Hebrews 11:9-10, 16"By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
"But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
The PPG Building of Pittsburgh, I must say, is a beautiful building. Early in the morning, I gaze at this building and I am always tempted to take a photo. It is quite a unique building and it stands out from every other building in the city. But, one thing is certain, its builder is man. We may gaze at the creation of man, but it doesn't amount to the creation of God.
Abraham dwelt in a land by faith in God. God prepared the land and would soon give it to the descendants of Abraham. But, although the land was a creation of God, there was a lack.
God's people of old and their faith in Him required more than an earthly city. The earthly city had earthly things. But, what they desired of God was godly things. They weren't looking for an earthly well, but their faith dug for a far greater well, living water. They sought after Light and Life, the Spiritual and not the physical.
But, right here on earth, they had access to the earthly state. Althoughthey had great faith, they did not obtain. But, in order to see and comprehend, one must be born of the water and of the Spirit. Now, that the Lord has paid the price, this Spiritual and Actual city is at hand.
It's Builder is God, it consists of 12 foundations and 12 gates.
"The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass."
The Lord promises all of those who are born again to inherit this city that He Himself has prepared. This city is beyond the buildings of man in both beauty and splendor. This heavenly city is greatly adorned.
Although those of faith in the times of old did not obtain it, God has made it available for this generation. This is where there isn't any fault, no tears, no pain, no sorrow, no hurt, no sickness, no death, no sin, and no sinners for God has atoned for the born again believers.
Here's the message:
God has priveleged us to obtain this City. He has granted access to this marvelous wonder. It is your permanent residence if you are born of the water and of the Spirit. How? Repentance, water baptism in Jesus' name, and the gift of the Indwelling Spirit of God.(Acts 2:38)
One must be sealed with His name and called by Him out of this realm into the next.
