The idea of a mutual dwelling—we in God and God in us—is first clearly presented in John’s gospel. In John 14:20 Jesus said, “In that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” That day is the day of resurrection after the Lord accomplished redemption and when He as the Spirit could enter into us.
According to the Lord’s word, this mutual dwelling is true today. Lord, cause us all to know that we are in You and You in us! This mutual dwelling will continue into New Jerusalem.
The holy city is also the dwelling place of God (v. 3). God and Christ dwell in this city. On one hand, They are the temple in which we dwell, and on the other hand, They are also the Dwellers within the city. This means that the New Jerusalem is a mutual habitation. God dwells in us, and we dwell in God. The church today is a habitation where God may dwell (Eph. 2:22), and God is the home where we may dwell (Psa. 90:1). This is not a new concept. Christ said in John 15, “Abide in me and I in you” (v. 4). He is saying in essence, “I am your abode, and you are My abode.”*
We might be concerned about our physical dwelling, but the Lord is much more concerned about our mutual spiritual dwelling. It is the reality, no matter where we are physically. For example, Paul experienced the spiritual reality while he was in a Roman prison. Mutual indwelling today is a foretaste of New Jerusalem.
* Excerpt from The Vision of God’s Building by Witness Lee, chapter 19, © LSM.