Among Us

Read: Revelation 21:1-7

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.” Revelation 21:3

IN WORD

Prepositions matter. Do we see God high above us? Far away from us? Beside us? With us? In us? These may seem like subtle distinctions, but they dictate how we relate to Him. They determine whether He is near or far, personal or impersonal, connected or detached. They powerfully shape our perceptions.

We know where this ends, though. God has made it clear. He has said He will dwell with His people. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us. He has put His Spirit within us. He lives and walks among us. The last picture He leaves with us in His Word is a wedding. It doesn’t get any more personal than that.

This is more than proximity. It’s intimacy. Those who perceive God as a hard master don’t particularly want Him to dwell among us. That’s scary. Those who think judgment triumphs over mercy would prefer that He keep His distance. In fact, that’s where much of the world lives; they reject Him to prevent the possibility of His rejecting them first. Isn’t that often how relationships work? We avoid wounds. If we think someone doesn’t want to be around us, we preempt their rejection by choosing not to be around them. And if that’s how we perceive Jesus . . . well, the idea of God with us isn’t very comforting.

That’s where the wedding comes in. This is no forced union. It’s warm and personal, loving and accepting, full of grace and commitment. It’s as safe as safe can get.

IN DEED

The final words of Scripture assure us of eternal safety. No more danger, no more tears, no more evil. Nothing but the loving arms of a King who has given us His Kingdom. It’s a realm of celebration, joy forevermore. It’s a Kingdom of everlasting peace.

ADDITIONAL READING: Psalm 16:9-11

The relationship between God and a man is more private and intimate than any possible relation between two fellow creatures.

C. S. LEWIS