極大的奧秘 - 基督與教會

Reasons

The New Jerusalem manifests God's glory as God's expression because:

1. God's glory is God's expression, the expressed God

2. The redeemed are predestined and called to obtain this glory

3. Believers are currently being transformed into this glory, and will ultimately share this glory with Christ

Methods

1. God's glory shines as light, with Christ as the lamp

2. The entire New Jerusalem is God, revealing God Himself

3. The redeemed become a transparent city, emitting God's radiance

4. The nations will walk by the light shining from the New Jerusalem

Explanation

1. No need for sun or moon, as God's glory illuminates

2. The Lamb (Christ) is the lamp of the city

3. The redeemed will see the face of God and the Lamb

4. God will directly illuminate the redeemed

5. The redeemed will reign forever and ever

Examples

1. Today's church life is a miniature of this holy city

2. The church is God's temple, where God is our dwelling place and light

3. Church life should radiate God's light to neighbors

4. Church life should allow God to work through it thoroughly, becoming a transparent city

Relevant Scriptures in Detail

Revelation 21:11 "having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal."

Revelation 21:24 "By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it."

1 Corinthians 2:7 "But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory."

1 Peter 5:10 "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."

1 Thessalonians 2:12 "we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory."

2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Hebrews 2:10 "For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering."

Romans 8:17,30 "and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." (v.17) "And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." (v.30)