Chapter XII
The Glory of God
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory
which shall be revealed in us
Romans 8:18
Just hours before His arrest, trial and crucifixion, Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemanae and poured out His heart to His Father in heaven. The words He would utter at this particular time are among the most poignant ever recorded. It is simply impossible to truly grasp what was taking place in the stillness of that evening. However, it is clear that this was a very special moment.
The Garden of Gethsemanae
The events that were about to cascade down upon the Messiah bore tremendous weight and stand as a pivotal point in God’s Plan. For this reason, He sought the strength and virtue of the only person in the entire universe who could lead him through it. Kneeling before His Father in heaven was something that defined so much of the Jesus’ life. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that this is what He would be doing as He prepared for His death.
The immense love and devotion these two Beings had for each other is simply beyond human comprehension. For all eternity this Father and Son had shared life’s greatest mysteries. They were together when the angelic realm was created. They were together when the universe was fashioned. They were together when Lucifer rejected God’s sovereignty and moral leadership. They were together when man was formed out of the dust of the earth. They were together when the Destiny of all mankind was first envisioned. They were together when the Plan that would bring that Destiny to fruition was crafted.
Now, once again, they are together. They are intimately connected as the most selfless act in history is about to play out. With this said, there is something else taking place at this moment. As they share the final evening of Jesus’ life, the time is now rapidly approaching when they will no longer be together. Imagine being cut off from the one Being in the universe who meant everything to you. This is what these two Wonderful Champions would experience in just a matter of hours.
As Jesus cried out to His Father, the agony He was going through was very apparent. The gospel of Luke states that the perspiration that fell from Him “became as it were great drops of blood” (Lk. 22:44). So intense was this moment that an angel was dispatched from heaven to strengthen Him. However, at this point, for the next precious minutes it would be just Jesus of Nazareth and His eternal Father.
An Extraordinary Appeal
The gospel of John records words of extraordinary power spoken by Jesus as He approached the garden of Gethsemanae. Here, in a prayer that may very well have been in the presence of all His disciples, the Messiah reveals that He was fully aware that something horrible was looming over Him. He knew that His end was near.
These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you. As you have given him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as you have given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have glorified you on the earth: I have finished the work which you gave me to do. (Jn. 17:1-4)
It is interesting that Jesus said He had “finished” the work His Father had given Him. This, even though He had not yet been crucified. At this point, it is important to understand that Jesus was fully aware of the significance of His impending death as well as its method (crucifixion). Clearly, the Messiah knew that His sacrifice represented a critical part of the work He had been given (1Jn. 3:5). Yet, He still uttered these words. This being the case, it is obvious that Jesus was speaking in a very assumptive tone. He was declaring that His sacrifice was already fixed in His Father’s will and He knew that He would carry it out. In other words, it was as good as done.
Jesus would then appeal to the Father to restore to Him the glory He possessed prior to his incarnation, even prior to the time the earth came into existence. Notice what He said.
And now, O Father, glorify you me with thine own self with the glory I had with you before the world was. (Jn. 17:5)
The Greek word “glory” used by the apostle John when recording Jesus’ prayer, is doxa and can be translated: “dignity,” “honor,” “praise,” or “worship.” Here, Jesus was importuning the Father to return to Him the great dignity He surrendered when He came to earth as a man. Consider what Jesus willingly left behind in order to become flesh.
Prior to His birth, the Messiah was infinitely powerful. Even time and space could not subdue Him (Psa. 90:1-2). His strength was endless. His beauty and majesty was unmatched. His wisdom and virtue was pristine.
Jesus was the God of the Old Testament. It was He who spoke and earth existed. It was He who fashioned the heavens by His Wisdom. Jesus was the One who spoke to Abraham in Haran and to Moses on Mount Sinai. He was El Shaddai, the Almighty.
But now he was just a man. He had all the weaknesses that come with being human. Jesus could tire and even become exhausted. He could suffer hunger and thirst as well as pain. Furthermore, all the love and mercy He possessed could not insulate Him from the excruciating agony He would soon experience at the end of His life. His body was literally going to be ripped apart in a brutal ritual called “scourging.” He was then going to be nailed to a stake and left to die in the presence of His own mother. This is not something anyone would normally look forward to. But Jesus gave up eternity to be in this very spot. And He had no illusions regarding what was about to occur at a place called Golgotha. He was well aware of the numerous prophecies describing the gory details of His death. He inspired the twenty-second Psalm and the fifty-third chapter of the book of Isaiah. With this in mind, consider how this perfect Savior’s life would come to an end.
