“The foundation stones of the city wall were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst” (Revelation 21:19-20).

How precious are you to the Lord?  You are more precious than all of the precious stones He has created.  He has placed His image in you.  He has decorated you with grace and mercy.  He has included in you all the promises of the tribes of Israel and the of the apostles.  He has set before you eternity and desires that you join Him.  You are a precious one for whom our Lord died to grant you grace for salvation.

Lord, I see the many beautiful things in this world and wonder where I fit in.  I see how our culture is constantly fighting over this thing we imagine as beauty.  Yet, here You say that each one of us is more beautiful that all the beautiful things upon the earth.  How sad that we have gotten it so wrong.  Indeed, we do need saving.  Lift us up, Lord, so that we may see things as they are and not as we have seen them through the haze of sin and death.

Lord Jesus, You came so that all who believe could have life eternal with You.  Everyone is precious in Your sight.  Help me to see this.  Help me to see beyond my reflection when I look in a mirror.  I too belong to You.  In Your grace and mercy, give me eyes to see so that I may see in others the hope You have for them.  Lead me to consider others as precious in Your sight.  Guide me in Your grace and mercy all the days of my life.  Amen.

“The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass” (Revelation 21:18).

Beautiful, pure, costly, and clear is how it is made.  Is that not the goal of our new creation?  In this new life, is not the Lord creating us to have these attributes?  Meditate and ponder upon what the Lord is doing.  Be guided by His goodness and mercy and realize that He is up to more than You know.  We will have new heavenly bodies that do not wear out but remain pure and holy.

Lord, I can take in the concept, but I really am unable to comprehend these things.  You have used these word pictures to share a glimpse of things to come.  I imagine they are for our encouragement.  Guide me, Lord, so that I do not stumble over the desire to know all things, but continue to live by faith, trusting that You will continue to have all things in Your hands.

Lord Jesus, throughout the ages, people have struggled with how You could be fully man and at the same time, fully God.  I too, struggle with such things.  I struggle with this daily life and all the paradoxes that come into it.  Help me to walk through every struggle trusting that You have come to lead the way through this age in preparation for what is to come.  Help me to live this day, looking to You, so that I may be better prepared for the eternal life You have purchased for us from the cross.  Amen.

“And he measured its wall, 144 cubits, by human measurements, which are also angelic measurements” (Revelation 21:17).

Twelve tribes times twelve apostles.  A gross, the complete number of all.  In the mystery of God communicating with us things that are at the edge, if not beyond our ability to grasp, the Lord tells us so that we may understand.  The number of perfection is the number of completion.  Cutting through all these things and coming to the point, are you one of those who belong to the Lord?

Lord, not in terror or fear as some preach it, but in the reality of simply living with the awesome truth that You are my Lord and God, help me to live in this reality.  You have done all that needs to be done.  You have created everything and who knows but that all of this is for the purpose of giving us the opportunity to be with You?  Lead me, Lord, into the reality that You have set before me with this thing called faith.

Much of what has been accomplished in this world has been done in faith, that first step into the unknown, believing that it is possible.  You, Lord Jesus, through whom and for whom all things have been created, have given me hope that because of all that You have done, there is more than I can imagine set before me.  Guide me into the life You know I should live.  Lead me to understand more each day and grow in Your likeness, according to all that the Father has willed.  Amen.

“The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, twelve thousand stadia; its length, width, and height are equal? (Revelation 21:16).

In one sense, the size of it does not matter.  The proportions are important.  In this age, we think that one way or school of thought is more important than another.  The Lord is impartial and the ways to the city are equal in His building.  Mind you, there is One Lord and Savior, Christ, but think about how we, on earth, mess this up and think our way is the only right way of thinking or doing.  It is the Lord who prepares the way for each of us, His way is the right way.

Lord, I too have the infection of sectarian thinking.  I think in terms of my way.  But the basic truth is there are only those who follow You and those who will not.  Regardless of the path of life before my sisters and brothers, help me to live the life You have given me and to do so faithfully, showing others the way.  Lead me in Your goodness to know that in You alone do I have hope and a future.  Guide me according to Your goodness to live the way You have called me to live.

Lord, help me learn how to be equitable with others as You are equitable with me.  Help me to be gracious with all whom I meet as You have been gracious to me.  Let equality reign in my heart so that I see others as You see them.  In the breadth, width, and depth of Your kingdom, help me to praise You this day for including me in the number of those whom You have called to live by faith.  Amen.

“The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall” (Revelation 21:15).

What is gold?  It is something that will not tarnish and it is pure.  Measuring the city is with purity and truth.  What is the city of God, but the people who have come through the tribulation of this age and have learned how to live faithfully trusting the Lord.  The Lord has laid before us what He is doing and how He is doing it.  He has called everyone to faithfulness and as many as believe are included in His salvation.

Lord, I need to take care in how I measure things.  I often measure with a skewed bias, not truthfully.  Help me to be pure in my assessments and true to You in my judgements.  Help me to judge others righteously as I would want to be judged.  Let the truth prevail so that there is equity and justice in all matters within my control.  Guide me now and always to look to You, the perfect judge, and to assess according to Your goodness and mercy.

