REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 21.9

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

 

Chapter Twenty-One

The Eternal State

New Jerusalem – The City of God

 

 

Introduction

Within the first part of the chapter, major events are described briefly. John saw the vision of the New Heaven and Earth emerging from a distance. John also views the New Jerusalem as descending from Heaven (cf. v. 2).

 

Now, from Revelation 21:9-22:5, an angel gives John a more detailed gaze at the city of God – the New Jerusalem. The pattern is reminiscent of how Moses wrote Genesis 1 and 2, i.e., first a general account, then a detailed one.

 

God’s work is now observed as complete. The remnant of Israel and the Body of Christ become one in fellowship with God the Father and God the Son. Importantly, this vision John perceives is inspired by God and therefore it is trustworthy and true (cf. v. 5).

 

 

1. The New Heaven and Earth (21:1-8)

2. The New Jerusalem’s Description (21:9 – 21:5)

(Verse 9)

 

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the Bride, the Lamb's wife.

 

One of the seven angels having a bowl of wrath (cf. Revelation 15:1), the same angel who had shown John The Mother of Harlot s, Mystery Babylon (cf. Revelation 17:1-5), conversely is appropriately giving an invitation for John to see the Lamb’s wife – New Jerusalem.

 

Three final stages for the Bride incorporate:

1. The Bride is made ready (cf. Revelation 19:7-8)

2. The Bride on her honeymoon (cf. Revelation 20:4e)

3. The Bride in her permanent home (cf. Revelation 21:9)

 

Also noteworthy: From the angel are two contrasted observations of John:

A. I will show you the Harlot (cf. Revelation 17:1)

B. I will show you the Bride of the Lamb (cf. Revelation 21:9)

 

As Babylon was a city and a woman, so too, was New Jerusalem both a city and woman as well.

 

 

(Verse 10)

 

And 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.

 

In the spiritual realm, John was somehow transported by the angel to behold the New Jerusalem in its eternal state from a high mountain. As John saw this immense city in the spirit, one day believers will reside there. Again, it is the place in which Jesus had gone to prepare a home for His people (cf. John 14:2).

 

The mountain view is not exclusive to this passage:

A. In a vision, God took Ezekiel to a high mountain to observe the Temple in Jerusalem (cf. Ezekiel 40:2)

B. In the wilderness, Satan took Jesus to a high mountain to shew Him all the kingdoms of the world (cf. Matthew 4:8)

 

The City of God

Repeated from verse 2, the Holy City of God (cf. Matthew 4:2) is seen descending from Heaven. Even though the text does not say it touched the ground, the emphasis, however, is a city…whose builder (architect) and maker is God (cf. Hebrews 11:10). And earlier, Jesus wrote this to the overcomers of the church in Philadelphia, I will write upon him the name of the city of My God (cf. Revelation 3:10).

 

The City Anticipated

According to the Book of Hebrews Abraham looked for this city.

Hebrews 12:22-23 – But ye are come unto Mount Sion (Zion), and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.

 

Wherefore, the city is only accessible through the blood of Jesus Christ in the New Covenant, not under the Law of Moses.

 

 

(Verse 11)

 

Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

 

The New Jerusalem coming down is not merely a Shekinah glory cloud, but God Himself revealing His glory and tabernacling amid His people. This city will serve as a focal point of life throughout eternity. And as such, His unimaginable, unmeasurable, incomparable glory will thus be brilliantly displayed. 

 

Additional occasions when God revealed His glory encompass:

Old Testament

1. When God spoke to Adam and Eve in the Garden (cf. Genesis 2:16-17)

 

2. When the LORD spoke to Moses face to face (cf. Exodus 33:11a)

 

 

3. When the glory of the LORD appeared in the Tabernacle as the congregation was about to stone Joshua and Caleb (cf. Numbers 14:10)

 

4. When Manoah and his wife, before the birth of Samson, saw a flame and said, we have seen God. (cf.  Judges 13: 20-23)

 

New Testament

5. When God became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ (cf. John 1:14)

 

6. When Jesus showed Himself on the Mount of Transfiguration to Peter, James, and John in His post-Resurrection body (cf. Matthew 17:2)

 

 

7. When Jesus shall return in blazing glory at His Second Coming (cf. Matthew 24:29-10; Revelation `9:11-16)

 

And her light was [is] like unto a stone most precious

God’s light* of His city shall be a brilliant great light. Isaiah foresaw this same reality:

Isaiah 60:19 - The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory [Emphasis mine].

 

* Greek for light (phōstēr) means the source of light, i.e., a radiant luminary comparable to the sun, moon, and stars. It is the same word used for heavenly bodies (cf. Genesis 1:17).

 

The equivalence of God’s glorious light is like unto a most precious stone:

 

Even like (as it were) a jasper stone, clear as crystal

God's glory in Heaven is likened to a crystal clear and perfectly transparent gem or jewel – A jasper stone. It had crystalline-like properties which light showed through brilliantly. Now, the stone described is not like the contemporary greenish-yellow jasper, but more like a diamond, even though the diamond was not known as a jewel in the first century when John wrote.

 

Remember, the wedding ring has a diamond mounted in gold, a symbol of betrothal. More importantly and biblically, it is the interrelation of Christ and the Church designed to manifest the glory of God. Thus, having no spot or blemish, it is clear and flawless.

 

 

(Verse 12)

 

And [the City] had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

 

John now gives us a glimpse of New Jerusalem’s structure. Two outstanding features are stated:

1. A great high wall

Having a walled city was a customary feature in the East. However, the wall does not serve as protection, since the city has twelve gateways that never close (cf. Revelation 21:25). Perhaps it acts as an eternal memorial of God's love and eternal security.

 

2. Twelve gates

Having twelve gates or portals in the wall is additionally significant in that the names of the sons of Israel are inscribed thereon as in the ephod (cf. Exodus 28:9) and breastplate (cf. Exodus 39:14) of the high priests.

 

3. Twelve angels

At the entrance of each gate, angels will serve as sentries.

 

The Number Twelve

In Scripture, the number twelve is often symbolic of perfection or governmental rule. It is a number representing completeness. Interestingly, twelve is mentioned seven times in the final chapters of Revelation. Listed:

1. Twelve gates (21:12)

2. Twelve angels (21:12)

3. Twelve tribes (21:12)

4. Twelve foundations (21:14)

5. Twelve Apostles (21:14)

6. Twelve pearls (21:21)

7. Twelve kinds of fruits (22:2)

 

 

(Verse 13)

 

On the east [were] three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

 

Significantly, four corners of the earth are noted beginning with the east and ending in the west, suggesting the new earth is also round. Howbeit, the sun, and moon do not appear:

Revelation 21:23 - And 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.

Too, every gate is perfectly symmetrical and balanced in its design.

 

The Twelve Tribes

The positioning of the tribes of Israel throughout the Bible is diversified. In particular:

1. The arrangement of the twelve tribes antitypical to the tribal encampment surrounding the Tabernacle in the Old Testament (cf. Numbers 2)

 

2. The readjustment of the tribal formation throughout the Millennium (cf. Ezekiel 48)

 

3. The order of the sealed twelve tribes (cf. Revelation 7:5-8) for the evangelism of nations during the Tribulation

 

For unique reasons, the order is always changed. But God is an orderly God (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40), He also has a unique covenant with Israel (Jacob, cf. Genesis 28:13-22). He reconfirmed His covenant to make his family a great nation after going down to Egypt (cf. Genesis 46:3). Hence, it is conventionally believed that the order of birth is in view (cf. Exodus 28:10).

 

Birth Order of the Twelve Sons of Israel

1. Reuben                                  7. Gad

2. Simeon                                  8. Asher               

3. Levi                                9. Issachar

4. Judah                              10. Zebulun

5. Dan                                11. Joseph                         

6. Naphtali                           12. Benjamin

 

 

(Verse 14)

 

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

 

Twelve Foundations

Upon further describing the city wall, there exist twelve foundations. Foundation (themelios) is a word delineating the substruction of a building, wall, or city. It is also a word signifying permanence as opposed to the tents of pilgrims and strangers (cf. Hebrews 11:9). Inscribed on each foundation are the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb respectively.

 

Master builders or architects oftentimes etched their names upon the foundation stones of a building or wall. Alluding to Ephesians, Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of the wall of the heavenly city:

Ephesians 2:20 - And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone.

 

Old and New Testament Antitypes

A. When Joshua chose twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel (cf. Joshua 3:12) to carry twelve stones across the Jordan River (cf. Joshua 4:3) to be a memorial (as they crossed on dry ground) for the children of Israel forever (cf. Joshua 4:6-7):

Joshua 3:12 - Now, therefore, take you (choose) twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.

 

Joshua 4:3 - And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.

 

Joshua 4:6-7 - That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones? Then ye shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever.

 

B. When Jesus chose twelve Apostles to preach, heal the sick, and cast out demons:

Mark 3:13-15 - And He goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto Him whom He would: and they came unto Him.  And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach,  And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

 

 

The names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb

Continuing in Mark 3:16, the names of the Twelve are as follows: 

1. Simon He surnamed Peter; And

2.  James the son of Zebedee, and

3. John the brother of James; and He surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And

4. Andrew, and

5. Philip, and

6. Bartholomew, and

7. Matthew, and

8. Thomas, and

9. James the son of Alphaeus, and

10.     Thaddaeus, and

11.     Simon the Canaanite,  And

12.     Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed Him:

and they went into an house.

 

Question: Who is the twelfth Apostle of the Lamb, Judas Iscariot, Matthias, or Paul?

 

Now, consider each of the three candidates:

Judas

Incorporating the phrase of the Lamb declares Judas is not among them, for he died a remorseful unrepentant sinner. Scripture recounts his actions:

John 13:27-28 - And after the sop (a piece of bread) Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly (i.e., to betray Jesus). Now no man at the table knew for what intent He spake this unto him.

 

Matthew 26:15 – And (Judas) said unto them (the chief priests), What will ye give me, and I will deliver Him unto you? And they covenanted (to betray Jesus) with him for thirty pieces of silver.

 

Matthew 27:7 - And they (the chief priests) took counsel, and bought (used the silver) with them the Potter's Field (a burial ground or graveyard), to bury strangers in.

 

For selfish reasons, Judas chose not to repent, but to be eternally separated from God.

 

Matthias

Matthias, on the other hand, would be moreover an interim apostle, and somewhat disqualified because he was chosen by men through the Holy Spirit as was the custom of lots.  Evidenced:

Acts 1:26 - And they (the eleven Apostles) gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

 

Paul

Since Paul was chosen by the risen Lord, many concur that he would rightfully be named the twelfth Apostle. The account reads as follows:

Acts 9:15 - But the Lord said unto him (Ananias), Go thy way: for he (Saul, Paul) is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Emphasis mine).  

 

So, Christ did call Paul to be an apostle, but one to the Gentiles so that the entire world would be saved:

2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

 

Next, the measurements of the city are perceivable in the forthcoming study.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   Why was John carried away to a mountain?

2.   Does the New Jerusalem touch the earth?

3.   Describe the light of the new city.

4.   What is significant about having a high wall?

5.   Whose names appear on the city gates?

6.   What is the most logical order of the tribes of Israel?

7.   Whose names appear on the twelve foundations?

 

 

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