Genesis 1:1-3; John 1:1-3, 14; Revelation 21:1-4.
Revised notes of an address by J. M.
God has made known to us that He desires to dwell with men; this He has purposed, and He will surely bring it to pass for His eternal pleasure. The first verse in Genesis speaks of a beginning which has God's purpose in view, the beginning of the creation. Something that had not existed before was created and formed to be the platform on which God would make known His thoughts before the creatures of His hand. The second verse does not speak of the creation as it came from the fingers of God; something had evidently occurred to bring in the chaos and darkness; but the Spirit of God moved on the face of the deep, telling of God's activity in view of the accomplishing of His will. Light is brought in by the word of God, and step by step we learn how God wrought to form the earth for man's habitation. But God had much in view in thus forming the earth that could not be revealed in the beginning of Genesis, although we can now read a great deal of God's thoughts there in the light of the great revelations of the New Testament. This was the scene in which God would be fully revealed in the Person of the Son, in Whom all His purposes of love and grace for the blessing of the creature are centred.
What we have just alluded to is brought before us in relation to another beginning, spoken of in the first chapter of John's Gospel. It is a beginning that conducts our thoughts into eternity, where the WORD was. Here we read of the eternal existence of the Son of God as the eternal Word, distinct in His Personality as the Son, being Himself God and withal distinct in His Person in eternity. Then we read of the Word becoming flesh, and dwelling among men full of grace and truth. He is the One Who brought the creation into being, for without Him was not anything made that was made; yet the eternal Word became Man to manifest the grace and love of God, and to bring to light all the thoughts of the Father's heart.
Although in John's Gospel the Lord Jesus is presented as a Divine Person on earth, it is as a Divine Person in manhood; and in seven, chapters of this Gospel He is spoken of as Son of Man. In Luke's Gospel He is presented as the Man, Christ Jesus; born into the world as a babe, growing up under the eye of God and yet before men, and saying at twelve years of age. "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business." Men said, "Is not this Joseph's son;" yet before He was born, at His baptism, and at different times throughout this Gospel, it is clearly portrayed that He is Son of God. In Matthews Gospel He is born king, and His kingship shines through the different scenes in which He is presented; but it is in John 11 that we read of Jesus saying, "Come unto Me — I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." No earthly potentate could utter such words. Such contrasts bring out the beautiful character of Jesus as King, yet as the meek and lowly One, the most approachable and accessible Person that was ever on earth. Mark's Gospel brings Him before the soul as the perfect Servant of God, according to Isaiah's prophecy. He is the One Who fulfils the type of old, the true Hebrew servant, Who said "I love my Master, my wife, and my children, I will not go out free" (Ex. 21:5). He went to the doorpost to have His ear bored — He died on the cross to express His great love: and He shall remain a servant for ever. It bows the heart before Him when we consider the place of service He has taken towards His own. But in this Gospel, which speaks so sweetly of His service, the opening words are, "Beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God:" and in the second last verse of the Gospel we read that "The Lord … was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." This is the One Who shall be the object of every redeemed soul for all eternity
When we come to Revelation 21:3 we have it stated that God shall dwell with men. This was God's thought from the beginning, and now we read the time of its accomplishment. When Israel crossed the Red Sea, they sang in the song of Moses, "Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which thou hast made for thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which thy hands have established" (Ex. 15:17).
Here is a type of what was in the mind of God, but Revelation 21 gives the glorious fulfilment and consummation for His eternal pleasure and the blessing of men. None could have planned this but God alone: blessed be His Holy Name.
In the desert God will teach thee
What the God that thou hast found,
Patient, gracious, powerful, holy,
All His grace shall there abound.