Revelation 21:9-21

Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.  It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed—on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.  And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls.  The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia.  Its length and width and height are equal.  He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement.  The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass.  The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

The capital of the new earth will be the New Jerusalem.  John is given a detailed vision of what this magnificent city will look like.  Honestly, it is difficult for us to imagine a city of this size and ornate beauty.  This description leaves us with a great curiosity about what the rest of the new earth will be like since the primary city is so spectacular.  Our imaginations are likely sorely lacking.

THE GLORY OF THE NEW JERUSALEM: The angel calls John’s attention to the descent of the New Jerusalem from heaven to earth.  It is described as the Bride of the Lamb.  The Church is commonly referred to as the Bride of Christ.  The people of the New Jerusalem are the Bride of Christ.  These are the redeemed by the blood of Christ from the history of the world.  This city and the inhabitants of the city are described as radiant and glorious.  This elevated status is through no merit of our own but is simply a reflection of the glory of Christ shining through us.  It is astounding to think that God shares His glory with us.

THE SIZE OF THE NEW JERUSALEM: The angel is told to measure the New Jerusalem.  It is described as cubed shaped meaning that it is the same width, length, and height.  In modern measurements the city will be about 1,400 miles (2,200 KM) long, wide, and high.  This is more or less half the size of the United States.  The thickness of the wall is about 200 feet (65 M).  That is one massive city!  The names of the gates and on the foundation recognize the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles.  It boggles the mind to think of a city that large especially the height.  I have so many questions about numbers of floors of layers that the city might have.  It will be simply amazing to explore in this massive city.  Though the most glorious thing about this city will be the presence of God.

THE MATERIALS OF THE NEW JERUSALEM: John spends time describing the foundation of the city and the twelve gates to the city.  Each of the foundations is made of a different precious stone, and each gate is made of a massive pearl.  The wall is made of Jasper, and the street is made of gold.  These types of building materials would be unheard of in our current world.  All these things are considered precious and are used almost exclusively for ornamental purposes.  The fact that there are gates lets us know that there is something outside of the gates.  The new earth is not limited to the New Jerusalem.  The realities on the outside of these gates are left to our imagination.  The exquisite beauty of this city will once again be for the glory of God who created it and blesses it with His presence.

APPLICATION: Rejoice in the promise that this will be our eternal dwelling place.  Remember that the purpose of man is to glorify God.  As beautiful as the city will be, God will be far more precious to us than the city He created.  Be filled with hope as we anticipate the fulfillment of these promises.