Preparing For Occupancy

PREPARING FOR OCCUPANCY

We have been studying the Old Testament book of Nehemiah in our Tuesday morning ladies’ Bible study this fall.  The city of Jerusalem, its walls and its Temple, had lain in disgrace and ruins after the Jews had been taken as captives to Babylon and their beautiful city destroyed. Through a series of efforts, led by Zerubbabel, Ezra and finally, Nehemiah, the city’s walls were rebuilt, its Temple was restored as a place of worship for the true God and city was once again inhabited by Jewish people who observed God’s laws. Nehemiah led a dedication ceremony for the rebuilt city and Temple in 444 B.C., more than 400 years before Jesus would walk these same streets and talk to the priests in this same Temple. The Jews of Nehemiah’s day were not simply restoring the “has been” glory of Jerusalem, they were preparing the city and the Temple for its greatest glory: having Jesus, the Son of God, within its walls.

It makes me wonder what we are currently doing that may be preparing for something greater than we could ever imagine. We hear of a heavenly city that God is preparing for those who believe (Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 21:22). This New Jerusalem will need citizens, homeowners, who will abide by the covenants, codes and restrictions (CC&Rs) of the homeowners’ association and who understand what a privilege it is to live in this beautiful city. Are we advertising “heavenly real estate” now by giving ourselves and those around us an “open house”, if you will? Are we showing them what it is like “to walk in the light as (God) Himself is in the light, (so that) we have fellowship with one another”? (1 John 1:7) There will be no darkness in that New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:5). We can prepare ourselves and others now, for that great, glorious city, by living in the light, confessing ours sins, loving one another and having nothing to hide or fear.

--Posted by Mama O.