Eternity: A Glorious Holy City & God with us!
Photo above depicts the 12 gemstone foundation layers of new Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:17-21 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 18) And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19) And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20) The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21) And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
Incredible layers of the foundation walls.
The number 12 is prominent in John's description of new Jerusalem. There are 12 angels, 12 foundation layers, 12 gates, 12 kinds of fruits, 12 names of the tribes of Israel and 12 names of the apostles. The walls are 12,000 furlongs in length on each side meaning they will be 144 cubits high, which is 12 x 12.
John saw 12 kinds of gemstones that will make up the 12 layers of the foundation. Each layer will be about 18 feet high, making the entire wall 216 feet high. John tells us that each layer will be garnished or arranged. It seems likely that each layer will be a solid layer composed of the various valuable gem stones.
Sapphire is priced at about $11,000 per carat. Imagine the value of a solid layer of sapphire that is 18 feet thick and 216 feet deep, and 1,400 miles long! And that is just for one layer of the wall on one side. Multiply this by four and we rapidly see that the value of a layer of sapphire like this cannot be calculated.
Beryl is priced at $10,000 per carat; Amethyst at $3,200 per carat; Topaz at $3,500 per carat; Emerald at $1,000 per carat while the remaining stones range in value from $10 per carat to $450 per carat.
Thus, the monetary value of new Jerusalem's foundation is staggering and probably incalculable. The total value of such large layers composed of gemstones will probably total more than the total GDP of all world economies for all time!
We know assuredly that it will be stunning in appearance as John saw something so dazzling to behold, that it is hard to capture using words. It will be lined with luminous, sparkling vivid colors intermixed with layers of contrasting opaque colors containing swirling patterns. Only God could do such a thing!
Singularly dazzling gates of pearl.
John also saw the twelve gates that will be constructed from one large pearl. The most valuable pearls today are South Sea pearls that can sell for up to $135,000 for one pearl. Again, imagine twelve large gates each made from a massive pearl representing a tremendous price.
If describing such breathtaking beauty and splendor was not enough for us to absorb, John tells us that the streets in Jerusalem will be made of pure gold. This seems to indicate that whereas the finest gold available today is 99.999% pure, this gold will be 100% pure, having no contamination. It will also appear like transparent glass. This suggests a street that is glossy, smooth and purest gold in color.
Remember what Jesus taught.
John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4) And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Jesus Christ taught us to believe in Him and He encouraged us by telling us that there are many mansions in His Fathers house. The word "mansion" is only found twice in the New Testament. The word "mansion" can refer to a permanent dwelling place that would be like a single family unit. It can also refer metaphorically to a pitched tent or tabernacle, referring to our body. (See 2 Corinthians 5:1-6)
Family Homes Prepared in Heaven!
Genesis 25:8 Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.
Genesis 49:29 And he charged them, and said unto them, I am to be gathered unto my people: bury me with my fathers in the cave that is in the field of Ephron the Hittite,
There are two aspects of understanding new Jerusalem. It is going to provide the home in heaven for believers and it appears that each family will have a private dwelling place. The texts from Genesis along with many others speak of believers being gathered to their families at death. I think that this idea helps us understand the individual family dwelling places that Christ is preparing for each family of believers.
Old Jerusalem had large numbers of homes butted up against each other within the city walls. Some had more space and better locations than others but in new Jerusalem, all individual family dwellings will be glorious as we learned from John's description.
The Light and Glory of God in us!
Revelation 21:22-23 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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.
The temple was central to the character and identity of old Jerusalem but new Jerusalem will not have a Temple. There will be no need for sacrifices because all the redeemed people of all ages will be living in glorified bodies.
John told us that the new Jerusalem will be full of light and glory (Revelation 21:11). Now he tells us why this will be so. The Godhead (Father, Son and Spirit) will be dwelling within the city. No external light will be needed from the sun, moon or stars. The pure, unfiltered glory of God will provide light for new Jerusalem and the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ will be the central focus.
This brings me to the second aspect of the word translated "mansions." It can refer to our bodies as a tent or tabernacle for the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of God in each believer.
There will be a physical home of indescribable beauty that we will enjoy in new Jerusalem. We will have a physical, glorified body like the one Christ had after His resurrection, and this home will supply our need to have a home for our family.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
This text from John 14 is the second time that the word translated "mansion" is used. We see it translated as "abode" in this text. This helps us see the second meaning of this wonderful word. A physical home, yes, but even more glorious will be the presence of God in us for eternity!
Ephesians 2:18-22 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21) In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
The access to the Father through faith in Christ is provided by the indwelling of each born again believer with God's Spirit (Ephesians 1:12-14). Notice how Paul also speaks in terms of buildings with a foundation, Christ the Cornerstone, and how all believers are joined together as one in the body of Christ.
The church of Jesus Christ is made up of countless numbers of believers all around the world who are born again, regenerated by the Holy Spirit. God is forming a holy building that will grow into a holy temple in Christ. Each believer is made a habitation of God through His indwelling Spirit.
This is the ultimate reality of the name Emmanuel, which means "God with us." We will have glorified bodies in heaven that will be free from sin, free from the memories of our sins and fully able to respond to our great God without any hindrances of the flesh. The Spirit of God will be in us and we will enjoy eternal communion with the Lamb of God who gave Himself for us that we might be saved and live with Him forever.
Revelation 21:24-27 And 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 honour into it. 25) And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26) And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Thoughts to Ponder...
Only saved people will enter and live in new Jerusalem. The gates of the holy city will always be open and there will be no night. All people from all nations will enter to offer their glory and honor to the Lord God Almighty.
Is your name written down in the Lamb's book of life? If not, you will not share any part in the fantastic beauty that John described in Revelation 21. Rather, your fate will be spending eternity in the tormenting fires of the lake of fire.
Notice that the gates of the new Jerusalem will always be open. Right now, God has extended an open invitation to you to repent of your sins and to turn and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
You have this day, this moment in time. None of us are guaranteed another day of life beyond this moment. Do not put off the calling of God's Spirit upon your heart.
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved (Acts 16:31).
Bob
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