THREE ASPECTS OF CHANGE: JUSTICE IN A NEW UNIVERSE AND NEW CITY FOR HUMANITY

    “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city,  new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 

    In the calendar, Christians mark this as the sixth week of the Easter season.  These adherents believe they stand in the presence of a risen Savior Jesus Christ who triumphed over sin, death, and the grave. He triumphed in such a manner its impact will shape the universe, our city, and our humanity.  

    Revelation is the close of a religious text read by so many Christians around the world. This New Testament text provides descriptions of the culmination universal, human and salvation history as seen through the eyes of an elderly and exiled disciple, John. The Apostle John was the disciple whom Jesus loved in such a profound manner and John has been afforded the opportunity on the island of Patmos to look beyond the veil of time and space.  

    Revelation is the unveiling of mystery, the breaking of seals, the roar of thunderous trumpets, and the outpouring of God’s bowls of wrath. It is the period the saints of God have been anxiously waiting for and now, “Behold, God!” 

    The Apostle John sees Jesus “who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father” (Revelation 1:5)? “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth” (Revelation 1:5a). The Apostle offers a praise and announces an expectation, “to him be glory and dominion forever and ever” because “he is coming with clouds, and every eye will see him” (Rev 1:7).  If you do not believe John, I invite you to look with the eyes of an old man, exiled on island and see the where our life is headed. I want to invite you to hear and see our very existence which moves through so many triumphs, defeats, sufferings, and praises will arrive at a new reality in which the universe will be made ready to hold a city of people who live in the presence of God’s glory.
 
Change of the Universe
    The Apostle John sees a change of the universe as the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Genesis 1 lays out for us the creation of the first heaven, earth, and sea. It lays out for us the Trinitarian God establishing creation for the purpose of his glory. God in his great wisdom and creativity stands on the stage of eternity and like a profound spoken word artist, offers the poetry of creation. Every stanza begins with “Let there be…” and with an indescribable rhythm offers a poem which lays the groundwork for an even greater poetry. And what does the psalmist say about God’s creation of heaven, earth and sea filled with great lights, great creatures, and beautiful works? “You have set your glory above the heavens,” (Ps 8:2). “The heavens declared the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork”(Ps 19:1). 

    Every wonderful poem has its end and John sees the removal of this current great creation and the arrival of a new heaven and new earth. 

    What is significant about this universal change?  This new heaven and new earth, this new universe will reflect the infinite glory of God. No longer will the beauty of creation be obscured by sin. The universe in which we currently reside is unable to fully bend towards justice and have justice flow down like an overflowing stream.  We have a hope this current creation will birth something far greater. Our universe resembles a woman in childbirth, anxious to bring forth a universe of freedom, joy, glory, and love. This is what John is seeing. A universe made ready to hold a city and a people who will enjoy the full love of God revealed in Christ Jesus. 

    What does this mean for the people of God? The new universe which is to come is meant to humanity. As written above, our current universe is unable in its own suffering to bring about the full revelation of justice.  We anticipate a form of justice which men and women of various ethnic backgrounds will experience infinitely.  A form of justice in which the life of man and womankind is equitable, matching the deepest longings of our souls.  Therefore, we work today, in a variety of callings to make real the hope of this future form of justice.  We work today in hope, for the redemption of human bodies and a life characterized as loving and just. We work today in hope, for the men and women to live in a manner which God is glorified and humanity displays the love of God to God and others. 
    
Change of the City 
    John sees the universal change which will reflect the full glory of God who creates an environment of fully realized justice. Secondly, John sees the change of the city which can inspire us towards social, political, and economic change.

    The new city is described as New Jerusalem. The city of peace is a gift from God descending from heaven to earth. The universe has been prepared similar to a new home and now the new city like a bride is brought to her new home. God as a good father presents his precious daughter precious daughter to live in her new home.  The new city is perfect in shape, clothed with a variety of precious jewels, and radiates the glory of God. This city is not meant for our existing universe. This city could only be gifted to a new universe capable of holding such beauty and majesty. This new city will be a city of love, justice, joy, and freedom. 
 
    If we would reflect on our own city, we will observe the various social, political, and economic dynamics which exist. We live in a city in which citizens experience the difficulties of social alienation manifesting in depression, anxiety, anger, and in some cases the loss of life. What about our economic difficulties? I would ask you to remember the people of Brookside Trailer Park.  My organization, The City of Hope Outreach (COHO) has served this community for seven years with education support, relational support, and community development. Recently residents were notified they have till June 30, 2019 to find new living accommodations. Men, women, and children who are on limited means, some disabled, and elderly, must now live elsewhere or be homeless. Think about our city. Are the political dynamics reflective of a city in which love, justice, joy, and freedom are supported? 

    The vision of John, seeing a new city which is marked by the glory and righteousness of God offers the people of God the present motivation to conduct acts of charity and justice on behalf of those who are experiencing social, political, and economic alienation. So you may be asking, “What would God have people do in the city now in preparation for this new city?”  I would encourage you to read about another group of people who experienced alienation.

“Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare (peace)of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare (peace) you will find your welfare (peace)” (Jer 29:6-7).

    Therefore, stand in solidarity with those in your city who are not like you, who do not vote as you do, or have the economic resources as you do.  Love your neighbor as Jesus commanded us to do. This is the royal commandment. It is the executive order of the President Jesus Christ. When I mention solidarity, I am referring to the behavior of inter-dependence which any person of any age can demonstrate on a daily basis. Solidarity is the demonstration of a behavior which acknowledges my need for another human being to move forward in life and also the demonstration of a behavior of compassion with someone for the common good. Motivated by love, we would want to pursue what is best for other people while not taking advantage of them and creating a different type of injustice. When Christians demonstrate this behavior towards one another and to those who are not Christians, a great testimony of a living faith and hope pervades the city.  When we as Christians behave in this manner, we are bringing a future hope into the present. A future hope for a new city which is like a beautiful bride marked by God. A city marked by love, peace, and solidarity for all. 

Change of Humanity 
    Finally, John observes a third change.  While the first two changes are seen with old eyes, the third change is heard with old ears. A change announced with a loud voice from the throne!

    “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  

    What has changed? God is dwelling with humanity. God in Jesus Christ has fulfilled his promised in Jesus Christ. The resurrected Jesus Christ who sits on the throne is dwelling with humanity forever. And what is the result of his presence with humanity?

Joy and life.

Human freedom and human flourishing.

Justice. 

    Why is it important God dwells with humanity? It is important because our humanity is affirmed by the presence of God in Christ. The dehumanization of bodies and souls because of skin color and nationality will disappear.  The dehumanization of bodies and souls because of we did not live up to the expectation of an abusive husband or wife will be eviscerated in God’s presence. No longer will the tears of young women saturate their pillows because they believed love would be found on Snapchat or Instagram. For young men, gone will be the pain of these small children in adult bodies who believed manhood is affirmed in violent activity.  God dwelling with us is not based on whether or not men or women accept us on the basis of our ethnicity, economics, social standing, or politics.

The Good News is God dwells with humanity because of the finished work of Jesus Christ.