2006-11-3 05:37:00
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Revelation 21:22-23
A temple is a place where the presence of God is supposed to be. The inhabitants of the New Jerusalem have the Father's name within them, or God within. Because the kingdom of God is within them, as well as the presence of God, there is no need to go to any temple to enjoy that presence.
Instead of seeing the future earth as a place with no sun and moon (which is unlikely) we must look at the symbolic meaning. The sun and the moon are external lights and symbolize the external authorities and teachers who light the way for us. Each of us will have the light of the soul within us and will no longer have need to depend on others to light our way.
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. (Revelation 21:24)
The physical externalization on earth of the New Jerusalem will be created by the gathering of Lights, but look for the symbolic meaning of the dimensions and shape rather than the literal. When a physical New Jerusalem manifests we will see interesting correspondences to this prophecy but no one will have predicted exactly how it will look and be structured.
The fact that many will walk in the light of it tells us that, unlike today, those who have the inner light burning within will be seen as the true guides of the human race and these will be the teachers of the planet and give council to presidents, prime ministers and kings.
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. (Revelation 21:25-26)
The lights, the disciples, the spiritual teachers will provide a light that will always be available and all who seek council can pass through the "gates" which are always open. The glory and honor which, in the past, went to the kings and nations will go to the true guides of the human race. Imagine a time when a spiritual teacher receives greater glory than a president or king.
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)
It is interesting that the gates are always open, yet the wicked will not enter. Why? Because the only ones who seek council from the enlightened are themselves focused on the light. Those who lie and deceive do not seek light and will follow their own false light rather than seeking the soul or the light within the New Jerusalem.
Overall we are pointed to a future age where light and love dominate rather than lower emotion and selfishness.
We finally come to the last chapter. Here are the next verses:
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Revelation 22:2
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; In practice, there is.
Chuck Reid
Copyright © 2006 by J J Dewey, All Rights Reserved