The New Jerusalem

The passage of Revelation next in our study is Rev. 21:9-27. In the CSB (Christian Standard Bible) this section is headed, “The New Jerusalem,” the city, or “place” that “represents the intimate presence and fellowship that believers will eternally enjoy with God” (Kuykendall, 111). There are several symbolic themes to attend to in this section, and since John has taken us to the promised location of the New Jerusalem, aka Heaven, let’s hang–out in this passage for the next few entries.

One refence that stands out is in v. 19—John informs us that the foundation of the New Jerusalem is constructed of “jasper” (Rev. 21:19). Looking back to the Throne Room scene in Rev. 4, John describes the “one seated on the throne,” God, has the “appearance of jasper” (Rev. 4:3). The message here is that the heavenly city, the place the Christian will dwell with God eternally, will have a foundation that is consistent with God himself.

Another symbol that stands out in this passage is the many times John uses the number 12. This number represents fullness or completeness, most often in relation to humanity in general, and “to the Christian specifically” (Kuykendall). It is not a coincidence to notice features of the New Jerusalem are listed in v. 12,

Revelation 21:12 (CSB)

12 The city had a massive high wall, with twelve gates. Twelve angels were at the gates; the names of the twelve tribes of Israel’s sons were inscribed on the gates.

And additionally, at vs. 16-17,

Revelation 21:16–17 (CSB)

16 The city is laid out in a square; its length and width are the same. He measured the city with the rod at 12,000 stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall, 144 cubits according to human measurement, which the angel used.

Notice the numbers used to convey the measurement and size of the heavenly city—multiples of 12—meaning all the goodness of God related to heaven, in multiples. The message to the Christian in recovery, or the person in recovery who is interested in becoming a Christian, is that a saving relationship with Jesus Christ is transformative and it is preparing you to enter the place where God dwells with his multiples of goodness and godliness.

July represents tipping past our half–way point in our annual lesson curriculum. We are wrapping up Principle 5 lessons soon and will open up lessons related to Principle 6 later this month.