THE NEW JERUSALEM PART TWO

 

The New Jerusalem   Part Two

 

 

This part of eternity begins with God destroying the old earth and re creating a new heaven which includes earth and the entire universe. There is a beautiful City of God that seems to get center attention. Revelation twenty one refers to this as the New Jerusalem. Revelation chapter twenty two also goes into this wonderful reality.

 

The new heaven and earth is only made possible by the complete degeneration of the old one. "But the heavens and earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7. Apparently a ball of fire is stored within the earth and this is how the New Jerusalem will come into existence. "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10.

 

The earth will be restored much like the Garden of Eden. At this point God will supply all the natural resources. God Himself will be the source of light, heat, water and anything else He desires His children to enjoy. It seems we as believers in Christ will probably have free access to this city but I do not believe we will reside in this place. This will be the capital by which Jesus Christ will rule. This will be a beautiful city and the center of the universe. In verse two the apostle John saw the Holy City coming down out of heaven from God. Some people have even suggested that this Holy City will be suspended above the earth during the one thousand year reign so the immortal believers can live there but this is conjecture. The only reality is after the Great White Throne judgment the New Jerusalem will be established. "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: For He hath prepared for them a city." Hebrews 11:16.

 

The foundation stones of the New Jerusalem have the twelve apostles' names on them but the twelve gates are named for the twelve tribes of Israel. These twenty four spiritual leaders represent two main groups who will actually inhabit this city.

 

There is a third group called the nations translated people and this entity is probably not in the category of the Old Testament or the Church in the New Testament. Examples of these people would be Noah because he was not an Israelite or the tribulation believers. I am not dogmatic on what I just said but this is not an easy subject.

 

The most important part of this point in eternity is God Himself will be there in Person and we will see Him face to Face. "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12. Almost every Christian I know focuses on the part that now we see through a glass darkly but I never here the, "face to face" portion of the verse. This is the New Jerusalem. We will all have our glorified bodies at this point so the face to face future reality will be the norm. All tears and sorrow will be removed because at this point there is no purpose for theses emotions.

 

The New Jerusalem will be 1500 miles in every direction. The streets will be pure gold and also the construction of the buildings. We will probably be able to see through this heavenly beauty. No one has anything to hid and we will have a longing to see Jesus Christ as much as we can. Obviously this is a higher level of living than our present circumstances.

 

The New Jerusalem has twelve gates made of pearl because this substance is what represents God the most in His presence. A pearl is a peace of sand in an oyster but it is wrapped in layer after layer to make it beautiful. We were an unfit vessel for God but because we were wrapped in the righteous cloak of Jesus Christ this made us beautiful in the sight of God. The temple is missing because Jesus Christ is now the temple along with God the Father. They will illumine the whole universe. In chapter twenty one God the Father and Jesus Christ are mentioned but in Revelation 22:1 a pure river of water of life is spoken of which is the Holy Spirit. We will clearly have a heart to heart relationship with God. Christians have one now but it is hindered because of the world and sin.

 

If you do not know God then now may be a good time to accept Jesus Christ into your heart as personal Savior and Lord by repenting of all your sins and inviting the Son of God into your life. Christians are destined for unhindered fellowship with God for all eternity. I do not see how anyone can refuse this offer of being one with their Creator forever and ever.

 

God bless you,

Bob D.