The New Jerusalem-STUDY (Prophecy)

                          The New Jerusalem

 What was one of Christ’s parting promises to his disciples?

John 14:2-3 in my father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you.

John 13:33, 36 Simon Peter said unto him; “lord whither goest thou?” Jesus answered him, “whither I go Thou canst not follow me, now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.”

Acts 1:10-12 ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner

Luke 21:27 and they shall see the son of man coming in the clouds with power and great glory.

2 Thessalonians 1:10-11 when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe because of our testimony among you.

Revelation 1:7 behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him.

Note—Desire of Ages.pp.662-663—let not your heart be troubled”—Looking upon His disciples with divine love and with the tenderest sympathy, Christ said, “Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.” Judas had left the upper chamber, and Christ was alone with the eleven. He was about to speak of His approaching separation from them; but before doing this He pointed to the great object of His mission. It was this that He kept ever before Him. It was His joy that all His humiliation and suffering would glorify the Father’s name. To this He first directs the thoughts of His disciples.

     Then addressing them by the endearing term, “Little children,” He said, “Yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek Me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.”

     The disciples could not rejoice when they heard this. Fear fell upon them. They pressed close about the Saviour. Their Master and Lord, their beloved Teacher and Friend, He was dearer to them than life. To Him they had looked for help in all their difficulties, for comfort in their sorrows and disappointments. Now He was to leave them, a lonely, dependent company. Dark were the forebodings that filled their hearts.

     But the Saviour’s words to them were full of hope. He knew that they were to be assailed by the enemy, and that Satan’s craft is most successful against those who are depressed by difficulties. Therefore He pointed them away from “the things which are seen,” to “the things which are not seen.” 2 Cor. 4:18. From earthly exile He turned their thoughts to the heavenly home.

     “Let not your heart be troubled,” He said; “ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” For your sake I came into the world. I am working in your behalf. When I go away, I shall still work earnestly for you. I came into the world to reveal Myself to you, that you might believe. I go to the Father to co-operate with Him in your behalf. The object of Christ’s departure was the opposite of what the disciples feared. It did not mean a final separation. He was going to prepare a place for them, that He might come again, and receive them unto Himself. While He was building mansions for them, they were to build characters after the divine similitude.

     Still the disciples were perplexed. Thomas, always troubled by doubts, said, “Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.”

     There are not many ways to heaven. Each one may not choose his own way. Christ says, “I am the way: . . . no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” Since the first gospel sermon was preached, when in Eden it was declared that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head, Christ had been uplifted as the way, the truth, and the life. He was the way when Adam lived, when Abel presented to God the blood of the slain lamb, representing the blood of the Redeemer. Christ was the way by which patriarchs and prophets were saved. He is the way by which alone we can have access to God.

     “If ye had known Me,” Christ said, “ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.” But not yet did the disciples understand. “Lord, show us the Father,” exclaimed Philip, “and it sufficeth us.”

     Amazed at his dullness of comprehension, Christ asked with pained surprise, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip?” Is it possible that you do not see the Father in the works He does through Me? Do you not believe that I came to testify of the Father? “How sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.” Christ had not ceased to be God when He became man. Though He had humbled Himself to humanity, the Godhead was still His own. Christ alone could represent the Father to humanity, and this representation the disciples had been privileged to behold for over three years.

 What does Paul say God has prepared for his people?

Hebrews 11:16 but now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city.

Exodus 3:6-8, he came to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians unto the place of the Canaanites

Where this city is and what is it called?

Galatians 4:26 but Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

 Isaiah 2:2-3 in the last days that the mountain of the lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; all nations shall flow unto it.

Jeremiah 31:6-11 Restoration of Israel

Zechariah 8:21-22 the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, let us go speedily to pray before the lord, and seek of the lord of hosts

Revelation 3:11-12 in the city of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God

Note—Daniel and Revelation.pp.760—763—The Bride the lamb’s wife – This testimony is positive that the New Jerusalem is the bride, the Lamb’s wife. The angel told John distinctly that he would show him the bride, the Lamb’s wife. We may be sure that he did not deceive him, but fulfilled his promise to the very letter. All that he did show him was the New Jerusalem, which must therefore be the Lamb’s wife. It would be unnecessary to offer a word of proof that this city is not the church, were it not that popular theology has so mystified the Scriptures as to give it this application. This city cannot be the church, because it would be absurd to talk of the church as lying foursquare, and having a north side, a south side, an east side, and a west side. It would be incongruous to speak of the church as having a wall great and high, and having twelve gates, three on each side toward the four points of the compass. Indeed, the whole description of the city which is given in this chapter would be more or less obscure if applied to the church.

