My dear readers,

(Extracts from “HEAVEN – a place, a city, a home” by E M Bounds in RPG December 1991, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. “A PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE” (Revelation 3:7-12)

Following Jesus as a faithful Christian and true believer, enduring to the end, has its reward. In His message to the church in Philadelphia, He says, "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out" (Rev 3:11,12).

Savour the meaning of those words. Here is a promise from our Lord. A glorious reward awaits the believer:
a) The Lord Jesus will make him a pillar in the temple of God, meaning to say, the victorious Christian will be accorded a place of honour in Heaven as a stately pillar, a memorial to the saving grace of God, an everlasting testimony that he belongs to that vast assembly of those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation (Rev 5:9).
b) On this monumental pillar will be added an honourable inscription of the name of God and the new name of Christ. Because he has overcome the seductions and temptations of the world, and has stedfastly looked for the heavenly city, God is not ashamed to be called his God (Heb 11:16), and to own him as His child: on him God will write his name to acknowledge his discipleship, his labours in the church, his stedfastness in tribulation, his earnest contending for the faith.

Also inscribed will be the new name of Christ, the Risen One, the Captain of our salvation, the Firstborn among many brethren (Rom 8:29). This new name acknowledges the Christian's devotion to his Saviour, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (1 Pet 1:8,9).

CONSIDER: Following Jesus today is not in vain. Keep on following!
PRAYER: Lord, help me to be faithful to the end.

2. A THRONE, A RIVER, A TREE (Revelation 22:1-3)

In this vision the Apostle John sees a pure river of water of life, flowing out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, and on either side of the river the tree of life. Here we see God's final answer and solution to man's problem, even the curse of Adam's fall, which has plagued the human race down through the millennia of time. Thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

a) A Throne. On the throne sit the Father and the Son, reigning together over the universe. Out of the throne proceed power, rule, and authority. Out of the same throne, once came forth the Son from the Father's bosom, to implement Salvation's Plan. The ever-victorious Son now returned to the Father, sits exalted at the right hand of the majesty on high (Heb 1:3). Out of the throne issues God's complete and perfect provision for man's eternal happiness and well-being.
b) A River. God's river flows out of the throne with life-giving water -clear as crystal, beautiful, sparkling, pure. God's water is refreshing, inviting, invigorating. "Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev 22:17). This same offer was given once by our Lord to the Samaritan woman: "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (Jn 4:14).
c) A Tree. This tree of life was lost in the garden (Gen 3:24). But Christ our Lord has won back Paradise for us, and with it the tree of life, with its unique life-giving fruits twelve manner of fruits, one for each month. And the leaves are for the healing of the nations: It must not be construed that there will be sickness in eternity. The word “healing” means “therapeutic value.” It is a reminder that all believers have eternal life and have bene healed of the deadly sickness of all SIN. Praise be unto our God.

Alleluia: the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!

THOUGHT: Here we see the final fulfilment of Genesis 3:15.
PRAYER: Thank Thee Lord for Thy Salvation Plan.

3. THE WALLS AND GATES OF HEAVEN (Revelation 21:9-27)

Walls and gates speak of safety and security. Walls surround and protect; gates are vital check-points. The Heavenly City has strong walls and gates: our God ordered it to be so, so that the citizens of Heaven may dwell in safety. We are bought at a great price (1 Cor 6:20), redeemed with the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet 1:18,19). Our Redeemer has saved us and we belong to Him. He will never allow us to come to any harm. Remember His promise? "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (Jn 10:28). His salvation is strong and sure. Isaiah the Prophet wrote of it: "We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks" (Is 26:1). Heaven's walls are great and high, made of jasper, precious and strong.

Heaven has twelve gates, each of one pearl, of unrivalled beauty, excellence, and strength. Through these gates, Heaven's inhabitants may go in and out with complete safety. These gates are securely guarded by angels: not anyone may enter at will. Only those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, who do His commandments may enter in through the gates into the City (Rev 22:14). But excluded and forever kept out are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie (Rev 22:15). Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life may enter in (Rev 21:27). Within the City the redeemed of God shall find perfect and complete bliss. Our Lord says, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out..." (Rev 3:12).

Isaiah saw it when he wrote: "... thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise" (Is 60:18).

RECALL THE HYMN: "With salvation's wall surrounded,
                                      Thou may'st smile at all thy foes"
                                                                                             - John Newton

God bless you dear readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor