The New Jerusalem

Outline

Big Idea: The new Heaven and the new Earth are about God’s unfiltered, unobstructed, and unlimited glory coming down to dwell with man in unimpeded intimacy and fellowship.

New Heaven and Earth

New Jerusalem

Introduction

Big Idea: The new Heaven and the new Earth are about God’s unfiltered, unobstructed, and unlimited glory coming down to dwell with man in unimpeded intimacy and fellowship.

Body

Plus, when we know it all, when the end is completely understood, it can sometimes lead to apathy in the hear and now.

New Jerusalem - Revelation 21:9-22:5

Revelation 21:2 ESV

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:9–22:5 ESV

9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed— 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel’s measurement. 18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, 25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

The New Jerusalem, as we will see, is nothing less than the unrestrained, unconfined, unobstructed, unlimited glory and splendor, and majesty of God.

We begin by first being told that John is “caught up.”

This is not a dream, but a spiritual reality. He is seeing this, not while asleep but in some sort of spiritual vision or in some sort of spiritual existence.

Radiance - Rev 21:11

The city, as a whole, had the radiance and brilliance of the most rare jewel.

Like Jasper - clear

Some of these gems and stones have been known by various names in scripture

OT understanding of this one, of jasper, would likely be our modern diamond.

The entire city, as we will see, appears to be translucent.

Phoster - something from which light radiates (like a lightbulb)

Light will just come from the city and radiate everywhere.

The translucent nature of the city is optimally set up to brilliantly reflect and display this glory without shadow of any kind.

Great Wall - Rev 21:12

Many take this text literally and argue that the city is a cube of sorts. A literal reading of it, does seem to most strongly suggest this.

Some have speculated that perhaps it is a pyramid shape. Which could be true, but is no way definitive.

Whatever shape it takes, know this—it will be the most stunningly beautiful thing you and I have ever beheld.

We are told that the dimensions of the city is four square

12,000 stadia long on each side.

1 stadia is about 607ft.

12,000 stadia then is roughly 1500 miles in every direction.

If we were set this New Jerusalem down on top of the United States, it would stretch from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico and from Colorado to the Atlantic Ocean.

Why are we given these measurements?

The measuring always seems to be about marking out what belongs to God - Ezekiel 40:3ff; Rev 11:1.

We are told that this Great Wall is 144 cubits.

144 cubits is 72 yards

Most likely this refers to thickness

If you take the city to by pyramid shaped, this could be the height of the wall at the base of the city

On the great walls of his city, we are told there are 12 gates

Each gate is inscribed with one of the 12 tribes over the top

Each gate is inscribed with one of the 12 apostles at the bottom.

3 Gates stand on each side, N, S, E, W.

12 angels stand at the 12 gates

The gates were built of pure pearl.

Each gate was made from a single pearl

Pearls were highly prized in John’s day.

There is a spiritual truth illustrated by the fact that the gates were made of pearls, as John Phillips explains:

How appropriate! All other precious gems are metals or stones, but a pearl is a gem formed within the oyster—the only one formed by living flesh. The humble oyster receives an irritation or a wound, and around the offending article that has penetrated and hurt it, the oyster builds a pearl. The pearl, we might say, is the answer of the oyster to that which injured it. The glory land is God’s answer, in Christ, to wicked men who crucified heaven’s beloved and put Him to open shame. How like God it is to make the gates of the new Jerusalem of pearl. The saints as they come and go will be forever reminded, as they pass the gates of glory, that access to God’s home is only because of Calvary. Think of the size of those gates! Think of the supernatural pearls from which they are made! What gigantic suffering is symbolized by those gates of pearl! Throughout the endless ages we shall be reminded by those pearly gates of the immensity of the sufferings of Christ. Those pearls, hung eternally at the access routes to glory, will remind us forever of One who hung upon a tree and whose answer to those who injured Him was to invite them to share His home. (Exploring Revelation, rev. ed. [Chicago: Moody, 1987; reprint, Neptune, N.J.: Loizeaux, 1991], 254)

MacArthur, John F., Jr. 2000. Revelation 12–22. MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press.

The size of the gates is not precisely known. And depending on your view of the city as cube or pyramid, it would be different, but suffice it to say, they will be large and inviting.

The Gates will never be shut.

Always open

Always accessible

Secure.

Gates, in ancient cities, were closed at night to protect against invaders.

These gates are always open. There is nothing to guard from.

The city will exist is complete security and peace.

This is complete rest from labors - Rev 14:13

The wall is built of jasper

The city is built of pure gold—but that gold is also said to be clear like glass.

The idea of transparent gold is unknown and unfamiliar to us.

Foundations of the Wall

Are adorned with with every kind of Jewel

Jasper—Diamond

Sapphire—Brilliant blue stone

Agate—Chalcedony (from the region of Chalcedon—modern day Turkey) which is sky blue with colored stripes

Emerald—Bright green stone

Onyx—Sardonyx; a red and white striped stone

Carnelian—Sardius; common quartz stone found in various states of red

Chrysolite—transparent gold or yellow

Beryl—various colors; green, yellow, blue

Topaz—A yellow green stone

Chrysoprase—a gold tinted green stone

Jacinth—blue or violent; modern versions of it are red or reddish brown zircon

Amethyst—purple stone

These stones, set into the foundation of the walls, would reflect the brilliant light in an incredible display of color and magnificence!

