The City of God
(Exhortation - April 1999)
As the evil actions of the wicked continue to escalate, we are increasingly aware of the need for the coming of Christ to fulfill the promises and establish the new world order of peace and righteousness. We see a world that has turned its back on God. The time in which we live really is "a time of trouble such as never was." As always, if we turn to the scriptures, we have that continuing vision of glory and message of hope for those who will put their trust in the Lord.
The eternal city
There is an important allegory found in the book of Hebrews relating to the
fulfillment of the promises to Abraham. "For he (Abraham) looked for a city which
has foundations whose builder and maker is God" (Heb. 11:10). This is not a
literal city made of mortar and stone, but a great future city comprised of immortalized
saints. It is the habitat that Abraham sought and one that we likewise seek. The patriarch
felt like a stranger in the land of promise, realizing his eternal destiny lay in the
future. Sharing his faithful anticipation, we long to enter the city God is preparing for
all people who are related to Abraham through his seed, the Lord Jesus Christ. While we
endure trials and temptation in a world gone mad with lust and crime, we are comforted and
sustained by our vision of hope, the city of God. "…They (the saints )
desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called
their God: for he has prepared for them a city" (Heb. 11:16).
Access into the city of God
The term, the city of God, is an analogy representing an entrance into the blessing of
immortality. The only access we have into this condition is through the Lord Jesus Christ.
"I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by
me" (Jn.14: 6). "Coming to" the Father contains a plurality
of meaning. Ultimately, we will join the Father in immortality. In the aggregate, the
immortalized saints are likened to a populous city in which God’s power will fully
dwell.
The house of God
A major part of the buildings of every physical city are the houses of its citizens
and the temples in which they worship. In the spiritual counterpart, the edifices are the
people who comprise the habitation of the Lord. "In my Father’s house are
many mansions (dwellings): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a
place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also" (Jn. 14:2,3). "…For
ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (II Cor. 6:16). The
very familiarity of these words may prevent us from grasping the full meaning and
therefore we may lose their impact. When the knowledge of God becomes universal, the
conditions of Eden will be restored and the most high God, maker of heaven and earth, will
dwell and walk again amongst humankind.
The corner stone
Prior to the raising of any great structure, much consideration and work goes into
laying the foundation. The same is true of God’s structure. As Paul warned, we must
be careful how we build upon the foundation that was laid by him. "For we are
labourers together with God...ye are God’s building. According to the grace of God
which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another
buildeth thereon." (I Cor. 3:9-10). Paul uses the corner stone as a type for
Christ. "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner stone. In whom all the building fitly framed
together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for
an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Eph. 2:20-21).
The apostle Peter gives the same illustration and, in addition, defines the faithful as living stones. "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded" (I Pet. 2:5,6). Christ is the perfect corner stone by which an accurate plumb line may be set for the erection of the household of God.
Our house from heaven
In a slightly different figure, Paul portrayed our future immortality as a house that
is from heaven. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were
dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which
is from heaven" (II Cor. 5:1-2). Here, Paul has beautifully captured and
expressed the urgency of our emotions longing for the coming glory of immortality. Again,
describing a vision, Paul says he was "caught up into paradise, and heard
unspeakable words, which it is not lawful (possible) for man to utter" (II Cor.
12:4).
We look forward to the day when, after judgment, we shall be caught up (raised up) from a mortal to an immortal nature and thereby dwell with our Lord in his kingdom on the earth.
The holy city new Jerusalem
Another inspiring vision was given to John while he was on the Island of Patmos.
"And I John saw the holy city new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven
prepared as bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them and they shall be
his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God" (Rev. 21:2-3).
The writer to the Hebrews also envisions this great city, "But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels" (Heb. 12:22).
When we meditate upon these beautiful visions of glory we echo the words of the psalmist, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (Ps. 23:6). Jesus Christ, as the Son of God, has been given charge over his Father’s house. Our hope is that we will remain part of that collective edifice. "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end" (Heb. 3:6).
How fitting it is for us to contemplate these wondrous topics in preparation to partake of the emblems, for they draw us into harmony with the things of God.
Gil Phillips, Reseda, CA