The Holy New Jerusalem

Lesson Text: Revelation 21:9-14, 22-27            Related Scriptures: Hebrews 1 1:8-16; 12:22-29; I John 1:5-7

 

TIME: A.D. 96 PLACE: from Patmos

 

GOLDEN TEXT I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it" (Revelation 21:22-23).

 

Introduction

Bus tours of modern cities are a thriving business. For a price, tourists are treated to a dazzling array of sites over a day or two. These include, of course, major shopping areas and well-known eating places, as well as theaters and other cultural centers.

In addition, tourists visit famous historical sites, spend time in museums, and see well-known churches.

ours do not normally take people to the slum districts, high-crime areas, or otherwise blighted sectors. Cities would rather not publicize these unpleasant realities.

What would a tour of the new heavenly Jerusalem be like? The apostle John actually had such a tour in an apocalyptic vision, and he reported what he saw in Revelation 21. As this week's lesson reveals, some feature of present-day cities will not be there. But what the eternal city will have is spectacular, flawless, and perfectly suited to the needs of its redeemed residents. It will be all the good things modern cities aspire to be but can never achieve in this sinful world.

 

LESSON OUTLINE

1. An Overall View of The City—Rev. 21:9-14

2. Unique Features of The City—Rev. 21:22-27

 

Exposition: Verse by Verse

Overall, View of The City Rev. 21:9

9 And there came unto one of the seven angels which the seven vials full of the seven plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 

The angelic tour (Rev. 21:9-10).

As John was contemplating God's words concerning His new order (vss. 5-8), he was approached by "one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues" (vs. 9). {These angels will bring to completion God's wrath against sinners. The actual plagues they introduced were enumerated in chapter 16, and one of them then introduced the harlot city of Babylon to John (1 7:1

In 21 :9 one of these angels’ approaches John and offers to show him "the bride, the Lamb's wife.”} Q1 As the great system of evil and apostasy called Babylon was portrayed as a prostitute, the eternal city of God is described as a Chaste bride. The contrast could not be more striking. The New Jerusalem is "the Lamb's wife"—the partner of Jesus Christ.

{Since the words "bride" and "wife" are sometimes used to describe the spiritual relationship between the Lord and His people (cf. Isa. 62:5; Hos. 9; Eph. 5:25-27), it is tempting to see the city here as a mere symbol of the redeemed. But this figure of speech is used in Revelation 21 to describe the city of New Jerusalem (vs.2)} Q2 In addition, physical dimensions and appearance, building materials, and activities are described later in our passage. If these were all symbols, what would they symbolize? A literal interpretation therefore seems best.

The angel carried John away "in the spirit to a great and high mountain" to see "Jerusalem" (vs. 10). "In the spirit" means that this was a vision (cf. 1:10; 4:2; 17:3). We should therefore not seek to identify the mountain. It was a part of the vision suitable for viewing the city. The city is here called "that great city, the holy Jerusalem" (21:10). "Great" refers to its size; "holy" speaks of its purity. Since it is likened toa br• e and portrayed as descending from G d out of heaven, it is clearly the same city mentioned in verse 2. This is merely a more detailed description. Its descent from heaven confirms its divine origin.

 

The divine glory (Rev. 21 :11).

"Having the glory of God" is the chief distinguishing feature of this city. God's glory is the manifestation of the fullness of His attributes. {At times it has broken forth in brilliant display, as in the pillar of cloud and fire (Ex. 16:10), as well as His presence in the tabernacle (40:34- 35) and temple (l Kgs. 8:10-1 1). It was seen in Jesus Christ (John 4), and though veiled, it blazed forth in His transfiguration (II Pet. 1:16-18)}Q3

Presently, God manifests His glory through His work in the church, though not usually in spectacular ways (cf. I Cor. 10:31; Eph. 1:6, 12; I Pet. 1:7). But with the return of Jesus and the events of the end times, God will again show His glory in dramatic fashion (Matt. 24:30; Rom. 8:18; Rev. 15:8). Its presence in the New Jerusalem will be the culmination of this display (Rev. 21:1 1; cf. 21 :23; 22:5).

