Revelation (Written)

Monday, 16 August 2021

three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. Revelation 21:13

John just described the wall and gates of New Jerusalem. He now continues with the location of those gates, saying, “three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.”

The word for “east” is anatolé. It literally means “dayspring.” It was used to describe the Messiah in Luke 1:78. It has been used twice so far in Revelation, and this is its final use in Scripture. It is an actual direction, from which one would expect the sun to rise. As such, there must be something to mark out actual directions. It would make no sense to give directions if directions no longer existed. This might seem like a pointless argument to make, but it is not. Rather, it concretely establishes that what is coming has a direction indicating the dayspring. Otherwise, the account would simply say something like “there were three gates on each side.”

Likewise, the word for “west” is dusmé. It literally means “a setting.” Thus, and by implication, it is the west – the place where the sun sets. In verse 21:23, it says of this city, “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it.” This doesn’t mean that there is no sun. It simply means that another source of light is always available to the city. There is a place of the rising, and there is a place of the setting. As the city is square, there is also the north and the south as well. Each direction contains three gates.

The names of the tribes situated in these four directions around the tabernacle were listed in Numbers 2. Then in Ezekiel 48, as the book closes out, the names of the tribes are listed on the gates of Jerusalem in a different order, but still in the same clockwise rotation –

Numbers 2 – East: Judah, Issachar, Zebulun. South: Reuben, Simeon, Gad. West: Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin. North: Dan, Asher, Naphtali.

Ezekiel 48 – North: Reuben, Judah, Levi. East: Joseph, Benjamin, Dan. South: Simeon, Issachar, Zebulon. West: Gad, Asher, Naphtali.

The directions of the compass are presented in order as –

Numbers 2: East, South, West, North.
Ezekiel 48: North, East, South, West.

Thus, both are listed in a clockwise rotation.

No specific names or directions are provided by John in Revelation. The point is that as there are four directions, and as each side has the same number of gates, it is an indication that people are welcome from all four points on the compass.

This is actually anticipated by Christ Jesus when dealing with a Roman centurion in Matthew 8 –

“When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! ¹¹ And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. ¹² But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.’” Matthew 8:10-13

Such references are found elsewhere in both the Old and the New Testament, demonstrating – beyond a shadow of a doubt – that what is being presented applies to Jew and to Gentile, and it applies in every dispensation equally. Israel under law was used as a tool of instruction and for learning, not as a means to an end. In these gates, it is seen that God’s grace symbolically extends outward to all people from all places, and the same access is granted to all.

Life application: Assuming that Ezekiel’s description of Jerusalem is referring to the millennium, which is a possibility, in New Jerusalem there will be a layout similar to what is coming during that millennial period. During that period, as noted above, there will be twelve gates around the city of Jerusalem, but the city will be much smaller than New Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 48:35 says that the name of the city will be Yehovah Shammah, or “The Lord is There.” This signifies that Jesus, the Lord, will sit and reign in the city. The same will be true in New Jerusalem as will be seen in the coming verses. The glory of Jesus will be fully realized then, and it will be visible to all.

As another interesting side note, and as noted above, the tribes of Israel were also aligned in named formation around the tabernacle before Israel departed Mount Sinai. The specific layout is detailed in Numbers 2 & 3. When the number of the people who surrounded the tabernacle is determined, it forms a most beautiful picture, a cross.

Throughout the Old Testament, there are shadows and pictures of the cross hidden in the details. God is meticulous in how He arranges all things. It will be no different in the New Jerusalem. He will have order and structure for us to marvel at for all of eternity.

To see this presentation of the layout of the tribes forming a cross, you can watch (or read) the Superior Word sermon entitled, Numbers 3:14-39 (A Sign in the Wilderness). In the end, everything God is doing has a set purpose, and it is intended for all of the people of the world. The redemption of man, through the cross of Christ, is at the heart of this plan. It is hoped that you will yield yourself to Him and come to Him for spiritual renewal. Yes, come to Him today through His offering of peace and restoration – JESUS.

