Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Here's a Biblical Question!

( Not a Borg cube.)


Revelation 21:1-4


1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He 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."

I know that many Bible experts read this blog, so I thought I would pose this question to you guys and ladies. A friend at church thinks that this song is unbiblical because it refers to the events described in Revelation 21:1-4 as being in the future. He says the new Jerusalem is in fact the church in the present age, and that God has already wiped all tears away from our eyes and that there is no reason for tears if we are in Christ. I told him I didn't agree because this life still has plenty of tears, even under the best conditions.

So I guess the question is: Revelation 21 - past, present or future?

Does anyone want to weigh in on this one?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Revelation can be a difficult read not to mention a scary one!

My answer is future.

Is there a new heaven and a new earth? Are there still tears, death, and pain?

If the new Jerusalem were already here, wouldn't we know about it?

http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/index.php?action=getCommentaryText&cid=74&source=2&seq=i.73.21.1

Anonymous said...

Just me again. I did a search and found this article:

http://www.enduringword.com/commentaries/6621.htm

Here's info about the author:

http://cf.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_author.cfm?AuthorID=2

David Kirk said...

Anonymous: Thanks, I'll check the links out. I'm trying to understand my friend's objection to the hymn. I just don't get it.

Anonymous said...

You're welcome. I just reread the lyrics to the song and it really gives one a lot to look forward to, doesn't it?

Have a happy Friday.

BTW, every Friday is red shirt day. We wear red in honor and support of our troops!

David Kirk said...

Anonymous: Thanks. What a cool idea to honor our troops! Have a great weekend!

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