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Revelation 21 Symbols

From: Symbols of the Apocalypse Briefly Defined

By: Alfred Henry Burton

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Duration: 2min

Revelation 21 • 1 min. read • grade level: 9

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2. The Holy City: New Jerusalem. The bride displayed in glory; not her dwelling place.

11. Jasper: (See Rev. 4:3³And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. (Revelation 4:3)).

12. Wall: Security; salvation (Isa. 26:1; 60:18¹In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. (Isaiah 26:1)
¹⁸Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. (Isaiah 60:18); Zech. 2:5⁵For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (Zechariah 2:5)).

Twelve Gates: Perfect judicial administration. [Twelve is administrative perfection in man.] (Gen. 19:1¹And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; (Genesis 19:1); Deut. 22:15¹⁵Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate: (Deuteronomy 22:15); Dan. 2:49⁴⁹Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king. (Daniel 2:49); Amos 5:15¹⁵Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph. (Amos 5:15)).

At the Gates Twelve Angels: Providential administration.

Names of the Twelve Tribes: Direct earthly government, as in Israel.

14. Twelve Foundations, and in Them the Names of the Twelve Apostles: The church apostolically founded by the twelve (Eph. 2:20²⁰And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20)).

15. Golden Reed: Measurement by the divine standard.

16. Four-square: Completeness; the same all ways; the perfection of a city whose builder and maker is God.

18. Pure Gold Clear As Crystal: Purity without spot or blemish.

19. Precious Stones: Rays of divine glory reflected through the bride.

21. Pearl: Christ’s estimate of the beauty and comeliness of the bride; seen externally by men and angels (Matt. 13:45-46⁴⁵Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: ⁴⁶Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45‑46)).

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