It was the third movement of Beethoven’s 9th symphony. Watching the black-clad orchestra play under the precise baton of the conductor, letting my eyes wander to the gilded ceiling of the theater, my soul was soul stirred and my senses full.
Somewhere between pizzicato strings tiptoeing me through imaginary green meadows and a crescendo that lifted me heavenward, it hit me.
Cities are important. They are centers of culture, gathering places of artists and architects, of scientists and businessmen. Cities display the best and brightest achievements of man.
And God loves cities.
He loves cities not because they are grand and lofty. He loves them not because he is impressed by human industry and advancement. No, God loves cities for one reason.
Cities are filled with his image-bearers.
People, do you not see your creator? swelled the chorale in the original German. Eighty voices filled the air, running chills down my spine. There must be a loving father above the canopy of the stars.
Ludwig was onto something. There is indeed a loving Father. He has named every star, but we don’t need to look above the heavens to find him. He has come to us right where we live.
One day, all those who call on him will live in the city of God. We will enjoy the unshackled pursuit of creativity without the pain and suffering which mar human accomplishment in this present age. We will praise and glorify our heavenly Father, seeing the achievements of man as a gift from the Creator to be used for his honor.
We will revel in our talents, not for selfish gain or idolatrous arrogance, but as a means to worship God.
The book of Revelation describes the city of God in some detail. Still, it is difficult to picture what a new heaven and new earth will be like. The best orchestras, the finest singers, the most talented architects, artists and dancers known in earthly cities can only paint shadows of the kind of beauty we will know in the age to come.
That aching, breath-taking loveliness I sensed at the symphony concert was but an appetizer for the beauty of God’s city.
Imagine no more tears, no more pain, no more slums or homelessness or despair.
Imagine all art created out of pure worship.
Imagine a community where everything is done with perfect unity of mind and for one over-arching purpose – to bring praise and glory to the loving Father of us all.
Joy! wrote Beethoven. Perfect joy.