The Death of the Lamb
No single event in all the Bible consumes more room in the scriptures than the last twenty-four hours of Jesus’ life. In the gospels alone, thirteen chapters are dedicated to this moment. Here, God’s only begotten Son will be offered up as a perfect sacrifice to atone for the sins of all who will accept this great gift.
This period would begin with Jesus and His disciples partaking of the Passover in accordance with God’s command (Lev. 23:5). At this time, the Messiah would reveal that He was the true Passover Lamb whose body would be broken and whose blood would be shed (Mt. 26:27-29). Additionally, during this meal, Jesus would indicate that He would be betrayed by one of His own disciples (Jn. 13:21). This must have been one of the saddest announcements the Messiah would ever make.
On the night of His betrayal
Jesus would institute new Passover symbols
After the meal, Jesus and His disciples, less Judas Iscariot, journeyed toward the garden of Gethsemanae. It is here that He would spend His last precious hours of freedom. As the Messiah agonizingly prayed over what was about to take place, His three closest friends, Peter, James, and John were sleeping just a stone’s throw away (Lk. 22:41-46).
The Arrest of the Messiah
The gospels indicate that as Jesus concluded praying to His Father in the garden, a contingent of armed soldiers representing the chief priests and the pharisees could be heard approaching. Leading this group was none other than His betrayer, Judas Iscariot. According to John’s account, Jesus would then go forth to meet them (Jn. 18:4). At this point, an important but often overlooked fact takes place. Jesus went out to meet Judas and his party – as opposed to waiting for them to come to Him. This extraordinary act of courage speaks volumes about the Messiah and reveals Him as one who was totally prepared to advance toward the enemy of the faith even if it would mean His death.
At this point, events would begin to accelerate. For the next several hours Jesus would be tried by the Jewish leadership under the direction of Caiaphas, the high priest, and his father-in-law, Annas. Annas had also served as high priest from 6 A.D. to 15 A.D. At that time he was removed from office by the Roman procurator, Valerius Gratus. Some authorities have suggested that Annas was involved in Jesus’ trial because he may have been instrumental in formulating the actual charges against Him. However, despite their greatest effort, Annas and Caiaphas had to rely on the testimony of false witnesses in their attempt to secure a guilty verdict. Their hostility toward the Messiah became so warped that they would do anything to destroy Him.
Meanwhile, as Jesus was being slandered and condemned in a kangaroo court presided over by the great “moral leaders” of God’s people, His most loyal disciple was publically forsaking Him. The apostle Peter, who had once rebuked the Messiah for even thinking he would allow his Savior to be abandoned (Mt. 16:21-22; Lk. 22:33), was now denying that he even knew Him. Peter did this at three different times. So adamant was his third denial that he actually pronounced a curse on himself to prove he had never been one of Jesus’ disciples (Mt. 26:72-74). In this moment of great weakness, Peter abandoned his Lord just as Jesus said he would (Mt. 26:75). Now, consumed with fear and guilt, he would depart in grief, leaving his Savior alone. However, for Jesus, things would only get worse.
After being formally condemned by the high court of the Jews, the Messiah was bound and brought before Pontus Pilate, the governor of Judea at that time. His accusers informed Pilate that Jesus was guilty of the highest crimes against Rome. These crimes included: 1) perverting the nation, 2) tax evasion, and 3) insurrection and treason (Lk. 23:2). John’s gospel indicates that Jesus was also accused of being “an evil doer” (Jn. 18:30).
Although Pilate did not have a reputation as a just man, even he could tell Jesus was innocent of the charges being leveled against Him (Lk. 23:14-16). Pilate even understood the motivation these religious leaders had for trying to destroy the Messiah (Mt. 27:18). However, the pressure applied on him to execute Jesus was growing greater by the minute. While all his sensibilities told him to walk away from this situation, the fear of a public uprising told him he could not (Mt. 27:24).
NOTE:
Some have argued that Pontius Pilate was not a real historical figure. However, in 1961, archaeologists discovered a plaque fragment at Caesarea Maritima, an ancient Roman city along the Mediterranean coast of Israel. The plaque was written in Latin and imbedded in a section of steps leading to Caesarea’s Amphitheatre. The inscription includes the following:
“Pontius Pilatus, Prefect of Judea, has dedicated to the people of Caesarea a
temple in honor of Tiberius.”
After several maneuvers to absolve himself from having to pass judgment in this matter, Pilate found himself cornered by a growing crowd, crying out for Jesus’ blood. The instigators of this pressure even challenged the governor’s loyalty to Caesar and Rome. They suggested that if Jesus was released, Pilate would be, for all intents and purposes, complicit in treason (Jn. 19:12).