In writing to the Galatians, Paul speaks of the same city and says that it is the mother of us all, referring to the church. The church, then, is not the city itself, but the children of the city. Verse 24 of the chapter under comment, speaks of the nations of the saved, who walk in the light of this city. These nations of the saved, who walk in the light of this city. These nations who are saved, and on earth constitute the church, are distinct from the city, in the light of which they walk. It follows that the city is a literal city built of all the precious materials here described.

But how can it then be the bride, the Lamb’s wife? Inspiration has seen fit to speak of it under this figure, and with every believer in the Bible that should be sufficient. This figure is first introduced in Isaiah 54. The new-covenant city is there brought to view. It is represented as being desolate while the old covenant was in force, and the Jews and old Jerusalem were the special objects of God’s care. It is said to here that “the children of the desolate” shall be many more than “the children of the married wife.” It is further said to her, “Thy Maker is thine husband,” and the closing promise of the Lord to this city contains a description similar to the one which we have here in Revelation, namely, “I will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires; and I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord.” Isaiah 54: 11-13.

It is this very promise to which Paul refers, upon which he comments in his epistle to the Galatians, when he says, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of

us all” (Galatians 4: 26), for he in the next verse quotes this very prophecy from the book of Isaiah to sustain his declaration. Here then Paul makes an inspired application of Isaiah’s prophecy which cannot be mistaken, and in this verse he shows that under the figure of a “woman,” a “wife” whose “children” were to be multiplied, the Lord by the prophet speaks of the New Jerusalem, the city above, as contrasted with the earthly Jerusalem in the land of Palestine. Of that city the Lord calls Himself the “husband.” In addition to this, we have positive testimony to the same facts in Revelation 21.

With this view, all is harmony. Christ is called Father of His people (Isaiah 9: 6), the Jerusalem above is called our mother, and we are here children. Carrying out the figure of marriage, Christ is represented as the Bridegroom, the city as the bride, and we, the church, as the guests. There is not confusion of personalities here. But the popular view, is not confusion of personalities here. But the popular view, which makes the city the church, and the church the bride, makes the the church at the same time both mother and children, both bride and guests.

The view that the marriage of the Lamb is the inauguration of Christ as King upon the throne of David, and that the parables of Matthew 22: 1-14; 25: 1-13; Luke 12: 35-37; 19: 12-27, apply to that event, is further confirmed by a well- known ancient custom. It is said that when a person took his position as ruler over the people, and was invested with that power, it was called a marriage, and the usually accompanying feast was called a marriage supper. Adam Clarke, in his note on Matthew 22: 2, thus speaks of it:

“A Marriage for His Son.–A marriage feast, so the word {GREEK CHARACTERS IN PRINTED TEXT} [gamous] properly means. Or a feast of inauguration, when his son was put in possession of the government, and thus he and his new subjects became married together. (See 1 Kings 1: 5-9, 19, 25, etc., where such a feast is mentioned.)” [2] Many eminent critics understand this parable as indicating the Father’s induction of His Son into His Messianic kingdom.

A Christian City.–The names of the twelve apostles in the foundations of the city, show it to be a Christian and not a Jewish city. The names of the twelve tribes on the gates, show that all the saved from all ages, are reckoned as belonging to some one of the twelve tribes, for all must enter the city through some one of the twelve gates. This explains those instances in which Christians are called Israel, and are addressed as the twelve tribes, as in Romans 2: 28, 29; 9: 6-8; Galatians 3: 29; Ephesians 2: 12, 13; James 1: 1; Revelation 7: 4.

 For what did Abraham look?

Hebrews 11:10 for he looked for a city which hath fountains, whose builder and maker is God.

Revelation 21:2 I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Isaiah 52:1 awake, awake, put on thy strength Zion; put on thy beautiful garments O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Revelation 3:12 him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God.

Isaiah 54:5-14 for thy maker is thine husband; the lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the holy one of Israel, the God of the whole earth.

2 Corinthians 11:2 for I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Revelation 21:10 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.

