We are continuing our study of the new Jerusalem in Revelation 21. Before I jump into that, I would mention to you that there is a small little Bible called the Legacy Standard Bible. It is being put out by Master’s Seminary and the professors there. Only the New Testament and the Psalms and Proverbs have been translated so far. The rest of the translation is coming out later. It is a revision of the 1995 New American Standard Version. So far, I really like what I have found in this translation. So, I just thought I would mention that to you in the event you are looking for a new translation of the Bible to read or study.
Let’s look at Revelation 21:15, “The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal.” What we are looking at here is the size of the city itself. Because of the detail, because of being so specific there is no particular reason to believe that these numbers are not accurate and that he is just being symbolic in some fashion. So, as far as we can tell, he is being literal here and he is giving us the size of the new Jerusalem. The new Jerusalem has come down to sit on the new earth according to Revelation 21:2-3. As it came to sit down on the new earth, it encompasses a large section of the new earth. We are given that detail here. If it was to come down on America, it would be large enough to go all the way from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Mississippi River. Throughout all that section of the United States, so not quite half, but maybe a little over a third of the size of the United States. On top of that we find that it is that same height. So, it is built in the form of a cube, pyramid or a sphere. We don’t know that for sure. So, whatever it is, it is massive. It is huge. It is the abode of all redeemed people of all ages. This will be our home. That does not mean that you and I will not be able to travel throughout the rest of God’s new heaven and earth. I certainly think we will. I think that will be one of the great joys of eternity that we will be able to travel throughout the whole universe and see wonders and glories that can only be imagined by us now. Our home base seems to be the new Jerusalem . . .
