September 16th, 20

THE STORY HAS JUST BEGUN

The Story Has Only Just Begun

Today’s readings are Ezekiel 40-41, Psalm 128, and Revelation 21.  We are reading from the New Living Translation.

This story ends, dissolving into light.  The story of sacrifice is no more. This whole story was built around an altar where sacrifices were made. In the temple was the most holy place. The story of atonement was told here.  This was the place where God built a bridge between heaven and earth. And it’s the place that Ezekiel sees measured out in exacting detail.It’s a story that’s going to go exactly as God intends.  But here in John’s vision this portal is no more. This story is ending. John says in Revelation 21:22,

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

The epicenter of the story is gone.  Even the sun and the moorn are gone.  The instruments of time are no more. History as we know it, is gone. The story of God’s unfailing love is concluding. The title of this book is the Lamb’s Book of Life.  The Temple is no more. The story of rebellion, darkness, suffering, and death, is no more. The story of the Temple, in Israel and the sacrifices – were always and only ever pointing us to him, the Lamb, our Jesus. Jesus has eclipsed it all. All the stories are dissolved into him.  John says,

I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. (Rev 21:22-23 NLT)

He is Life, and all the stories are dissolved into his light. What remains is Life – the Lamb’s Book of Life.  And this story of Life and Light has only just begun. There’s more to come.

Let the Son of God’s love, dissolve your story into his, so that you might have life, too, starting today.

You are loved!