With his options running out, Pilate made one final move. In a last ditch effort to spare Jesus’ life, he presented a choice to the mob that was gathering outside. He would at this time invoke a Passover custom in which a condemned man would be set free (Mt. 27:15). In accordance with this custom, he would allow the Jews outside his palace to choose who would be released.
At this point, Pilate sought out the most despicable criminal he could find, and his search led him to a man named Barabbas. Barabbas was sentenced to die for high crimes against Rome. He was convicted of insurrection, murder and robbery (Lk. 23:19, 25). Matthew’s gospel refers to him as “notorious” (Mt. 27:16 NIV). By today’s standard, Barabbas could easily be likened to a violent terrorist. He was a first century sociopath with no redeeming qualities.
Pilate then ordered that this vile man be brought before the crowd. With this final stroke, the governor places before his growing audience two men; Jesus of Nazareth and Barabbas. He then invites his audience to determine who should live and who should die.
To Pilate the choice seemed obvious. However, he was gravely mistaken. When he asked the crowd who should be released, Jesus or Barabbas, the crowd, in a near frenzy, cried out, “Give us Barabbas!” The irony of their appeal was unquestionably lost on them, but it was truly remarkable. The name Barabbas means “son of the father.” Here at this precise moment, a pseudo “son of the father” would be released while the real “Son of the Father” would be condemned.
As the cry of the mob was still echoing through Pilate’s courtyard, the fate of Jesus was sealed. The last appeal for clemency had been denied. Here, the Great God of the Old Testament is about to become the Lamb of New Testament. With a death sentence now passed, Pilate orders Jesus to be prepared for execution. What would take place next was truly sickening. Pilate ordered Jesus delivered up to be “scourged,” a ritual that was totally devoid of mercy (Mt. 27:26).
Scourging was a form of beating in which the thongs of a whip were weighted with jagged pieces of bone or metal to make the blows more effective. This practice was used to wrest confessions and secrets from enemies. Unlike beatings that were performed by the Jews (“forty lashes”), the Roman practice left the number of blows up to the whim of the one commanding the affair.
During this gory ritual, victims were tied to a stake with back bare, and generally fainted from the blows if they didn’t die outright. Furthermore, a special scourging was designed to prepare a person for crucifixion. Under this practice, the administrator would “artfully” bring his victim to the brink of death, then pause to allow him to gain some strength. He would then sadistically resume the beating which would nearly skin his victim alive. This scourging was appropriately referred to as the “half death,” and is undoubtedly what Jesus was subjected to.
After being mercilessly beaten and bruised, an exhausted Messiah was marched to the site of His execution. As He limped toward Golgotha, He could hear the taunts and jeers of the crowds that followed Him. Then, at about 9:00 am Jesus was nailed to a beam that would suspend His bloody body for the next six hours. The pain he was now suffering was unbearable.
A Torturous Death
Crucifixion was one of the most barbarous forms of punishment known to man. It was practiced in times of war by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Egyptians, and later by the Romans. It was unspeakably cruel and degrading. The agony of crucifixion was brought about by the painful character of the wounds inflicted, the great suffering caused by the position of the body, and the traumatic fever induced by hanging for such a long time. This is how God’s beloved Son would spend the final hours of His life.
As Jesus’ ravaged body was exposed for all to see, His love for mankind was not abated. The first words He spoke were “Father forgive them: for they know not what they do”(Lk. 23:34). Imagine the enormity of love that inspired such words. Here hung a man more innocent than any child. Never once did He consider evil as an option. He never spoke a vile word nor pondered a wrong thought. The crucifixion of Jesus stands as the greatest act of injustice ever committed by man. And Jesus’ response stands as the most merciful utterance in history. So committed was this Great King to the forgiveness of sin that He offered His own life so that man would not have to suffer the eternal consequences of his actions.
To Die Alone
The scriptures reveal that as Jesus was suffering the final moments of His torturous execution, he would experience the greatest horror of His life. In order for Him to pay the price for the sins of all mankind, He would have to shoulder them on His own. All the evil ever perpetrated by the human family was now going to be conveyed to the Messiah.
At this moment, Jesus became sin. He now felt the ugliness of every act of depravity as well as every nuance of error. At this moment, Jesus was very imperfect. As He hung suspended in this state, His Father turned away, leaving Him to die alone. All the intimacy they had shared throughout eternity was, in a moment, gone. The horror the Messiah was going through is simply beyond belief. He had now become everything He despised. At this point, He cried out to His Father in heaven, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” (Mt. 27:46). Noticeably absent was any answer.
NOTE:
The term “forsaken” comes from the Greek egkataleipo (Strong’s G1459) and means to “totally abandon, desert, leave in straits, leave helpless, and to utterly forsake.” The point here is that God didn’t simply step back and observe Christ’s final moments from a distance—He literally walked away and “TOTALLY ABANDONED His Son.
In essence, Jesus took upon Himself the penalty reserved for mankind. In other words, He accepted His Father’s CONTEMPT in order that mankind would not have to. In that state our Savior was deprived of any mercy or compassion. His fate was ABSOLUTE REJECTION and TOTAL CONDEMNATION.
Moments after Jesus’ cry of anguish, a soldier would drive a spear into his side causing massive hemorrhaging (Mt. 27:49 Moffatt Translation). As His blood poured forth from His body, Jesus was now only seconds away from becoming the Savior of the world. His final utterance before commending His spirit back to the Father was, “It is finished” (Jn. 19:30). With these words, Jesus was declaring that he had accomplished what He purposed in His heart before the world was even formed. He had reconciled God’s children back to the Father (Ro. 5:10). With this marvelous act of love a door to eternity was opened. Through it, God’s human family would have an opportunity to become His spiritual Family and to share eternity with Him.
The Great Sacrifice
The apostle Paul once revealed that Jesus Christ left an incorruptible world He had been a part of for all eternity and humbly entered into one that had been contaminated by four thousand years of human mismanagement. He did this in order to shed His blood for the sins of all mankind.
Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Phil. 2:5-6)
Returning to Gethsemanae
When Jesus was in Gethsemanae appealing to His Father to restore to Him the glory He had from the beginning (Jn. 17:5), He was not seeking personal status. He was not pursuing power for the sake of power. What Jesus desired was that He and the Father would be reunited and once again govern eternity together. It was a request that must have deeply moved His Father and it was one His Father would gladly grant. Notice the words of the apostle Paul.
Wherefore God also has highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every other name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil. 2:9-11)
The Bible reveals that this same Jesus was “received up unto glory”(1Tim. 3:16). That glory was restored to Him by His Father after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. It was the glory He had with the Father from the foundations of the world. Furthermore, the day is coming when all mankind will acknowledge that glory and will kneel before this Great King. They will recognize Him as their Lord and give Him profound deference. To illustrate this truth, consider the words of one of Jesus’ closest friends.
Worthy of Glory
When recording the book of Revelation, the apostle John stated that at one point he saw a vision in which billions of angelic beings paid tribute to the Savior of the world. Furthermore, he indicated that virtually every created being in the universe would ultimately do the same.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Rev. 5:11-13)
The time is coming when the entire universe will understand how magnificent the Father and the Son truly are. That understanding will be proclaimed in the great honor it will bestow upon them. The praise that will be brought before these two Champions will be heartfelt. It will be genuine and sincere. It will reflect the undying gratitude of an entire universe to its God and His Plan.
Remembering the Saints
When Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemanae, His petition to the Father did not end with His request to be returned to glory. He would also direct His attention to His disciples as well as those who would be touched by them. Jesus asked His Father to anoint their work and to preserve them in the truth (Jn. 17:17-19). He then appealed to the Father for the saints to be united in the faith (Jn. 17:20-21).
However, what would happen next was truly remarkable. Jesus would proclaim a special blessing He had bestowed on His disciples and those who would be called through their work. Notice His words to the Father.
And the glory which you gave me I have given them; that they may be one even as we are one. (Jn. 17:22)
Here, Jesus is stating that He intends to share with His saints the glory He was given by the Father. Imagine the magnitude of that statement. If it is to be taken at face value, the saints are going to share in the very glory of God Almighty. As amazing as Jesus’ words may sound, that is exactly what is going to happen.
The Bible reveals a great mystery concerning the incredible potential God has bestowed upon mankind. This potential reflects an extraordinary Destiny envisioned by the Creator before the universe ever existed. The apostle Paul revealed this mystery in a letter to the church at Corinth.
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory. (1Cor. 2:7)
Here, Paul reveals that those raised up at the last trump will share a common Destiny and a great glory. It is a glory that was envisioned by God before the world came into being. When it is fully realized, God’s children will be born into His Family as literal sons and daughters. They will have His nature and His glory. They will be just like Him. This is not the only time Paul spoke of the saints being glorified. In his letter to the church at Colosse, he once again identified this truth as a mystery revealed.
Even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col. 1:26-27)
The glory that the resurrected saints are going to experience is nothing short of colossal. To better grasp this truth, consider the glory Jesus Christ possesses at this very moment. It is a glory He shared with His Father throughout eternity. That glory was described by the apostle John after he was taken in vision to the very throne of God the Father in the third heaven. Here, he paints a picture of a place that is truly breathtaking.
