A Glimpse into Eternity, Part 2

Revelation 21:9-27

Before us is a view of Heaven given to us by God.

Heaven is the ultimate preparation of God for mankind.

A place where we will spend forever with the Lord in the New Earth, the New Jerusalem.

Isaiah 65:17–19 KJV

17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: And the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: For, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19 And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: And the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.

It is difficult for us to comprehend the splendor of Heaven.

Imagine a missionary trying to describe an electric stove to someone who has only seen an open fire.

Or imagine explaining a refrigerator to someone who has only seen a cool stream.

I. The Declaration of a New City

A. Introduced by an Angel

An angel gave a similar tour earlier, as John toured the wicked system of Babylon

9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

B. Inhabited by Saints

9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

The term “bride” is not a reference to the city as much as it is to the inhabitant of the city.

When this city comes down, it is a people-filled city.

This city is the unique habitation of the saints for eternity.

C. Illuminating the Glory of God

11a Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

The glory of God lights up the city (Rev. 21:23).

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

The last city John saw was purple and dark.

This city is radiant and bright.

II. The Description of the New City

Rev. 21:12-21

(The city foursquare)

A. The Walls

Represent Exclusiveness and Eternal Security — Rev. 21:12

12a And had a wall great and high...

B. The Twelve Gates

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

Each gate had an angel attending and the name of one of the twelve tribes.

In the study of numerology, the number 12 seems to be the number of governmental administration.

The twelve gates remind us that God's people will always have access to the heavenly city.

The twelve gates were gates of pearl.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

The names of the twelve tribes indicate that the children of Israel will have access to the heavenly city.

Each tribe seems to have its own angel, even as each church of Asia Minor had its own angel.

C. The Twelve Foundations

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

The foundations are represented as layers built upon one another.

Jasper — gold in appearance, like glass (the walls of the city are made of jasper, as well as part of the foundation)

Sapphire — similar to a diamond, with blueness of color

Chalcedony — an agate stone from Turkey, sky blue in color possibly green stone.

Emerald — bright green

Sardonyx — a red and white stone (onyx)

Sardius — refers to a common jewel with red color (fiery red stone)

Chrysolite — a transparent stone — golden in color

Beryl — a sea green stone

Topaz— yellow green and transparent

Chrysoprasus — another shade of green (similar to aquamarine)

Jacinth — violet/hyacinth in color

Amethyst — purple

The picture is one of unmistakable brilliance — no wonder they call it “Glory”.

The foundation stones will contain the names of the twelve apostles.

They are called the apostles “of the Lamb” indicating that the inhabitants of this city are those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

D. The Streets Are Gold

21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Many times I have wondered 'bout the sights of that city And all that my eyes shall behold I will see all the wonders when I enter that city There forever be safe in His fold

Some morning you'll find me touring that city Where the son of God is the light You'll find me there on the streets, so pretty Made of gold so pure and so bright With Jesus, the one who gave me the victory Who led me across the divide Some morning you'll find me touring that city Where with Him, I will ever abide

Here on earth we have troubles that to us seem so heavy But in Heaven no one will be sad Mom and Dad will be singing, Heaven's praises will be ringing For the dearest Friend I ever had

Some morning you'll find me touring that city Where the son of God is the Light You'll find me there on the streets, so pretty Made of gold so pure and so bright With Jesus, the one who gave me the victory Who led me across the divide Some morning you'll find me touring that city Where with Him, I will ever abide

III. The Distinctives of the City

15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

A. A Measurement Is Taken

15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

1. The Height of the Wall

Most scholars agree that the word “furlong” would lead us to understand that each side of the city will be about five hundred miles long.

It would also be 1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide, and 1500 miles high.

2,250,000 miles square if flat like today's Jerusalem - which by the way is only 49 miles square - the old Jerusalem was only a 3rd of a mile square.

So when talking about 2,250,00 miles squared and 1500 miles high, we are talking about 3,375,000,000 miles cubed.

We assume that all of this space is usable, even vertically (I don’t understand it all, but why else would it be that tall).

So most likely there are avenues going not only horizontally, but vertically!

So if we estimate how many Christians have ever lived, and many estimates come to 33 billion, that would 30% of all who have lived.

And if we figure how much space there is in the New Jerusalem (3.375 billion).

Then that would mean we would each have .1 cubic miles each…or close to 15 billion cubic feet each.

We thought our houses are big now!!

The average new house build in 2022 was 2,299 square feet, that would be, on average, 18,392 cubed feet compared to 15 billion cubed feet.

2. The Thickness of the Wall

17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

So, the thickness is 144 cubits or 216 feet

The wall is 216 feet thick! - It may be that some will live in the walls, like Rahab did - just a thought.

18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

The wall is made of jasper, which is gold in color, but like glass.

The city itself was pure gold, but so pure that it is like clear glass.

This is going to be an incredibly beautiful place!

B. A Message Given

1. There Is No Temple

22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

There is no need for a temple because there is no sin or atonement needed.

Tim LaHaye in Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain said, “From the very beginning of man’s creation, God has chosen to fellowship with Adam and Eve before they sinned. After the fall, a place of sacrifice had to be established. The Old Testament patriarchs all worshiped God with blood sacrifices at the altar. In the days of Moses, God established a tabernacle, where He would come to tabernacle in the midst of His people, in what was known as the Holy of Holies.”

In the millennial kingdom, there will be a temple for men to worship God, because many that are born in that period of time will be making decisions for God or against God. However, in the eternal order, there will no longer be need for a temple because God Himself will be there with His Son and with the Holy Spirit. This would make the Holy City one grand and glorious temple in itself.

Thus, the scriptures are clear that all “blood bought believers” of all ages will reside in the New Jerusalem, New Earth, and the New Heaven.

Hebrews 12:22–24 KJV

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

And we will see Him face to face

Revelation 22:4 KJV

4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

2. God Himself Is Light

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

The glory of His presence will be our light for all eternity.

Because of His radiance, there will be no night.

John 8:12 KJV

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

3. Citizens are from Earthly Nations

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

The word “nations” refers to all Gentile peoples.

This same word is translated Gentiles in other places in the Bible.

Thus, Jews and Gentiles will have access to the Holy City.

The kings were those world leaders who were saved on the earth.

They came to God as sinners in need of a Savior.

All of us will give our honor to the Lord.

26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

Verse 24 speaks of : and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

Who are the kings of the earth - We don’t have any idea.

But we will see when we get there!

4. Citizens Have Constant Access to God

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

Everyone will always have access to the city…there will be no crime or enemies.

5. Only the Saved Have Access

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Galatians 5:19–21 KJV

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Conclusion:

The declaration of the new city is clear.

The description of the city is awesome.

The distinctives of the city are convicting.

But each of us must make a reservation for the city.

1 Peter 1:3–5 KJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.