God for All
All Saints Sunday – November 3, 2024
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 24
Revelation 21:1-6a
John 11:32-44
The book of Revelation may be the most controversial book of the New Testament. It certainly has led to many different interpretations. It is the book that several Christian denominations have been founded upon. The reason for this is that, being apocalyptic literature, it is written in symbolic language. As we learned when we read from Daniel, apocalyptic literature is written in times of persecution and uses symbolic language so that only the intended audience will understand it. At least making it seem to the reader that only they knew the true meaning in a snub to their persecutors. Although this also means that the true meaning of the symbols used can be lost after the persecution has stopped. The mark of the devil is an example. The earliest copies of Revelation gives the number 613 as the mark (it was a symbol for the emperor Nero, a great persecutor of Christians). Sometime in the hundred or so years after the persecution ended one of the persons who copied Revelation changed the number to 666 because he did not understand 613 – 666 is a symbol of something that is incomplete (probably from the decimal equivalence of 2/3). Although that is not the symbol in our text from the 21st chapter it is a new city – the new Jerusalem.
It may seem strange that the writer of Revelation chose a city to be the symbol of God’s salvation. Especially today when the city gets so much bad press. In the days when Revelation was written the city was the center of everyone’s life. Even those who lived in the countryside traveled to the city to sell their goods and to get protection in times of war. The city had walls to protect those inside. It was also the center of religious life. In short, the city was the center of life for everyone. It is quite natural that the writer of Revelation saw God’s salvation as a new city. But, more importantly, the city comes to the people. No longer do the people have to run to the city for safety – for salvation. This certainly is something new that God will do.
If you would read on in Revelation you will hear more about the new Jerusalem. The wall will be upon twelve foundations and will have 12 gates. Twelve, if you remember, is the symbol for enough. That means there will be room in this new Jerusalem for all. Do not worry that there is only a limited capacity. Know that this city will have room for all. And, if you are not convinced, look at the size. Revelation tells us that the walls will be 144 cubits (216 feet) around a city that measures 12,000 stadia (1,500 miles). Note the twelves (144 is 12x12). All symbolic of a great city that will house all. To a persecuted people, to know that there is a new home waiting for them they were able to withstand the persecution and proclaim Jesus as the Son of God, the salvation of the world.
The miracle of this story is that you, who are not persecuted, are also invited into this great city. That invitation comes as a free gift. You do not have to do anything to receive it. Your entrance ticket was bought by the blood of Jesus. Just as Jesus said to those at the tomb of Lazarus, “Unbind him,” he has unbound us. Now we are free from worry and doubt and are able to be God’s people. People who share the love of God with all. No need to discriminate, God’s kingdom is large enough to hold all. Remember Jesus has broken your bonds so look forward to the new Jerusalem and share the love of God with the world.