Lord Jesus, as I want leniency when You judge me, so also grant that I would do the same for others.  Yet, when I need Your harsh judgement to keep me on the narrow path, so also grant me the ability to be truthful, yet loving, with others when they also need that kind of correction.  In all things, lead me in the way of true living, being concerned for my neighbor’s welfare as You have always been concerned for mine.  Amen.

“And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14).

The Lord is deliberate about what He does.  He called each of the apostles by name.  The twelfth was replaced.  Twelve names, representing all people.  We are not all the same.  Similar in our humanity, unique in our character and abilities, yet all one in Christ.  Let the unity and diversity be true, as far as it concerns you in the fellowship of which you are a part.  The foundation of the church are the people who are the bride of Christ.

Lord, I often become so wrapped up in the physicality of things that I forget that the church is the people.  What difference does it make whether it is a big, beautiful building or a warehouse?  You are gathering from amongst all people those who are Yours.  Help me to be connected in the foundation of Your church.  Help me to be a part of where You have placed me and guide me on the narrow path of faith.

Lord Jesus, through the water of repentance and in the promise of my baptism, You have called me to be faithful.  I am who I am and You are making me to be a child of the Heavenly Father.  Lead me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life and remove all hindrances.  I am a part of where You have placed me.  Help me to be consistent and true to the life that You have called me to live.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life.  Amen.

“There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west” (Revelation 21:13).

From every direction come those who look to the Lord and are walking in hope of His promises.  Do not think yourself special, nor a part of an elite group.  The Lord can raise children to Abraham out of stones.  Instead, marvel that the Lord has reached through time and space to call out those who are His.  Marvel that He has called You and is preparing You to be with Him forever.

Lord, there are many things that often go through my mind and I forget to simply stop and thank You for Your goodness, grace, and mercy.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may humbly walk the path You have set before me.  Let me see that from every direction in my life You are always at work.  Lead all of those who are faithful so that together we may all gather around You, the Lord and Savior of all.

Lord Jesus, You have said it over and over, “Come to me.”  It cannot be said any easier than that.  Help me to come to You knowing that from every direction, every tribe, tongue, folk, and nation there will be those who come to You.  Knit us together as Your bride and help me to have eyes to see others with whom I will spend eternity.  Help me to see them through Your loving eyes.  Amen.

“It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on the gates, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel” (Revelation 21:12).

The twelve tribes, twelve apostles, and twelve months are some of the things that remind us that the Lord is going to include from every tribe, tongue, and nation those who are His.  He has created everyone with the ability to become like Christ, but only some will follow that path.  This is the mystery of the age.  Why is it that some remain with the wicked one and reject the Lord, while others willingly come into His grace and mercy?

The Lord knows those who are His.  The Lord has prepared the gates by which those who are His may enter.  He is the true gate, and there are folk from all over who will come as they are called.  The Lord has prevailed and those who are under the wing of His grace are being prepared to dwell with the Lord forever.  You have been given the invitation through your baptism.  Will you come and enter?

Lord Jesus, I make things more complex than they need to be.  Over and over, You have shown me the gate that lets me leave the wickedness of this age and join with You.  It is not a physical place now, but it does grant hope for the age to come as my heart is changed by Your grace and mercy.  Continue to minister to my heart so that I may progress on the journey You have set before me.  Continue to prepare me for the heavenly Jerusalem.  Amen.

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very valuable stone, like a stone of crystal-clear jasper” (Revelation 21:10-11).

How does one describe what is indescribable?  Word pictures are used to describe beauty but take care lest you read into this more than is here.  The Lord has prepared something that is more beautiful than we are able to comprehend.  We are invited into the new city as members of the body of Christ and to live the new life which is free from the wickedness of this age.  This is what we are to hope for in our life with Christ.

Lord, there are things I cannot imagine and I do not know why not knowing things keeps me from moving forward.  You have held out before us things that are beyond our ability to comprehend.  Lead me to understand that I am hoping in You.  You have given the words of eternal life and in You is hope and an eternal future.  Lead me to look to You always, knowing that Your promises are true.

Lord Jesus, You have come humbly so that we might live faithfully.  I may not even suspect all the things that You are going to do, but You are preparing us for things we cannot yet imagine.  Guide me today to humbly live the life You have given me, simply knowing that in You is hope and an eternal future.  Lead me all the days of my life to do what You would have me do.  Keep me in the faith You give now and forever.  Amen.

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, full of the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:9).

Seven is the Hebrew number for spiritual perfection.  The purpose of the plagues is to bring about repentance.  We must never forget that the Lord desires that none would perish.  The objective is to bring about repentance, first in us, then if we can influence them, in others.  We are to repent and be thankful that our Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Lord, does the journey truly begin with repentance?  Regardless, help me to repent where repentance is needed.  Help me turn from going the wrong direction so that I may move in the right direction.  You are the author and finisher of the faith of all the faithful.  Lead me and us always so that we may walk the narrow way of salvation.

Lord Jesus, You began Your earthy ministry with the baptism of repentance.  You, who did not need it, underwent immersion for our sake.  Guide me to where I need to repent and then help me repent.  Lead me such that where I need to move, I move.  In all things, O Lord, help me so that I can walk this life of faith that You have given me by grace.  Our Father, lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.  Lead me until I am complete even as You are complete.  Amen.