Max's Weekly Musings
Vol. 10, No. 17, for the week of May 27 - June 2, 2007
Revelation 21

The summer of 2007 has officially begun.  For many it is that time of year when we can begin to slow the pace just a bit.  Boats and beaches beckon.  Barbeque grills are fired up and the aroma of steaks, chops, and burgers invade our senses.  It is a time for family get togethers and for family get aways.  It is time to find a good book, fill a glass of ice-cold lemonade, and sit back and refresh your mind.  Take some time this summer to stop and smell the roses. 

I was with a friend this past week who thanked me for the weekly updates on what is happening in the Middle East.  I shared with him how Israel and the conflict in the Middle East has become a passion of mine.  Daily I read several newspapers from the region and watch short newscasts from Israel.  So, what happened this past week in this strategic region of the world.  First, an election was held in Israel to select leadership for the Labor Party.  Amir Pertz, who had been the acting leader of this party and has served as Defense Minister in the Israeli cabinet, was soundly defeated.  His days of leadership in the Knesset are drawing to a close.  The reason for his defeat - a backlash for the disastrous events of the Second Lebanon War last summer.  Can Prime Minister Olmert's exit be far behind?  If the new Labor leadership pulls their party out of the coalition, then Olmert's government will collapse and he will be forced into retirement.  Stay tuned for this continuing saga.  Also, Kassam rockets continued their assault from the Hamas rocket-launchers in the Gaza Strip into the Jewish communities of the Southern Negev.  One community in particular, Sderot, was particularly hard hit with two people killed and hundreds injured.  The IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) launched air assaults against Hamas positions and leadership, killing many militants.  Yet Hamas continues the assaults.  They talk ceasefire one moment and fire rockets another moment.  So far the Israeli government has resolved not to launch a full-scale military incursion into the Gaza Strip, but if the assaults continue, look for pressures to increase for such an incursion to happen.  There is an end to Israel's patience.  And President Ahmadinejad continues his tirades against Israel, boasting before another group session in Tehran this week that Iran will continue developing its nuclear capability - laughing in the face of the rest of the world.  He also restated his goal to see Israel destroyed.  Yet, on Memorial Day, the United States sat down to dialogue with the representatives from this rogue nation.  One can only hope and pray that our nation will not sell out Israel for a mess of pottage.  I think it will be a very interesting summer in the Middle East.  By the way, if you have not read Joel Rosenberg's book, Epicenter, it would make great summer reading for you. 

We are now ready for those closing chapters of Revelation - the description of the new heaven and new earth.  By the way, Randy Alcorn's great book, Heaven, would be a valuable resource for better understanding the new heaven and new earth.  Reading it will give you the opportunity of cultivating an upward look. 

The key verse to these two chapters - Revelation 21 and 22 - is Revelation 21:5 which reads, "He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'  Then he said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'"  Everything new!  I cannot comprehend what that really means, can you?  This earth is pretty amazing in its beauty even though it is tainted by sin.  Can you imagine what the new earth will be like in the absence of sin?  Can you imagine how more vivid the colors will be?  Can you smell an air that is pollution free?  My mother always hung out her bedding to dry on a clothes line.  And I remember how fresh those sheets smelled.  Dryer sheets of today simply cannot compare.  I wonder how the sheets will smell after hanging in the new atmospheres of the new heavens and earth?  Should be awesome. 

Among other things I notice in the text that create this newness is found in verse 4 of Revelation 21.  There we read, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  As the bones creak and groan in the morning, this passage sounds more delightful.  As I watch death do its work, this passage becomes more exciting.  Can you imagine a world where there is no death - no funerals, no funeral homes, no cemeteries?  Can you imagine a world where there is no pain - no hospitals, no emergency rooms, no physicians?  Pretty staggering, isn't it?  Yet this is the world that awaits those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. 

And, how can all this happen?  I believe the answer is found in verse 3 of Revelation 21: "And I heard as loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.  They will be his people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.'"  Living continuously in the presence of the holy God!  His glory will fill the nations of the new earth.  His justice will be the only law of the nations.  And all worship will be directed toward Him!  It is little wonder that everything will be changed. 

And the centerpiece of this new heaven and earth will be a new city described as the New Jerusalem.  John describes it with great walls measuring some 216 feet high and made from materials like jasper.  The city is shaped like a cube, 1500 miles on each side.  Now that is a big city, room for lots of people to live.  I wonder who my neighbors will be?  I have always said that I hope Marlys will be right next door with the kids just down the street.  Wouldn't it be great to have a Jonah as your neighbor, or a Paul or Peter?  John continues by stating that the foundation of the city was made of twelve precious stones that allowed the light of the glory of God to radiate through them.  The names of the twelve apostles were written on those stones.  And the city had twelve gates, each one in the shape of a giant pearl, with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel engraved upon each one.  What a reminder for all of eternity that we are indebted to the Jews for our salvation. 

These are two chapters that we should read almost weekly just to get excited about our eternal home.  Reading them will help us to keep a proper perspective of this life.  We need to remember that we are just pilgrims here.  As the old Negro spiritual declared, "This world is not my home, I'm just passing through; My treasures are laid up beyond the blue; The angels beckon me and I can't be at home in this world anymore."

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Antiques are things one generation buys, the next generation gets rid of, and the following generation buys again.