Ezekiel 48:35

This, then, is the last and greatest glory: the presence of the Lord in the city of His choice. Israel will boast in this above all their privileges, and rightly, for it completes and crowns them all. What a bright end to their long wandering and their many sorrows!

It is a fitting finale to this great book. In its beginning, we see the glory of the Lord departing. All through the book we read of Israel's rebellion, the judgments on Jerusalem, the nation's disobedience and rejection. Then come the messages of hope: Israel's conversion, the regathering of the twelve tribes, the final conflict, the returning glory of the Lord. From that day the name of the city will be Jehovah Shammah... He once walked through that city with weary feet, the Son of God dressed as a servant. He was dragged through it with the cross on His shoulders. That city cast Him out, and outside it He endured the cross and despised the shame. That same city will become in that day the glory spot of the earth.

One might have expected the chosen mark to be the surpassing glory that will make everything in the millennial state radiant with the praise of the Lord. But no. It is the Lord's presence that will be the most prominent feature of that day of bliss to come.

In the new Jerusalem there is no temple. In the earthly city it is prominent — and that city has its own dignity, for its name from that day shall be Jehovah-Shammah, "the Lord is there." He who is there will certainly live up to that glorious name. He will prove that it is no small blessing for a people to have the Lord for their God. Still it is earthly, not heavenly... Never has either land or people, priesthood or sanctuary, answered to the prophet's description. Faith, therefore, is sure that every word must yet come true.

They are named after the twelve tribes. It is a city in which all have their part and special interest. All ancient jealousies, all strife for place, are over; unity and concord prevail with each one in his ordered place.

What man cannot do by his planning, his parliaments or his armies, our Lord will do in a moment when He takes up the reins of government. Peace is coming to Jerusalem, which has been the scene of the conflict of ages. Once the Prince of peace is present how restful everything will be.

In that day to come this will be known in a national — indeed, a universal — way. In this era, the Spirit's day, it is known in a narrower way. The Lord's people have now the special privilege of anticipating the universal condition of the "world to come." "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them" (Matt. 18:20).