Surely You, O God, are a God of order. The harmony and detail You have laid out in Your creation as well as in Your word can only bring us to rejoice in the things You have done. Praises and majesty belong to You, O wonderful Lord! Thank You for all You have done for Your people. Amen.

Sunday, 15 August 2021

Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Revelation 21:12

John continues with his description of New Jerusalem, beginning with, “And she had a great and high wall.” The Greek uses a present participle – “And having a wall, great and high.”

The dimensions are given in verse 21:17 as one hundred and forty-four cubits in height, but to support such a height, they would also be thick. The idea is that of complete security within, even though the gates will never be closed (see verse 21:25). The size of height and thickness are probably then metaphors for eternal security (everlasting life) promised to those who have come to Christ.

John next says it is a wall “with twelves gates.” The word translated as gates, pulón, is a common one, but it is not the type of gate that we would think of today. Rather, it is more of a portal or passage leading from the outer area and arriving at an inner court. This passage would have a heavy gate (a large door), known in Greek as a pulé, at the passage entry.

As far as the number of gates, the number twelve in Scripture, according to Bullinger, “is a perfect number, signifying perfection of government, or of governmental perfection. It is found as a multiple in all that has to do with rule. The sun which ‘rules’ the day, and the moon and stars which ‘govern’ the night, do so by their passage through the twelve signs of the Zodiac which completes the great circle of the heavens of 360 (12 x 30) degrees or divisions, and thus govern the year. Twelve is the product of 3 (the perfectly Divine and heavenly number) and 4 (the earthly, the number of what is material and organic). While seven is composed of 3 added to 4, twelve is 3 multiplied by 4, and hence denotes that which can scarcely be explained in words, but which the spiritual perception can at once appreciate, viz., organization, the products denoting production and multiplication and increase of all that is contained in the two numbers separately. The 4 is generally prominently seen in the twelve.”

Bullinger’s description of the number twelve, when carefully considered, beautifully explains the twelve gates of the city where God rules among men. It is where the creation meets with the Creator, and where the earthly meets with the divine. It is where access to God is through these twelve gates. John next says, “and twelve angels at the gates.”

This takes the reader back to Genesis 3. Man was placed in Eden to worship and to serve his Creator. Through disobedience, he was cast out of Eden, and angels (cherubim) were placed as protectors to keep him out –

“Then the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— ²³ therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. ²⁴ So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.’” Genesis 3:22-24

The tabernacle, and later the temple, made a picture of this forbidden access. Both faced east, with the Most Holy Place to the west. Cherubim were woven into the veil that divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, facing outward (facing east) –

“You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. ³² You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver. ³³ And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy.” Exodus 26:31-33

“And he made the veil of blue, purple, crimson, and fine linen, and wove cherubim into it.” 2 Chronicles 3:14

It was this veil, representing the body of Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 10:20), that was torn when Christ died on the cross –

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵ Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. ⁴⁶ And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:44-46

The tearing of the veil (His body) is a metaphor for allowing full access into the Most Holy Place because of His shed blood. Understanding this, any who come to God, must do so through Jesus Christ. Only through Him can access be restored, because He is “the way the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

All who have come to Him have access into New Jerusalem – past these angels, through the gates, and into the Most Holy Place where God resides. Of these gates, it next says, “and names written on them.”

In the Bible a name identifies more than just who an individual is. The nature and character of that which (or who) is named is expressed in the name. The very substance and qualities are seen in the giving of a name, and each name – and the use of the name – has particular meaning. These gates, then, are identified with the substance of the names they possess. As for the names, John says they are names “which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.”

The naming of the sons of Israel is noted in Genesis. Each one is given for the reason stated in the text at the time, and each anticipates more concerning the son (the tribe) later in Scripture as well. But the reason for naming the gates of New Jerusalem with the names of the tribes of Israel appears to be for exactly the same reason that Jesus is the one and only way to be reconciled to God.

Jesus descended from Jacob (who is Israel), even if He did not descend from each and every son individually. He came through this group of people, and thus it is an acknowledgment that it is through Israel that access into the city is obtained – because Jesus is of Israel. The one religious expression that allows access is the law that was given to (and agreed upon by) the people of Israel. All must meet the standard of that law, and that is only possible through the One who met its demands perfectly –

“Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 18:5 (BSB)

Christ, the Man, did the things of the law, He died in fulfillment of the law, and He died as a substitutionary sacrifice for violations under the law for any who come to Him. In doing so, atonement is provided, and propitiation with God is realized. This law, given to Israel, is the way to enter into God’s presence, and it is made possible by the true and perfect Son of Israel, Jesus.

The walls and gates of this marvelous city, and access through them because of the work of the Lord, are prophetically anticipated by the prophet Isaiah –

“In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:
‘We have a strong city;
God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.
² Open the gates,
That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in.
³ You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.’” Is 26:1-3

Life application: In ancient days, before aircraft and more powerful artillery, the walls of a city were its main defense against outside attacks. Watchmen were placed on the walls, just as sailors on the top of a mast on a ship at sea would act as lookouts for enemy ships. The New Jerusalem will have “great and high walls.” These walls won’t be defensive though because there will be nothing to defend against. Rather, they will reflect the absolute security of the believers who dwell in the city. The mightiest power of all, the Creator, dwells there. Therefore there is the truth that eternal security is realized.

One thing to be noted is that if there are walls, regardless of the height, they are a set size. In other words, the size descriptions which will be given in the coming verses are real and literal and should be taken as such. This is a real city with real dimensions, even if it contains a wealth of spiritual truths. As noted, in the walls are twelve gates.

Throughout the Bible, it is the gates of the city where judgments are made, legal transactions occur, and where the elders sit to rule and determine legal proceedings. The angels of the gates will most likely be used for the announcement of certain occasions and maybe to announce the comings and goings of special dignitaries, as well as to provide glory to God in the presence of those who come and go between the city and the new heavens and new earth.

There is no reason to think that there won’t be established hierarchies in the new order of things, and these angels will be there to handle them as well as the other matters. Isaiah speaks of a similar concept in his writings which gives us a glimpse into what the future may hold as well –

“I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
They shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent,
⁷ And give Him no rest till He establishes
And till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” Isaiah 62:6, 7

As far as the names of the sons of Israel, there is an immense amount of coded information in them that shows wisdom, harmony, and structure. An involved study of them reveals truly astonishing patterns that are fitting for the gates to this marvelous city. Everything, down to the minutest detail, will be glorious and wonderful.

What God has planned for His redeemed will be amazing, awe-inspiring, and a blessing to His people for all eternity, and it is all available to you if you will simply call out for reconciliation with Him through the giving of His Son. Do so today. Call on JESUS.

Lord, even the walls of our future home are filled with wisdom and wonder. Since this is so, how glorious will be the things contained within those walls! How we long for this time to be realized so that we can walk in Your glorious city and investigate the wonders and mysteries You have waiting for us. Thank You for this hope, O Lord. Amen.

Saturday, 14 August 2021

having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Revelation 21:11

The previous verse saw the great city, holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. John now says that it is “having the glory of God.” This is more than simply having a splendor fitting of God. Rather, it is referring to having the very presence of God radiating out of it in a display of His glory. That will be explicitly stated in verse 21:23 –

“The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.”

This then is the fulfillment of what was only anticipated in a limited sense in the tabernacle and later in the temple –

“Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. ³⁵ And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34, 35

“And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the Lord, ¹¹ so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord.” 1 Kings 8:10, 11

The difference between the earthly sanctuaries and this is then to be stated in verse 22:4 where it says that the servants of God and of the Lamb “shall see His face.” In the earthly sanctuary, the presence of the glory of the Lord could not be beheld in its fullness by those who served Him. But in the New Jerusalem, His people shall behold Him in all of His glory.

John next continues with, “Her light.” The Greek reads, “Her light-giver.” It refers to a luminary. It is that by which the city receives its illumination, meaning the Lamb (as is seen in verse 21:23). The glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The word used to describe this light, phóstér, is found only here and in Philippians 2:15 –

“that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

Of this light, John says it “was like a most precious stone.” In other words, just as the finest gem will radiate in the most brilliant manner, so will be the radiating of the Illuminator of God’s glory as the Lamb reveals it to His people for all eternity. Of this, John next says it is “like a jasper stone.”

The jasper (Greek: iaspis) is believed to be the same as the last stone mentioned in the breastplate of the high priest in Exodus 28:20. In the Hebrew there, the name is yashepheh. That comes from an unused root meaning “to polish.” It is believed to be jasper because of the same general sounding name – yashepheh/iaspis/jasper.

Jasper stone varies in color, and the specific color is speculated on. Throughout the ages, the identification of many of the colors and stones mentioned in the Bible has become unclear. Different terms are used today than they were in the past. Because of this, various translators will identify them differently.

What jasper is today is apparently not the same as what John is speaking of here. Rather, some commentators believe it is a blue-white diamond. Whatever the exact color and nature of it, the glory of God is being reflected in this manner.

However, the symbolism speaks out what John is trying to relay. There is the light of the glory of God emanating through the color, or from the color, that speaks of His infinite perfection, glory, and holiness. Finally, of this, John says it is “clear as crystal.”

The Greek literally says, “shining like crystal.” The word is found only here in Scripture, krustallizó. It signifies “to make (i.e. Intransitively, resemble) ice (‘crystallize’) — be clear as crystal” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance).

The words John uses convey the idea of absolute brilliance, splendor, and glory. It is nothing that we can as yet fully comprehend. But someday, because of Christ Jesus, we will behold what John attempts to describe for us in Revelation.

Life application: The New Jerusalem will be stunningly marvelous and more beautiful than we can now comprehend. We see a glimpse of this in Exodus 24:9, 10, were the presence of God is seen on Mount Sinai –

“Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, ¹⁰ and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.”

This was a mere foreshadowing of the glory that John beholds. Throughout the rest of the Old Testament, the glory of the Lord is revealed in various ways, but none are as spectacular as what John conveys to us. Sinful humans cannot perceive the true glory and majesty of God, nor can mere words adequately describe it. And, therefore, only comparisons can be used. However, at some wonderful point in the future, God’s full and complete glory will be displayed to His redeemed. They will walk in His light, and they will be eternally enlivened by Him.

A time is coming when these things will be fully realized. And so now, as we walk in this darkened and sin-stained world, we can carry with us the hope of this wonderful time. But this is only true if we come to God through His offer of peace and reconciliation. The Lamb that will illuminate the glory of God in New Jerusalem is the same Lamb who first came to die in order to redeem man back to God. Without coming through Christ, no man will enter into His presence. Be sure to call out to God through His Messiah. Call out to Him through JESUS.

Oh God, when the world wears me out and there is only grief in our souls at the wickedness that surrounds us, we can overcome this feeling and stand strong in the sure hope of being in the presence of Your glory – never again to feel frustration, pain, anger, or fear. Instead, we will be perfectly content with the light of Your majesty. How we long for that day! Amen.

Friday, 13 August 2021

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Revelation 21:10

Having cited the angel’s words, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife,” John now says, “And he carried me away in the Spirit.” It is a similar thought to that which came at the very beginning of Revelation when John said, “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day.” John is carried away in this heightened state “to a great and high mountain.”

It is a similar experience to that of Ezekiel –

“In the twenty-fifth year of our captivity, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was captured, on the very same day the hand of the Lord was upon me; and He took me there. ² In the visions of God He took me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south was something like the structure of a city.” Ezekiel 40:1, 2

The intent of being taken to a high mountain seems obvious. Once there, his view would be totally unobstructed as he next beholds the scene before him. Ezekiel saw the structure of a city. It would be hard to view such a city in its total scope while standing on the same level as it. Walls, hills, trees, and so on would obscure parts of it from his view. But the Lord wanted him to see the city laid out before him. Such is the case now with John. Like Ezekiel, he next says, “and show me the great city, the holy Jerusalem.”

In this, there is a slight variation in source texts. Some omit “great,” and the adjective describes the word “city.”

“the holy city, Jerusalem” NASB
“the great city, the holy Jerusalem” YLT

Either way, the intent is understood. Like Ezekiel, John is seeing Jerusalem. It is the city of God’s focus, and it is the city set in contrast to Babylon. Where Babylon was a harlot and defiled, Jerusalem is set apart to God. In Scripture, the earthly Jerusalem was used as an ideal set forth by God to represent something greater and more perfect.

At times, it did not meet up to the standard, and it was defiled by the people who dwelt there. Nonetheless, it was used as a type of that which is prepared by God, just at the earthly tabernacle was set forth based on a heavenly pattern (see Hebrews 8:3-6).

What earthly Jerusalem anticipated is what is then spoken of by Paul and by the author of Hebrews, anticipating that which lies ahead –

“Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? ²² For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. ²³ But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, ²⁴ which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— ²⁵ for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— ²⁶ but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Galatians 4:21-26

&

“ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, ²³ to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, ²⁴ to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.” Hebrews 12:22-24

As such, there is the type, earthly Jerusalem, and there is the antitype, “the holy Jerusalem.” Of this, John next says it is “descending out of heaven from God.” Christ is the fulfillment of the tabernacle in heaven, and He descended out of heaven from God. Now is seen the fulfillment of the anticipation of the earthly Jerusalem likewise descending out of heaven from God

The vision may be something that literally happens, or it may be that what John is seeing is a vision containing a spiritual truth. Until the New Jerusalem is actually beheld by the people of God, we can only look to the words of Revelation and speculate how much of what is to be described is literal and how much is symbolic. No matter what, it is to be a city fashioned by God, and it is to be prepared by Him for the dwelling of His people.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown immediately takes the symbolic approach and states, “descending—Even in the millennium the earth will not be a suitable abode for transfigured saints, who therefore shall then reign in heaven over the earth. But after the renewal of the earth at the close of the millennium and judgment, they shall descend from heaven to dwell on an earth assimilated to heaven itself. “From God” implies that “we (the city) are God’s workmanship.”

They are correct that what is being prepared will be beyond that which is to be seen in the millennium (implying that there will actually be a thousand-year reign of Christ), and that what is being expressed by John now will be after that period. Whatever it is that God has planned, it will be glorious, even beyond our current ability to grasp. John’s words are given as a foretaste of what will be experienced in its fullest some wonderful day.

Life application: In Isaiah 40:9, we read these words –

“O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”

Isaiah 40 is a passage of comfort for God’s people in all ages, but it is a passage that only is fully realized in the book of Revelation. Today is the beginning of that realization in a tangible way.

Although John saw New Jerusalem descending in verse 2, he will now get a close-up look at it and see the splendor of the city in detail. He is going to be provided a fuller scope of what Isaiah and so many others only saw from a distance. And then he will record what he sees as a point of hope and anticipation for the saints of God.

In Hebrews 11, we learn that the faithful believers of ages past knew this city was coming. In Hebrew 11:10, it says that Abraham waited “for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” Later in the same chapter, when speaking of all the faithful witnesses of time past, it says that they desired “a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

This heavenly city is now described as descending out of heaven from God. Imagine the city’s marvel in this way – everything that we now see was created by God in just 6 days – the splendor of the mountains, the magnificent creatures of the seas, and the wonder of the secret caves of the earth with all their variety of life hidden in them. But in addition to the things we have here on earth, God also created the other planets, the stars, the constellations, the immensely vast workings of the universe… it all came from the mind of God and was ordered and established in just 6 days.

Now imagine – “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. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:2, 3

Jesus spoke these words 2000 years ago. And since then, He has been building a city and a home for His people. If God created every wonderful thing we perceive in just 6 days, imagine the marvel of what He will present to us after His Son finishes what has taken 2000 years?

Will we truly have eternal joy? Youbetcha! It will be so marvelous and so glorious that we will never tire of what is coming. And the best part of this amazing city will be described last of all. It will be such a wonderful source of majesty that God’s people will eternally revel in what they behold.

If you are tired, frustrated, overwhelmed, or just beaten down by life, then hold fast to what is promised. The joy that is coming will erase every thought of the difficulties we now face. Great is God and wonderful are His dealings with the sons of men. Thank God for what He has done for us. Thank God for JESUS!

Oh God, how glorious it will be to see the city that You have prepared for us. Each room will be lovingly fashioned by our glorious Savior. Thank You for showing John these things so that he would record them for us in our times of difficulty – sure promises to carry us through in hopes of something better – a city which has foundations of whom You are the Builder! Amen.

Thursday, 12 August 2021

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” Revelation 21:9

With the new heaven and the new earth prepared, and the prospect of eternal joy or eternal condemnation laid out, a new vision begins, that of New Jerusalem. The words of this verse are a close parallel to the words of Chapter 17. There, Mystery Babylon was introduced, and so the contrast between the two cities is highlighted by the parallel use of the words –

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, ‘Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, ² with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.’” (17:1, 2)

“Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’” (21:9)

This is a pattern that has been repeated many times in Scripture. The first is the introduction of a negative entity which is then followed by a good one. Cain and his line were introduced (Genesis 4:1), followed by Seth and his line (Genesis 4:25). The generations of Ishmael were noted (Genesis 25:2), followed by those of Isaac (Genesis 25:19). The generations of Esau were introduced (Genesis 36:1), followed by those of Jacob (Genesis 46:8).

This pattern continues on in various ways and at various times, such as introducing King Saul and then King David. The pattern defines those who are sons of Adam by nature (seeking after worldly things) and those who are sons of God by nature. The sons of God include those before the cross because of their anticipation of the coming Messiah. They also include those after the cross because of their faith in God’s Messiah who has come, Jesus.

Likewise, the idea of the city opposed to God, Babylon (Babel), was first described in Genesis 11 (introduced in Genesis 10). However, the city of God, Jerusalem, was first introduced in Genesis 14 (Salem) with the introduction of Melchizedek (see Psalm 76:2).

Thus, there are these divergent concepts being explored and developed in Scripture in order to reveal what God is doing as opposed to what man is doing. The final end to Babylon has been described, and now the introduction of the eternal city – New Jerusalem – is to be described. With this understood, John begins with, “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me.”

As in verse 17:1, which of the seven angels that this is remains unstated. Therefore, the angel’s identity is irrelevant. It is simply one of the seven. To John, this angel is “saying, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.’”

This is in contrast to the harlot of Revelation 17. A harlot is a wife to no one, but rather gives herself away to whoever will participate in her wickedness. Further, the harlot was said to sit on many waters, implying exactly the idea of harlotry. She spread herself out among many lovers, and she committed fornication with the kings of the earth and the earth’s inhabitants.

In complete contrast to this, there is a bride who will receive the affections of her husband, the Lamb – Jesus. There is a united bond between the two that will last forever because of the love of God which is found in Christ Jesus.

Life application: Although a city is going to be described, the New Jerusalem, it is the people who comprise a city. In other words, what will be described may be literal, and it may be an actual edifice that God has prepared. However, as with other biblical passages, New Jerusalem is more than its material parts. Rather, it is the city of the people of God.

The bride of Christ is both the city and its people. To miss this is to miss what God has been doing since the very first pages of the Bible. Since that time, He has been working in and through history to secure for Himself a people who live by faith. This is the premise of both testaments and of every story to be found in the Bible’s pages – faith that God will restore what was lost and that it will be even more glorious because it will be eternal.

The splendor and the majesty of what will be displayed in the coming verses will be highlighted with the glory of God itself. It will be more wonderful than mere words on paper can describe. If you have never called on Jesus Christ as Savior, you will have no part in this marvelous and eternal beauty, so make the right decision today, even now.

Call on Him and share in what lies ahead. Call on JESUS!

Lord, to be a part of Your glorious plan for the ages is more than our minds can grasp. To know that You have accepted us in Christ, even when we fail you, gives us the greatest hope. May we never fail to give you the praise, glory, and honor for all You have done for us. Thank You for the reconciliation You alone have provided through Him! Amen.