A better country- heavenly one, the city of living God. By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 Weekly message: A better country- heavenly one, the city of living God.

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel music

June 6,2021

 

We have a better country a heavenly one; the city of living God and the foundation whose architect and builder is God. My friends, have you ever wondered what is the different between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant? What is the hope for Christianity?  What kind of city that God promised to His people? What kind of city Christians shall look forward to dwell together?  Today, let us discover a better city, the spiritual city, eternal in the heavens.   

According to the book of Hebrews 11 indicates a city, the foundations whose builder is God. When God called Abraham to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, he obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country, he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God. (Heb.11:8-10)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better county – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Heb.11:13-16) 

What kind of city God has prepared to them?

According to the book of Hebrews 12:18-24, unveils the vision and answer, it says, “You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word bespoken to them because they could not bear what was commanded: “if even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.” But you have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God; you have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Hebrews12:18, 22-24)

The difference between the Old Covenant (law) and the New Covenant (the gospel) are contrasted by comparing Mount Sinai, where the law was given, with Mount Zion, the spiritual city, eternal in the heavens and symbolic of the gospel of grace. Therefore, Apostle Paul emphasized that Christians are saved by grace, not by work. Though Jesus the “mediator”, we enter in the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly. The church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven, which are believers who belong to the church, the Body of Christ, Spirit of righteous men made perfect.      As Apostle John described the city in the book of Revelation 21, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”(Rev.21:23-27). And “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husbanded. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe ever tear from their eyes, there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed.” (Rev.21:2-4).  The New Jerusalem, heavenly city will be the abode of all the saints. (Heb.12:22-24). The bride of Christ (Rev.21:9-10), and the place Christ is preparing for His people (John14:2). During the Millennium the New Jerusalem apparently will be suspended over the earth, and it will be the dwelling place of all believers during eternity. (Rev.21:1-8).

My friends, what kind of country and city are you longing for? And look forward to participate with? Scriptures instructed certain group of people would not part of this Holy City, New Jerusalem. Who are they? “The unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is second death.” (Rev.21:8).  As Moses said, “I am trembling with fear”. And the author of Hebrews urged three times, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” (Heb.3:7,15; 4:7). For our God is a consuming fire. (Heb.12:28-29). Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts… (Heb.3:8, 15; 4:7). Joshua (Moses’ successor) could not lead all the people into the rest of dwelling in their promised land because of their unbelief. Likewise the believer today cannot enjoy a fully satisfying Christian life unless he believes all the promises of God, and even then he looks forward to that perfect future rest. The divine promise still holds good, the believer may enter into God’s rest through faith. This is true both of salvation and sanctification. Rest in the Christian life comes through complete reliance on God’s promises and full surrender to His will. (2Cor.5:7;Col.2:6)

To those who are believers shall work by faith not by sight. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. (Heb.11:6). Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and keep on worshiping God acceptably with reverence and awe. And fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, continually run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  And looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God. A better country – a heavenly one, a city God has prepared for us.

 

 

Bibliography,

        

      King James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company

   

      Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986.