We are completing our study on the New Jerusalem this week. We have seen that the New Jerusalem is a city that metaphorically speaks of the Church, Christ’s bride. The City has twelve gates, and each gate is a pearl. Each gate also has a name, named after the twelve sons of Israel. In Biblical times, names had prophetic meanings. A pearl is formed through irritation. Each gate is a process that shapes us into a place where the Kingdom of God can come to earth through us.
We have looked at the first eight sons of Israel and what their names mean. This week we will look at the last four sons.
Ninth son: Issachar – reward. We will all be rewarded one day for what we have done. There is a reward for the righteous, and for the unrighteous, there is a reward- 1 Cor 3:14-15. Knowing that we will be rewarded, we must be aware that we can also lose rewards. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus warns the disciples and the people that if we love people because they love us, we have no compensation. To love your enemies is what brings a reward. Suppose we pray to be seen by men, no reward. Suppose we give to be seen, no reward. If we fast to be seen, no reward – Matt 6:1-2, 16. What about Moses, who despised Egypt’s riches and followed God because he wanted the real reward – Heb 11:26. Confidence has an incredible prize – Heb 10:35. The irritation in this process is not seeking out the wrong things that can bring temporary relief but robs us of our real reward. Going to God and understanding that He rewards those that seek Him first – Heb 11:6.
Tenth son: Zubulon – habitation. From Genesis to Revelations, we see a pattern. God wants to live with His people. He visits Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden both before the fall and after man’s fall. He stays with Abraham, Speaks to Isaac, and meets with Jacob. He commands Moses to build Him a tabernacle so that He can be amongst His people. He manifests Himself in the flesh through Jesus Christ and redeems humanity. He fills the worshippers in the Upper Room with His Spirit and still does today. The Angel says: call His name Emmanuel, God with us! In Revelations, we see that the City of God comes down to earth, and God dwells with His people forever, a new earth and a new heaven that does not need the sun because God will be the light that lights all people – Rev 21:23. You are part of the body of Christ, a temple for God to live in – 1 Cor 3:16-17. As a homeowner, I have a choice to rent out rooms. Airbnb is a popular way to make some extra cash. God does not rent rooms in His house to outsiders. What do you allow to dwell in your life that does not compliment His presence?
Eleventh son: Joseph – he shall add a son. Joseph was the firstborn son of Rachel. After Leah and the handmaidens had sons, God opened Rachel’s womb. Joseph has a fantastic story of redemption – Gen 30-50. His brothers sold him into slavery because they were jealous of him. He stays faithful and pure in Potiphar’s home. He remains accountable while in prison and finally gets restored to being second in command of Egypt. His testimony is that of redemption. His family is blessed in times of famine and preserved when others suffer hunger. What do we do with the process God uses to make us blessed? We add another son. Sons and daughters are added to the Kingdom through evangelism. When was the last time you shared your testimony? God did something for you. Some people are waiting to hear the good news. Your processes are not lost. Your prison and your pit become a doorway for someone to discover God’s goodness amid trial and difficulty.
Twelve son: Benjamin – son of my right hand. Benjamin is not a half brother to Joseph but a full brother because they have the same mother. We are not half brothers and half-sisters of each other, but we are a full-blooded family, no more strangers, and foreigners but fellow citizens of the saints and God’s household – Eph 2:19. A few things happen when Benjamin is born – Gen 34. Jacob returns to Bethel, and God changes his name to Israel, which means “God contents.” From now on, God is fighting for you. Rachel also dies as she gives birth to Benjamin. When Joseph is ruling in Egypt, Benjamin servings was five times more than his brothers – Gen 43:34. Joseph had his servants place his cup in Benjamin’s bag with his money. The cup identifies the real brother. When we face difficulty, we identify as brothers of Jesus by drinking the same cup of suffering as Christ did. Jesus asked the disciples: Are you able to drink from the cup I am about to drink? They said: We are able. Jesus responds: You will indeed drink my cup and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with. We become sons of His right hand when we face the same baptism and suffering. This last gate qualifies us to represent the Kingdom well. We stay in the process until we are mature and complete as a dwelling place for His glory – Gal 4:1-6.
First, you receive the son(Rueben); then, you start hearing(Simeon) and obeying. Obedience causes you to walk in unity(Levi) with the Spirit and the purposes of God. Your life is filled with praise(Judah) even as God judge(Dan), and you fight the good fight to obtain what God has promised(Naphtali). God fights for you and assist you(Gad) and blesses(Asher) you in your enemies’ midst. He rewards(Issachar) your faithfulness and chooses you to be a dwelling(Zebulon) for Him. You add another son(Joseph) as you go and preach the Gospel, disciplining them to maturity and they become seated with Him in heavenly places, seated at His right hand(Benjamin)
You are the New Jerusalem, the City, and the bride of Christ. These processes make us a dwelling place for Him.
1 Pet 2:4-5. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Eph 2:19-22 Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
