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Chapter
179
The New Jerusalem
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Has God prepared a
dwelling place for His people?
"But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly; wherefore
God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He hath prepared for them a
city." Heb. 11:16.
Where is this city? And
what is it called?
"But Jerusalem which is above is
free, which is the mother of us all." Gal. 4:26.
After sojourning in the
land of promise as a stranger and a pilgrim, to what did Abraham look forward?
"For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and
maker is God." Heb. 11:10.
When we embrace Christ,
unto what do we come by faith?
"But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and
to an innumerable company of angels." Heb. 12:22.
What did John see
concerning this city?
"And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God,
out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Rev. 21:2.
Is this the city for
which Abraham looked?
"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." Rev. 21:14. Compare with Heb. 11:10.
What is the measurement
of the city?
"And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the
breadth; and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs."
Rev. 21:16.
NOTE. - The measure around it, as the words length and breadth imply, and as was
the early custom of measuring cities, was 12,000 furlongs, equal to 1,500 miles
[2,410.8 kilometers] , or 375 miles [602.7 kilometers] on each side, making a
perfect square.
What was the height of
the wall?
"And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and fourcubits."
Rev. 21:17.
NOTE. - 144 cubits
=216 feet [66 meters].
Of what material is the
wall constructed?
"And the building of the wall of it was of jasper; and the city was
pure gold, like unto clear glass." Rev. 21:18.
With what are the twelve
foundations (or as some suppose, ornamental bases) of the wall adorned?
"And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all
manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second,
sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx;
the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a
topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an
amethyst." Revelation 21:19, 20.
NOTE. - Prof. Stuart
says of these stones that, in order and arrangement, they are like the colors of
the rainbow, only more complex and much more brilliant. There can be no question
as to their extreme brilliancy; but with reference to their arrangement, it has
been suggested on good authority, that whereas the high priest of the Israelites
wore these twelve stones in his breastplate, to represent the twelve tribes of
Israel; and whereas the New Jerusalem itself has twelve gates, each bearing the
name of one of the twelve tribes, designating the particular place each tribe
occupies in the city, that these ornamental stones will be only on that part of
the foundation where the tribe is located, which the stone itself has ever
represented. Another suggestion is that these foundations are super imposed
horizontally one upon another in the form of terraces, each color extending
continuously around the city, the whole being arranged in steps from the ground
to the wall.
Of what are the twelve
gates composed?
"And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one
pearl; and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent
glass." Rev. 21:21.
What will be excluded
from that city?
"And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth,
neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie." Rev. 21:27.
Who will be welcomed
there?
"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." Rev.
22:14.
In what condition will
those be who are permitted to dwell in the holy city?
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be
no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain;
for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:4.
What is to be a prominent
object in the city?
"And there shall be no more curse; but the throne of God and of the
Lamb, shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him." Rev. 22:3.
What will flow from under
the throne of God?
"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." Rev. 22:1.
What stands on either
side of that river?
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was
there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her
fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the
nations." Rev. 22:2.
NOTE. - "The
tree of life." That which Adam lost through transgression is to be restored
by Christ, and will be enjoyed by the redeemed throughout the never ending
cycles of eternity. Those who really keep God's commandments, have the promise
of a right to that life giving tree. Rev. 22:14.
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