Future events are being described.
John the Apostle (and Prophet) has been telling us about a time when God will reveal, create a new earth! And a new Heaven as well! “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1-2
Then in today’s verse John adds: “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Revelation 21:3
The expression “great voice” is “megas phone” in Greek, our word “megaphone,” an obviously amplified sound. It (this term) is used (“great voice”) six times in Revelation, and no where else in the New Testament. Although twice in the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 5:22 (giving of the Ten Commandments) and Jeremiah 51:55 (the voice of great Babylon, the world’s most wicked metropolis of that time).
“Behold” means “look” in Greek, the verb being “idou,” an imperative in our text here. “Don’t miss this, watch carefully!”
The noun “tabernacle” is “skene,” the word for “tent” literally. God Himself will “pitch a tent” and live on earth, in Jerusalem! This is the word often used of the Old Testament “tabernacle,” forerunner to the great Temple that King Solomon built.
By the way, this is the same verb John used when He described the Virgin Birth, the Incarnation of Jesus! “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt (“skenoo”) among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Wow!
Then … “He (God) will dwell (“skenoo” again) with them (men and women), and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”
The preposition “with” is spelled “meta,” literally meaning “among” them! Very intimate, personal, loving! Pure, as well. Mankind … God’s people! God, the Bible God, worshipped by the inhabitants of earth! Psalm 89:6 prophesied: “All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.”
Yes!
This is a Presence of God that seems to even outstrip the Garden of Eden! “And they (Adam and Eve) heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.” Amazing!
The very Shekinah Glory of God come to earth … permanently!
“And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, A CLOUD AND SMOKE by day, and the SHINING OF FLAMING FIRE by night: for upon all THE GLORY shall be a defence.” Isaiah 4:5
What a Day that will be!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20, what a prayer! Is it ours?