1. Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Heavenly Father, and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. The message from God’s Word for this 6th Sunday of Easter is taken from Revelation 21.9-14 and 21-27, it’s entitled, “The City of God,” dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
2. “Something old, something new.” Many people cherish something old. There are antique stores and junk shops tucked on small lots in towns and cities, and spread out in many sheds on old farmsteads. Flea markets every weekend, and daily in flea market malls. Auction bills that list the attractions for collectors and investors.
3. The “something new” is also very important to us. We find pleasure and pride in building or buying a home that is new. Stamp collectors are first in line at the post office to get each new issue, and coin collectors are ready to order each new mint or proof set that is struck. Some find it difficult to contain their excitement when talking about buying a certain antique or adding a “one-of-a-kind” item to their collection. But, many of these things would not have much value if the competition for them was not so fierce, and their value holds only as long as someone else wants to purchase it.
4. “Something old, something new.” We in the Christian Church also find special meaning in these words. We are so comfortable with the old—an old Bible version, an old hymnal, an old catechism, an old liturgy, who can forget Lutherans who still talk about the old pg. 5 & 15 from the 1941 Lutheran Hymnal. And yet if we are accused of being behind the times, we respond with examples of how up-to-date we really are. It is important that we have something sure, well-known, permanent, and secure as the foundation on which to build our spiritual house, so we will find strength and courage for daily Christian living. Our text from Revelation 21 speaks of something shiny new, yet eternally old, and guaranteed to hold its value forever.
5. Here in Revelation 21, we see the City of God in heaven shining with the glory of God. Reflecting on our text from last Sunday (Rev 21:1–5), we hear the voice of Jesus from the throne saying, “I am making everything new!” The passage that bridges these two texts, Rev 21:6–9, begins with the message, “It is done.” We are reminded of the word of our Lord, as he, dying on the cross, cried out, “It is finished.” Jesus accomplished the work of our salvation and the forgiveness of our sins and here John gives us a glimpse of what our salvation in heaven will look like. God is present, not at a distance, but in the midst of his people; and there are no domestic problems, no pains or diseases, and no more death—the consequences of sin are all absent.
6. In this life we still know night and day, sin and forgiveness. There is much darkness in this sinful world (Jn 3:19–21). Christ shines on us with the light of his salvation (Jn 1:4–9). He is faithful with his Word, “a light shining in a dark place” (2 Pet 1:19–21). In the holy city God is the light. It is bright—there will be no more stumbling (Rom 9:30–33;1 Cor 1:22–25). There will be no more need for the sun or the moon, for God and the Lamb will be its light (Rev 21:23). People from every nation will walk by its light, bringing their splendor (doxa, “glory”) into it (Rev 21:24).
7. The city is prepared for the people of God. Here in our earthly city he invites all people to come to him and be saved. Here we find it so difficult to listen to his voice. Ps 46:10 tells us, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
8. Here on earth there are so many barriers and distractions that get in the way of hearing God’s voice: The Noise of Technology. Constant notifications from smartphones, social media, texts, and emails. The 24-hour news cycle that agitates rather than informs. Endless streaming and entertainment that fills the silence God could speak into. The Noise of Busyness. Overbooked schedules: work, school, sports, and even church activities. The glorification of hustle and productivity — as if our worth depends on our performance. Families rushing from one obligation to the next without ever catching their breath together in God’s Word. The Noise of Anxiety and Fear. Worry over health, finances, politics, and global instability. The devil whispering lies into our minds, making God's promises harder to hear. The Noise of Self. Internal dialogues of guilt, shame, self-doubt, or pride. The temptation to be our own gods — controlling, achieving, proving. A culture that says, “Follow your heart,” instead of “Follow Christ.” The Noise of Division and Conflict. Political polarization and cultural outrage. Broken relationships and harsh words that echo in our hearts. The social media echo chambers where love is drowned out by argument. In the midst of all this, Psalm 46 reassures us: “The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
9. But the holy city is ready for God’s chosen ones. It is open on all sides, to people of every nation, tribe, etc. (Rev 7:9). It has a “great, high wall” so that his people will feel secure (Rev 21:12). God’s good angels watch over the city (Rev 21:12). There will be no trials or temptations—we will be free at last from every consequence of sin and every evil force. Our souls will be reunited with our resurrection bodies.
10. A public service telecast on June 24, 1991, described Estonia as the “land of the cross.” As the presentation reviewed the history of Nazi and Russian oppression, it showed dramatic pictures of rallies where everyone carried some kind of cross. Cemeteries were so crowded with crosses that it seemed as if every available piece of ground was covered.
11. In an interview with one of the young people of Estonia, the cross was discussed. “The meaning of our existence is the cross,” she said. As she talked further she described the cross as a sign which shows that the spiritual and material aspects of our existence intersect, like the vertical and horizontal bars of the cross. Through the cross of Christ, we have God’s promise that he will restore us—both spiritually and physically—so we can walk in that city.
12. The heavenly city is filled with the presence of God. In this life we are always separated to some extent from God. The Israelites could approach but not enter the tabernacle, the wilderness church. In the temple hung a curtain. But, in heaven there is no temple, no priesthood, and no sacrifice of animals in St. John’s vision, because Christ, the Son of God incarnate, the Great High Priest, has made the all-sufficient sacrifice for our sins. The final verses of this text bring us to see what “the glory of God” means. In the Old Testament the children of Israel had a tabernacle, and then a temple, in which they could draw near to God, and which was the location of his presence with them. But, even there a veil always separated God from them. When Jesus died on the cross, that veil was torn in two. In the heavenly city there will be no veil, not even a temple, no separation between God and his people.
13. Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer we are reminded that we are “on earth” while our Father is “in heaven.” We are still waiting to join our Lord (Jn 14:1–4; Phil 1:21–26). There we will be together. The garden of Eden was “very good” (Gen 1:31). To be on the Mount of Transfiguration in the presence of Jesus and His glory was also “good” (Mt 17:4–5). But even those are nothing compared to being with him in the holy city (Rev 21:22–23). Its magnificence is beyond words.
14. We want to be there. We have gone by faith, with elderly St. John, to catch a view of what we will have. Keep Easter in view, and listen to Jesus’ voice, so that, walking with him, one day you will arrive in the City of God. Now the peace of God that passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, until life everlasting. Amen.
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