Wednesday 28 August 2013

Background

New heaven, new earth and a new Jerusalem - that is the eternalhope of the Jewish nation, reflected in today's passage fromRevelation. This vision is one that has poignant relevance intoday's Jerusalem, a city rife with troubles, violence and rivalry.The picture of God sweeping it all away and making all things newis very appealing, especially to those who live with therestrictions and uncertainties faced by ordinary families ineveryday situations.

The setting of the centre of this new earth in Jerusalem wasinevitable, given that it was indeed the centre of the world forthe Jews. Even in their darkest hours in exile, when the promisethat they were the special nation chosen by God seemed as if itwould never be fulfilled, they dreamed of Jerusalem and its centralrole in their worship. So this vision of God being with the chosenpeople in a new world, wiping away tears (verse 4) and bringing neworder to things (verse 5) was exceptionally appealing.

Then God makes a statement containing a promise to all whobelieve and who have worked to conquer evil and bring in this newkingdom: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end"and goes on to promise that such people will be children of God.This promise had already been made by Jesus and is one that wegrasp as our own, but it is another reassurance for the present andfuture.

In the beginning we knew nothing ofour birth,
and the history that went before us 
is only experienced through learning, literature 
and the evidence of relics, ruins and recollections.

In the end we shall know of ourdeath, 
but little of what lies ahead of it 
and nothing of what this world will be 
once we leave it.

What we do know is that theGod,
who was there at our beginning, 
will also be there at our end 
and can be trusted to see us through.

Alpha and Omega, the First and theLast, the Beginning and the End, 
beyond time and space, beyond understanding. 
Eternal.

© Marjorie Dobson

To Ponder

• What is your vision of a new world? How would it be differentto the one you live in?

• How do you think you could help to challenge the injustices oftoday?