Monday
Monday
The Holy City
He … showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
Revelation 21:10
We have seen (click here) how easily John mixes his metaphors. When he first saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, it was “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (v. 2). And now, when invited to see the Lamb’s bride, he is shown “the Holy City, Jerusalem” (v. 10). Most of chapter 21 is devoted to an elaborate description of the holy city, the New Jerusalem, which was shining with the glory of God. Its twelve gates were inscribed with the names of Israel’s twelve tribes, while its foundations were inscribed with the names of the twelve apostles. The city was a cube, like the Holy of Holies in the temple. Although we must agree with Dr. Bruce Metzger that the New Jerusalem is “architecturally preposterous” (about fifteen hundred miles cubed, stretching from London to Athens), the symbolism is clear. The holy city is a massive, impregnable fortress representing the completed church of both Old and New Testaments and symbolizing the security and peace of the people of God.
The city John saw was not only enormous and solid but also beautiful, each of its twelve foundations being decorated with a different jewel, each of its twelve gates being made from a single pearl, and the great street of the city being pure gold. Having grasped the vast dimensions and colorful magnificence of the New Jerusalem, John draws our attention to some consequent absences. Firstly, he did not see a temple in the city. But of course not! The Lord and the Lamb are its temple. Their presence permeates the city; they have no need of a special building. Secondly, it needs neither sun nor moon, since the glory of God illumines it, and his light will be enough even for the nations.
At this point we need to note verses 24 and 26: “The kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it,” and “The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.” We should not hesitate to affirm that the cultural treasures of the world will adorn the New Jerusalem. At the same time, nothing impure will ever enter the city, nor will anybody enter who is guilty of shameful or deceitful deeds, but only those registered in the Lamb’s Book of Life (v. 27).
For further reading: Revelation 21:15–27