A New Home

VV.9-10:

Is the church the bride, or is the city the bride?

The city, being home to the saved, collectively becomes the Bride of the Lamb.

It takes on the character of its inhabitants.

Notice the parallels here. In Revelation 17:1, we are given a vision of the great harlot.

The Bride is in direct contrast to the harlot.

Revelation 17:1

Revelation 17:1 NKJV

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,

The city became a harlot, because that was the nature of all of its inhabitants.

Also, John was taken into the wilderness to view the harlot, yet to view the Holy City, he was taken to a lofty position on the top of a mountain.

V.11:

This paints a picture of the absolute brilliance and glory of the new Jerusalem.

People often remark of a bride on her wedding day that she is glowing.

If this city is home to the bride of the Lamb, how could it not radiate an immense glory?

VV.12-13:

The gates of New Jerusalem corresponded to the millennial Jerusalem described in Ezekiel 48:31-34

Ezekiel 48:31–34 NKJV

(the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel), the three gates northward: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi; on the east side, four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Joseph, one gate for Benjamin, and one gate for Dan; on the south side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Simeon, one gate for Issachar, and one gate for Zebulun; on the west side, four thousand five hundred cubits with their three gates: one gate for Gad, one gate for Asher, and one gate for Naphtali.

The gates are evenly spread, 3 on each wall, and are guarded by angels.

The Angels tell us that without any doubt, this is God’s city.

V.14:

While the gates are named for the twelve tribes, the 12 foundations of the wall are named after the twelve apostles.

The tribes would represent God’s election, while the apostles represent the church. Between the two, we have the compete fulfillment of the work of Christ.

VV.15-16:

This city is huge, definitely God sized proportions!

It’s dimensions are symmetrical, just like its closest earthy counterpart, the inner court of the temple. The Most Holy Place, the Holy of Holies.

The New Jerusalem is completely symmetrical, just like the Holy of Holies.

1 Kings 6:20

1 Kings 6:20 NKJV

The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid it with pure gold, and overlaid the altar of cedar.

It is 12000x12000x12000 stadia. There are 8.69 stadia to a mile. For us, that is 1380 miles long, wide, and high.

V.17:

It is also surrounded by a large wall… Big cities require big walls.

We are told that it measures 216’.

Is that 216’ high or wide? The Bible doesn’t say.

If it’s 216’ high, that seems pretty short for a city that is 1380 miles tall.

However, any wall that approaches that height would need a significantly wide base.

Then again, when measuring a wall of this type, one would reasonably assume that the height is being measured.

The bottom line is that the Bible doesn’t tell us.

V.18:

The splendor of the wall and the city in particular can not be overstated.

The wall is made of Jasper, and the city is transparent gold.

It’s interesting to note that only in the last century did we figure out that gold could be transparent if we get it thin and pure enough.

It is now used as a protective coating on spacecraft and the helmets of astronauts, some airplane Windows, etc.

Though we just recently figured it out, God told us 2000 years ago about transparent gold.

This Gold, however is so pure, that even in its thickness, it is like glass!

VV.19-20:

The twelve foundations (named after the 12 apostles) are decorated with 12 different precious stones.

As a side note, the names of some of these gems have changed over the centuries, so it’s hard to specifically identify them.

V.21:

We also see the pearly gates that are so often referenced when we speak of heaven.

It is interesting to note that earthly pearls are formed as a consequence of an oyster being wounded. The end result; however, is a thing of beauty.

These gates of Pearl will remind the saints throughout eternity of the suffering of Christ, and it’s eternal benefit. A thing of beauty indeed.

V.22:

We are told that God and the Lamb are the temple...in one sense, that means that the entire city is a temple, the Holy of Holies.

V.23:

The other remarkable feature is the lack of the sun and the moon. No external light sources.

Here, in this perfect place, our Lord will be in His full glory.

Have you ever noticed that during the creation week, it says nowhere that God created the light. He is the light.

Light is the one thing that God did not create, because He IS light.

John 1:1-5

John 1:1–5 NKJV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shined in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 3:19-21

John 3:19–21 NKJV

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

There is no need to create that which already exists.

We already know that evil will not exist here, which is good, because evil hates the light.

V.24:

Redeemed people from every nation and ethnic group will dwell in this light.

There will be no more divisions, barriers because of race or politics.

There will be all kinds of peoples in eternity, and they will all be the people of God.

VV.25-26:

Though the city has gates, they will never be shut.

This is the ultimate security and freedom. You will live without fear, and can keep your doors unlocked...even open.

The saints will freely move in and out of the city, and there will be nothing standing between man and God.

V.27:

It will be impossible for any kind of evil to enter in, because all evil will have already been judged and banished to the lake of fire, from which there will be no escape.

So I ask, is this city your home? Is your name in the book?

Eternal darkness or eternal light, those are your options.

Eternal glory or eternal torment are the only two choices.