The Way Home
THE CITY OF GOD
Story 21 - Revelation 7:9-17; 21:1- 27; 22:1-17
Again John saw the throne of God, and before it and the Lamb of God, stood a multitude of people so great that no man could count them. They were dressed in white robes, branches of palm were in their hands, and they cried with a loud voice, “Salvation unto our God upon the throne and unto the Lamb.”
And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the four living creatures and around the seats of the twenty-four elders; and the angels fell down on their faces and worshiped God, saying, “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and thanksgiving, and honor, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever.”
Then one of the elders spoke to John and said, “Who are these dressed in white robes? and from where did they come?”
And John answered, “My Lord, You know who they are and from where they come, but I do not know.”
Then the elder said, “These are they who have come up out of great trouble and sorrow, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For that cause they are before the throne of God, and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He that sits upon the throne shall spread His tent over them. They shall hunger no more, neither shall they thirst any more, nor shall the heat of the sun strike upon them. But the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall lead them as a shepherd and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
After this, John heard a great voice out of the throne, saying, “Behold, the house of God is with men; and God shall dwell among men and they shall be His people and He shall be their God. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death; neither shall there be weeping or crying nor pain any more.”
And He that was sitting upon the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new. I will give to him who is thirsty of the fountain of life freely.”
Then John seemed to be standing upon a great and high mountain; and he saw a glorious city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Over the city was a rich light, like that which glows in some precious stone, clear as crystal. Around the city was a lofty wall, and on each side of the wall were three gates. The city was foursquare, having twelve gates in all. Beside each gate stood an angel, and on the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The wall had twelve foundations, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lord. The wall was like jasper, and the city was built of pure gold, but a gold which seemed clear like glass. The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was one great pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, as clear as glass.
John could see no Temple in the city, and it needs none; for the Lord God and Jesus Christ the Lamb of God are its Temple. And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb of God is as a lamp in it. And the gates of the city shall not be shut by day, for there shall be no night there.
And the nations of men shall walk in the light of this city, and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it; and all the honor and glory of the nations of earth shall be brought into it. And into it shall never come anything that is evil or unclean or anyone who does what God hates or anyone who makes a lie. But only those whose names are written in the Lord’s book shall come into it.
And John saw a river of water of life, clear as crystal, coming forth from the throne of God and of the Lamb, and flowing through the street of the city. On each side of the river was growing the tree of life, bearing its fruit every month, twelve times in the year; and the leaves of the tree were to heal all people of their diseases. And in the city the Lord God and the Lamb shall reign as kings. When John had seen and heard all these things, he fell down to worship the angel who had shown them to him. But the angel said, “Do not worship me, for I am a fellow servant with you and with your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep the word of the book: worship God.”
And the angel said to John, “Do not seal up the words of what you have heard and seen, but tell them to all men. And the Spirit and the bride say ‘Come.’ And let him that hears, say ‘Come.’ And let him that is thirsty come; and whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
Dad closed the Bible. The fire had burned down; only hot coals remained. The rain had ended; the sky was clear and stars were twinkling. The sun had set; it was dark outside. Mom stood at the door into the living room and said, “I’ve been listening, too, and now all three of us know The Way Home to heaven, and we can go there together.” Judy stretched and as she was hugging dad, mom said, “Dinner’s ready.”
