Shining

It begins to dawn on the first day of the week. The revelation tells of a new heaven and a new earth. The first day symbolizes a new beginning. The old has passed away.

Christ himself is made new. Christ creates something new. A new Kingdom.

Prepared

The women come to the tomb bringing the spices they prepared to anoint Christ’s body. A holy city – a new city, comes down out of heaven, prepared like a bride.

The “prepared” of these two passages is the exact same word. I suspect Jesus goes to prepare a place for us. The women did their part, preparing spices for Jesus’ body. One story is playing out on earth, another in heaven.

Convergence

This is where two stories converge to reveal things not seen before. The women find the stone rolled away — a doorway opened. They enter in, but don’t see the Lord’s body. A voice comes out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people.”

The women are peering into eternity, through the tomb. Jesus cannot be seen there, at least not in physical form. He is spiritual, something unseen, but very real. Here again the story is simple. The women enter the tomb. Jesus’ spirit enters them.

With Them

The women see two men, who stand by them in dazzling clothing. The literal words are “lightning clothing.” The two men look like Christ. God himself will be “with them” as their God.

The two men, which are two angels, may represent the two forms of Christ: The Son of God and Son of Man. Or, it may represent us in Christ — his people. Either way, the story it reveals is amazing.

Fall and Worship

The women are terrified, and bow their faces to the earth and worship. Christ promises to wipe away every tear. In this place, death will be no more.

The Living God

The two angels ask the women, “Why do you seek the living among the dead.” Jesus is alive forevermore. The first things have passed away.

In this new Kingdom, Christ wipes away every tear from our eyes. Death has no place. Souls come to life. Jesus reigns forever.

He is Risen

It strikes me that all the resurrection passages in the gospel are not really resurrection stories. They tell of where Jesus isn’t. They don’t reveal where Jesus is. 

Jesus isn’t here. He is risen. Remember, he told you this would happen. He would be crucified, and this third day, rise again.

The revelation shows where Jesus is. He sits on a throne, a great white throne, in a new Kingdom. He says, “Behold, I am making all things new.” As in, right now.

Faithful and True

I’d like to share one last set of passages in Luke and Revelations. I found the connections so clear and astounding that to me, the parallels are indisputable. Click the right arrow or “All Things New” link to continue.