Day 80: Come, Lord Jesus: Revelation 21-22 Concludes the Biblical Story with Ultimate Hope and Longing
Reading: Revelation
Arrive at the culmination of the entire biblical story—and your 16-week Immerse Bible reading journey—with Revelation 21-22, where the new Jerusalem descends in all its incomparable glory: walls of jasper, gates of pearl, streets of pure gold like transparent glass, and the river of life flowing from God's throne to the tree of life bearing twelve kinds of fruit, a Scripture reading that overwhelms the senses with beauty and permanence and peace beyond human comprehension. The NLT Bible reveals that there is no need for sun or moon because God's glory illuminates the city, and the servants of God will see his face and bear his name on their foreheads, a community Bible reading moment that speaks to the ultimate intimacy God offers—not distant judgment but face-to-face communion forever. This Bible podcast episode includes God's declaration—as at creation's beginning—that 'I am making everything new,' not merely spiritual salvation but the renewal and restoration of all material reality, gardens and cities, relationships and work, freed from sin and suffering and death. The Immerse Messiah study concludes with Jesus' repeated promise 'surely I am coming soon' and John's passionate response 'Amen. Come, Lord Jesus,' capturing the longing of the church throughout history for the completion of redemption and the restoration of all things. For 16 weeks you have journeyed through the Immerse format's compelling narrative from the Gospels' introduction of Jesus through his ministry, death, and resurrection, through the apostolic church's early growth, through the exhortations of Hebrews and James, through John's intimate Gospel and epistles, and finally through Revelation's glorious vision of the end—a Scripture reading experience designed for both individual transformation and small group discussion that culminates not in uncertainty but in unshakeable hope. As you close this final episode of your community Bible reading adventure, may you be changed by the gospel's power and held by the promise that Christ is coming again to make all things new.
Buy Immerse Messiah today!
4 Questions to get your conversations started:
1. What stood out to you this week?
2. Was there anything confusing or troubling?
3. Did anything make you think differently about God?
4. How might this change the way we live?
QUICK START GUIDE
3 ways to get the most out of your experience
1. Use Immerse: Messiah instead of your regular chapter and verse Bible. This special reader’s edition restores the Bible to its natural simplicity and beauty by removing chapter and verse numbers and other historical additions. Letters look like letters, songs look like songs, and the original literary structures are visible in each book.
2. Commit to making this a community experience. Immerse is designed for groups to encounter large portions of the Bible together for 8 weeks–more like a book club, less like a Bible study. By meeting every week in small groups and discussing what you read in open, honest conversations, you and your community can come together to be transformed through an authentic experience with the Scriptures.
3. Aim to understand the big story. Read through “The Stories and the Story” (p. 483) to see how the books of the Bible work together to tell God’s story of his creation’s restoration. As you read through Immerse: Messiah, rather than ask, “How do I fit God into my busy life?” begin asking, “How can I join in God’s great plan by living out my part in his story?”
And for more great Bible podcasts for Christians and small groups, check out https://lumivoz.com or search for Lumivoz in your podcast app of choice.