Nov 07 2008
A New Name For The New City During Earth’s New Age
The new name is Jehovah-Shammah, meaning, “the Lord who is present.”
In the final nine chapters of his book (40-48), Ezekiel describes for us the glorious features of the millennial temple and concludes by giving us the new name for the earthly city of Jerusalem in that day!
“It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there” (Ezek. 48:35).
Of course the obvious meaning is that God himself will be in that city. The psalmist had this idea when he wrote Psa. 46: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea” (Psa. 46:1-2).
He is a very present help in time of trouble. He is an ever-present help in time of need. He is Jehovah-Shammah at weddings. He is an ever present strength in times of sorrow. He is our joy in times of rejoicing. Jehovah-Shammah—the Lord who is present.
The greatest thing about heaven is probably connected to the worst thing about hell. The worst thing about hell is not the terrible pain and the eternality, but rather that hell will be a place where Jesus Christ will be conspicuously absent throughout all eternity. On the other hand, the greatest thing about heaven is not the pearly gates, the ivory palaces, the jasper walls, or the streets of gold but rather, heaven will be a place where Jesus Christ will be conspicuously present throughout all eternity. Jehovah-Shammah—the Lord who is present.
“And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee” (John 11:28). If rightly understood, Shammah may well be the most comforting of all the titles for Jehovah. In essence, it says, He is there, and He does care!
In his beautiful gospel hymn, Frank Graeff ponders four painful questions, and provides one glorious answer!
1. The questions:
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply
for mirth and song; As the burdens press, and the cares
distress, And the way grows weary and long.
Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless
dread and fear? As the daylight fades into deep night
shades, Does He care enough to be near?
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed to resist some
temptation strong; When for my deep grief I find no
relief, Tho my tears flow all the night long?
Does Jesus care when I’ve said good-by to the dearest on
earth to me; And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks—
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
2. The answer:
O yes, He cares—I know He cares! His heart is touched with
my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I
know my Savior cares.
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