by Mako Kato
Here we read about a big difference between the new Jerusalem and the Old Jerusalem. The new Jerusalem doesn’t have a temple building because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is the temple.
When I think about the temple I think about the different areas of the temple built by Herod. There was the court of Gentiles and the Court of Women. There was the Holy of Holies where only the high priest could go once a year. We couldn’t just walk into the Holy of Holies without coming out dead due to the holiness of God, but with the death of Jesus Christ, the curtain to the Holy of Holies was torn and we are given the opportunity to have fellowship with Christ.
In the new Jerusalem there is no separation between us and God like in the old temple, but this doesn’t mean that everyone will be there. The only ones allowed in the city are those whose names are written in the Book of Life. Those who have not believed in Christ will not be able to come in. They will miss out on a place where God gives light, and where there is no need for a sun and moon.
God has opened the new Jerusalem to all who believe in Him. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 ESV).
We can try to imagine what eternity in the presence of God will be like and have some starting points in this chapter, but there’s a lot that we don’t know. But what we do know is that we will be with God and with other believers. We can continue to love God and love our neighbor… reach up and reach across.
What we won’t have is the opportunity to reach out. Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life won’t be able to come in. I’m reminded of Peter’s admonition: “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12 ESV).
Wouldn’t it be awesome if someday that friend who thinks Christians are a bunch of hypocrites (and I know we are sometimes) would instead see the love of Christ in us and be worshiping God alongside us someday in the new Jerusalem.
If you are reading this and aren’t a Christian I hope that you will believe that you have sinned and cannot earn salvation on your own. I hope you will see that Christ loved you so much that he died for you and he rose again on the third day. I hope you will read the Bible and talk to Christians you know and I hope we can worship God together when Christ returns.