After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show you things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and behold a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Rev. 4:1-3)
As John continues to describe this extraordinary vision, the images become even more remarkable. He states that in addition to this great throne and the exquisite Being that sat upon it, there were twenty-four smaller thrones surrounding it. Sitting on these smaller thrones were royal counselors clothed in white and wearing crowns of gold. Additionally, John indicated that out of the GREAT THRONE came lightnings and thunderings and voices. But there was more.
John then proclaims that standing before this great throne were seven burning lamps that he identified as the seven spirits of God. In addition to that, there were four spectacular creatures, each having six wings. These creatures continually offered praises to the Infinite God who sat on the throne.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night saying Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was and is and is to come. (Rev. 4:8)
John goes on to say that while these four beasts were singing praises to the Eternal God, the twenty-four counselors were casting their crowns before Him and acknowledging Him as the Creator of all that exists.
The four and twenty elders fall down before Him that sat on the throne, and worship Him that lives for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created. (Rev. 4:10-11)
The glory that God the Father and Jesus Christ share is spectacular and is unique to them as infinite God Beings. But Jesus said He desired to share that glory. Furthermore, that desire is expressed throughout the New Testament. The apostle Paul stated that it would be realized when the saints are resurrected at the last trump.
So is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. (1Cor. 15:42-43)
Later Paul would write that the saints would be changed into a glorified state just as Jesus was.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2Cor. 3:18)
This is the Destiny that awaits the saints who endure to the end and are born into the Family of God. The physical world they lived in with all its suffering and trials will be no more. In its place will be an incorruptible Kingdom. And although the suffering of God’s people down through the ages has been significant, it is not worthy to be mentioned in the same breath with what lies at the end of their journey. Paul said it this way.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Ro. 8:18)
The point Paul was making is that trials are a part of every true believer’s walk. In short, trials are inevitable. However, Paul also understood the role adversity plays in God’s Plan, and even indicated that the suffering of the saints will actually be used by God to build their glory. In a sense, trials are a part of the training the saints must go through in order to be leaders in God’s Kingdom.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (2Cor. 4:17)
Resistance Builds Muscle
There is a expression in the sporting world that goes like this: “Resistance builds muscle.” Not only is this principle true in the physical realm, but it is also true with respect to qualities of character and virtue. The trials man faces have the potential to build great spiritual strength. It is true that adversity is never enjoyable, but it can be very profitable. Adversity builds character. Trials can teach a variety of lessons about patience, determination, faith, and even humility. All of these traits of character will possess immense value in God’s Kingdom. For this reason, James, the brother of Jesus, said that the saints should actually rejoice in trials.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into diverse temptations (tests); Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. (Jas. 1:2-3)
With these words, James was declaring that trials are actually a source of Christian joy. This is because of what they can build in a true believer. Additionally, the scriptures declare that trials are not to be fled from, but rather are to be confronted and conquered. They should be met face-to-face and dealt with just as the Messiah did with the great test He faced at the end of His life.
At this point, it is important to understand that God is not looking for escape artists to inherit His Kingdom. He wants overcomers. Jesus Christ said precisely that when speaking to His church.
To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in His throne. (Rev. 3:21)
Consider the power of this verse. Here, Jesus is declaring that He will share His authority with those who fight against sin. These are not idle words. Jesus was not simply giving some motivational speech to the troops. This is an absolute promise by none other than the Savior of the world. Those who overcome will sit in the VERY THRONE of the Creator of the universe. They will share HIS GLORY and HIS AUTHORITY. This is the ultimate Destiny of all the saints who yield to Him and subdue their nature – a nature that rejects God as the Great Moral Authority of the universe. Furthermore, this Destiny which was envisioned by a Master Architect so very long ago will be fulfilled in an eternal city designed by none other than God Himself.
An Eternal Kingdom
The twenty-first chapter of the book of Revelation reveals an exquisite Kingdom that will appear after the Great White Throne Judgment. In the prior chapter we learned that this judgment represents the final dispensation of justice for the human family. At this time, all mankind will appear before their Creator and hear His sentence on them. Those who have overcome and now acknowledge Him as the true Moral Authority of the universe will enter into life. Those who refuse to do so will die. In other words, those whose names are written in the Book of Life will receive life and be truly born again. They will, for the first time, be comprised of incorruptible spirit. They will become a part of God’s eternal and infinite Family.
However, man’s conversion from a corruptible state to an incorruptible one is not the only change to take place. The Bible reveals that the entire universe will also be changed. It, too, will become incorruptible. The apostle John describes it as being “new.”
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Rev. 3:1)
The scriptures declare that at some point after all mankind has entered into eternity, Jesus Christ will reshape the entire universe. It will no longer be corruptible. It will experience the same change that God’s human family will experience (Ro. 8:21). It will become eternal in form and composition.
