Today’s verse is short, but nonetheless important.

God is a precise God, in so many ways.

Another way of saying, God often “measures” things!

The Bible is, in many ways, a “numerical” Book.

In fact, the fourth Book into the sacred Volume is named “Numbers!”

So … here’s Revelation 21:15, our text for this snowy Monday morning (at least where we are … preaching in the mountains of western North Carolina). “And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.”

The speaker, the one “talking” (Greek “laleo” meaning “to converse, to chat”) to John, is an angel. See verse 9 for confirmation of this fact.

A “reed” is simply a measuring rod. It’s “golden” appearance suggest it belongs to God! It’s heavenly in origin. (In Scripture “brass” often implies “judgment.” While “silver” speaks of “redemption.” And “gold” typifies “deity.”)

The Greek verb used here for “measure” is “metreo,” as in “metric.” It is only used 10  times in the whole New Testament. But it’s noun cognate (relative) is used 13 more times.

What is to be measured?

The whole City limits!

And her Gates!

Including the Wall!

God wants us to be aware of the sheer “size” of this new and vast Jerusalem!

Come to think of it … God measured the days (in hours like “evening and morning”) He invested in creating the world, the universe!

God carefully told us the size of Noah’s Ark!

And of the Tabernacle, nearly every detail.

Plus, the dimensions of Solomon’s Temple!

And the Prophet Ezekiel devotes over eight chapters depicting the size of the Millennial Temple!

We even know how “tall” Goliath was, before David killed him with that single little stone!

Get this. (Then I’m going to quit writing today and let YOU ponder this inexhaustible subject, God’s love for numbers and sizes.) Even the very hairs of our heads, you know! Folks, Jesus is recorded as saying this, Matthew 10:30. “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

Wow!

What a God we serve!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell