Revelation 21:1-4
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "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. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
This particular site in Israel, is from the 50,000 exiles returning from Babylon.
Except, the exiles would have found rocks burned black.
Nehemiah 2:3
But I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?"
Seventy years before the Exiles Returned to Jerusalem.
God had grown tired of the pride of the Jews.
The plots of uncles to throw over the Heir of David's Throne. The inability to listen to Jeremiah. A pride in the way of ritual without the mercy God was known to have. Josephus records the Gate west of the Women's Court was the great Nicanor Gate. East side of the Court of Israel. Josephus mentioned the Great Gate, Nicanor Gate, at this location in Wars of the Jews, Volume 5. Nicanor Gate was magnificent brass and had a 15 step stairway to the Court of Women. According to the Mishnah (Middoth 2) these steps in front of the Nicanor Gate were curved.
The Mishnah also records Nicanor's Gate "miracles were performed" speaking of the gate unlocking allowing Nebuchadnezzar's army to raid and burn the Temple. In remembrance of the miracles, Nicanor's gate was never coated with gold as the rest (Middoth 2:3).
God isn't just building nations, He is finding hearts within His Beloved. Renew and give encouragement is the work of God saving us in Jesus Christ.
Nehemiah 1:4
When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted
and prayed before the God of Heaven.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
Nehemiah 9:10
You sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh, against all his officials
and all the people of his land, for you knew how arrogantly the Egyptians treated them.
You made a name for Yourself,
which remains to this day.
After 70 years, the exiles returning, were coming away from political upheaval and reaching for what they have learned from family and worship. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
Some of these exiles died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Isaiah 51:1
Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD:
Look to the rock from which you were cut
and to the quarry from which you were hewn
This drive to return, to find what is done in and renew, is from our God.
John 10:28
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
no one will snatch them out of my hand.
Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him,
because He always lives to intercede for them.
Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and those who win souls are wise.
Another interesting fact God puts into the Book of Nehemiah, the goodness God is pouring into this place with so many difficulties is the new arrivals of new people. Where we wouldn't think to see upward change, we find instead new changes are the work of God Himself in the movement of the people. It wasn't always smooth sailing.
Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them
Nehemiah 9:20
You gave your good Spirit to instruct them.
You did not withhold your manna from their mouths,
and you gave them water for their thirst.
For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable [for He does not withdraw what He has given, nor does He change His mind about those to whom He gives.
Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God
that brings salvation to everyone
who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and they with me.
Revelation 14:6
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth – to every nation, tribe, language and people.
Revelation 7:9
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good
of those who love Him,
who are called according to His purpose.
Abba, Father,
Dwell in us, we ask in the Highest Name of Jesus.
Your Mercies Renew each day.
God of Love.
God of Encouragement.
Dwell in those we Love.
Let the Light of Jesus Christ be present in mankind.
Light of the world.
Through Him all things were made
without Him nothing was made
Jesus has the whole world in His Hands.
Jesus teaches we will always pray with Hope.
Yet to all who did receive Him,
to those who believe in His Name,
He gave the right
to become
Children of God
To the Beloved child of God,
Grace, mercy and peace
from God the Father
and Christ Jesus our Lord.
We remember and Thank God.
We ought always to thank God for you,
brothers and sisters loved by the Lord,
because God chose you as firstfruits
to be saved
through the sanctifying work
of the Spirit
and through belief in the truth.
Jesus Christ is the way,
the truth
and the Life.
So that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
To give to His people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the Sun will visit us from on high,
to shine on those who live in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet
into the path of peace.
Dear friends,
although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share,
contend for the faith
that the Lord has once for all entrusted to us,
His people.
You are my Beloved Child,
who I Love,
with you,
I am well pleased.
Who comforts us in all our troubles,
so that we can comfort those in any trouble
with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement
give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.
God did this so that, by two unchangeable things
in which it is impossible for God to lie,
we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged.
Blessed to be taught to ask
more of Heaven upon this earth.
Blessed to be taught to pray with hope.
Blessed to be taught to know and seek and find
new mercies renewed each day.
And we know that God works all things together for the good
of those who love Him,
who are called according to His purpose.
Meaningful life
for the good
working for His purposes
Love Him.
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father,
who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope.
We pray
in the Highest Name
of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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