Revelation: The Grand Narrative of Redemption

Kristen draws a parallel between the opening chapters of Genesis and the themes in Revelation 21. She recounts the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, highlighting humanity's fall and God's unwavering plan for redemption.

Kristen [00:53]: "Though mankind destroyed God's original paradise, God had a plan to redeem it all, to redeem everything tarnished under sin's reign."

Kristen underscores that Revelation 21 represents the culmination of this redemptive plan, where Jesus, the Redeemer, plays a central role. She emphasizes that Satan has been defeated, setting the stage for a restored creation.

The Vision of a New Heaven and New Earth

Katie transitions to John’s vision in Revelation 21, focusing on the imagery of the new Jerusalem descending from heaven. She explains that this vision symbolizes both the city itself and its inhabitants—God's people, collectively referred to as Christ's bride.

Katie [03:10]: "The bride is no longer waiting. She beholds the one whom her heart is set upon."

This vision signifies the restoration of the intimate relationship between God and humanity, free from sin and suffering.

God's Presence: The Heart of the New Creation

A pivotal moment in the discussion centers on God's promise to dwell with His people. Kristen highlights the proclamation from the throne:

Kristen [05:15]: "Look, God's dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

She reflects on the immediate comfort this message would have provided to the seven churches addressed in earlier chapters, emphasizing its enduring relevance for contemporary believers.

Symbolism and Structure of the New Jerusalem

Kristen and Katie explore the rich symbolism in the description of the new Jerusalem. They note the significance of the city’s cube-like dimensions, mirroring the holiest spaces in the Old Testament, which underscores the omnipresence of God in the new creation.

Katie [06:45]: "The gates are named after the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Jesus, letting us know that those within Jerusalem are both Old Testament and New Testament believers."

This inclusivity highlights the unity of God's people across both covenants, celebrating the entirety of the divine narrative.

The Absence of a Temple: God's Direct Presence

A striking observation is made regarding the absence of a physical temple in the new Jerusalem. Kristen explains that God's presence and the Lamb (Jesus) themselves constitute the temple, eliminating the need for any intermediary structure.

Kristen [07:30]: "Instead, the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. God's presence will rest uninhibited."

This direct and unmediated communion with God signifies the complete restoration of the relationship between Creator and creation.

Eternal Light and Unending Glory

The discussion shifts to the illumination in the new creation. With God’s glory as the primary light source, the new Jerusalem no longer requires the sun or moon, symbolizing the sufficiency of God's presence.

Katie [08:05]: "Jesus, his lamp will reflect his glory. There will no longer be a need for the sun or the moon because God's glory will be plenty."

This imagery conveys the ultimate fulfillment of creation, where divine light banishes all darkness, both literal and metaphorical.

Hope and Assurance for Believers

Kristen offers a heartfelt reflection on the promises of Revelation 21, emphasizing the eternal joy and restoration awaiting believers. She paints a vivid picture of a future where all pain and suffering are eradicated, and God's presence brings unending joy.

Kristen [08:55]: "The greatest joy will be the uninhibited presence of God. Anything else is just icing on the cake."

She reinforces that Jesus is the linchpin of this redemptive vision, without whom the promises of Revelation 21 would remain unfulfilled.

Encouragement and Conclusion

Closing the episode, Kristen shares an inspiring quote from Puritan preacher Thomas Watson, encapsulating the anticipation of experiencing God's eternal presence.

Kristen [09:16]: "Let this revive you. Shortly you will enjoy God and then you shall have more than you can ask or think."

Katie concludes by inviting listeners to continue their journey with the upcoming final chapter of Revelation, reaffirming the joy found in studying God's Word.

Key Takeaways

Redemption Narrative: Revelation 21 serves as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan initiated in Genesis, highlighting Jesus as the central figure.
New Creation: The new heaven and new earth represent a restored creation where God dwells directly with humanity, free from sin and suffering.
Symbolism: The new Jerusalem's design, including its cube-like structure and gates named after tribes and apostles, symbolizes the unity and omnipresence of God.
Eternal Presence: The absence of a physical temple signifies God's direct and unmediated presence with His people, ensuring perpetual light and glory.
Hope and Assurance: Believers are assured of eternal joy and restoration, with all pains and sorrows being utterly eradicated.

