After all of the judgements are over, after all of the wicked have been punished, and after all of the old has been wiped away, we learn of the future. A magnificent future planned by God for those who put their trust in Him. And it starts with Jerusalem 2.0.
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the old one passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” (vs. 1-2) Could you just imagine being John as, "in the Spirit", an angel carries him to a “great and high mountain”, where he sees the new Jerusalem? Oh the wonder and awe he must have felt as he beheld the breathtaking majesty of the eternal holy city!
As it descends from heaven, John sees the new Jerusalem shining with the brilliance of a diamond. It has a great high wall with twelve gates attended by twelve angels, and written upon them are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The wall of the city has twelve foundation stones, and written upon those are the names of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Why is this significant? Because those names show that the residents of the new Jerusalem, will be both believing Israelites and believing Gentiles dwelling and worshipping God together.
The city is in the shape of a cube with its height, width, and length the same measurement; 1500 miles on each side. The thickness of the walls measure 72 yards. If a city this size was in the middle of the United States, it would stretch from Canada to Mexico and from the Appalachian Mountains to the California border! The walls of new Jerusalem are made of clear jasper, and the city itself is made of pure gold. The foundation stones are formed from every kind of precious stone and each of its twelve gates are a single pearl. The city’s main street is paved with gold and has the transparency of glass. Yet even as beautiful and illustrious as this city is, the most wonderful part of it all is that there is no need for a temple.
“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are it’s temple.” (vs. 22) Think of that! We will be able to worship God whenever and wherever we want, for we will constantly be in His presence! There will be no need for alternate light sources, for no longer will there be night. The shekinah glory of God, with Jesus as its Lamp, will shine so brightly, the entire world will be illuminated. Everyone on the earth will walk by its light, giving glory and honor to God and His Son, and it’s gates are always open, yet only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life may enter.
Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? Will your eternal residence be in the new Jerusalem? The Lord has prepared a place for us beautiful beyond imagining, where we will never again be separated from Him. A place where, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.” (vs. 4) To enter this glorious place, all we have to do is receive His free gift of salvation. Won’t you ask Jesus into your heart today and confirm your living arrangements in the holy city of God forever?