In Chapter IV, we learned that the universe was created physical in order to accommodate physical beings, such as man and the animals. However, at this point, there will be no more physical creatures. Everything will be incorruptible. Nothing will die (1Cor. 15:26). This being the case, a new dimension will be constructed as the home of God’s eternal Family. This home is referred to as a New Heaven and a New Earth.
The scriptures do not indicate what this eternal Kingdom will be made of, but it is possible that the Great Creator will return the universe to the state it was in before it became physical. Earlier we learned that God fashioned the heavens and the earth out of things not seen (Heb. 11:1-3). In other words, the universe was made out of something that could be converted from a spiritual state into a physical state. This “something” was a type of spiritual essence. This being the case, it is possible that God will somehow reverse the process. Thus, the universe will move from a physical state back to one that is spiritual.
The New Jerusalem
At this point, John sees a spectacular architectural wonder coming down toward him out of heaven. It is a great city and its name is New Jerusalem. Furthermore, escorting it is none other than God the Father. Notice the words John uses when describing this moment.
And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a 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)
John goes into considerable detail when describing this magnificent structure. He indicates that its dimensions reflect a perfect cube. It is twelve thousand furlongs long, twelve thousand furlongs wide, and twelve thousand furlongs high (Rev. 21:15-16). This would make the surface of the city one hundred and forty-four million square furlongs, or approximately 1400 miles long and 1400 miles wide. To put this into perspective, the width as well as the length of this city would be the distance between Los Angeles and Dallas. This being the case, the New Jerusalem is larger than most countries on earth today. Suffice it to say there has never been anything like it.
John then explains that this great architectural wonder is surrounded by an immense wall that soars one-hundred and forty-four cubits into the sky (Rev. 21:17). This would make the wall surrounding this great city taller than a twenty story building. John also states that this wall has twelve foundations and that these foundations bear the names of the twelve apostles. Additionally, each is adorned with a collection of precious stones, with different stones for each foundation (Rev. 21:19-20).
John then states that entrance into the New Jerusalem is made through twelve gates, with three gates on each of the city’s four sides. These gates, which are made of pearls, contain the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Additionally, each gate is attended by a great angelic sentry. At this point, it is easy to see that this city is very unique and is the product of considerable planning. The scriptures reveal that the blueprints for the New Jerusalem were crafted before the foundations of the world, and that this majestic place was actually envisioned by God in the vast expanse of eternity. It was this very city that God revealed to Abraham some four thousand years ago (He. 11:8-10). Here, He does so again to the apostle John at the end of the first century.
The Interior of the City
When describing the New Jerusalem, John reveals much more than the appearance of its exterior. He also paints a remarkable picture of what lies inside this eternal city. In doing so, he reveals an exquisite place – a place of great dignity and splendor. He states that the main street in this city is made of pure gold so highly polished its appearance is "like transparent glass” (Rev. 21:21). Additionally, in the midst of the city is a pure river containing waters of life.
When describing the New Jerusalem, John indicated that it would be a place of great peace and eternal hope. It would not only be the seat of God’s perfect Government, but also the home of His people. A home of infinite joy, where all things are new.
And God shall wipe all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new... (Rev. 21:4-5)
In the world today it is hard to imagine such a place as New Jerusalem. This is because everything we see in this present age is so horribly broken. Throughout history, mankind has endeavored to create a world in his own image – a world that reflects his wisdom and his values. He began this journey in the garden of Eden. There he decided that he could be his own moral authority. He would decide what was right and what was wrong, what was just and what was unjust, what was good and what was evil.
The result has been unspeakable suffering and has brought us to the world we see today. A world filled with discord and violence. A world where hate and contempt drive its politics. A world where crassness is at the cutting edge of its culture. A world that calls the perverse moral and the moral perverse. Lets’s face it, today we live in a world that is horribly broken.
A Matter of Choice
When man and woman were first placed in the garden of Eden, God set before them a choice. It was a choice that would have profound implications on the New Jerusalem. On one side of this choice was a path that would lead to life. However, that path could only be traveled by obeying the Great Creator and Sustainer of the universe. In order to do so, Adam and Eve would have to accept God as the true Moral Authority of heaven and earth. If they did, their names would be written in the Book of Life.
However, in order to accept God’s Moral Authority over their lives, they would have to reject the way of self-determination. That way was pictured by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The point here is that man must totally reject the source of death before he can embrace the source of Life. Furthermore, every human being that has ever lived must make that decision. No one is exempt. In other words, in order to enter into God’s spiritual Kingdom, all mankind must totally and absolutely reject the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Throughout human history, mankind has failed to understand this vital point. As a result, he continues to reject the very God who made him. In a very real sense, man continues to eat from a tree that can only kill.
The Curse of Death
The Bible reveals that as a result of Adam and Eve partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they brought upon themselves and their descendants the curse of death (1Cor. 15:22). However, as we learned earlier in this chapter, Jesus Christ offered Himself as a ransom for sin and by doing so made it possible for man to live in His Father’s Kingdom. But there are conditions.
At this point, it is important to understand that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ does NOT atone for the sins of the unrepentant. Therefore, man must turn from his way and obey his Creator. It is simply not good enough to confess “Jesus is Lord” and then “do your own thing.” This is a lesson all humanity must learn in order to be a part of God’s eternal Family. Nothing short of it will do.
The bottom line is this. Man must utterly destroy the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. No part of it can be allowed to survive. Not a branch. Not a twig. Not its smallest particle. Every piece of moral self-will must die. In its place, man must accept and receive God’s virtue and His will. This is why the process of conversion begins with repentance, not baptism. Repentance is the rejection of self-will. Baptism is the acceptance of God’s mind and His will to live in you. Before that mind can be received, man must reject what he has become and the self-will that made him that way.
A Tree in New Jerusalem
When describing the New Jerusalem, John indicates that in its midst is a very special tree. This tree has life-sustaining properties. It has the power to heal as well as to nourish. Notice the words that God inspired John to record when describing this amazing tree.
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it and His servants shall serve Him. (Rev. 22:2-3)
Here John states that the tree of life is once again made available to God’s children. However, noticeably absent from this beautiful city is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. At this point, that tree will have been utterly destroyed. There will be no remnant of it. Everything it stood for will have been rejected by God’s eternal Family. In its place will be a tree that pictures God’s Moral Authority over the universe. That tree will proclaim His will. It will be a tree that embodies eternal hope – a hope that will radiate throughout the entire universe. That hope will be realized because at the very center of it is God’s will and His virtue.
When Jesus gave what is commonly referred to as the Sermon on the Mount, He taught His disciples to pray: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done...” (Mt. 6:10). He did this because He knew that His Father’s eternal Kingdom would be driven by God’s righteousness, not man’s. In order for man to be a part of that Kingdom, he must not only accept that fact, he must embrace it. Jesus of Nazareth certainly understood this truth and His entire life reflected that understanding. Consider one powerful example. On the eve of His crucifixion, He actually appealed to His Father in heaven to remove the cup containing the horror of His impending death. However, He concluded His prayer with the words, “Nevertheless not My will, but Your will be done” (Lk. 22:42). And the rest, as they say, is history.
The lesson from this great moral law is that self-will cannot co-exist with obedience to God. They are mortal enemies. In other words, man cannot be the moral authority over his life and still expect to receive the benefits that can only come from honoring the true Moral Authority of the universe. This is why God prohibited man access to the tree of life after Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden. He simply would not allow man to partake of both trees. God gave man a choice, but he could only chose one.
In a very real sense, Eden was a picture of man’s Destiny. At the center of that Destiny could only be ONE tree. As the first man and woman on earth pondered their choice, eternity hung in the balance. The Bible reveals that they chose a tree whose destiny was death and by doing so, rejected the tree whose Destiny was – and is – eternal life. As a result, man was consigned to a temporal existence where eternity would have no part.
However, the scriptures also reveal that a Great and Merciful God would ultimately intervene and rescue man from the curse of death (Ga. 3:13). To do that, God Himself would have to die and take all the sins of mankind with Him. As a result of this infinite sacrifice, the hope of an eternal Kingdom moved forward, and with it, the hope of all mankind. This wonderful hope is reflected in the magnificent Destiny that awaits God’s children. A glimpse into that very Destiny was once revealed by a majestic angelic being.
An Angel Speaks
The book of Revelation is filled with amazing images and wonderful lessons. But there is one image that stands alone as perhaps its most extraordinary. It is an image that reveals the fulfillment of a special Destiny reserved for those whom God has called during this life. This community of believers will be born into God’s incorruptible Kingdom at the last trump. The scriptures refer to this moment as the “first resurrection” (Rev. 20:4).
Furthermore, the Bible calls this “a better resurrection” (Heb. 11:35). Those who are a part of it will enjoy a unique position in God’s Kingdom. They will be the very bride of Jesus Christ, the Lamb. They will share a common throne and rule at His side for all eternity.
When John saw the New Jerusalem coming down from God, he must have been awestruck. However, what he would see next was gripping beyond belief. He would be introduced to this vision by a great angelic being who served at the pleasure of God Almighty.
When recounting this extraordinary moment, John stated that he was approached by an angel who poured out the seven last plagues. This angel then invited him to see the bride of Christ. One almost gets the impression that this magnificent angelic creature is whispering this invitation. Notice what John writes.