Notable Quotes

Katie [00:17]: "Take a moment to think about all you've learned this year and more important, all the time you spent beholding your Savior."
Kristen [05:15]: "Look, God's dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Kristen [07:30]: "Instead, the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. God's presence will rest uninhibited."
Katie [08:05]: "Jesus, his lamp will reflect his glory. There will no longer be a need for the sun or the moon because God's glory will be plenty."
Kristen [08:55]: "The greatest joy will be the uninhibited presence of God. Anything else is just icing on the cake."
Kristen [09:16]: "Let this revive you. Shortly you will enjoy God and then you shall have more than you can ask or think."

Final Thoughts

This episode of A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace masterfully weaves together scriptural analysis, theological insights, and heartfelt reflections to present a comprehensive understanding of Revelation 21. Kristen and Katie effectively communicate the profound hope and assurance found in God's promises, encouraging believers to eagerly anticipate the fulfillment of His divine plan.

For those seeking to deepen their understanding of Scripture and experience the transformative power of God's Word, this episode serves as an inspiring and enlightening resource. As the hosts prepare listeners for the final chapter of Revelation, they leave them with a sense of anticipation and joy, eager to continue their journey through the New Testament.

Resources Mentioned:

Behold Studies: Available at thedailygraceco.com
Reading Plan: Linked in the show notes of the podcast episode
Instagram: ailygracepodcast and thedailygraceco

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Transcript5 lines

[00:00]
A
Welcome to A Year in the Bible With Daily Grace. My name is Kristen.
[00:04]
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And my name is Katie and we want to spend a few minutes a day with you walking through the New Testament one chapter at a time. This year we will fix our gaze upon Christ so that we may know him not only with our minds, but with our hearts.
[00:18]
A
Together we will learn that who Jesus is changes everything. Hey. Hey. Welcome back to A Year in the Bible Daily Grace. My name is Katie and together we are walking through Revelation in our year long study of the New Testament. Friends, we have spent all year studying the New Testament and today is our second to last day. Take a moment to think about all you've learned this year and more important, all the time you spent beholding your Savior. We will do that a lot today in one of the most hopeful chapters of Scripture. Today we are studying Revelation 21. As always, you can follow along with the behold studies in the Daily Grace Company shop or with the reading plan linked in the show notes. I want to turn our attention back to the first few chapters of Genesis, God's grand creation narrative and the origin of mankind. Adam and Eve lived in a garden of plenty. They were naked and unashamed. They had everything they could ever need. And best of all, there they enjoyed the uninhibited presence of God. They could talk with him, walk with him, and just be with Him. But the Garden of Eden was corruptible. A serpent, who we now know is Satan, deceived the couple into eating from the only tree in the garden that God prohibited. They desired more than what God had designated for them. Even worse, they desired to be like God. And so they ate of the tree. Immediately their eyes are opened to their nakedness and they hide in shame. Eventually, God cast them out of the garden and out of his uninhibited presence. Though mankind destroyed God's original paradise, God had a plan to redeem it all, to redeem everything tarnished under sin's reign. God pursued humanity. And this pursuit will culminate in in chapters 21 and 22 epic, beautiful chapters of hope. Jesus, the Redeemer of God's people is the centerpiece of the redemption plan God set in motion from the beginning. And yesterday we read that Jesus has conquered, Satan is gone, Evil is defeated. History as we know it has come to an end. And today we read about restoration, about the new heaven and the new earth. We read about God's people being prepared for Jesus like a bride is prepared for her groom. We read about God's presence finally dwelling once again uninhibited with man. This chapter opens up with the words of John then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, just as God's promised in Isaiah 65:17. But the focus of John's vision of the new heaven and the new earth is the radiance of the new Jerusalem coming down from heaven and dressed like a bride adorned for her husband. This depiction of Jerusalem likely refers to both the city and those within the city, for we know that the people of God are called Christ's bride. The bride is no longer waiting. She beholds the one who her heart is set upon. God's people will finally behold Jesus. God's people will finally enjoy the uninhibited presence of God. God's presence will characterize every crevice of the new creation. A loud voice booms from the throne in verse three, saying, look, God's dwelling is with humanity and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. Grief, crying and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Can you imagine the rejoicing of the seven churches from chapters two and three as they heard these verses read over them? God promises that one day their tears will be wiped. Their pain will be no more. Instead, God will live with his people. And this comfort rings true for us here today, just as it did for John's original hearers. No matter what we face on this side of heaven, the pain is temporary. God will make all things new. This is the encouragement that God asked John to write down. Those who persevere in Christ are sons and daughters of God and inherit the new kingdom and the new earth. But those who continue in rebellion and do not submit to God will suffer the same fate as Satan. This is an encouragement and a warning that reminds us of the purpose of John's letter to provide hope and encourage the perseverance of the saints. In the latter half of Revelation 21, an angel invites John to behold Christ's bride, Jerusalem, just as an angel invited John to peer upon Babylon in chapter 17. While Babylon was a symbol of depravity and immorality, the new Jerusalem will reflect God's glory and purity. From a high mountain, John peered down at the splendorous city arrayed in God's glory. Throughout the description, it's almost as if John cannot find enough words, gemstones, or measurements to fully encapsulate the wonder and awe of what he is seeing. Even so, we see some intentional symbolism here that that helps us worship God's new creation even further. The gates are named after the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Jesus, letting us know that those within Jerusalem are both Old Testament and New Testament believers, the entire family of God. And we see that the length, width and height of the city walls are equal. A cube of sorts. Scholars point out that the holiest of holy places in the Tabernacle, the space which held God's presence, was also built to be a cube in shape. And so how much more will God's presence dwell within the New Jerusalem in the redeemed earth? Speaking of God's presence, did you catch what was missing from the New Jerusalem? A temple. The glory of the former Jerusalem was once the temple, but now there is no need for one. God's presence no longer needs to be guarded or housed. Instead, the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. God's presence will rest uninhibited. God will dwell with his people. And God will be the light of his people. Jesus, his lamp will reflect his glory. There will be no longer a need for the sun or the moon because God's glory will be plenty. Though Eden was corruptible, the New Jerusalem will be incorruptible. For all of God's enemies have been subdued under Christ. Instead, nations will bring honor and glory to the Lamb without ceasing. What a future. What a joy to behold. What a savior to behold. Friends, we enjoy the presence of God today, but it is nothing compared to eternity. We drink of God's goodness now, but one day we will swim in it. God's glory will be all around us and within us. We will have never ending joy. Yes, our bodies will be made new. Our diseases will be healed. Our broken hearts will be restored. And those are merely side effects of the greatest joy. The greatest joy will be the uninhibited presence of God. Anything else is just icing on the cake. Today we behold Jesus as the linchpin of God's redemption. Without Jesus, Revelation 21 doesn't exist. Through Jesus we are reconciled to God. I don't know about you, but I'm having trouble putting words together for how glorious meeting Jesus will be. Instead, I will close by reading a quote from a Puritan preacher, Thomas Watson. He says, let this revive you. Shortly you will enjoy God and then you shall have more than you can ask or think. Glory. Without intermission or expiration. We will never be ourselves fully until we enjoy God eternally. I'll See you tomorrow friends for our last chapter of the New Testament, Revelation 22. What a joy it is to study God's Word.
[09:01]
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You thank you so much for listening to today's episode of A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace. Don't forget to check out the show notes for helpful links and resources related to today's episode. And make sure you are following aileygracepodcast on Instagram for more A Year in the Bible content and the Daily Grace co for all things Bible study resources. We can't wait to study again with with you tomorrow.
[09:28]
A
Bye friends.