In the beginning “the whole earth was of one language and of one speech” and people were thus united together as one, virtually under one banner and they travelled towards the east and settled in the valley of Shinar. However, in this place they decided to “build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name”. Instead of giving God the glory, they intended to glorify themselves and God intervened since He found that “the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do; and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do “. Then people were provided many languages so that they may not understand one another and were scattered on the face of the earth (Genesis 11:1-8). The dominion given to man over everything had already been passed over to Satan and sin prevailed all over.
Prophet Isaiah had declared God’s intent that “a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14), implying God decided to come down and dwell with men. Jeremiah prophesied to the people of Israel about God’s plan for them but this plan has a universal application in that the mankind in general was assured of a future and hope. A sinful man had no hope and could never present himself before the Almighty God for fear of His wrath, what to say of seeking and finding Him and receiving answers to prayers (Jeremiah 29:11- 14) and being gathered again under one banner from all over the earth, where they were scattered.
Every man desires the best for himself and his offspring during his life and oneness with God after death without suffering the agony of condemnation to the fires of hell. Lord Jesus’ incarnation as man, crucifixion and resurrection provide answers to the quest of man by erasing the record of his sins and giving him a fresh start. The Lord as per His promise to “not leave you nor abandon you” then decides to dwell within man with the Holy Spirit to enable him victory over every situation while guiding him at every step of his life since “His Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). With the dominion restored through the blessing of “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12) and the final authority “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22). The authority is for whatever and not for any specific things only and this is further illustrated by Apostle John who prays “that you may prosper in all things, and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2).
Thus for this life assured is good health, prosperity in all things and spiritual growth through fellowship and rejoicing in the indwelling God.
As for the life after, our Lord again makes a categorical assurance “in My Father’s house are many mansions, if it was not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3). The proof of this is seen by Apostle John when he is made privy to the majesty of the Lord Jesus and His Father’s house in heaven where ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands worship God with the angels, living creatures and the elders. Also through the vision he witnesses the heavenly New Jerusalem descending down to the earth. This marvelous vision reveals a unique city with gold covered streets and gates made of a single pearl and costly stones embedded in its foundations. The city boundary wall is 144 cubits or 65 meters wide while its size is a huge 12,000 furlongs which is approximately 1500.3 miles with the length, width and height being equal- the city is 1500.3 miles high vertically which would imply the existing constructions in the city; thus easily confirming the promise of our Lord.
The prophesy of Jeremiah 29 was fulfilled for the entire mankind and our Lord became our banner where the cross is the banner with the risen Lord its flag, gathering all believers to Him, giving them unity and one language- His Own Name to enable them to fulfill what God had to deny to man. In Genesis 11:6 men were seen to be of one accord, speaking with the same intent and God saw that “nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do”. Jesus, the Good Shepherd gathers us under the banner of His name and provides us the same blessing, once we start speaking the language of His name and act with the sole intention of giving glory to Him. He comes ‘knocking at the door to make us join Him in heavenly feast’ but are we willing?
Jesus is our future, our hope, our banner, Jehovah Nissi- to gather us to Him from all corners of the earth, to proclaim His glory with one voice and be blessed. Join the heavenly choir to sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come”, and obtain the authority to fulfill your dreams!!
