The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God—the Sovereign-Strong—and the Lamb are the Temple. (Rev 21:21,22 The Message)
Presence
While cell phones invade our privacy, annoy us daily, tether us to too many things, and cost excessive money, they have one absolute blessing. Cell phones bring distant people near.
I wish cell phones had existed while we lived in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Australia. Family and friends seemed so far away.
Today, in a moment, I can contact and even see my distant grandchildren… old friends… new friends… past congregations… and even the three famous people I know!
The best part of John’s description of heaven is that the symbol of the Old Testament for God’s presence, the Temple, will not be needed anymore. Because the lamb of God, Jesus Christ, God Himself has become the temple. We Christians will not need a symbol of God’s presence, because Emmanuel will be our address.
And in fact, while we are not practiced in sensing it, or being aware of it, Emmanuel is already here.
Now, we see it as if in a dark cloudy window… but soon we will see Him as He actually is.
But we can see it, cloudy, misty, fuzzy, now.
I see it when a Christian loves me undeservedly. I see it when I catch a glimpse logically of God’s Master Planning. I see it when I know forgiveness. I see it when little hopes become realized now.
And you get to see those things, too.
We can not always know God’s presence, but in Jesus, we sometimes can.