Meet Scot Buchanan

As we get to the end of all of God's revelation through both the Old and New Testaments, John sees that God has displaced the temple with Himself. After all the effort over thousands of years with a temple as the location for worship, John now understands and shares with all of us that God's glory will not be in a building made of unique materials or in His people, as unique as we may be. The new city of Jerusalem will not need a temple for God to be there. The glory of God will give it light, and His Son, Jesus, will be the Lamp. John saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb (verse 22). Nothing will house the glory of God because He made us to enjoy Him forever. Without limits, without walls, and without separation. What great comfort we have in knowing that our home will be just as He said it would be.

When I would be out late while I was growing up, my mom would always have a light on when I arrived home. She took special care to keep a lamp lit, and it gave me comfort to know she was expecting me. I like to think that God and His Son are keeping heaven lit so that when we find our way home, our greatest comfort and joy will be made complete within the brightness and perfection of the new Jerusalem.

In fact, the prophet Ezekiel sees this as well for the millennial Jerusalem and describes its name as "The Lord Is There" (Jehovah Shammah) (Ezekiel 48:35b). Ezekiel's vision of the millennial city signals to readers that God's presence will fill the city in such a way that people will declare, "the Lord is there." Similarly, the eternal New Jerusalem will be where "the dwelling place of God is with man" (Revelation 21:3). Our forever will be in the awesome presence of His glory. Our Messiah, Jesus, will be the lamp where this Glory will shine forth. What great hope we have in Jesus (Hebrews 6:19)!