God, City & Country

As I drive into the various parts of Houston, I look at the various beautiful skylines. Each building, each structure, each area is unique and different. In Houston, many of the buildings have parking garages designed as part of their structure. When you drive to work, you have parking. Then comes the beautiful landscape when you drive out of Houston. In view are the majestic sunrises and sunsets. The beautiful vast landscape with flowers, animals, and trees scattered across the scenic countryside. The fresh crisp air, and the soft wind as it touches your face. Your mind begins to wonder about what heaven is going to be like. I often wonder how God will deal with those who are city slickers, and those who are country lovers. The good news is that we will have the privilege of both! That is correct. Not either or, but both. Lets see what God has to say to the city slickers.

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.” Revelation 21:2-4,21

For Country Lovers, the Bible says in Isaiah: “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. They will build houses and dwell in them;they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.” Isaiah 65:17,18, 21-25

Wonderful news! Yet, I have heard some say, “what about the children and the wilderness? They still can be hurt!” Be at ease, read what the Bible says. “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”Isaiah 11:6-9

God has provided a plan. For both city slickers, and country lovers. Both have their unique dynamics. Both have their advantages. Both have their creative design. Christ told us that that He will go to prepare a place for us! God has prepared a city for us, and at the same time, He will allow us to use our own unique creative powers to build a home for ourselves. Don’t we worship a wonderful God? This is only a glimpse of what we will do when the new heavens and earth are established. We will have eternity to grow in wisdom, and to use our God given creative abilities. Here are some words of insight.

“In the earth made new the redeemed will engage in the occupations and pleasures that brought happiness to Adam and Eve in the beginning. The Eden life will be lived, the life in garden and field. They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of My people, and Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. There every power will be developed, every capability increased. The grandest enterprises will be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations will be reached, the highest ambitions realized. And still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of body and mind and soul.” Adventist Home p.549

May God bless you this Sabbath as we ponder the New Heaven’s and the New Earth.

Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor