Wednesday 11th December
Read Revelation 21:1-4
“Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death” or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’” (NIVUK)
The gap currently present between God and His people, that we feel daily, will be closed completely. Heaven and earth will be one. We will be truly home. John however doesn’t just see the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven as a future hope, a post-death joy. He sees the new Jerusalem formed and being formed in opposition to Babylon, the world and all it would encourage us to love. The new Jerusalem is populated with people who have changed their affections, who have learned to love God fully.
Augustine captures this two-city picture of life in this world not with a profound phrase, ‘incipit exire qui incipit amare’ – to start loving is to start to leave Babylon, with the feet of the heart’s affections. When those affections are fixed on God as the highest good, and most worthy of love, we join together with fellow citizens of the Holy City and found ourselves heading hopefully home.
