Unlocking Eternity: The Ultimate Love Story in Revelation
Zech. 13-14, Rev. 21-22, Lam. 5
The End of the Story
Guest Post: Marcia Thorsell
When I finally volunteered for this post, I was flat scared!! Soooo much symbolism, so much mystery, so much unknown, so much prophetic!! I have never claimed to know that much eschatology and I certainly don’t have a great understanding of the prophets; nevertheless, here I am. This will be simple but I’ll share with you what brought me to tears as I read Revelation 21-22.
My fear was that I would get nothing because it is so complicated, but I asked the Holy Spirit to speak to me and as I read, I was overwhelmed. My friends….we are one of the main characters in the greatest love story ever known!! God is the storyteller and writer and Jesus is the hero of a story that was written before anything was even created! And these chapters in Revelation are the ending, the climax, the culmination of thousands of years of the love of God for us, his creation. Every single page of the Word is God preparing for us to spend eternity with him. From Genesis to Revelation and everything in between is the beautiful love of God for us on display….one continuous, detailed plan to live forever with His bride.
This was the intention since before the foundation of the world. It’s amazing to me that God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit knew then what this love story would look like with all of its betrayal and rejection and tragedy, as well as what price would have to be paid; yet, they somehow thought it was worth it….WE were worth it!! I don’t know about you, but I would’ve said, “oh well, new plan!!”
I remember many years ago hearing for the first time that Jesus is on every page of the Word. I had no idea what that meant, but over the years I’ve come to realize that’s it’s true. Everything in the Old Testament pointed to and prepared the way for Jesus. God started with a beautiful creation, the Garden of Eden, and man and woman, all for the purpose of being in perfect union with us……until…..it was shattered by the fall. Now the rest of the Old Testament, every story, was the unfolding of a plan to rescue us and get us back to that original dream. Every story was God loving, disciplining, and protecting a chosen people to ensure a very selective, intentional line for the birth of the Messiah. In the process, the stories, many of them horrifying, are God trying to guide a rebellious, flighty, stubborn, unworthy, ridiculously short-sighted and forgetful people and save them from utterly destroying themselves so that He could save them through Jesus. How many times was God’s heart broken? I am overwhelmed with His steadfast love for us.
The story continues. Finally, Jesus comes and in an amazing act of love, the ultimate sacrifice is made to restore us to righteousness and fellowship with God. The rest of the New Testament is the continuation of that love story as the Holy Spirit comes and the Gentiles are included. Now a way has been made for the whole world to be reunited with God and we, the church, the bride of Christ are in the process of making ourselves ready for that wedding day!..or should I say allowing the Holy Spirit to form us into his image.
Eph. 5:25-27 And to the husbands, you are to demonstrate love for your wives with the same tender devotion that Christ demonstrated to us, his bride. For he died for us, sacrificing himself to make us holy and pure, cleansing us through the showering of the pure water of the Word of God. All that he does in us is designed to make us a mature church for his pleasure, until we become a source of praise to him – glorious and radiant, beautiful and holy, without fault or flaw.
Rev. 19:7. Let us rejoice and exalt him and give him glory, because the wedding celebration of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.
Rev. 21:1,2 Then in a vision I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea no longer existed. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, descending out of the heavenly realm from the presence of God, like a pleasing bride that had been prepared for her husband, adorned for her wedding.
Friends, this is it, what it was all for. It’s the most romantic ending of all time for the longest, most romantic love story of all time!
Rev. 21:3,4 And I heard a thunderous voice from the throne, saying: Look! God’s tabernacle is with human beings. And from now on he will tabernacle with them as their God. Now God himself will have his home with them- ‘God with them’ will be their God! He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and eliminate death entirely. No one will mourn or weep any longer. The pain of wounds will no longer exist, for the old order has ceased.
God continues by saying he is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. He says he is making everything new….write it down…and know that these words are true and trustworthy!!! Can you imagine God on the throne speaking this to you? John already fainted once at the beginning of Revelation….I cannot imagine being shown these visions!
Rev. 21: 9-11 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the last seven plagues came to me and said, “Come, I will show you the beautiful bride, the wife of the Lamb.” He carried me away in the realm of the Spirit to the top of a great, high mountain. There he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. It was infused with the glory of God, and it’s radiance was like that of a very rare jewel…..
He continues on with a detailed description of this beautiful, extravagant city with jewels and gates of pearl and streets of gold, yet clear as glass and on and on. There was no need for sun or moon because the glory of God was there! I can’t give you an explanation of the New Jerusalem being referred to as the bride and the church being the bride, but somehow I know they are the same. All we can do is imagine this beauty in our minds, and with all the limitations of my mind, it is still so beautiful (I need another adjective) that I was overwhelmed and began to weep.
The description continues within the city, the river clear as crystal from the throne of God, the tree of life, every curse broken and no longer exists because the throne of God and of the Lamb are there in the middle, no more night, no more tears, reigning forever as kings and priests! This is the restoration of the beginning – the Garden of Eden. It was all to get us back there!! Our love story isn’t finished but this is the ending. Well it doesn’t end there because really that is just the wedding and then we have life with God forever! When John saw these things, he fell down again, this time in worship.
Rev. 22:7 “Behold, I come quickly!” Wonderfully blessed is the one who carefully guards the words of the prophecy of this book!”
Again there’s a declaration that these words are entirely trustworthy and true. In fact, there is quite a warning not to mess with these words at all or God will remove our portion from the tree of life and the holy city! These things are written to show us what has to happen swiftly.
Now, I admit that usually whenever I desire the Lord to come back, it is due to this ridiculously evil world, all the gross junk, and just not wanting to be here any longer. BUT, after reading these chapters this time, I can say “come Lord Jesus” from a different place because I have encountered the beauty of God and had a revelation of the love story that you and I star in! What a privilege! The Word is alive….and full of love!
Jesus, I want to be a bride ready for our wedding day! Thank you for your extravagant love! Thank you for your patience with me! And…..come quickly please!
Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts
- Reflection on Worthiness: Reflect on the idea that despite the chaos and pain in the story of humanity, God considered us worthy of His ultimate sacrifice. How does this shape your understanding of your own value and purpose?
- Exploring Divine Love: Write about a time when you felt lost or undeserving, and relate it to how God’s unwavering love through the scriptures (from Genesis to Revelation) can influence your perspective on divine love and redemption.
- Personal Revelation: As you think about the imagery of the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21 and 22, what emotions or thoughts arise? Describe how you imagine experiencing God’s presence in this perfectly restored city.
- Commitment to Preparation: Considering that we, the church, are described as the bride of Christ making ourselves ready, what are some ways you can prepare yourself spiritually for Jesus’ return? How can you align your daily actions and decisions with this eternal perspective?
- Contemplating Eternity: Revelation offers a glimpse into eternity with no more pain, tears, or death. How does this promise affect your current struggles or pains? Write about how the hope of eternity can transform the way you handle present difficulties.
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