 

John described this glory in terms available to him: "Her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a ‘jasper stone, clear as crystal" (Rev. 21:1 1). The word for "light" refers to a luminary, or light-bearer (cf. Phil. 2:15). In essence, the entire city will be illuminated by one enormous light, God's own presence, so that it is completely enveloped in brilliance.

John likened this radiance to a crystal-clear jasper. As known today, the jasper is not clear but opaque. It is found in many shades, including red, yellow, brown, and green. The equivalent word was used more broadly in ancient times, so we cannot be sure what gem John meant. The crystalline quality (John's word is unique in the New Testament) could convey the idea of shining like crystal. Describing the sight accurately was surely an immense challenge!

 

The wall and gates (Rev. 21:12-13).

As we examine the architectural details of the city, we should first note its immense size (vss. 15-17). In today's measurements it would be about 1 ,400 miles square, far larger than any known city. It will have a great, high wall, ensuring the security of those living within and the exclusion of those not qualified to be there (cf. vss. 8, 27). The walls are later said to be 144 cubits (about 200 feet) thick (vs. 17) and of beautiful appearance (vs. 18).

{The city wall will have twelve gates, three on each side (Rev. 21:1 2-1 3), later said to be pearls (vs. 21). An angel will be stationed at each gate. The gates will never be shut (vs. 25), which may signify that God will never turn away those who come to Him through Christ. Yet the presence of the angels as guards may symbolize the exclusion of the unqualified. As angels barred sinners from Eden (Gen. 3:24), so they will keep the eternal city pure.

These gates are noteworthy also because they will have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on them.}Q4 This is also a characteristic of the gates of the future city foreseen by Ezekiel (Ezek. 48:31-34). In that description individual tribal names are indicated for the individual gates. Here the names are not given.

All we are told is that there will be three gates along each wall. The names of Israel's tribes on them would seem to signify the importance of Israel in God's eternal plan of redemption. The distinctive identification of Israel will live on even in eternity. Truly "the gifts and calling of God are without repentance" (Rom. 1 1:29).

 

The foundations (Rev. 21:14):

 {The city John saw had "twelve foundations" bearing "the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”)}Q5 The word translated "foundation" could mean "foundation stones," indicating twelve separate massive stones such as those archaeologists have found in ancient city walls. The exact configuration of these stones is not stated whether placed in horizontal layers or standing side by side. They are beautifully decorated with gems (vss. 19-20).

They are said to be inscribed with the names of the twelve apostles of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Just as the tribal names on the twelve gates are not specified, so the names of the apostles are omitted. We are not told. The important point is that they are apostles of Jesus.

The apostles' names on the foundation stones thus represent the Christian church and its part in God's redemptive plan (cf. Eph. 2:20). The two phases of His program—Israel and the church—will thus be memorialized forever in the holy city, and saints of all ages will dwell in it.

 

UNIQUE FEATURES OF THE CITY

22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 

No Temple (Rev. 21:22).

After John described in detail the splendor of the New Jerusalem (vss. 15-21), he provided details about what will be absent from it. He noted, first, that he had seen no temple in the city. Every ancient city had at least one temple, thought to be the dwelling place of the patron deity. The Lord also chose to live amid His people in a temple (II Chr. 7:12-16). But the holy city will have none.

{The reason for this is that the Lord God Almighty and Jesus the Lamb are its temple.}Q6 To be in this city is to be in God's presence; He pervades it all. God's separateness in a special sanctuary was necessitated by sin. It signified a holiness that must not be sullied by uncleanness, and expiatory sacrifices were essential to approach it. But the absence of sin in the heavenly city will remove the barrier between God and His people.

 

No external light source (Rev. 21:23).

{God's presence will also make unnecessary any additional illumination.} Q7 Sun and moon alike pale before the brightness of His glory, so they are superfluous.

The mention of the Lamb in these verses should not escape our notice. Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb, is central to the entire book of Revelation (mentioned twenty-seven times). As He was the one to open the seals of judgment, it is fitting that He should preside over the blessedness of the redeemed. The fact that the Lamb is the light of the city makes it clear that He Himself is the God whose glory illuminates everything (cf. John 1:4-5; 2; 12:35-36, 46).

 

Free access for all nations (Rev. 21:24-26

Jerusalem will be the abode of all peoples. "The nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it." Although many manuscripts do not include "of them which are saved," it is understood from the context that only the redeemed will be there. These will come from all nations (cf. 5:9; 7:9), and they will intermingle freely in the light of God's presence (cf. Heb. 12:22-24).

The statement that the kings of the world will bring glory and honor does not mean they will have anything to add to the splendor of this perfect city. Rather, it signifies that human rulers will pay homage to Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords (l Tim. 6:14-16; Rev. 17:14; 19:16). Whereas the kings of the earth raged against God and gave allegiance to spiritual Babylon (cf. Ps. 2:1-3; Rev. 17:18; 18:9), rulers will now worship the Lamb in the New Jerusalem.

Cities with walls normally closed and locked their gates at night for fear of evil. But the gates of the heavenly city will never be closed (Rev. 21:25). There are two reasons for this. First, there will be no threat of evil. Second, there is no night there. John's statement that the gates "shall not be shut at all by day" means that they will not be shut at all (vs. 25). {The open gates symbolize God's welcome to all who receive Christ's salvation by faith.)Q8

John's comment that the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city reinforces his earlier statement about kings' homage. It reminds us how little we are told about life on God's new earth. We have many details about the New Jerusalem but nothing about life outside it. Where people will live and how they will occupy themselves are not revealed. Here God's subjects are pictured entering the city to give Him glory and honor.

This may also include the suggestion that everything good, beautiful, and glorifying to God in this life will be transfigured into a form that will honor Him in the life to come. Nothing He deems of eternal value in this life will ever be lost. This should be an incentive for us to cultivate things that are true, honorable, pure, lovely, of good repute, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8) and to store up treasure in heaven (Blatt. 6:19-21) to present to God.

 

Exclusion of all evil (Rev. 21:27).

The "open-gate" policy noted above will not extend to the entrance of evil. Permanently excluded will be "anything that defileth," and "whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie" (cf. vs. 8). This exclusion is general enough to include all who are living in sin. The first segment speaks of anything profane—that is, anyone or anything that falls short of God's holiness.

TO work an abomination is to practice a detestable thing. It is an expression often used of idolatry, but it can also include any shameful act. {To make a lie is to practice any kind of deceit, whether by word or action. It includes pretense and hypocrisy. It is significant that three times in the last two chapters of Revelation, lying is said to be excluded from the heavenly city (21 27; 22:15). God, who is light, cannot abide anything that falls short of His transparency (l John 1:5-1.)} Q9

The only ones qualified to enter the heavenly city will be those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. There are several references to this book in Revelation (cf. 3:5; 13:8; 1 7:8; 20:1 5), and it is always the determining factor of whether or not one escapes God's judgment. Here it is specifically called the Lamb's book of life, indicating that one must be identified with Him to be admitted.

{To have one's name written in this book does not require sinless perfection in this present life, for all of us are sinners. Sinners will enter this city, but only those who have trusted the Lamb of God to remove their sin.} Q10 "The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (13:8) is always the key to eternal life. Only those cleansed by His blood Will enter the celestial city.  —Robert E Weng

 

QUESTIONS

1. Who showed John the heavenly city? What duties did this guide have earlier?

2. What figure of speech is used to describe the heavenly city?

3. The New Jerusalem displays God's glory. How else has He displayed His glory before this?

4. How many gates will the city have? For whom are they named?

5. For whom are the foundation stones of the city named?

6. Why will there be no temple in the New Jerusalem?

7. How will light for the heavenly city be provided?

8. What spiritual truth is symbolized by the open gates of the holy city?

9. Why is God so insistent that liars cannot enter the holy city?

10. What is the prerequisite for entering the New Jerusalem? —Robert E Wenger

 

 

Preparing to Teach the Lesson

 Bible-believing Christians should believe everything the Word says. We have to admit, however, that some things the Bible describes are so unlike anything we know on earth that they almost seem unreal. The description of the New Jerusalem in our lesson this week may seem that way to some of your students. Throughout your teaching of this lesson, make a conscious effort to convey the reality of our eternal home. It will be a real place, and we will really spend eternity there. Praise the Lord!

 

TODAY'S AIM

Facts: to understand the dimensions, composition, and inhabitants of the New Jerusalem.

Principle: to gain a greater appreciation of the glory and splendor of the New Jerusalem.

Application: to speak often about our heavenly home to believers and unbelievers.

 

 INTRODUCING THE LESSON

Most of us do not live in multi-million-dollar homes, but we perhaps have driven by them, seen them on television, or maybe even toured them. What are some of the thoughts that go through your mind when you see such a home? (Allow your class to respond.)

We may have feelings of envy, disgust, or discouragement. Let me suggest, however, another response. Maybe we should say to ourselves, "That house may be as good as those people will ever have, so let them enjoy it now. Our home in heaven will be far greater." Instead of envy or discouragement when we see expensive homes, let us think of our greater home in heaven. This week we will get a glimpse of our heavenly home. 

 

DEVELOPING THE LESSON

1. What the New Jerusalem will have (Rev. 21:9-14).

In verse 2 John recorded that he saw the New Jerusalem "coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." In our lesson we find more about our eternal home. An angel took John to a high mountain and showed him "that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God" (vs. 10).

This wonderful place will be our eternal home. The city is described as a cube. Its measurements are given as 12,000 furlongs, or about 1 ,40ö miles, square and high. John then described some of the features the city will have.

God's glory, or His resplendence, will be in the city because God Himself will be there. It will be illuminated by a beautiful light. John compared the light of the city to the precious stone jasper. Jasper, today is opaque, but this jasper will be transparent like crystal. John probably used the closest term available to describe the beauty of the light.

The city will be surrounded by an impressive wall (Rev. 21:12). The wall will be "great and high, and [have] twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel." Verse 17 tells us the wall will be 144 cubits, or about 216 feet, thick. At each of the twelve gates three gates on each side of the city (vs. be an angel guarding the entrance into the city.

Finally, the city will have a solid foundation. There will be twelve foundation stones, or layers. The name of an apostle will be on each layer. Thus, both Israel and the church will be part of the city. Direct your students to Ephesians 2:20, where similar imagery is used to describe the apostles and prophets as the foundation of the church. There Jesus is described as the cornerstone of the foundation.

 

2. What the New Jerusalem will not have (Rev. 21:22-27).

After describing what the city will have, John then identified what it will not have. First, there will be no temple. Our eternal home will not need a place of worship because "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it" (vs. 22). We will worship our Lord directly and personally.

Second, there will be no sun or moon. The city will not need a light source, for the glory of God and of the Lamb will serve that purpose. God's glory will be all the light we need. This divine light will provide illumination for the saved and the believing kings of the earth.

Third, there will be no night. Our eternal home will never experience night because the Lord, the Light, will always be there. Since there will be no night, the gates will never be closed.

Finally, there will be no unbelievers. All unbelievers will have been judged at the Great White Throne judgment and cast into the lake of fire (20:11-15). Only those whose names "are written in the Lamb's book of life" (21:27) will dwell there with the sovereign Lord, who makes all this possible.

As believers, we have such a blessed future to look forward to that our pursuit of holiness should be diligent and our outlook always full of hope amid life's hardships.

 

ILLUSTRATING THE LESSON

 Keeping our eternal home in mind will help us as we witness to and serve others. OUR ETERNAL HOME LIVE IN LIGHT OF ITS HOPE

 

CONCLUDING THE LESSON

 Such a place as we have studied seems almost too hard to believe, but it is all true. We shall live forever with our Lord in this wonderful place. The anticipation of this should lead us to talk about it often.

What are some occasions when we might have the opportunity to speak about our heavenly home to believers or unbelievers? (Allow your students to respond.)

We may find occasions to speak of heaven when a loved one dies, when a person faces a chronic or long-term problem, or when we face a stressful challenge in life. (Ask your students how they can speak about heaven in these situations.) If a fellow believer dies, we can share with someone that we will see that person again in heaven. If a believer faces a difficult challenge, we can provide encouragement by pointing him or her to the hope of the new creation. Let us think often about our eternal home and share this good news with others as well.

 

ANTICIPATING THE NEXT LESSON

Next week we continue to study our eternal home by examining the living waters that will be there.

 

PRACTICAL POINTS

1. We are ultimately citizens of the heavenly city to come, not whatever earthly city we currently inhabit (Rev. 21:9-10; cf. Phil. 3:20).

2. The most beautiful things on earth can only begin to begin to compare with the transcendent beauty we will experience in heaven (Rev. 21:10).

3. Christianity is firmly rooted in historical events; people who lived thousands of years ago will still be considered foundational to the faith at the end of time (vss. 11-14).

4. The most important thing in heaven is God's presence (vss. 22-23).

5. Wealth is meant to serve God's glory (vss. 24-26).

6. Sanctification is necessary to enter God's heavenly presence (Rev. 21:27; cf. Heb. 12:14). —Matthew Robinson

 

RESEARCH AND DISCUSSION

1. Who is "the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev. 21 cf. 19:6-9)?

2. Why is the heavenly city described as the "holy Jerusalem" (21:10-11; cf. vss. 2-3)?

3. What is the significance of the twelve gates and the twelve foundations (vss. 12-14)? What did Jesus say about the role of the twelve apostles (Matt. 19:28-30)?

4. What is the significance of God and the Lamb replacing the temple in the New Jerusalem?

5. What is "the Lamb's book of life" (21:27; cf. 3:5)? Why are the people in the book of life able to inhabit the new earth (12:10-11)? —Stuart Olley

 

ILLUSTRATED HIGH POINTS

I will shew thee (Rev. 21 :9)

There is a proliferation of books by people claiming to have gone to heaven and returned to tell us what they saw. These may be entertaining, but when the apostle Paul wrote about his vision, he said he had heard "unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter" (II Cor. 12:4).

John saw things that were difficult to describe, but he was told to write them down for our benefit. The symbolism we find throughout the book of Revelation indicates that it is beyond our comprehension.

 

The bride, the Lamb's wife (Rev. 21 :10)

 The symbolic language of Revelation describes the New Jerusalem as "a ' bride adorned for her husband" (vs. 2)' A bride doesn't wear street clothes and tennis shoes to her wedding. Many brides-to-be spend weeks, perhaps even months, picking out a wedding dress, hairstyle, and makeup. Hours into beautifying her on the big day. New Jerusalem will be a beautiful sig to behold when she appears.

 

That great city (vs. 10)

 I was born on a farm in the Mid but grew up in a small New Englare town. I retired to an even smaller to New England. I like small towns.

Cities do have their advantages commerce, culture, and entertainment, but there are some major drawbacks. Cities are crowded, impersonal, noisy, dirty, and often dangerous. Many people in big cities only live there because of employment opportunities.

God's final city will be totally di since He is ever present. —David A. Hamburg

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