The Description of the New Jerusalem

Rev. 21:9-14

Introduction:  John is describing the heavenly Jerusalem, the home of the saints for the millennium and all of eternity.  The city is not the home of the bride, it is the bride.  A city is not buildings, it is people.  The city is suspended in some way, from heaven in the heavens, beaming the glory of God to the earth.  In this final description of the Millennium, everything is seen in relation to the heavenly Jerusalem and the light of that city.  The first word from God in Gen. 1:1 brought heaven and earth together in perfect harmony.  But, sin divided this harmony.  Now sin had been dealt with in the future, the great deceiver is in bonds, once again heaven and earth are brought together in the closest harmony.

John is describing for us the beautiful city which is the capital of heaven in the eternal state.

I. The identification v. 9

A. The invitation v. 9a

1.  One of the angels with the vials taken from 16:1-3-vials are direct judgments from God on the earth.

2. This angel is the one who does the bidding of God and brings John an invitation.

3. God has message for John who will listen to God. 

B. The certification v. 9b

1.  Come and see the city which is closely linked with the bride.

2. Babylon was set forth in a dual way as a woman and a city-so is the holy Jerusalem.

3. Abraham looked for this city Heb. 11:10 “For he looked for a city which had foundations whose builder and maker is God.”

4. This city is the Bride of the Lambe which is Christ which relates back to Rev. 5:9-14

II. The glorification vv. 10-11

A. Its location v. 10

1.  The angel takes John away in the spirit to see this spiritual kingdom-reminder to us that we must worship God in spirit and in truth.

2. Twice the city is said to descend from heaven v. 3, 9.

3. Verse 9 shows the city as hovering over the earth through the millennium to point the communication between the New Jerusalem and Jerusalem.

4. This seems to point out that the earth is as a satellite to the new Jerusalem.

5. All activity is centered in the New Jerusalem because God dwells there.

B. Its radiance v. 11

1. God’s glory has appeared in different places in history

a.  Old Testament-shekinah glory.

b. Here His glory is seen in this holy city.

c. This is the only light the city will need=the Word light refers to the source of light

d. This city reveals the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the church Heb. 2:10 “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” 

e. The city is like gem, here jasper-not multicolored as we think today, but transparent gleaming, like a diamond.”

 III. The fortification vv. 12-13

A. Its strength v. 12

1.  It is secure since it is guarded by a wall and 12 gates with 12 angels.

2. Old Testament cities were surrounded by walls for protection-only one gate here which had a guard always there.

3. The New Jerusalem is a temple or tabernacle in one sense, because it is the dwelling place of

4. The strength of the city is backed by God Himself.

B. Its significance v. 13

1. 12 gates make up the 12 tribes of Israel. 

2. The order is the same as around the tabernacle in the wilderness wanderings.

3. Everything in eternity will face towards the New Jerusalem because God is there.

4. They will come from earth to bring their worship and glory.

 IV. The foundation v. 14

A. The permanence

1.  Foundation speaks of permanence

I Cor. 3:11 “For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

2.  The foundation is built upon truth and holiness.

3. This foundation was built upon the stewardship of the apostles

Eph. 2:20 “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”

B. The people

1.  Jesus committed to the apostles the responsibility of His truth to them.

2. They preached great truths of the Scripture and established the truths around Christ through the ministry of the church.

“ But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”  I Tim. 3:15

3.  It was the 12 apostles whom God used to preach the Word and record the Scriptures. 

Conclusion:  The Jerusalem is described here so that we can understand what God will do in the eternal state.