The City of God's Immanence
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Tracing the golden thread of God's immanence to the city of God.
Text: Rev. 21:1-4
Date: 04/22/2012, the Evening service.
Series: "Revelation" Part 56
Description:
As we have studied this book of the Apocalypse, we have noticed many of Scripture's great themes brought to their conclusions. God's great plan of redemption, His covenantal relations with His people, the "city of man", the impact of Satan on the world, these "nefarious network", etc. This evening we will take our first look at another of the great themes of Scripture, the "city of God" and particularly how that city expresses God's immanence. After reviewing the text and examining the various attributes of this magnificent city, we will trace the "golden thread" of God's immanence through history. We will find ourselves marveling at the unfathomable love that would drive the transcendent Creator of all things to pursue His people so intently with a consuming desire for immanence.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Rev. 21:1-4.
A. Context
B. The first look at the city of God, vs. 1-4.
1. A place of newness, vs. 1, Isa. 65:17, 66:22.
a. The new universe.
i. The meaning of "new", Rom. 8:19-22, Jer. 31:31, 1Cor. 15:45.
ii. A remarkable apologetic.
b. The old universe, Rev. 20:11, 2Pet. 3:10-13.
c. The absence of a sea, Rev. 13:1, 20:13.
2. A holy place, vs. 2.
a. Sanctified by God.
b. The new Jerusalem, Rev. 3:12, 21:10, Phil. 3:20.
c. Descending from heaven, Heb. 11:10, John 14:2.
d. The bride of Christ.
3. A place of God's immanence, vs. 3.
a. A loud voice.
b. God's historic desire to be with His people, Ex. 6:7.
4. A place for God's compassion, vs. 4.
III. Application
A. First impressions.
B. The golden thread of God's immanence.
1. The original plan in the Garden of Eden, Gen. 3:8.
2. God's promise to Noah, Gen. 8:22.
3. God chooses a people through Abraham, Gen. 12:3.
4. The quantum leap in immanence through Moses, Ex. 19:5-6.
5. God gives His people a king, 2Sam. 7:5-11.
6. Emmanuel-- the essence of immanence, John 1:1,14, Matt. 1:23, John 1:11.
7. The Holy Spirit in the hearts of believers, Eph. 2:19-22.
8. The heavenly city of God, Rev. 11:19.
IV. Conclusion
