Considering the manifold mercies of God to His people, we could not begin to number or order them all up. However, as I get older, one of the ones that I put more stock in than I used to is the fact of Him being with us. Revelation 21:3 tells us that the “tabernacle” of God is with men, and because of that, He “dwells” with us. Consider the language employed. An Eternal Being is given a temporary habitation – tabernacle – and Infinite Fulness inhabits finite space – dwells. Such time and space bound words used to describe Him who is boundless in every sense. God does not sacrifice His characteristics, attributes, or personage to do this. Rather, it shows His power and authority to move within His creation how and when He chooses.
Flesh and blood: One of the easiest ways to point out that God dwells with men is when He took on literal flesh and blood in the form of His Son. (Hebrews 2:14-15) One of the hallmark differences between Christianity and every other religion/cult is that they believe in aspiring to be god. Christianity shows that God mercifully became us to save us and be a faithful and merciful High Priest in all things. Our bodies are called tabernacles, and God prepared His Son a body (Hebrews 10:5) to dwell with men as a Man just like us in all things – sin excepted. While His journey on earth only lasted 33.5 years, He remains a Man who is now glorified and still bodily at His Father’s right hand.
Invisible Kingdom: While there are many debates about what the kingdom of God is, how it is, and what its bounds are, the easiest definition of the kingdom is where it is. Where is a natural kingdom? Where a natural king reigns. Where is the kingdom of God? Where God reigns over and with His people. Luke 17:20-21 tells us that the bounds of the kingdom are not observable naturally. Why? Because it resides in the heart of God’s people wherever they are. This naturally unseen bound comes at the moment of regeneration when His Spirit takes up abode with our spirit in our heart. This continual testimony that we are the children of God is what renews us day by day. Nothing can prevent it from happening when God comes in, and nothing can stop the testimony that abides with His children until we go home. No matter where, how, or when a child of God has lived, they live with God as He dwells with them from the moment of regeneration on.
Manifest: As merciful as the above is that God would be one of us and come into us, He has afforded a further blessing that something quite invisible within His children becomes manifest when the church body meets together. Paul describes particular and special blessings to those that seek to honour and adore Him through public worship. (I Timothy 4:8) Because of this, Paul commands us to do good to all men but particularly those of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10) It is a special time when the church experiences the power of God. Isn’t He already dwelling with us? Certainly. However, when we preach with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, He comes into the room with power like a great and rushing mighty wind. Sometimes my own children can forget I’m in the room with them (or around the corner), but when I speak, they don’t have to be told where I am or who I am. When the Lord comes and dwells with the church assembly, we don’t have to be told who He is or where He is. We know that He is with us, and we can say during those times that His love is manifest to all.
…and Manifest: Many debate what the language of Revelation 21 and 22 is talking about. Some think it’s talking about the church. Some think it’s heaven. One of the things that either view has to contend with is that not all verses seem to line up with one or the other. As a dear elder told me, beware of being too bold about Scriptural language that has tension points that you can’t reconcile in your own mind. Hold them loosely rather than with a tight fist. However, this little writing isn’t meant to be a treatise on those 2 chapters but allow this point to make the point. What is manifest now in the church assembly is of the same substance as what will be manifest one sweet day. Paul calls this little portion now the “earnest” of our inheritance. (Ephesians 1:14) Heaven is of the same substance that the church occupies a piece of. However, one thing heaven will have then that nothing now can show is ALL the family of God without exception. It’s what our new man longs to see. (Romans 8:19) Just as people debate what the last two chapters of the Bible are talking about, so do they also debate what heaven is going to be like. Heaven in a nutshell is God DWELLING with us. He is still infinite and eternal, but we will dwell with Him and He with us to a degree unlike anything we have ever experienced before.
As mentioned earlier, the older I get, the more I appreciate this manifold mercy from God’s many manifold mercies. I’m thankful He sent His Son; else I’d be hell-bound. I’m thankful that He sends His Spirit; else I’d perish within a day. I’m thankful He manifests His Spirit; else I’d be bound over continually. I’m thankful that He brings us to heaven; else I’d be perpetually homesick.
It may not be so far away,
To perfect rest and endless day;
It matters not where it may be,
Where Jesus is, will be heaven for me.