In Revelation 21:9-119And 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 show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (Revelation 21:9‑11), we read, “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 show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.” In this scripture we have the character of the city during the millennium and its relation to the millennial earth.
The first thing that strikes us is the contrast between this scripture and that in Revelation 17:11And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: (Revelation 17:1): “There came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters.” In this chapter we have Babylon depicted, while in chapter 21, the new Jerusalem. The former is man’s city, and the latter God’s; the one the expression of what man is, and the other the perfection of God’s thoughts.
The City Is the Bride
Another thing to be remarked is that the city is “the bride, the Lamb’s wife”; this determines its character. It is the church which Christ has now presented to Himself “a glorious church” (Eph. 5:2727That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:27)), having the glory of God. We also notice that it is seen descending out of heaven from God (vs. 10). The city descends towards the millennial earth, but rests above it. Poised thus above the earthly city, it will be a visible object of light and glory. This perhaps may explain the language with which the prophet addresses the earthly Jerusalem: “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” (Isa. 60:1919The 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. (Isaiah 60:19)).
It is divine in its origin, and heavenly in its character. It comes down from God out of heaven.
It has “the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal” (Rev. 21:1111Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (Revelation 21:11)). The church is glorified together with Christ in the glory of God, and as such is here displayed. In verses 18-19, it is stated that the building of the wall and the first foundation are both alike of jasper. The glory of God is thus the stability and security, as well as the light and beauty, of the heavenly city. But the wall excluded everything unsuitable to that glory, as well as guarded everything according to it (vs. 11).
Twelve Gates
The next feature is that it “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: 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 in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (vss. 12-14). All this concerns the wall of the city, and its distinguishing characteristic is the number twelve—twelve angels, twelve tribes, and twelve apostles. Angels are become the willing doorkeepers of the great city, the fruit of Christ’s redemption work in glory. The twelve gates are full human perfection of governmental administrative power, for the gate was the place of judgment. The character of it is noted by the names of the twelve tribes; this character of power was found there. There were twelve foundations, but these were the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Thus the creative display of power, the governmental power, and the assembly once founded at Jerusalem are all brought together in the heavenly city, the organized seat of heavenly power.
Characteristics
Then it is measured (vss. 15-17), indicating that it is owned and appropriated by God. Thus the city is a cube—equal on every side—finite perfection. Then we have the materials of which the city and the foundations were formed. The city was formed, in its nature, in divine righteousness and holiness—gold transparent as glass. The precious stones, or varied display of God’s nature, now shone in permanent glory and adorned the foundations of the city. The gates had the moral beauty which attracted Christ in the assembly, and in a glorious way. That on which men walked, instead of bringing danger of defilement, was itself righteous and holy; the street was “gold transparent as glass.” It has no temple, for a temple would speak of a special place where God manifested Himself to those who drew nigh to worship. But all this is past; our place is in the light as God is in the light. Also, there is no need of created light. When God stands disclosed, His glory lightens the city, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
Relation to Earth
As to the relation of the city to the millennial earth, we are told that “the nations shall walk by its light; and the kings of the earth bring their glory to it” (Rev. 21:2424And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. (Revelation 21:24) JND). The new Jerusalem will shine with such surpassing luster that the nations will walk in its light. It will be suspended above the earthly Jerusalem, and from thence will transmit the rays of the glory of God. Moreover, the kings of the earth will render their homage by bringing their glory and honor, as offerings unto it, thus recognizing it as the object of God’s delight.
It is then added that “its gates shall not be shut at all by day, for night shall not be there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations to it” (Rev. 21:25-2625And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. (Revelation 21:25‑26) JND). We cannot fail to be struck with the similarity between this language and that addressed to the earthly Jerusalem by the prophet: “Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought” (Isa. 60:1111Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. (Isaiah 60:11)). Undoubtedly there will be an intimate relation between the two cities, though it must ever be remembered that the one city is heavenly, and the other earthly in its character. The open gates are an emblem of the perfect security which the city enjoys—not merely the absence of evil, but the impossibility of its entrance.
Water of Life
Next we have the river of water of life and the tree of life. “He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve [manner of] fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:1-21And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1‑2)). All this again speaks of the relation of the city to the millennial earth and reveals the source of millennial life and blessedness. The throne of God and the Lamb are the fount, as ever, of grace and life, and the leaves of the tree of life are for the healing of the nations. Only the glorified ones will feed upon the twelve fruits of the tree. Adam after his fall was shut out of the garden, and God “placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Gen. 3:2424So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)). Now the tree of life is in the midst of the street of the golden city, and the glorified saints find in its fruit sustenance and joy. In this condition they will reign forever and ever, associated with Christ in all the glories of His royalty and kingdom.
Communication
We have not touched upon the question of communication between the heavenly and the earthly spheres. That such communication will exist is beyond a doubt, but upon its modes or the exact way in which Christ will carry on the government of the earth as King Scripture is silent. However, we are told that “the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever” (Isa. 9:6-76For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6‑7)).
E. Dennett (adapted)