The description of the beautiful “holy
Jerusalem,” the bride of the Lamb, is magnificent beyond imagination. We are convinced this is not a symbolic city but a literal city that is prepared for the Lamb’s wife. You may remember at a time when Jesus was
being very literal with His disciples (John 14:1-6) that He promised to return
for them and take them to a place He would prepare for them, a place where they
would never again be separated. This
city is that place.
To say that the city is real is not to say
there will not be real things there that in themselves are symbolic, standing
for something or someone significant.
Take for example the gates of the city (v12-13). An angel attends each gate allowing the
inhabitants of the city to come and go while also preventing entrance to those who
are not inhabitants (v24-27). The naming
of the gates after the tribes of Israel recognizes the role of Israel in God’s
plan of salvation and the Savior, the means by which people gain entrance into
the city.
The foundations (v14) are named according to
the twelve Apostles who are, of course, the foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20). All of God’s people rest eternally on the
gospel truths of the Apostles of the Lamb, which are properly represented by
the precious stone that makes up each layer (v19-20).
The dimensions of the city, given with
precision, should be considered literal (v15-17). As with the gates and foundations the number
“twelve” is significant. It is symbolic
of completeness to be sure; but that is again not the same as saying it is not
giving their actual size. As you imagine
this you may consider it to be a bit strange.
But remember, it is from an age extremely different than anything we
have ever known in this world.
And let us remember as well that the purpose of
this Holy Jerusalem is to provide a dwelling place for the Lord God Almighty
and the Lamb (v22). They ARE the temple;
in other words, They dwell with the saints completely apart from symbols or
theophanies or veiled incarnations. And
as with Davidic Jerusalem, God’s dwelling (now without a temple) and God’s rule
(from His throne) are joined in this city (22:3-5). Being a city made of transparent materials
there will be no place where God’s glory will not be seen (21:21,23).
The delights of this city abound, given that
man and God finally experience the relationship intended by the Creator. In the Kingdom where God rules, the citizens
live in total joy, for from His throne flows the river of life giving water to the tree of life bearing fruit year-round. The promise of Psalm 36:8-9 is fulfilled: They are abundantly satisfied with the
fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your
pleasures. For with You is the fountain
of life; in Your light we see light.
All this is for those who, by faith in the Son of God, our Savior and
Lord, have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (21:27).
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