The Resplendent City - No More Night

 Entry into New Jerusalem-surely, there could be  no more wonderous privilege just think-those once lowly imperfect humans will follow Jesus into heaven to become part of such a glorious arrangement!  (John 14:2) John give some idea of the blessings to be enjoyed by these, saying:  "And no more will there be any curse.  But the throne of Godd and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his slaves will render him sacred service; and they will see his face, and his name on their foreheads." (Revelation 22:3, 4) When the Israelite priesthood became corrupt, it suffered Jehovah's curse.  (Malachi 2:2) Jerusalem's  faithless  "house" was  pronounced by Jesus.  (Matthew 23:37-39) But  in New Jerusalem, "no more will there be any curse." (Compare Zehariah 14:11.)  All its inhabitants have been tested in the fire of trials here on eartg, and having gained the victory, they will have  'put on incorruption and immorality.'  In their case, Jehovah knows, just as he knew with Jesus, that they will never fall away.  (1 Cortinthians 15:53, 57)  Further, "the throne of God and of the Lamb"  will be there, making the city's position secure for all eternity.

Like John himself, all future members of that celestial city are "slaves of God.  As sucy  they have God's name prominently written on their forehead, identifying him as their Owner.  ( Revelation 1:1; 3:12) They will count  it an unestimable privilege to render him sacred service as part of New Jerusalem.  While Jesus was one earth, he made a thrilling promise to such prospective rulers, saying: "Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God." (Matthew 5:8) How happy these slaves  will be actually to behold and worship Jehovah in person!

John continues:  "Also, night will be no more, and theyy will have no need of lamplight nor do they have sunlight, because Jehovah God will shed light upon them." (Revelation 22:5a) Ancient Jerusalem, like any other city on earth, relied on the sun for light by day and on moonlight and artificial light by night.  But in heavenly New Jerusalem, such lighting will be unnecessary. The city will be illuminated by Jehovah himself. "Night" may also be used in  a figurative sense, referring to adversity or separation from Jehovah.  (Michah 3:6; John 9:4; Romans  13:11, 12)  There could  never be that kind of night in the glorious, radiant presence of the almighty God. 

John closes out this magnificent vision by sauying of these slaves of God: "And they will rule as kings forever and ever." (Revelation 22:5b)  True, at the end of the thousand  years, the benefits of the ransom will have been applied to completion, and Jesus will present a perfected human race to his Father.  ( 1 Corinthians 15: 25-28) What Jehovah has in mind for Jesus and the 144,000 after that, we do not know. But Revelation assures us that their privileged sacred service to Jehovah will continue into all eternity. 

Next time: The Resplendent City - Revelation's Happy Climax 

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