Episode 901
Envisioning the New Jerusalem: A Paradigm of Radical Inclusion and Environmental Stewardship
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The vision of the New Jerusalem as articulated in Revelation 21:15-27 is a profound exploration of radical inclusion and environmental justice. Through the lens of this scripture, we are invited to reflect upon the characteristics of a city envisioned by divine providence, where the absence of traditional temples underscores the notion that the divine presence transcends physical structures. The text posits that God and the Lamb embody the essence of the temple, suggesting a paradigm shift in our understanding of sacred spaces. This radical reimagining challenges us to recognize the sanctity found within our communities and the pursuit of justice, rather than confining divinity to religious edifices. Furthermore, the portrayal of the city as one illuminated by God's glory rather than celestial bodies presents an ancient yet relevant vision of sustainability, beckoning us to consider our contemporary environmental responsibilities and the imperative for sustainable urban planning in light of today's pressing ecological crises.
Furthermore, the concept of radical inclusion emerges prominently within this narrative. The depiction of nations walking in the light of God suggests a divine endorsement of diversity and multiculturalism as integral to the divine plan. However, the admonition that nothing impure shall enter the city serves not merely as a prohibition, but rather as an ethical challenge to dismantle systems of oppression that defile our communities. This intricate tapestry of inclusion and ethical standards invites us to engage in active reflection and tangible actions that foster inclusivity and justice in our own lives. Ultimately, the episode concludes with a call to action, urging us to identify barriers that separate the sacred from the secular and to take concrete steps toward dismantling these barriers, thereby embodying the vision of the New Jerusalem in our everyday lives.
Takeaways:
- The New Jerusalem vision emphasizes radical inclusion and environmental justice, challenging traditional notions of sacred spaces.
- The absence of a temple in the New Jerusalem symbolizes divine presence within communities, rather than confined to religious institutions.
- The imagery of a city illuminated by God's glory suggests an ancient vision of sustainable living and environmental stewardship.
- This podcast encourages listeners to identify barriers in their lives that separate sacred from secular, urging action towards inclusivity.
- The text highlights that diversity is integral to God's plan, advocating for a multicultural community filled with splendor.
- Listeners are challenged to break down walls of division through concrete actions, promoting radical love and justice in their environments.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- Voice of God Daily
Transcript
The New Jerusalem A vision of Radical inclusion and Environmental justice.
Speaker A: A reflection on Revelation: Speaker A:Brad Muller indeed.
Speaker A:Hello good people and welcome to Daily Bible reflection refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:This is the place where every day we come to you with a reading from the New Testament.
Speaker A:We bring it to you from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:We're in year C by three year cycle, the Eastertide season.
Speaker A:We bring you the reading of the New Testament only from the Message version to make it understandable.
Speaker A:We make it relatable by giving you some points to ponder and applicable will give you an action step to take and we give you a prayer to boot.
Speaker A: ion years a million people by: Speaker A: for today from the Revelation: Speaker A:The city was laid out in a perfect square.
Speaker A: city with the measuring stick: Speaker A:Using the standard measure, the angel measured the thickness of its wall 72 yards.
Speaker A:The wall was Jasper, the color of glory, and the city was pure gold, translucent as glass.
Speaker A:The foundations of the city walls were garnished with every precious gem imaginable.
Speaker A:The first foundation Jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, and the seventh chrysolite and the eighth beryl, the ninth Topaz and the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
Speaker A:The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate a single pearl.
Speaker A:But the main street of the city was pure gold, translucent as glass.
Speaker A:But there was no sign of a temple.
Speaker A:For the Lord God, the Sovereign strong and the Lamb are in the temple.
Speaker A:The city doesn't need sun or moon for light.
Speaker A:God's glory is the light, the Lamb its lamp.
Speaker A:The nations will walk in its light.
Speaker A:And the earth's kings bring in their splendor.
Speaker A:Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won't be any night.
Speaker A:They'll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the city.
Speaker A:Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the city.
Speaker A:And no one who defiles or deceives only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book.
Speaker A:Of life.
Speaker A:Life will get in.
Speaker A:Wow, what a credible, fascinating vision.
Speaker A:The imagery of a new Jerusalem that speaks to modern longings for justice, sustainability and inclusive community.
Speaker A:Let's get into some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first is the reimagining of sacred spaces.
Speaker A:The text tells us there is no temple in the New Jerusalem because God and the Lamb are the temple.
Speaker A:This radical reimagining challenges our traditional notions of where and how we encounter God the Divine in our progressive understanding.
Speaker A:This suggests that God isn't confined to religious buildings or institutions, but is present in our communities, our activism and our work for justice.
Speaker A:The second point to ponder is environmental and social sustainability.
Speaker A:The description of a city that needs no sun or moon for light powered by God's glory presents an ancient vision of sustainable living.
Speaker A:While the original authors couldn't have conceived of climate change or environmental crises which we experience today, this image of a self sustaining city resonates with our modern need for environmental stewardship and sustainable urban planning.
Speaker A:The third point is radical inclusion with ethical standards.
Speaker A:The text speaks of nations walking in God's light and bringing their splendor into the city.
Speaker A:This multicultural vision suggests that diversity is a part of God's plan.
Speaker A:However, the stipulation about nothing dirty or defiled in entering isn't about excluding people, but rather about challenging systems of oppression and exploitation that defile our communities.
Speaker A:Here's your action step this week.
Speaker A:Identify something that would be a temple wall in your life, a barrier that separates the sacred from the secular or insider from outsider, and work to break down this wall through some concrete action.
Speaker A:This might mean inviting someone different than you to share a meal together or participate in some conversation around environmental justice, or support an organization that work for inclusive community building.
Speaker A:We'll come back for a prayer here in just a moment, but I always like to remind you that we have a resource for you for your individual daily Bible study.
Speaker A:It is called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A:I really just want to invite you to go over to our website voiceofgoddaily.com and pick it up.
Speaker A:It's there.
Speaker A:It's free for you.
Speaker A:Our closing prayer oh God, you are a divine presence who dwells not in temples made by human hands, but in the heart of every justice movement and community gathering.
Speaker A:Help us see the sacred in our in the everyday and give us courage to break down walls that divide us.
Speaker A:Wisdom to build sustainable communities and love to welcome all who seek belonging.
Speaker A:May we be co creators with you of cities where all are valued, where resources are shared, and where your light shines through each of us in the spirit of hope and radical love.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well, my good friend, it is always so great to be with you here at Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:And I just want to invite you personally to participate with me in this process.
Speaker A:Two things you can do.
Speaker A:Join me again tomorrow for another episode of Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Make sure you subscribe and then tell somebody else to join us.
Speaker A:That's how we're to going to grow this great vision that we have until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Friends, My name is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller.
Speaker A:I'll be with you until then.
Speaker A:Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new.
Speaker A:Every morning.