No Temple

Up until this point, there has been a temple in heaven. Rev 7:15; 11:19; 14:15, 17; 15:5-8; 16:1,17.

The people of Israel, for most of their lives, have had a tabernacle or temple.

But no more

There is no need for a temple.

Because God will DWELL WITH HIS PEOPLE.

He IS the temple.

No more to we have to go to a specific location to meet with Him

No more do sacrifices have to be made.

Sin is dealt with—forever

Done.

God now dwells, unimpeded, with His people.

No hiding in an Ark.

No concealing in a pillar of fire or cloud

No veiling behind a curtain.

The glory and presence of God is on vibrant display for ALL to see.

And God dwells among His people.

No Sun or Moon

There will be no sun or moon in the new heaven and earth

Won’t be needed when the glory of God shines as it does.

There is a new source of light—God

Night will never exist again in the new heaven and new earth.

Commenting on the brilliant light emanating from the New Jerusalem, J. A. Seiss writes:

That shining is not from any material combustion,—not from any consumption of fuel that needs to be replaced as one supply burns out; for it is the uncreated light of Him who is light, dispensed by and through the Lamb as the everlasting Lamp, to the home, and hearts, and understandings of his glorified saints. When Paul and Silas lay wounded and bound in the inner dungeon of the prison of Philippi, they still had sacred light which enabled them to beguile the night-watches with happy songs. When Paul was on his way to Damascus, a light brighter than the sun at noon shone round about him, irradiating his whole being with new sights and understanding, and making his soul and body ever afterwards light in the Lord. When Moses came down from the mount of his communion with God, his face was so luminous that his brethren could not endure to look upon it. He was in such close fellowship with light that he became informed with light, and came to the camp as a very lamp of God, glowing with the glory of God. On the Mount of Transfiguration that same light streamed forth from all the body and raiment of the blessed Jesus. And with reference to the very time when this city comes into being and place, Isaiah says, “the moon shall be ashamed and the sun confounded,”—ashamed because of the out-beaming glory which then shall appear in the new Jerusalem, leaving no more need for them to shine in it, since the glory of God lights it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (The Apocalypse [reprint, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1987], 499)

MacArthur, John F., Jr. 2000. Revelation 12–22. MacArthur New Testament Commentary. Chicago: Moody Press.

By His light, the nations will walk.

Nations — ethnos — can also mean people.

Most frequently translated Gentiles

Not teaching that national identities will be preserved

Rather that ALL peoples will be united as God’s people.

All are equal in the eternal capital city.

When it says, “they will bring into it the glory of the nations”

What it means is that the glory of the people will be that we are one.

No social status or class

May even refer to the translation of millennial believers into the eternal kingdom

But it means that the people of God, because of their repentance and faith, will dwell in the city of God’s glory forever!

No Evil

Revelation 21:8 ESV

8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Nothing unclean or evil will ever enter the city.

It has all be judged, condemned, and removed.

Only the redeemed will enter or dwell within this city.

Gone is evil’s access to God’s holy abode. Never again will sin and evil be able to enter the presence of God.

Never again will their be evil To enter His presence.

River of Life - Rev 22:1-5

Revelation 22:1–5 ESV

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

This river of life may or may not be literal water.

Not the point though.

The river of life comes FROM THE THRONE.

Life and sustenance comes from God.

The tree of life that grows from it, with 12 different fruits (to show abundance and variety) grows from the river of life.

Life, abundance, riches, blessing—it all comes from God.

Ps 46:4-5

Leaves will be for the healing of the nations

Therapeia - does not imply healing from sickness (there won’t be any)

Better translation - “Lifegiving, health-giving, theraputic.”

Think vitamin vs medicine

Think promoting general health more than healing an infirmity

May not be actually consumed, but the point is God will be and provide everything for the thriving and abundance of His people.

Conclusion

Big Idea: The new Heaven and the new Earth are about God’s unfiltered, unobstructed, and unlimited glory coming down to dwell with man in unimpeded intimacy and fellowship.

Having seen this one thing: We now must ask…

So what?

How does the promise of this future affect us now?

It grounds us in hope. This world is not our end. Suffering, sorrow, death, and disappointment do not get the final word. God does.

It motivates us to endurance. If this is where history is going, then faithfulness now is worth it. Don’t quit before you get home.

It supplies us with strength. We can endure what is temporary because we know what is eternal. Today’s burden has an expiration date.

It delights us in worship. The greatest promise of eternity isn’t what will be gone or even what will be there. It is Who will be there. We will see His face.

New Heaven and Earth

New Jerusalem

The new heaven and earth will have no entropy

no decay

No decline

No waste

No disunity

No dissention

BUt listen, the beauty of the city itself will not even be the main point—the glory of God and our intimacy with Him will be.

The new heaven and earth will be filled with the glory and presence of God

And we will be basking in that glory and presence unimpeded for the rest of eternity.

Time will be no more

Death will be no more

Sin will be no more.

Truth be told, our minds cannot comprehend the glory and wonder of what is coming.

Application