Revelation 21:9-27

1. John is invited to see the Bride, the Lamb's wife – Revelation 21:9
1. what follows is a description of the new Jerusalem
2. we must understand the relationship between the city and the citizens
1. we cannot understand this to mean that the empty city without the citizens is the bride
2. the citizens are identified with the city
3. a distinction between the bride and the city needs to be maintained
3. the new Jerusalem is both a literal city and the universal tabernacle of God
2. John is taken to a high mountain to view the city – 10
1. this city has no equal among the cities of this earth
2. the Lord is the builder
3. though the city comes down from heaven, there is no indication that it comes to rest on the earth
3. this city will radiate the glory of God – 11
1. this holy city will be like no other city
2. the new Jerusalem will be arrayed in brilliant light, shining the glory of God
1. His glorious presence will illuminate the city
2. the appearance of this city is more glorious than human language can describe
4. the city has a wall – 12
1. the wall is not for protection
1. because the gates are always open
2. there are no enemies to fear
2. the gates of the city are identified with the twelve tribes of Israel
1. this assures us that the godly people of ancient Israel will be residents of the city
2. these are among those that are in the heavenly bride
3. the names on the gates will be an eternal reminder that we Gentiles entered into the great family of God by the Jews
1. it was the Israelites to whom the covenant, the Law, the promises, and the service of God was given
2. it was by them that Christ came into this world
4. each gate had an angel
1. they will not be guardian angels because there is no longer any need for angelic protection
2. they will be ministering spirits, ministering as needed to all the heirs of salvation
5. each of the four walls had three gates – 13
6. the wall of the city had twelve foundations – 14
1. the names of the apostles gives testimony that those redeemed by the Lamb reside in the city
2. at this time the distinctions of Jews and Gentiles will be gone, for we will be one
7. the measuring of the city – 15-16
1. the term "foursquare" means equal angles
1. the measurement confirms that the sides are all equal, as well as the angles
2. this seems to indicate that the city was a cube
2. 12,000 furlongs is between 1300 and 1500 miles
1. the height is equal to its length and breadth
2. never was there a city like this
3. some people think that the city is a pyramid shape, but pyramids have always been associated with paganism
1. the first such structure was the tower of Babel
2. the Bible condemns worship that is carried out in high places (natural hills or artificially constructed hills)
4. the cube has long been associated with the presence of God, suggesting the attributes of tri-unity (length, breadth, and height)
1. space must be composed of three dimensions
2. space is always referenced by the first dimension (length)
3. space can only be seen in terms of two dimensions (area = length x breadth)
4. space is experience by three dimensions (volume = length x breadth x height)
5. in like manner, the Godhead is referenced in the Father, seen in the Son, and experienced in the Holy Spirit
6. the cube was the shape specified by God for the holy place in Solomon’s temple (I Kings 6:20)
7. both the language and the symbology favor the cubical, rather than the pyramid shape
5. remember that the new bodies of the saints will no longer be limited by gravitation
1. it will be as easy to travel vertically as horizontally
2. someone figured out that every saint would have a little over a 1/3 mile cube in that city
8. the measurement of the wall – 17
1. the walls measurement is 144 cubits or 216 feet
2. it is not clear whether the height or the breadth of the wall is meant
1. the wall could be either 216 feet thick or high
2. if the wall is 216 feet thick, then the height of the wall would be presumed to be the same as that of the city or 1,500 miles
3. if the wall is 216 feet HIGH, then the city will tower above the wall
1. this would show that God's Holy City is so perfect that it does not need a high wall for protection
2. a low wall allows the beauty of the city to shine forth
4. in either interpretation, God's perfect will would be glorified
3. according to the measure of a man
1. this seems to be added in order to prevent any mistake as to the size of the city
2. without this explanation it might be supposed that the angel used some measure not in common use among men
3. therefore, it would be impossible to form any definite idea of the size of the city
9. the building materials used in the construction of the wall, its foundation and the city – 18-20
1. the words "pure" and "clear" speak of flawless perfection – 18
2. John’s description is meant to impress upon us the indescribable glory and beauty of the holy city
3. the foundation of the wall contains every imaginable color and variety of the most beautiful materials that an omnipotent God can produce
4. it is beyond human imagination, but one day we will see that beautiful city
10. a description of the gates and the street of the city –21
1. each gate is one giant pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold
2. note that the Bible does not say streets (plural)
1. we will all live on Main Street, and there will be no back streets
2. only one street, and that street is pure gold
3. gold so pure as to resemble clear glass
3. this is not symbolic
1. the Bible does not say "as it were" pure gold
2. the Word simply states in understandable language, "the street of the city was pure gold"
3. one day we will walk on that street, and so will every born again believer
11. some observations about the city – 22-23
1. there was not temple there – 22
1. a temple confines the presence of God to a specific location, thereby placing some worshippers near to Him and some far away
2. "no temple" signifies s full and free access to God at all times, by one and all
3. the peoples in this city will have immediate access to God without the aid of priest, mediator, or the tabernacle
4. there will be no need for a temple, no need of a meeting place, for God will be everywhere as He dwells with His people
5. everyone will live next door to Jesus, everyone will live next door to God
6. God and the Lamb will make themselves known throughout each and every square inch of this city
7. we will worship any time, at all times, anywhere and under all circumstances, with no mediator as we have today
2. where Jesus is there can be no darkness – 23
1. there will be no darkness in eternity
2. there will be no morning, noon, and night, but one long day of eternal light, eternal glory, eternal bliss
12. those that will dwell in this city – 24-27
1. all saved people will walk in the light of that city – 24 [the nations of them which are saved]
1. "nations" means a multitude of individuals which are associated together or of the same nature
2. the multitudes that are being talked about are the "saved"
3. all the nations of earth will be represented, including "the kings"
2. "the kings of the earth" are those that were kings in the Millennium Kingdom – 24
3. they give their glory and honor to God, much like the 24 elders "casting their crowns before the throne" ( Rev 4:10)
4. the gates of the city are never closed – 25
1. the inhabitants will have no enemy to fear, and therefore need never shut their gates
2. all the enemies are forever placed in the lake of fire, from which there is no escape
3. normally the gates of a city are closed at night, but there will be no night in this eternal city
4. the absence of night also symbolizes the absence of all sin and sorrow
5. this city will be a place of worship for all people – 26 (compare verse 24)
6. only those who have their name written in the "Lamb’s book of life" will be able to enter the city
1. nothing abominable shall enter there
2. God will see to it that in no wise, under no circumstances nor by any means, will anything enter into the city to mar, scar, or defile
3. we need not worry about the sin-tragedy recurring, it will not because God Almighty will have put down evil once, for all, and forever