Tag: Heaven

Bride of Christ – Post #4

Fourth in a series of posts retrieved from my hand-written journal, seeking more insight on the subject of the bride of Christ. The previous installments are #1, #2, and #3. This one was dated 12/26/2024.

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelation 21


Me: Good morning, Jesus!

Jesus: Good morning, Jon!

Me: This passage contains so many things! From a new heaven and a new earth to You specifically entreating us to observe that You have made all things new!

Jesus: Has it not become clear? “You must be born again” before you are able to see the kingdom of God (John 3). I Am making you new, a proper resident of the new Jerusalem. As you are renewed, you are making yourself ready / prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. For My bride loves Me with an unquenchable love. Love I have birthed in her heart; her heart in which there is no spot or wrinkle nor any such thing, holy and without blemish (Eph 5:27).

You wondered that the new earth “no longer had any sea”. But the word is all the water one could want, perfectly cleansing (Eph 5:26).

Me: Thank You Jesus! I love You!

Jesus: You are welcome! I love you!
(See Isaiah 65:17 and 43:19)

Of Such is / Belongs to Such …

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. [KJV]

 

But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” [NASB]

 

Me:
Good morning Father!

 

ABBA:
Good morning Jon!

 

Me:

I was comparing these translations to the Greek concordance on the Bible Hub web site. It seems to me, after doing that, that neither captures the full intent of Jesus’ words.

 

ABBA:

It is a little like efforts to mentor one who is still a long way from “full” understanding. He may get some of his teacher’s points – which will help him grasp more later – but not really see the whole picture. On the earth, for now, the kingdom of heaven is found in the hearts of those who come to Jesus with eager hearts. The KJV captures this idea. Does the kingdom of heaven “belong” to such? In the sense that they are citizens of the kingdom by choice. Because the kingdom “is” of such ones, there is just as much a shade of meaning that the ones who come to Jesus and are filled with the Holy Spirit “belong” to the kingdom.

 

Me:

Thank You Father! I love You!

 

ABBA:

You are welcome Jon! I love you!