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The New Jerusalem
“And he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.
And it shone with the glory of God.” (Revelation 21:9-27)
Revelation 21:2 calls this the New Jerusalem. The old Jerusalem, like everything else on the old earth has burned up by this time. What a heritage had been the old Jerusalem. It was chosen by God to be the capital city of His people and so King David moved his throne and the Ark of the Covenant into that formerly pagan city. David’s son, Solomon, built the great Temple of God there. That city was destroyed and Israel scattered for almost 2,000 years until the United Nations gave Israel back their land. Just recently President Donald Trump moved the capital back to Jerusalem. That temple and city will play a prominent role during the Millennium as Jesus rules the world from that historic city. What was revealed to John was the New Jerusalem, and it will look nothing like the old one, and it will never be destroyed.
I. The New Jerusalem Defined, Rev.21:2,9-11
First we are told what this city is. It is a city for sure, but it is the city where the bride of Christ resides. John said it looked like a “bride beautifully dressed (adorned) for her husband.” Indeed, it will be. The groom is Jesus and the bride is His church. Remember, John is writing this letter to seven local churches, revealing their future. And make no mistake about it, the bride of Christ is His church, made up of all the local churches.
“I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” If you read Ephesians you will see that the church is the body of Christ, the temple of God and the bride of Christ (5:25-32; 1:23; 2:19-22; 1Cor.3:16; 1Pet.2:4-5). This is the church in its glorified state, where Christians will end up. Only the people of God are the New Jerusalem.
Furthermore, “It shone with the glory of God.” The glory of God is the shining brilliance of God, the shekinah glory, which had been seen throughout the history of Israel over the tabernacle and temple. This glory would blind a person without a glorified body, like it did Saul when Jesus revealed Himself to him. It is described for us as the apostles looked at Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. He shone like the sun. The glory of the New Jerusalem can only be witnessed by the glorified saints. This is the place Jesus went to prepare for us.
II. The New Jerusalem Described, v.12-27
A. The Dimensions, v.12-21 The city, wall and gates are described (v.15). The city is a perfect cube (v.16) made of beautiful and durable materials. The streets are made of pure gold (v.21). All of this pictures that it will last throughout eternity. The walls were 216 feet thick [244 cubits; 12x12] (v.17), symbolizing the security of the citizens inside. This wall is built on a foundation of 12 precious stones (v.18-19). The wall has 12 gates, each made of a singular pearl (v
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