Sixth and Seventh Sundays of Easter, Year C; Revelation 21:10-22:21.

For the sixth Sunday of Easter, we deal primarily with three verses--Revelation 21:10, 21:22, and 22:5. These verses, and the passage containing them, deal with the magnificent realities of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. The most striking aspects of the city that are elaborated here involve the absence of any temple, the total lack of darkness, and the absence of the sun. There is no need for the sun. The light of Christ and the glory of God are perfectly radiating all the time. The saints need no temple; for they are constantly in the presence of God and the Christ, and engaged in the act of worship. The Jewish worship had become so corrupt by this time and so hostile to Christ that it was important to point out to the readers of this epistle that worship could not be contained in a building or by a temple or a religious system. For the seventh Sunday of Easter, we deal with Revelation 22:12-21, emphasizing the Second Coming of Christ. This certain reality and important doctrine of the Christian church may have been over-emphasized almost to the point of trivialization in past decades; but today, it is all but forgotten--much to our peril. This is a passage of comfort and also of warning. Jesus Christ will come quickly, as God counts quickness. We must remember that God views these things from an eternal perspective. To Him, time is "like an ever-rolling stream." But that Great Day will dawn. For those of us who believe, it will be a great day. But the text is also clear that outside the Holy Gate are the idolaters, the whoremongers, and all others who willfully refuse the gift of life. The promise is real; but it is not universalism that is taught here. God's election is unconditional; but the atonement of Christ is definite and particular. It does not extend to all humanity. It is extremely important that we reclaim, in our churches, the message of hope that is brought to us in Revelation. Revelation should not be considered a scary or esoteric letter whose meaning can never be distilled. It is a message of hope for us today just as it was for those in the church 2000 years ago. We dare not make it so spiritual that we rob it of its practical value and real hope.