The Holy City
"I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem" Rev. 21:2.

Esther, a rookie missionary from Switzerland, had recently arrived in Nepal. Mi-ja, a South Korean missionary, had driven Esther to the top of Nagarkot, a 7,000-foot hill east of Katmandu, the capital city.

"In the three weeks I've known you, I've never seen you so happy," said Mi-ja.

"This is God's country!" Esther exclaimed.

"True, but isn't THIS God's country too?" Mi-ja gestured toward the Katmandu Valley, where smog shrouded the city of 1.5 million.

"How could a city be God's country? Cities are the creation of sinful human beings."

"Forgive me for asking, Esther, but with an attitude like that, why did you come to Katmandu?"

"I was told I would be working in rural Nepal. But when I got here I was assigned to Katmandu instead. To be honest, I feel like I've been sentenced to an urban prison of concrete, pollution, crime and moral depravity."

Mi-ja asked, "My friend, where does the story of humankind begin?"

"In the Garden of Eden."

"And where shall it end?"

Esther hesitated and then answered, "In the New Jerusalem. What are you driving at?"

"When I arrived here I could barely tolerate cities either, until I read an essay by E. Luther Copeland, a missionary in urbanized Japan. Copeland says Christianity is the most social of all religions. The proof of this claim is seen in the final goal of other religions. For example, Islam pictures humanity's final destiny as a garden oasis where individual--not societal--needs are satisfied. Indian religions claim that our goal is mystic union with the divine in which our personal and social existence will disappear. In contrast, Esther, what is the eternal destiny of those saved by God's grace through faith in Christ?"

"To live together as holy people in a holy city."

"Exactly! I so appreciated Copeland's concluding thought, that I memorized it. He says: 'The image of the heavenly city as the picture of our final redemption reminds us that interpersonal relationships are basic and essential. Another religion might see service to humanity and rightness with one's neighbor as MEANS to salvation--salvation itself being something else, such as Nirvana. Christian faith sees these right relationships AS salvation, as part and parcel of our ultimate destiny.'*"

Struck by this insight, Esther opened her pocket New Testament and read aloud:
"I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem,
coming down out of heaven from God,
prepared as a bride beautifully dressed
for her husband. ...
"Now the dwelling of God is with men,
and He will live with them.
They will be His people,
and God Himself will be with them
and be their God" (Rev. 21:2-3).

Sighing as though freed from a great weight, Esther prayed, "Lord, since by the blood of Jesus Christ You have purchased my citizenship in the Holy City, I gladly accept Your assignment to invite Katmandu's people to become citizens of the New Jerusalem."

1. What unholy elements of cities distress you?
2. What would a holy, sinless city be like? Imagine the positive features of an urban center where people redeemed by Christ live in honesty, love and harmony.
3. How can God use you to demonstrate signs of His Kingdom in your city?

In a place with a panoramic view of your city, read Rev. 21 and pray for the eternal destiny of those who live there. If you live in a rural setting, use a photo of a city.

* "Urbanization and Salvation: Can the City Be Saved?" by E. Luther Copeland in Discipling the City, Roger S. Greenway, ed., Baker Book House, 1979.