The New Jerusalem

What is it about Jerusalem that causes the whole world to tremble? Located in Israel, Jerusalem is the “city of seven hills”. All three of the world’s major monotheistic religions claim it as their Holy Land. Wars have been fought over it. Even today, countries and nations collide as the Jewish people and the Palestinians both declare it to be the Capital of their nation.

The Bible calls Jerusalem the “Apple of God’s eye” and the only spot on this whole earth where GOD ALMIGHTY has placed HIS NAME. The Bible also tells us that at the time of the end, Jerusalem would be a “cup of trembling” to the entire world. In-fact, we are told that eventually, all nations will be gathered together AGAINST Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:2:  “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes staggering to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah. ³ It will come about on that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will injure themselves severely. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it. 

On December 6, 2017, Donald J. Trump (God’s TRUMPet) ANNOUNCED that the United States RECOGNIZED Jerusalem as the Capital of ISRAEL and that the US would relocate its Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Talk about the “shot heard round the world”. In keeping with the announcement, Donald Trump’s administration officially moved the US Embassy to Jerusalem on Jerusalem Day, May 14, 2018, which is the day that Israel celebrated her 70th anniversary of being back in her own Biblical land. Seventy is a very important, prophetic number for Israel (Jeremiah 25/Jeremiah 29).

Since the recognition of Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel, the Trump Administration has spearheaded a series of peace treaties known as The Abraham Accords, with the stated goal of helping Israel achieve peace or normalization with her neighbors. On Septemer 15, 2020, Israel, the UAE and Bahrain signed the Historic Abraham Accords, with the addition of Sudan and Morocco. Additional countries are expected to sign. Surely, there is alot of activity around the city of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem has always been the Capitol of Israel, and it will be the geographic location from which Jesus Christ, the Messiah/King will rule the entire earth for 1000 years (and beyond) when HE returns. Jerusalem is the place where God’s GREAT story of Redemption and Justification played out. Jerusalem is where Jesus was crucified and ROSE from the dead.

What does the Bible mean by the “New Jerusalem”? Is it a rebuilt and renovated physical Jerusalem? Is it a Spiritual city? Is it both? Let’s investigate. The Bible is our “go-to” source for information.

Rev. 3: ¹¹ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. ¹² The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. ¹³ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Rev. 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 

² And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Hebrews 12 equates the New Jerusalem with Mt. Zion of the Old Testament. In Hebrews 11, we discover that God Himself actually showed the New Jerusalem to Abraham, the Patriarch of Israel. Clearly, the New Jerusalem (Mount Zion) has very ancient roots.

Hebrews 12:22: But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.

Hebrews 11:8: By faith Abraham, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹ By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

The Greek Word for “City” in Hebrews 11:10 is Polis, which is a word that not only describes a “natural” city, but also the New Heavenly Jerusalem. Hebrews 11 lets us know that God Almighty is THE BUILDER of the Heavenly Jerusalem. Are these scriptures pointing to a literal city consisting of stones, mortar, concrete, and other natural building materials? Or is this something else? Why do you think that the writer of Hebrews (likely the Apostle Paul) specifically mentioned the New Jerusalem’s “foundations“? Don’t all cities have “foundations?” Why call out the fact that the HEAVENLY CITY has “FOUNDATIONS”, as though a foundation was unusual ?

2 Chronicles 6:18: “But will God really dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house which I have built!

King David wanted to build God “a house” (Temple), but God would not allow it because of all the blood that was on David’s hands. God instead chose David’s son Solomon to build His “house” (Temple). However, God DID promise David that HE (GOD) would build DAVID a house, not the other way around. Even after the Temple was built, Solomon understood that God could NOT be contained in a physical structure.

2 Samuel 7: ⁴ But in the same night, the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, ⁵ “Go and say to My servant David, ‘This is what the Lord says: “Should you build Me a house for My dwelling? ⁶ For I have not dwelt in a house since the day I brought up the sons of Israel from Egypt, even to this day; rather, I have been moving about in a tent, that is, in a dwelling place.

¹¹ even from the day that I appointed judges over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you (for david). 

Unlike a natural house or Temple, the “House” that God was making or building for King David would be an “enduring house”not built by human hands. In this sense, the word “house” means King David’s descendants or FAMILY, particularly Jesus Christ, who is from the “house of David”. Jesus’ Throne will last forever.

The Temple (house/family) that God was building for David would consist of PEOPLE. Whosoever BELIEVES in Jesus Christ (Son of David) as the Messiah will be a part of this Spiritual “house” (Temple). Jesus is the CHIEF CORNERSTONE and the APOSTLES are the FOUNDATION. Remember that God specifically mentions the “foundation” of the New Jerusalem in Hebrews 11:10: “For He (Abraham) was looking for the city which has FOUNDATIONS.”

Ephesians 2: ¹⁸ for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:9: For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10:  According to the grace of God which was given to me (Apostle Paul), like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. ¹¹ For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

We therefore know that the Temple or City that GOD is building is a Spiritual Temple or FAMILY consisting of Believers with JESUS as the CORNERSTONE, and the Apostles’ teaching of the GOSPEL as the FOUNDATION.

Hebrews Chapter 11 tells us that the New Jerusalem IS Mount Zion, meaning that where we read “Mount Zion” in the Old Testament, we can think…”New Jerusalem.”

Psalm 125:1:  Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but remains forever.

Obadiah 1:17:  But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

Psalm 48:1: Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God, His holy mountain.
² Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion in the far north,
The city of the great King.

2 Kings 19:31: For out of Jerusalem will go a remnant, and survivors out of Mount Zion. The zeal of the Lord will perform this.

Isaiah 24:23: Then the moon will be ashamed and the sun be put to shame,
For the Lord of armies will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
And His glory will be before His elders.

Zion” (Tsiyon) was originally a Canaanite hill fortress in Jerusalem captured by David. The word Zion means “fortification” like a citadel, but it is also another name that is used for Jerusalem or the City of David and is associated with God and is ALSO referring to “the Heavenly City of God.” – NEW JERUSALEM.

The word “mount” is a shortened version of mountain and mountains which in the Bible often refer to governments or nations but also refers to “the mountain of the Lord (Isaiah 30:29b). Mount Zion IS the New or Heavenly Jerusalem where we read in Hebrews 12:22 that “you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering.”

We’ve already seen in Hebrews 11 and 12 that Mt. Zion’s “roots” predate Abraham. In Hebrews 12, we also discover that Christians HAVE COME to the HEAVENLY CITY, MOUNT ZION. The Scripture doesn’t say that born again believers WILL COME…but they HAVE COME.

This means that Christians, Born again believers in Jesus Christ, are ALREADY CITIZENS of the NEW JERUSALEM.

Philippians 3:20: For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

What have we learned so far about the New Jerusalem?

1. New Jerusalem is called MOUNT ZION throughout the Bible. The physical prototype is the NATURAL city of JERUSALEM.
2. The architect and builder of THIS HEAVENLY CITY is GOD. The city is built on the FOUNDATION of the APOSTLES, JESUS CHRIST (SON OF DAVID) is the CORNERSTONE.
3. New Jerusalem is a HEAVENLY, “Everlasting City” that remains FOREVER.
4. Those who TRUST in the LORD will be there. Born Again believers are ALREADY citizens of the NEW JERUSALEM, even while they reside on earth.
5. The REMNANT from JERUSALEM (physical city/Jews), the “survivors” will be there.
6. It is the CITY of the GREAT KING and the CITY of our GOD.
7. The Lord of Hosts (GOD ALMIGHTY) will REIGN on MOUNT ZION (New Jerusalem) – HE IS KING.
8. God’s Government (MOUNTAIN is synonym for government) is located there. Angels are there.
9. God’s GLORY is there and will become VISIBLE on earth
10. It is HOLY (set apart for God’s purposes).
11. It is located in the “FAR NORTH” (HEAVEN – Psalm 48:1-2)..not in current Jerusalem
12. It is not only a Heavenly City, it is the JOY of the WHOLE EARTH

Some think the New Jerusalem IS Heaven, but we tend to think that the New Jerusalem is the CAPITAL of Heaven, as physical Jerusalem is the CAPITAL of ISRAEL. The Capital is the SEAT of GOVERNMENT (MOUNT OR MOUNTAIN ZION), and the place where the GREAT KING will REIGN. Isaiah 9:6 is a very important verse about the IDENTITY of the KING of the KINGDOM of GOD. A SON (JESUS CHRIST), the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD who is also the prophesied SON OF DAVID (Both Joseph and Mary (Jesus’ parents) were from the lineage of King David), will RULE and REIGN over all the earth from the CITY OF NEW JERUSALEM (HEAVENLY JERUSALEM). As the King, JESUS will set up HIS GOVERNMENT (MOUNTAIN) from NEW JERUSALEM, and it will be a JOY to the WHOLE EARTH.

Isaiah 9: 6: For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

⁷ There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this.

We believe that the New Jerusalem is a literal city that exists NOW in Heaven. It is comprised of Born Again, Spirit Filled Believers. It is not yet visible on earth; however, once the transformation (Resurrection) occurs, it will, in a sense, become visible. The New Jerusalem WILL BE a JOY to ALL THE EARTH as they will FINALLY LEARN the WAYS OF ELOHIM (FATHER/SON/HOLY SPIRIT).

Chapters 3 and 21 in the book of Revelation describe the Heavenly City, NEW JERUSALEM, as COMING DOWN out of HEAVEN….to earth! The New Jerusalem WILL become VISIBLE on earth as it is in Heaven at some point.

Bible prophecy experts tell us that there are TWO main theories on the New Jerusalem that comes down out of Heaven in Rev. 3, 21, and 22. Some maintain that the New Jerusalem that comes DOWN out of HEAVEN is a literal city. Others believe that it is a SPIRITUAL CITY. We are going to give our opinion, based on Scripture. This is something you will want to take to the Lord for confirmation.

To begin, let us look closely at the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 3 and 21.

Revelation 3:  ¹² The one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.

 Revelation 3:¹⁰ Because you have kept My word of perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of the testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who live on the earth

Revelation 3 is speaking to the Church of Philadelphia, the “Faithful Church” who is presented the OPEN DOOR. God promises the “overcomers” in the Church of Philadelphia (Faithful church) that they will be PILLARS (support structures) in His Temple (Spiritual), and that He will WRITE ON THEM the name of HIS GOD and the name of the CITY OF GOD, the NEW JERUSALEM. Where else do we see this nomenclature about God’s Name being WRITTEN on people?

Revelation 7:3: , saying, “Do not harm the earth, or the sea, or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of our God on their foreheads.”

Revelation 14:1: Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000 who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.

Rev. 22 And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, ² in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve 12 kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. ³ There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; ⁴ they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

Revelation 3 states that the overcomers in the FAITHFUL Church of Philadelphia will have God’s Name written on them, and the Name of His City (New Jerusalem). They will be spiritual pillars in His Temple. In Revelation 14, John saw the Lamb (Jesus Christ) standing on MOUNT ZION (the New Jerusalem), and WITH HIM…the 144,000 who have God’s Name WRITTEN on their foreheads. Finally, in Revelation 22, we learn that God’s Bondservants, in the NEW JERUSALEM will SEE HIS FACE and have HIS NAME written on their foreheads.

What does all of this mean? Christians in the FAITHFUL CHURCH, the Church of Philadelphia, once they OVERCOME, will have God’s Name written on their foreheads. What does it mean to “overcome“? (nikaō – —conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory.). How do we overcome? What does it mean to have God’s Name written on the forehead?

Revelation 12:11: And they overcame him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The Faithful Church of Philadelphia (the 144,000 BELIEVERS in Revelation Chapter 14 ) have God’s Name written on their foreheads. We remember that in order for them to have God’s Name written on their foreheads, they must HAVE OVERCOME the devil (accuser of the brethren) by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony. They loved their lives NOT unto death. The church of Philadelphia was to be kept from the time of trial that comes upon the whole earth. (Tribulation). Did they die as Martyrs? No. This phrase “They loved their loves not unto death” has a double meaning. It CAN refer to literal physical martyrs OR it can refer to those who are willing to DENY their SELF-WILL, “DYING TO SELF” so that they can LIVE for CHRIST.

1 Corinthians 15:²⁹ For otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them? ³⁰ Why are we also in danger every hour? ³¹ I affirm, brothers and sisters, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, that I die daily. 

God’s Name is written on their foreheads. Revelation 22:4 says that “God’s Name is written on their foreheads and they will SEE HIS FACE”. When does this happen? What does this mean?

1 John 3:2: Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.

We believe that to have God’s Name written on the forehead is to be MARRIED to the LAMB! In many cultures, it is customary for the WIFE to take on her HUSBAND’S NAME at the time of marriage (although satan has been trying to change that custom for years because it points to the MARRIAGE of the LAMB). Revelation 3 also tells us that the Church of Philadelphia received the blessing of this “NEW NAME” as a RESULT of OVERCOMING the accuser of the brethren (devil) by the blood of the LAMB and the word of their Testimony! The MARRIAGE of the LAMB to HIS BRIDE is to have the FLESH TRANSFORMED (RESURRECTED) from MORTALITY into IMMORTALITY. Once the flesh is transformed into IMMORTALITY…then we will SEE HIS FACE because we will be like Him. We believe that this is what it means to “sing a NEW SONG” to have THE NAME OF CHRIST and the CITY OF OUR GOD written on our foreheads! In marriage, the TWO become ONE FLESH.

In this way, the New Jerusalem is literal, unique, and something mankind has never SEEN before, at least on the earth. Let’s look at the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 and break it down a little more.

Revelation 21:2: And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:9:  Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, full of the seven last plagues, came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

We discover in Revelation 21 that the New Jerusalem coming DOWN out of HEAVEN from God IS the Bride of Christ, the WIFE of the Lamb. The Bride IS MOUNT ZION (God’s Government). The Marriage of the Lamb takes place at the Transformation when the two become One. This is when Jesus and His Bride are JOINED TOGETHER as ONE FLESH. This is when God writes HIS NAME on HER FOREHEAD. This is the MYSTERY OF MARRIAGE OF CHRIST and HIS CHURCH (BRIDE). The Bride of the LAMB (JESUS CHRIST) IS the New Jerusalem.

BRIDE OF CHRIST = NEW JERUSALEM = MOUNT ZION = CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA = 144,000

Genesis 2:24: Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

Rev. 19: ⁷ Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself.” ⁸ It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM COMING DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN

New Jerusalem has God’s Glory

The first thing we see about the BRIDE of CHRIST, the NEW JERUSALEM/HEAVENLY CITY is that she is COMING DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN having the GLORY OF GOD. This means that a “part” of Heaven is now becoming VISIBLE on earth. The Bride of Christ is “married” (marriage supper of the Lamb), joined to the Lord God, and it SHOWS. Her flesh is LITERALLY GLOWING. If you recall, Moses face shone when he was in the presence of God (Exodus 34:35). Can you imagine how the Transformed Bride of Christ will shine once she is clothed in her “heavenly dwelling”, fully joined to her husband, Jesus Christ? This is something NEW as in UNPRECEDENTED.

Rev. 21:11: HER (NEW JERUSALEM/BRIDE OF CHRIST) BRILLIANCE WAS LIKE A VERY VALUABLE STONE, LIKE A STONE OF CRYSTAL-CLEAR JASPER. 

Isaiah 60:1: “Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

Ephesians 5:14: For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”

Isaiah 28:5: On that day the LORD of armies will become a beautiful crown And a glorious wreath to the remnant of His people;

Haggai 2: ⁷ I will shake all the nations; and they will come with the wealth of all nations (desire of Nations/Jesus Christ), and I will fill this house with glory,’ says the Lord of armies. ⁸ ‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the Lord of armies. 9: “The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of armies, ‘and in this place I will give peace,’ declares the Lord of armies.”

Daniel 12: ³ And those who have insight will shine like the glow of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.

New Jerusalem has 12 Gates

After finding out how shiny and brilliant and beautiful the New Jerusalem/Bride of Christ/TRANSFORMED SAINTS are, we learn a little bit about the structure of the “city”. The New Jerusalem has 12 Gates. At the gates are 12 angels AND the names on the gates are the names of the 12 Tribes of Israel. This imagery takes us back to the 144,000 who are also from the 12 Tribes of Israel (12,000 X12,000=144,000). A “gate” is a “way in” to the city of God. God has said that all Gentiles who BELIEVE in JESUS CHRIST are GRAFTED INTO the ISRAEL OF GOD, the FAMILY OF GOD.

Revelation 7:4: And I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel

Romans 11:17: But if some of the branches were broken off (Jewish people who REJECTED MESSIAH YAHUSHUA/JESUS), and you, although a wild olive shoot (GENTILE), were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree (ISRAEL),

John 4:22: You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews.

Does the Bride of Christ (New Jerusalem) have to be a biological ancestor from one of the 12 Tribes of Israel? No, not necessarily. It is POSSIBLE that there could be a hidden biological component buried within the Gentile Christian Church (Lost 10 Tribes); however Revelation 14 also describes the 144,000 as “following the Lamb wherever He goes”. These people have GIVEN their lives to JESUS CHRIST (Jew and Gentile). Even in the Old Testament, if a non-Jew joined themselves to one of the Tribes of Israel, they became as if they were a biological member of the Tribe. Gentiles who BELIEVE in JESUS CHRIST are GRAFTED INTO the ISRAEL OF GOD (FAMILY OF GOD/KINGDOM OF GOD).

Exodus 12:⁴⁸ But if a stranger resides with you and celebrates the Passover to the Lord, all of his males are to be circumcised, and then he shall come near to celebrate it; and he shall be like a native of the land. But no uncircumcised male may eat it.

Galatians 3:29: And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Foundation Stones / Walls of the New Jerusalem

The walls of NEW JERUSALEM ARE “GREAT AND HIGH”. There is no CLIMBING OVER. The only way to enter the NEW JERUSALEM is THROUGH one of the 12 GATES that are guarded by angels and have the names of the 12 Tribes of Israel written on them. Only by being GRAFTED INTO ISRAEL through the BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, the MESSIAH, can one enter the NEW JERUSALEM.

Revelation 21 tells us that the 12 gates of the New Jerusalem are set up in a similar fashion to the way that the Israelites camped in the Wilderness during the days of Moses. They camped in the shape of a CROSS, with the Tabernacle in the center..

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

Revelation 21:14:  And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The Temple of God is built on the foundation of the APOSTLES, with JESUS CHRIST being the CHIEF CORNERSTONE. Here, we discover that the GREAT and HIGH WALLS of the NEW JERUSALEM (Bride of Christ) are built on FOUNDATION STONES on which is written the names of the TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. The Gospel, first preached by the 12 Apostles, is the FOUNDATION for the NEW JERUSALEM.

Why is the New Jerusalem shaped like a cube?

The number 144,000 could be literal or spiritual, meaning that there could be literally 144,000 Transformed Saints in the New Jerusalem. Or, this number could represent God’s PERFECT GOVERNMENT (MOUNT ZION). In Bible prophecy, the number 12 represents God’s Government, so 12,000 X 12000 (144,000).. like the 12,000 X 12000 Stadia in the New Jerusalem…could be a symbolic or spiritual number. Not to worry though because even IF the number 144,000 is literal, the New Jerusalem does NOT comprise the entirety of HEAVEN or those attaining SALVATION through JESUS THE MESSIAH (THE ISRAEL OF GOD). Also remember that her gates are always open.

The New Jerusalem comes DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN TO EARTH, representing the HEAVENLY GOVERNMENT OF GOD/TRANSFORMED WIFE OF CHRIST becoming VISIBLE ON EARTH. This happens after the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev. 3:7-13). The New Jerusalem is the “Capital” of the Kingdom of God FROM WHICH God will establish HIS OWN GOVERNMENT (MOUNT ZION) on EARTH. Jesus and His Bride will rule and reign from the New Jerusalem (The LAMB is at the center of the city). Do you think this is one reason WHY many dictators and world leaders HATE Jesus Christ? They FEAR HIM....and they should because NOBODY can stop the KINGDOM OF GOD!

Why is the New Jerusalem shaped like a cube, with the height, width, and depth all equal amounts? Well, we know that the Heavenly City is mirrored by the equal proportions of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle of Moses, and later, in Solomon and Zerubbabel’s Temple in Jerusalem. The Bible does not tell us WHY the Holy of Holies and the New Jerusalem are shaped like a cube, but our “guess” is that it has something to do with the TRINITY…that FATHER/SON/HOLY SPIRIT are all EQUAL members of the TRIUNE GOD OR GODHEAD.

Holy of Holies a “type” of the New Jerusalem

Moses received the blueprint for the earthly Tabernacle directly from God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-26). God gave Moses specific instructions on how to build the Tabernacle, including the exact size and proportions, shape, function, building materials, furniture, etc. This was to be THE WAY that God would TABERNACLE (temporary dwelling) among sinful mankind. Everything…. from the Tabernacle to the WAY that the Israelites were to set up camp in the wilderness (in the shape of a Cross) pointed to Jesus Christ (MESSIAH), Emmanuel, God WITH us.

The book of Hebrews (New Testament) tells us that the Tabernacle of Moses was not only meant to foreshadow our Savior and King…JESUS CHRIST (EMMANUEL), but it was also a “type/shadow” of Heaven itself, which was likely why God was so specific about how it was to be constructed. As stated previously, in the Bible, the words “king” and “kingdom” are often used interchangeably so they have one and the same meaning. This is yet another reason to recognize just how LUDICROUS it is to think anyone can REJECT KING JESUS and gain entry into Heaven (KINGDOM of God).

Exodus 25:40: See that you make them by the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.

Acts 7:44: “Our fathers had the tabernacle of testimony in the wilderness, just as He (YHWH) who spoke to Moses directed him to make it according to the pattern which he had seen. 

John 1:14: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt (tabernacled) among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

Hebrews 9:²³ Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these things, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ did not enter a holy place made by hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us

If the earthly Tabernacle is a representation or “type” of the basic layout of Heaven, including the outer court, the inner court, AND the Holy of Holies (God’s dwelling) then the New Jerusalem would represent the holy of holies, the place where god dwells.

Where does God currently dwell? God dwells (TABERNACLES) in Redeemed mankind through HIS MESSIAH JESUS CHRIST via HIS HOLY SPIRIT. What does this say about you and me as believers in Yahushua (JESUS)?

1 Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, 💜that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

The New Jerusalem is NOT ALL of Heaven. The New Jerusalem is for those who ‘FOLLOW THE LAMB WHEREVER HE GOES’. There are REWARDS for FAITHFULNESS. Simply BELIEVING in the Name of Jesus Christ as the Son of God who takes away our sin and DECLARING with our mouths that JESUS IS LORD is the entry ticket into Heaven (Romans 10:9). The thief on the Cross who had squandered his entire life was admitted into Paradise after he repented of his sin (recognized and turned from his sin) and received the truth about Jesus as Messiah.

Romans 10:9: that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;

Luke 23:⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Our guess is that those who BELIEVE in the Redemptive power of Jesus the Messiah, yet have not worked at all for the Lord, or maybe didn’t believe until the very end of their life..(Prodigal children) will be allowed entrance into the “outer court” of Heaven. We are SAVED by GRACE through FAITH ALONE AND NOT THROUGH WORKS; HOWEVER, THERE ARE REWARDS FOR FAITHFULNESS. Only God truly knows THE HEART.

Massive Size of the New Jerusalem

Before the completion of the “Day of the Lord” that includes the Millennial reign of Christ on earth, the New Jerusalem Coming “down out of Heaven” will only be visible as the Transformed Saints, clothed in their “heavenly dwelling”. The Literal City, New Jerusalem, MAY BECOME visible on earth AFTER the 1000 years are complete because ALL THINGS are possible with God, who is going to create a NEW HEAVENS and a NEW EARTH.

Consider this….. if we were to use modern measurements, the size of THE HEAVENLY CITY (NEW JERUSALEM) that comes down out of HEAVEN is ENORMOUS. Shaped in a cube, it would be 1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide, and 1500 miles high. Even if we could imagine a city, an earthly city that was literally 1500 miles long and wide, what about 1500 miles high? To give us some perspective, satellites orbit the earth at around 5 to 6,000 miles. The moon is about 225,000 to 250,000 miles from the earth (depending on the time of year)…so the New Jerusalem would extend into the Exosphere (Space) 1500 MILES… FAR beyond the Satellites, but not as far as the moon. The MASSIVE walls would stretch up into outer space. For now, there is no atmosphere or Oxygen in Space, so a literal city, New Jerusalem, is not possible on earth…..but again, when God remakes the Heavens and the Earth ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

Revelation 21: Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea

City of Gold, Walls of precious Stones, Gates made of pearl

This city is BEAUTIFUL because the GLORY OF GOD shines THROUGH HER! The Wall is made of Jasper! Revelation 4:3 describes GOD ALMIGHTY, FATHER OF JESUS, AS HAVING THE APPEARANCE OF JASPER! The foundation stones were decorated with every kind of precious stone, HAVING GREAT BEAUTY. These represent the Apostles (foundation), their teaching, and ALL the precious Saints who followed the teaching of the Apostles. The 12 Gates, each named after one of the 12 Tribes of Israel, were all made of pearl. Jesus Christ IS the pearl of Greatest price (Matthew 13:45-46). The only way into the New Jerusalem is through one of the 12 Gates (ISRAEL), which are ALWAYS OPEN, all made of the PEARL of greatest price (Jesus Christ) – JEW AND GENTILE, ONE IN MESSIAH.

Revelation 4:3: And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.

Revelation 21:18: The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. ¹⁹ The foundation stones of the city wall were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; ²⁰ the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.

 ²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

There is no Temple in the New Jerusalem because the Lord God and the LAMB (Father/Son) ARE the Temple. The glory of God illuminates or shines through the city, the bride of the Lamb. She is clothed in her immortal Heavenly dwelling, so she has no need for the sun or the moon, or any created thing to shine on her. She shines the light of her Bridegroom, Jesus Christ and His Father YHWH. God’s Government will be set up in the New Jerusalem, and the nations will run to her. They will be guided by “her light” (God’s glory), directed and taught of God’s ways through God’s Government.

Revelation 21:²² I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³ And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. ²⁴ The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. ²⁵ In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; ²⁶ and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; 

²⁷ and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

God has an amazing plan for Planet Earth, to reverse the curse and heal the nations. It started with the CROSS, and culminates with the New Jerusalem, eventually leading to a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH. The Garden of Eden was a well-watered Paradise on earth, where God could dwell (tabernacle) among His people. A river went out of Eden to water the garden, that branched into four rivers…Pisan, Gihon, Hiddekel, and the Great River Euphrates. Eden was perfectly beautiful with fruit bearing trees and NO DEATH. Adam and Eve were the only inhabitants who were able to enjoy this amazing Paradise, that included the TREE OF LIFE. God’s presence brings healing and life. There was only one problem with the earthly paradise, the Garden of Eden….the serpent and his tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Evil was present in the Garden of Eden from the very beginning. One may wonder…Why didn’t God warn Adam and Eve? He did. But, like billions of us today, they did not heed God’s warnings. They were DECEIVED! They had no idea how much suffering their disobedience would cause over these past 6,000 years! PARADISE LOST.

However, we should not despair because God uses ALL THINGS for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes!

The New Jerusalem > (greater than) Garden of Eden.

Revelation 22:  And he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, ² in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

 ³ There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; ⁴ they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. ⁵ And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illuminate them; and they will reign forever and ever.

Like the Garden of Eden, the New Jerusalem will be a “well watered garden”, with the RIVER OF LIFE flowing from the Throne of God and the Lamb. The water will be CLEAN and CRYSTAL CLEAR. Think untouched ice-mountain spring water, only better! Actually, this LIFE-GIVING water is symbolic of the HOLY SPIRIT. Eden also had Crystal clear, BEAUTIFUL water, but because mankind (Adam and Eve) had never experienced dirty, muddy, SALTY water, they had no appreciation for the GOOD STUFF. In the New Jerusalem, on BOTH SIDES of this beautiful FRESH RIVER of LIFE is the TREE OF LIFE, CONTINUALLY bearing 12 kinds of fruit, and the leaves are for the healing of the nations. Imagine, a SINGLE TREE on BOTH SIDES of the river. (JEW AND GENTILE, ONE IN MESSIAH). The LEAVES are for the healing of the nations. Nations will be learning God’s ways, and will NO LONGER be deceived by a FALSE LIGHT (as they are today). This leads us to a very important point. In the New Jerusalem, there will be NO MORE CURSE. No weeds, no toil, no death, no pain, no sorrow, which are all the result of SIN. Unlike the Garden of Eden, the serpent and his nasty tree will NOT be present in the New Jerusalem. The residents of the New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ, will NOT be deceived, as Adam and Eve were. These residents have SEEN the devastation, suffering, destruction, pain and death caused by SIN…and they’re saying NO THANKS, been there, done that……NEVER AGAIN! They will NO LONGER be subject to the SIN NATURE for the LAMB’S NAME is written on their FOREHEADS, and they FOLLOW HIM WHEREVER HE GOES. God will REIGN from the NEW JERUSALEM FOREVER! Nothing unclean will ever enter her gates. Out of Mount Zion, there will be perfect peace, beauty, health, wholeness, youth, love……..FOREVER.

The Spirit and the Bride say COME! ✝💒