New Jerusalem (Part I)

Introduction:

1. New Jerusalem is the eternal habitation of the perfected New Testament Church or the Bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2).

2. New Jerusalem is the place which Jesus said He would prepare for His Bride (Jn. 14:2,3). This is ‘the hope’ laid up for us in heaven (Col. 1:5).

3. In the Old Testament tabernacle there were three places, namely, the outer court, the holy place and the most holy place. The most holy place is a shadow of New Jerusalem. The High priest entered this most holy place one day in the year. Nobody else could enter there (Heb. 9:2,3,6-8). After His death, Jesus entered the most holy place in heaven as the eternal High Priest (Heb. 6:19,20). When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom (Matt. 27:51). This shows that we now have access into the most holy place in heaven, spiritually. This is what is explained in Hebrews 10:19,20. We enter the most holy place spiritually when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18). If those who are Spirit-baptized have to inherit New Jerusalem, they must grow to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). The features of New Jerusalem: (Rev. 21:2,10-27; 22:1-5)

1. General description: The light and glory of the city (Rev. 21:11,23,24; 22:5). Its adornment (Rev. 21:2). Its other names (Rev. 21:2,9) Its wall (Rev. 21:12,14,15,17,18). Its street (Rev. 21:21) Its gates (Rev. 21:12,21,25). Its measurements (Rev. 21:16,17). Its foundations (Rev. 21:14,19,20). The river of water of life (Rev. 22:1,2). The throne of God (Rev. 22:1,3).

2. John saw no temple there (Rev. 21:22).

3. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will be found there (Rev. 21:27).

4. God is preparing New Jerusalem with the sanctified characters and tried faith of the saints. The city being of pure gold (Rev. 21:18) reveals the tried and

precious faith of the saints and the precious stones in the foundations reveal the spiritually developed, divine character of the saints.

5. New Jerusalem is a city shaped like a cube.

6. Jesus Himself is the corner stone of New Jerusalem, laid in Zion (Eph. 2:19,20; Isa. 28:16; I Pet. 2:6).