City of David

Jerusalem 2.0 {Revelation 21}

8:42 AM




 Revelation 21 


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? 






Becky Austin

Behold I Make All Things New {Revelation 21}

12:46 AM


This is an exciting chapter!  After all of the terrible trials and tribulations, John is shown the wonderful future awaiting Christians. Just as in the beginning of Genesis, God begins creating again.  “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (v1)

There is also a new Holy city, a new Jerusalem. It is compared to a bride adorned for Jesus.  There are many details given about the physical beauty and magnificence of this city. Imagine if you can: “The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 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, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 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.” (18-21).

Although the physical beauty will be breathtaking, that's not the best part. The most amazing feature is revealed: “having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” (V11) I couldn't help but think about how Moses asked to see the glory of God. Afterward, his face shown because he had been in the presence of God.  Moses had such a special relationship with God.  We are told God's Spirit would stand in the form of a cloud at the tent entrance where Moses was. “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. " (Exodus 33:11)

Have you ever wished that you could experience God even more intimately?  Well, in that city of Jerusalem you will: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (v3-5)

God's perfect plan for the redemption of man will be completed.  Fellowship with God will be restored and all of our needs will be met by Him. 



My story is meant to have a happily ever after. Your story is meant to have this hope filled future as well. We worship and serve the God of the Universe who is holy and just.  He loves us and wants us to spend eternity with Him. From the beginning of time God has been carrying out his plan to redeem mankind and eradicate evil.  “And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment." (v6)

Have you accepted this freely offered gift?  Have you chosen this future?  Have you been burdened for others to also join you in eternity with God? “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
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