How the New Jerusalem as the Holy City Manifests God's Glory as God's Expression?
Revelation 21:23 "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb."
Revelation 22:4-5 "They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever."
How to Truly Feel that Christ is Precious to Us?
Philippians 3:7-8 "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."
The gospel is the gospel of the glory of Christ, illuminating, shining, and radiating in human hearts
2 Cor. 4:4 "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
Heb. 1:3 "The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word."
Why should there be illumination and radiance when preaching the gospel?
2 Cor. 4:6 "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ."
The Triune God in Christ becomes our life by shining into our hearts
2 Corinthians 4:4, 6 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."..."For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Why Christians Need to Remove the Veil?
2 Corinthians 3:15-16 "Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed."
From the perspective of the New Testament : ‘The Lord's Illumination VS Man's Reflection’
Acts 9:3-5 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.
Acts 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
From the Bible's perspective: ‘New Testament Light VS Old Testament Light’
Ex 34:29-30 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.
2 Cor 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
From the Bible's perspective, examine the distinctions between 'shine forth', 'shine on', 'shine into', 'according to', 'illuminate', 'radiate', and 'shine brilliantly'
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 4:6)
"The light shines in the darkness" (John 1:5)
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105)
"But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays" (Malachi 4:2)
Experiencing Life to Live the Proper Church Life
1 Corinthians 3:10-12 "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—"
2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
The ministers of the new covenant qualified by God are multi-faceted life workers
2 Corinthians 3:6 "Who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant, ministers not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
1 Corinthians 9:11 "If we have sown spiritual things to you, is it a great thing if we shall reap your fleshly things?"
1 Corinthians 3:6 "I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth."
1 Corinthians 3:9 "For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's cultivated land, God's building."
Why would a church become like the 'Dead Sea', full of salt, if there is no flow of water?
Ezekiel 47:12 And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.
Revelation 3:15-16 I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Ezekiel 47:11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt.