In my years of Bible study, the book of Revelation has always been a favorite of mine. Not just for the ‘End of Times’ prophecy, but after our time of testing is over, it talks about the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem in this way . . .
“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning, or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:1-4 NIV
Wow! This is hard to picture isn’t it? No death, mourning, crying, or pain? But what intrigues me further is the description it gives of the new Jerusalem . . .
“It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel… The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. .” The first foundation was. . . “Jasper, then sapphire, agate, emerald, onyx, ruby, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, turquoise, jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.” (21:11-21)
Now my husband and I did a lot of building over the years, and I cannot even imagine the size of this city, let alone using the building materials mentioned here!
We also learn there will be no temple in this new Jerusalem because the Lord God and the Lamb are its temple. We won’t need a sun or moon for the glory of God will be its light. There is no longer any sea, so I wondered “Does that mean we won’t need any water or food?” Not so according to chapter 22:1-2…
“Then the angel showed me the River of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the Tree of Life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
Our Scripture verses of Revelation reveals that nothing impure will ever be allowed to enter, only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. This tells me there are some who will not be allowed to enter into the new heaven, earth and city in fact it tells you…“The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur”… (21-8, 22-15).
My heart aches when I look at the evil that surrounds Israel, and especially Jerusalem today. I could fall into a depressing hopelessness at what is happening in our world. But then I remember Jesus words in John 16:33 …
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
We have a Savior who died for us so we would have the choice of choosing Him or the god of this world, Satan. This choice gives us the privilege of seeing and being part of the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem.
I’ve made my choice, have you made yours?
It’s not too late to change it to the right one!
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;
Join me in glad adoration! -Neander