Note—Patriarchs and prophets.pp.169 – 170  Those who secure for their children worldly wealth and honor at the expense of their eternal interests, will find in the end that these advantages are a terrible loss. Like Lot, many see their children ruined, and barely save their own souls. Their lifework is lost; their life is a sad failure. Had they exercised true wisdom, their children might have had less of worldly prosperity, but they would have made sure of a title to the immortal inheritance.

     The heritage that God has promised to His people is not in this world. Abraham had no possession in the earth, “no, not so much as to set his foot on.” Acts 7:5. He possessed great substance, and he used it to the glory of God and the good of his fellow men; but he did not look upon this world as his home. The Lord had called him to leave his idolatrous countrymen, with the promise of the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession; yet neither he nor his son nor his son’s son received it. When Abraham desired a burial place for his dead, he had to buy it of the Canaanites. His sole possession in the Land of Promise was that rock-hewn tomb in the cave of Machpelah.

     But the word of God had not failed; neither did it meet its final accomplishment in the occupation of Canaan by the Jewish people. “To Abraham and his seed were the promises made.”

Galatians 3:16. Abraham himself was to share the inheritance. The fulfillment of God’s promise may seem to be long delayed–for “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8); it may appear to tarry; but at the appointed time “it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3. The gift to Abraham and his seed included not merely the land of Canaan, but the whole earth. So says the apostle, “The promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.” Romans 4:13. And the Bible plainly teaches that the promises made to Abraham are to be fulfilled through Christ. All that are Christ’s are “Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”–heirs to “an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away”–the earth freed from the curse of sin. Galatians 3:29; 1 Peter 1:4. For “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;” and “the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Daniel 7:27; Psalm 37:11.

     God gave to Abraham a view of this immortal inheritance, and with this hope he was content. “By faith he sojourned in the Land of Promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Hebrews 11:9, 10.

 Of the posterity of Abraham it is written, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” Verse 13. We must dwell as pilgrims and strangers here if we would gain “a better country, that is, an heavenly.” Verse 16. Those who are children of Abraham will be seeking the city which he looked for, “whose builder and maker is God.”

Saint John Describes the city

What did John see concerning the city?

Revelation 21:2 I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband

How many foundations has this city?

Revelation 21:14 the wall of the city had twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the lamb

Matthew 16:18-19 thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Ephesians 2:19-20 and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being chief corner stone.

Note—Testimonies for the church .pp.67-69 vol1—vision of the New Earth- With Jesus at our head, we all descended from the city down to this earth, on a great and mighty mountain, which could not bear Jesus up, and it parted asunder, and there was a mighty plain. Then we looked up and saw the great city, with twelve foundations, and twelve gates, three on each side, and an angel at each gate. We all cried out: “The city, the great city, it’s coming, it’s coming down from God out of heaven,” and it came and settled on the place where we stood. Then we began to look at the glorious things outside of the city. There I saw most beautiful houses, that had the appearance of silver, supported by four pillars set with pearls, most glorious to behold, which were to be inhabited by the saints, and in which was a golden shelf. I saw many of the saints go into the houses, take off their glittering crowns and lay them on the shelf, then go out into the field by the houses to do something with the earth; not as we have to do with the earth here; no, no. A glorious light shone all about their heads, and they were continually offering praise to God.

     And I saw another field full of all kinds of flowers, and as I plucked them, I cried out: “They will never fade.” Next I saw a field of tall grass, most glorious to behold; it was living green, and had a reflection of silver and gold, as it waved proudly to the glory of King Jesus. Then we entered a field full of all kinds of beasts–the lion, the lamb, the leopard, and the wolf, all together in perfect union. We passed through the midst of them, and they followed on peaceably after. Then we entered a wood, not like the dark woods we have here; no, no; but light, and all over glorious; the branches of the trees waved to and fro, and we all cried out: “We will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.” We passed through the woods, for we were on our way to Mount Zion.

     As we were traveling along, we met a company who were also gazing at the glories of the place. I noticed red as a border on their garments; their crowns were brilliant; their robes were pure white. As we greeted them, I asked Jesus who they were. He said they were martyrs that had been slain for Him. With them was an innumerable company of little ones; they had a hem of red on their garments also. Mount Zion was just before us, and on the mount was a glorious temple, and about it were seven other mountains, on which grew roses and lilies. And I saw the little ones climb, or, if they chose, use their little wings and fly to the top of the mountains, and pluck the never-fading flowers. There were all kinds of trees around the temple to beautify the place–the box, the pine, the fir, the oil, the myrtle, the pomegranate, and the fig tree bowed down with the weight of its timely figs; these made the place all over glorious. And as we were about to enter the temple, Jesus raised His lovely voice and said, “Only the 144,000 enter this place,” and we shouted, “Alleluia!”

     This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I there saw, I cannot describe. Oh, that I could talk in the language of Canaan, then could I tell a little of the glory of the better world. I saw there tables of stone in which the names of the 144,000 were engraved in letters of gold.

     After beholding the glory of the temple, we went out, and Jesus left us and went to the city. Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying: “Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will, suffered for Me, come in to supper; for I will gird Myself and serve you.” We shouted, “Alleluia, glory,” and entered the city. Here I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit. I asked Jesus to let me eat of the fruit. He said: “Not now. Those who eat of the fruit of this land, go back to earth no more. But in a little while, if faithful, you shall both eat of the fruit of the tree of life and drink of the water of the fountain. And,” said He, “you must go back to the earth again, and relate to others what I have revealed to you.” Then an angel bore me gently down to this dark world. Sometimes I think I can stay here no longer, all things of earth look so dreary. I feel very lonely here, for I have seen a better land. Oh that I had wings like a dove, then would I fly away and be at rest.

     Brother Hyde, who was present during this vision, composed the following verses, which have gone the rounds of the religious papers, and have found a place in several hymn-books. Those who have published, read, and sung them have little thought that they originated from a vision of a girl persecuted for her humble testimony.

          We have heard from the bright, the holy land;
We have heard, and our hearts are glad;
For we were a lonely pilgrim band,
And weary, and worn, and sad.
They tell us the saints have a dwelling there–
No longer are homeless ones;
And we know that the goodly land is fair,
Where life’s pure river runs.

          They say green fields are waving there,
That never a blight shall know;
And the deserts wild are blooming fair,
And the roses of Sharon grow.
There are lovely birds in the bowers green,
Their songs are blithe and sweet;
And their warblings, gushing ever new,
The angels’ harpings greet.

We have heard of the palms, the robes, the crowns,
And the silvery band in white;
Of the city fair, with pearly gates,
All radiant with light.
We have heard of the angels there, and saints,
With their harps of gold, how they sing;
Of the mount, with the fruitful tree of life,
Of the leaves that healing bring.

          The King of that country, He is fair,
He’s the joy and light of the place;
In His beauty we shall behold Him there,
And bask in His smiling face.

          We’ll be there, we’ll be there in a little while,
We’ll join the pure and the blest;
We’ll have the palm, the robe, the crown,
And forever be at rest.

What is the measurement of the city?

Revelation 21:16 the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs

What is the height of the wall?

Revelation 21:17 an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man.

Note—One hundred and forty-four cubits are estimated at 216 feet in our measure.

Of what material is the wall constructed?

Revelation 21:18 the building of the wall of it was of Jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

 With what are the twelve foundations adorned?

Revelation 21:19-20 the foundation the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious strone. The first foundation was jasper, the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; fourth, an emerald.

 Isaiah 54:11-12 behold, i will lay thy stones with fair colors, and lay thy foundations with sapphires

1 chronicles 29:2 I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things to be made of silver

Exodus 28:15-21 God’s sanctuary, the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names like engravings

Note—27 Fundamental belief.pp.376-377- The Physical Description. John uses romantic terms to convey the beauty of the New Jerusalem: The city is like a “bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2). His description of the physical attributes of the city portray to us its reality.

1. Its light. The first specific attribute John noticed as he viewed “‘the bride, the Lamb’s wife'” was “her light” (Rev. 21:9, 11). God’s glory illuminates the city, making the light of sun and moon superfluous (Rev. 21:23, 24). No dark alleys will mar the New Jerusalem, for the walls and streets are translucent and “there shall be no night there” (Rev. 21:25). “They need no lamp, nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light” (Rev. 22:5).

2. Its construction. God has used only the very finest materials in building the city. The wall is of jasper, a “most precious stone” (Rev. 21:11, 18). The foundations are adorned with twelve different gems: jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst (Rev. 1:19, 20).

These gems are not, however, the primary building material. For the most part, God has made the city—its buildings and streets—of gold (Rev. 21:18, 21), using that precious metal as freely as people now use concrete. This gold is finer than any now known, for John calls it “pure gold, like clear glass” (Rev. 21:18).

Twelve gates, each made of a single pearl, grant access to the city. “Pearls are the product of suffering: a tiny irritant slips inside an oyster’s shell, and as the little creature suffers, it transforms that irritant into a lustrous gem. The gates are of pearl. Your entrance, my entrance, God provided at infinite personal suffering as in Christ He reconciled all things to Himself.”

Just as meaningful today as the list of materials that went into the construction of the city is the fact that the angel who showed the city to John measured its walls. That they could be measured, that they have height and length and thickness, conveys to the modern, data-oriented mentality the city’s reality.

3. Its food and water supply. From the throne of God in the center of the city flows the “river of water of life” (Rev. 22:1). And like a banyan tree with multiple trunks, the tree of life grows “on either side of the river.” Its twelve fruits contain the vital element the human race has gone without since Adam and Eve had to leave Eden—the antidote for aging, burnout, and simple fatigue (Rev. 22:2; Gen. 3:22). Those who eat the fruit of this tree need no night in which to rest (cf. Rev. 21:25), for in the new earth they will never feel tired.

 What is written on these gates?

 Revelation 21:12 at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of children of Israel

Ezekiel 48:31-35 and the gates of the city shall be named after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward.

Jeremiah 3:17 at that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the lord, and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the lord.

Jeremiah 33:16 in those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name where with she shall be called

Joel 3:21 I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed for the lord dwelleth in Zion

Zechariah 3:10-13 sing and rejoice O daughter Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will be in the midst of thee, saith the lord.

Revelation21:3-4 I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them.

Note—Daniel and Revelation.pp.465—468- The number to be sealed – The number sealed is here stated to be one hundred forty-four thousand. From the fact that twelve thousand are sealed from each of the twelve tribes, many suppose that this work must have been accomplished as far back at least as the beginning of the Christian Era, when these tribes were literally in existence. They do not see how it can apply to our own time, when every trace of distinction between these tribes has been so long and so completely obliterated. We refer such persons to the opening language of the Epistle of James: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” Those whom James here addresses are Christians, for they are his brethren. Some were converts from paganism and others were Jews, yet they are all included in the twelve tribes. How can this be? Paul explains in Romans 11: 17-24. In the striking figure of grafting which the apostle there introduces, the tame olive tree represents Israel.

Some of the branches, the natural descendants of Abraham, were broken off because of unbelief in Christ. Through faith in Christ the wild olive scions, the Gentiles, are grafted into the tame olive stock, and thus the twelve tribes are perpetuated. Here we find an explanation of the language of the same apostle: “They are not all Israel which are of Israel,” and “he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly, . . . . but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly.” Romans 9: 6-8; 2: 28, 29. So we find on the gates of the New Jerusalem–which is a New Testament, or Christian, city–the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the foundations of this city are inscribed the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Revelation 21: 12-14.)

If the twelve tribes belonged exclusively to the Jewish era, the more natural order would have been to have their names on the foundations, and those of the twelve apostles on the gates; but no, the names of the twelve tribes are on the gates. As through these gates, so inscribed, all the redeemed hosts will go in and out, so all the redeemed will be reckoned as belonging to these twelve tribes, whether on earth they were Jews or Gentiles.

Of what does John say the streets of the city are composed?

Revelation 21:21The Street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass 

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river was there the tree of life. Which bare twelve manners of fruits

Ezekiel 47:12 by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side  

Revelation 2:7 to him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.                       

Revelation 21:24 the nations of them which are saved shall be walking in the light of it: and kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it

Why will this city have no need of the sun or moon?

Revelation 21:23-24 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

Revelation 22:5 and there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the lord God giveth them light:

Psalm 36:9 for with thee is the foundation of life: in thy light shall we see light

Isaiah 24:23 the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the lord of host, shall reign in mount Zion and in Jerusalem                                                                               Revelation 21:11 having the glory of God and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal

Isaiah 60:19-20 the sun shall be no more thy light by day;  for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the lord shall be unto thee an everlasting light.

Zechariah 2:3-5 thus saith the lord, I will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her

Note—Daniel and Revelation .pp.412 They Rest Not.–“O happy unrest!” beautifully exclaims John Wesley. The theme of their constant worship is, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” No sublimer strain ever issued from created lips. They repeat it “day and night,” or continually, these terms only denoting the manner in which time is reckoned here, for there can be no night where the throne of God is. (Revelation 21: 23, 25.)

Why are its gates not to be closed?

Revelation 21:25 the gates of it shall not be shut all by day: for there shall be no night there.

Isaiah 60:11 therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not shut day nor night.

Isaiah 60:20thy sunshine shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the lord shall be thine everlasting light

Zechariah 14:7-9 but it shall be one day which shall be know to the lord, not day, nor night:

Revelation 22:5 and there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of sun; for the lord God giveth them light:

Note—Great Controversy .pp. 434-435 – An Eternity with Christ— In the City of God “there shall be no night. None will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning and shall ever be far from its close. “And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.” Revelation 22:5. The light of the sun will be superseded by a radiance which is not painfully dazzling, yet which immeasurably surpasses the brightness of our noontide. The glory of God and the Lamb floods the Holy City with unfading light. The redeemed walk in the sunless glory of perpetual day.

     “I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” Revelation 21:22. The people of God are privileged to hold open communion with the Father and the Son. “Now we see through a glass, darkly.”

1 Corinthians 13:12. We behold the image of God reflected, as in a mirror, in the works of nature and in His dealings with men; but then we shall see Him face to face, without a dimming veil between. We shall stand in His presence and behold the glory of His countenance.

     There the redeemed shall know, even as also they are known. The loves and sympathies which God Himself has planted in the soul shall there find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, the sacred ties that bind together “the whole family in heaven and earth” (Ephesians 3:15)–these help to constitute the happiness of the redeemed.

     There, immortal minds will contemplate with never-failing delight the wonders of creative power, the mysteries of redeeming love. There will be no cruel, deceiving foe to tempt to forgetfulness of God. Every faculty will be developed, every capacity increased. The acquirement of knowledge will not weary the mind or exhaust the energies. There the grandest enterprises may be carried forward, the loftiest aspirations reached, the highest ambitions realized; and still there will arise new heights to surmount, new wonders to admire, new truths to comprehend, fresh objects to call forth the powers of mind and soul and body.

     All the treasures of the universe will be open to the study of God’s redeemed. Unfettered by mortality, they wing their tireless flight to worlds afar–worlds that thrilled with sorrow at the spectacle of human woe and rang with songs of gladness at the tidings of a ransomed soul. With unutterable delight the children of earth enter into the joy and the wisdom of unfallen beings. They share the treasures of knowledge and understanding gained through ages upon ages in contemplation of God’s handiwork. With undimmed vision they gaze upon the glory of creation–suns and stars and systems, all in their appointed order circling the throne
of Deity. Upon all things, from the least to the greatest, the Creator’s name is written, and in all are the riches of His power displayed.

     And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achievements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise.

     “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever.” Revelation 5:13.

The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love. Top of Form

                        Who may, and who may not, enter.

Who will be excluded from this city?

Revelation 21:27 and there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abominations, or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the lamb’s book of life.

Isaiah 35:8-10 and an highway shall be there, and a way; and it shall be called the way of holiness, the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the way faring men, through fools, shall not err therein

Revelation 22:14, 15  blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, for without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremonger and murderers.

1corinthians 6:9-10 know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God, be not deceivered neither fornicators, nor Idolators

Galatians 5:21 envying, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God

1 Timothy 1:8-9 knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous, man but for the lawless and disobedient, the ungodly, and sinners, for unholy and profane

Hebrews 12:13-17 follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man see the lord; looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God

Colossians 3:6 for which things sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience

Philippians 3:2 worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus

Note—The Acts of Apostles.pp.75-76-But the hearts of men become hardened through selfishness, and, like Ananias and Sapphira, they are tempted to withhold part of the price, while pretending to fulfill God’s requirements. Many spend money lavishly in self-gratification. Men and women consult their pleasure and gratify their taste, while they bring to God, almost unwillingly, a stinted offering. They forget that God will one day demand a strict account of how His goods have been used, and that He will no more accept the pittance they hand into the treasury than He accepted the offering of Ananias and Sapphira.

     From the stern punishment meted out to those perjurers, God would  have us learn also how deep is His hatred and contempt for all hypocrisy and deception. In pretending
that they had given all, Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit, and, as a result, they lost this life and the life that is to come. The same God who punished them, today condemns all falsehood. Lying lips are an abomination to Him. He declares that into the Holy City “there shall in no wise enter . . . anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie.” Revelation 21:27. Let truth telling be held with no loose hand or uncertain grasp. Let it become a part of the life. Playing fast and loose with truth, and dissembling to suit one’s own selfish plans, means shipwreck of faith. “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.” Ephesians 6:14. He who utters untruths sells his soul in a cheap market. His falsehoods may seem to serve in emergencies; he may thus seem to make business advancement that he could not gain by fair dealing; but he finally reaches the place where he can trust no one. Himself a falsifier, he has no confidence in the word of others.

     In the case of Ananias and Sapphira, the sin of fraud against God was speedily punished. The same sin was often repeated in the after history of the church and is committed by many in our time. But though it may not be attended by the visible manifestation of God’s displeasure, it is no less heinous in His sight now than in the apostles’ time. The warning has been given; God has clearly manifested His abhorrence of this sin; and all who give themselves up to hypocrisy and covetousness may be sure that they are destroying their own souls. Top of Form

 Who will be permitted to enter it?

Revelation 22:14 blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city

Daniel 12:11-12 [v12] blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days

Daniel 12:2 and many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt

1 John 3:24 he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him

Revelation 21:27 and there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth

Note—the late English American, revisions render this, “Blessed are they that wash their robes,”etc. the result is the same, for those who wash their robes cease to sin, and hence do God’s commandments.

Note- “no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an Idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Ephesians 5: says, “Follow peace with all men , and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14. “Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Revelation 22:14 -15. God has given to man a declaration of His character and of His method of dealing with sin. “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.” Exodus 34: 6-7. “All the wicked will He destroy.” “The transgressors shall be gathered together; the end of the wicked shall be cut off.” Psalms 145:20; 39:38. The power and authority of the divine government will be employed to put down rebellion; yet all the manifestation of retributive justice will be perfectly consistent with the character of God as a merciful, long suffering, benevolent being. God does not force the will or judgment of any. He takes no pleasure in a slavish obedience. He desires that the creatures of His hands shall love Him because He is worthy of love. He would have them obey Him because they have an intelligent appreciation of His wisdom, justice, and benevolence. And all who have a just conception of these qualities will love Him because they are drawn toward Him in admiration of His attributes. The principles of kindness, mercy , and love, taught and exemplified by our Saviour, are a transcript of the will and character of God. Christ declared that he taught nothing except that which he had received from His Father. The principles of the divine government are in perfect harmony with the savior’s precept, “love your enemies.” God executes justice upon the wicked, of the good of the universe, and even for the good of those upon whom His judgments are visited. He would make them happy if He could do so in accordance with the laws of government and the justice of His character.    . He surrounds them with the tokens of His love, He grants them a knowledge of His law, and follows them with the offers of His mercy, but they despise His love, make void His law, and rejects His mercy. While constantly receiving His gifts, they dishonor the giver; they hate God because they know that he abhors their sins. The lord bears long with their perversity; but the decisive hour will come at last, when their destiny is to be decided. Will he then chain these rebels to His sides? Will he force them to do His will? Those who have chosen Satan as their leader and have been controlled by his power are not prepared to enter the presence of God. Pride, deception, licentiousness, cruelty, has become fixed in their character. Can they enter heaven to dwell forever with those whom the despised and hated on earth? Truth will never be agreeable to a liar; meekness will not satisfy self-esteem and pride; purity is not acceptable to the corrupt; disinterested love does not appear attractive to the selfish. What source of enjoyment could heaven offer to those who are wholly absorbed in earthly and selfish interests. Could those whose lives  have been spent in rebellion against God be suddenly transported to  heaven and witness the high, the holy state  of perfection that even exists there – every soul  filled with love; every countenance beaming with joy, enrapturing music in melodious strains rising in honour of God and the lamb, and ceaseless streams of light flowing upon the redeemed from the face of Him who sitteth upon the throne, – could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God, of truth and holiness , mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of praise? Could they endure the glory of God and the Lamb? No, No; years of probation were granted them, that they might form characters for heaven; but they have never trained the mind to love purity; they have never learned the language of heaven and now it is too late.

When this city becomes the Metropolis of the new earth, what will be the condition of God’s people?

