By Its Light

As I read those verses, my mind goes to the plight of immigrants, refugees, and the persecuted. In that Holy City, those who have found no home here on earth will be able to find a place of rest and shelter and abundance. I wonder, though, if we could take this picture of the New Jerusalem and learn from it today? After all, by the light of that Holy City the nations will walk. Why wait until the end of time to walk in that light?

I am torn as to how to respond to the refugee crisis on our southern border. Illegal drugs, violent criminals, coyotes (immigrant smugglers), and human trafficking victims are mixed in with the overwhelming wave of refugees. What, though, do I do with John’s statement: “Its gates will never be shut.” Can we shut our gates to needy, terrorized refugees? Perhaps the next words will help us: “by day.” In the light of day, the refugee will enter that Holy City. John also says of the Holy City, “Nothing unclean will ever enter it.” That day, the screening process will be completely reliable: “Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” will be allowed entrance. Nothing that is “detestable or false” will enter. In our day, however, the screening process is not perfect, but it is still necessary and good.