Revelation 21:9-27 - The New City

LINK: Revelation 21 

BACKGROUND 

The church is the bride, but Holy Jerusalem is also the bride, the wife of the Lamb. It is brilliant with a 216-foot wall that will have twelve gates each of a single pearl. (This is where we get the expression "enter by the pearly gates.") Each gate will have the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. The foundation stones of the wall of the city will have the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb (Ephesians 2:20). The Old Testament and the New Testament come together in the New Jerusalem. All God's believing people will be in the city, a better heavenly country (Hebrews 11:16; 39-40). 

In addition, the dimensions in the ancient measurements are all multiples of 12. In modern-day measurements, the city will be 1,500 square miles! It will be made of gold and jewels. 

There is no temple because God is already dwelling among his people all the time. There is no need for light since He is the light, Jesus is the lamp, and there is no longer any night (Isaiah 60:19). 

The inhabitants of the city will only be those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life (3:5; 20:12-15). They will be those from every nation, but they will be one bride. Even kings, who once only wanted glory for themselves, will give it all to Him. Citizenship there is only because of what the Lamb has done to take away sin making the people pure and undefiled.

REFLECTION 

WOW! What a day it has been. I got up at 4 this morning to write these last few posts, and it is now 6 p.m. It is nice to end with this beautiful picture of the New Jerusalem after all those judgments! 

I am so excited to meet Him face-to-face!

APPLICATION 

If you have not done so, try the application I suggested yesterday. Imaginative Contemplation is so fun. Linger long in what this scene might look like! 

PRAYER

Lord, it is not because of anything we have done but because of the Lamb and His sacrifice. I can only thank You and give You my whole life in sacrifice. I give it because of Jesus. Amen!