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me saying, Come hither, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife. (Re. 21:9)
At this point, John is shown an exquisite bride. Her beauty is nothing short of stunning. Her virtue is perfect. And her glory reflects that of God Himself.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper, clear as crystal... (Re. 21:10-11)
Here, John is describing God’s eternal Government which is pictured as a great and high mountain. Resting on that mountain is the bride of the Lamb. That bride is pictured as the New Jerusalem, an exquisite city that will be the residence of God Almighty. The point the Creator is revealing through the pen of this apostle is that His Government will reign above all governments and that the bride of Christ will share rulership with her beloved husband and KING. This is the Destiny of God’s Church and His saints. It is a remarkable Destiny that was envisioned by Him at the very beginning. It is a Destiny so great that God considered it worthy of the blood of His own Son. And He did it all for you.
A Final Thought
A long time ago in the vast expanse of eternity, a Great and Loving God envisioned something so magnificent that only His mind could fashion it. Here, the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists actually pondered the idea of expanding His Family. As He considered this incredible Vision, God became convinced that His eternal spiritual Kingdom would be enriched by the fulfillment of this dream.
He then set in motion events that would make this wonderful idea come to pass. First, He shared this Vision with the angelic realm and explained their role in it. He then created a spectacular physical dimension in which His human family could learn and grow. At this point, God enlisted the support of the angelic realm under the leadership of His trusted servant Lucifer. He commissioned these great ministering spirits to prepare the earth for man.
However, at some point after this, Lucifer began to question God’s wisdom and His Moral Authority. This once-great archangel somehow decided that he knew better than his Creator when it came to crafting the Destiny of the universe. As a result, he gave in to his own pride, and self-will was born.
From this point on, Lucifer, who had now become Satan the devil, would dedicate all his energy to destroying God’s wonderful Plan for mankind. He started by trying to destroy the physical universe. However, God intervened and His Plan moved forward. Satan then deceived man into rejecting God’s moral leadership. However, once again, God’s Vision would not be extinguished. In order to reconcile man back to Him, the Great Creator of all that exists divested Himself of the infinite dignity He had possessed for all eternity, and came to earth as a man. It was in this state that the one called the Christ would offer Himself up to be crucified. By doing so He would atone for the sins of all mankind and restore the hope of His infinite Kingdom.
It is hard to imagine anything giving God more joy than His eternal Family and the Kingdom they will inherit. This is God’s great passion. It was and is an eternal dream that drives this infinite King. For this reason, the Great Creator of heaven and earth has proclaimed it as the very core of His word. Every syllable in the scriptures points God’s human family to this Kingdom and its majestic Leader.
Although man is weak, and even frail, God desires with all His heart to make him infinite. Furthermore, the Great Creator desires that His human family will become an integral part of His eternal Home, a place called the Holy City and New Jerusalem. Perhaps Jesus of Nazareth said it best: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom” (Lk. 12:32).
It is virtually impossible for mankind to totally grasp the enormity of God’s wisdom and love. But that fact makes these great virtues of the Creator no less real. God is love (1Jn. 4:8). And His great passion for His human family will stand as an eternal tribute to Him. The infinite gifts God has bestowed on man reflect the undying devotion He has for the joy of all His creation.
A Great Pleasure
Over twenty-five-hundred years ago, the great prophet Isaiah was inspired to write words of extraordinary love and hope. This servant of God described the Father’s view of the death of His Own Son. Consider what is being conveyed with these words
Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin... (Isa. 53:10)
When God the Father offered up the unblemished life of His Son, He did not do it because it felt good. What was taking place with this act was the key play in the fulfillment of His Plan for all mankind. That Plan was envisioned by Him not only before the first Adam, but before the first atom! In truth, God offered up His Son from eternity and that sacrifice will live on forever. The Great Creator and Sustainer of all that exists offered up the life of His Own Son in order that mankind could enter into His Divine Family. This was God’s great joy from the beginning. It is what gives Him pleasure. Consider the words of the apostle Paul.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will... (Eph. 1:3-5)
In the Arms of a Loving God
It is hard to imagine what man will do in God’s eternal Kingdom. But here is an idea of how it might start.
As man ponders the infinite possibilities that lay before him, his mind turns to the incredible sacrifice that made it all possible. At this point, he kneels before his Eternal Father. As he bows his head, he proclaims his unqualified devotion and offers words of great thanksgiving. He then reaches out to the ONE who made it all possible.
At this moment, the Great God and Father of all things reflects back through the vast expanse of eternity and ponders an incredible Vision, an extraordinary Plan, and a magnificent Destiny. He then reaches out to His child and says...
“It was my pleasure.”