A Coming City of Miracles
Do you have a vision for the future?
Recently two eighth graders from Batavia Middle School made a thought-provoking presentation to my Rotary Club. They built a futuristic city model called “Halcyon in Iceland,” reflecting advances in the year 2242. Fueled by their vivid imaginations and tempered by a mentor engineer, these eighth graders established a visionary model community that could help the human race survive in an uncertain future.
Our club found it remarkable, as did the judges of the DiscoverE’s FutureCity Competition in Ohio, where the eighth grade group captured first place and earned a trip to the National Future City Competition in Washington, D.C.
Why was it remarkable? Their Halcyon was nothing less than a visionary city of miracles, where water, energy, waste, and food were carefully managed. Their future city also represented a community over which death had no power. Can you imagine living in a city like this?
To illustrate how their future city might work, their Rotary presentation included a brief skit in which Death arrives to wipe out Halcyon and its citizens. However, Halcyon’s “mayor” and the head engineer “defeat” and neutralize Death’s plans by demonstrating how well Halcyon is designed. The eighth graders effectively used this future imaginative “confrontation” to explain the city’s innovative medical technologies, their proposed method of emergency communication, how the city might use geothermal energy, and the efficiencies of a futuristic waste water system.
All this was fascinating to me because this resonates with what the Bible teaches about the future of humanity. As a long-time pastor, I am privileged to confidently preach about a futuristic Kingdom of God, a compassionate global Spirit-led government that will bring unprecedented harmony and quality of life. The forthcoming Kingdom will feature a magnificent City of God on earth that is real. And in it death will truly have no power. It is a hope that we all can—and should—hold on to!
The Bible teaches much about a present world that is on the brink of self-destruction. But it also shows that it will be rescued by the mighty power of a returning Jesus Christ. The biblical plan of God shows in detail how Jesus will set up a literal perfect society. Where today we have war, injustice and trauma, after Jesus returns as King of Kings, “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7, emphasis added throughout). For Christians throughout the ages, this Kingdom offers great hope!
Want proof? The Book of Isaiah is replete with imagery of a literal Kingdom of peace coming to this earth. So in fact, what the ingenious students imagined is true. A future city of miracles is indeed in humanity’s future.
However, the city of God will come not materialize as a result of humanity’s advancements. It will come because God so loved this world (John 3:16) that He gives His Son not only spiritually to save us, but physically as well.
Consider this: The Bible outlines a story of a futuristic society being established on this earth. Despite man’s best intentions, the Bible notes that mankind cannot bring about a peaceful and eternal society on human terms. But God will make it happen! He will establish a futuristic civilization, and there will be no more death. The Book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, ends triumphantly on this note of a miraculous world of miracles. Let’s read these powerful words with confidence:
“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven…and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them…There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:2-4, New International Version).
What will this futuristic city of God be like? Let’s continue in Revelation 21:23: “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light” (NIV).
Going on to the next chapter, we read:
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, wasthe tree of life…There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:5).
What a marvelous vision. Yes, a literal city of miracles is in humanity’s future!
The Bible teaches much more about the Kingdom of God and your part in it. Do you want to enter into this incredible Kingdom of God for all eternity? I do! If you have not read it already, I invite you to request and read our exciting Bible study aid The Gospel of the Kingdom (you can also download it instantly at www.ucg.org/booklet/gospel-kingdom/).
May the Almighty God favor you with this incredible vision for all of humanity.
P.S. What role do you think you will have in God’s future Kingdom? Share your thoughts with me at victor_kubik@ucg.org.