Revelation 21:4 and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; there shall be no more death neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain

Isaiah 25:8-9 he will swallow up death in victory; and the lord will wipe away all tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his peoples shall be take away from off all the earth.

1 Corinthians 15:54-56 so when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal must put immortality, then shall be brought to pass, O grave, where is thy victory  

Revelation 20:14 death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death

Revelation 7:17 the lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living foundations of waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes

Note-Great controversy .pp.675-676— “My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” “Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise.” “They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: . . . Mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isaiah 32:18; 60:18; 65:21, 22.

     There, “the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.” “Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree.” “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; . . . and a little child shall lead them.” “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” saith the Lord. Isaiah 35:1; 55:13; 11:6, 9.

     Pain cannot exist in the atmosphere of heaven. There will be no more tears, no funeral trains, no badges of mourning. “There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying: . . . for the former things are passed away.” “The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 33:24. There is the New Jerusalem, the metropolis of the glorified new earth, “a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” “Her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.” “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 honor into it.” Saith the Lord: “I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people.” “The tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Isaiah 62:3; Revelation 21:11, 24; Isaiah 65:19; Revelation 21:3.

     In the City of God “there shall be no night.” None will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning and shall ever be far from its close. “\

                                Everlasting life And Glorious  Privilege

What will flow through the city?

Revelation 22:1 he shewed me a pure river of water of life clean as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the lamb

Ezekiel 47:1-13 visions of holy water

Zachariah 14:8 and it shall be in that day that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

Note—Daniel and Revelation.pp.771-772 – The River of Life.—The tree of life is in the midst of this street, but is on either side of the river of life. Therefore the river of life is also in the midst of the street of the city. This river proceeds from the throne of God. The picture thus presented before the mind is this: The glorious throne of God at the head of the broad way, or avenue; out of that throne the river of life, flowing lengthwise through the center of the street; and the tree of life growing on either side, forming a high and magnificent arch over that majestic stream, and spreading its life-bearing branches far away on either side. How wide this broad street is, we have no means of determining, but it will be at once perceived that a city three hundred seventy-five miles square, would have an ample space for its great avenue.

The Tree of Life.—But how can the tree of life be but one tree, and still be on either side of the river? It is evident that there is but one tree of life. From Genesis to Revelation it is spoken of as but one–the tree of life. To be at once on both sides of the river, it must have more than one trunk, in which case it would be united above in order to form but one tree. John, caught away in the Spirit, and presented with a minute view of this wonderful object, says that it was on either side of the river.

The tree of life bears twelve kinds of fruit, and yields it fruit every month. This fact throws light upon the declaration in Isaiah 66: 23, that all flesh shall come up “from one moon to another” to worship before the Lord of hosts. The redeemed come up to the holy city from month to month to partake of the fruit of the tree of life. Its leaves are for the healing of the nations, – literally, the service of the nations. This cannot be understood as implying  that any will enter the city in a diseased or deformed following that there will always be persons there in that condition, as we have no reason to understand that the service of the leaves, whatever it is, will not be perpetual, like the use of the fruit. But the idea of disease and deformity in the immortal state is contrary to the express declarations of scripture, “The inhabitants shall not say, I am sick.” Isaiah 33:24

 

What stands on either side of the river?

Revelation 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manners of fruits

Genesis 2:9 out of the ground made the lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden

Genesis 3;22-23 Adam had knowledge of good and evil, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever

Proverb 3:18 she is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her

Revelation 2:7 to him that overcometh will give to eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God

Note—The tree of life, which Adam lost through transgression, it to be restored by Christ. Access to this is one of the promises to the overcomer [Revelation2:7] Its bearing twelve kinds of first, a new kind each month, suggests a reason why in the new earth “from one new moon to another,” as well as” From one Sabbath to another,” all flesh is to come before God to worship, as stated in Isaiah 66:22-23.

Note—The story of Redemption.pp.431. In the Bible the inheritance of the saved is called a country. (Heb. 11:14-16.) There the great Shepherd leads His flock to fountains of living waters. The tree of life yields its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree are for the service of the nations. There are ever-flowing streams, clear as crystal, and beside them waving trees cast their shadows upon the paths prepared for the ransomed of the Lord. There the wide-spreading plains swell into hills of beauty, and the mountains of God rear their lofty summits. On those peaceful plains, beside those living streams, God’s people, so long pilgrims and wanderers shall find a home.