From
the Apocalyptic Book of Revelation St. John Records for us a Vision of the
New Jerusalem using the Highly Symbolic Form of writing which is Call
"Apocalyptic Ligature" Which Was Devised by the Jewish People in the
Second Century BC and Was Employed by Early Christians.
"Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more deathor mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Rev: 21:1-5
During the time at close of the Old
Testament and the writing of the New Testament, Rabbinical Scholars
had come to believe that at the end of human history God would restore the
very Garden of Eden which they believed had been removed from the Earth by God
and taken into Heaven when the Great Flood was sent upon the
Earth in the Days of Noah. They believed that at the end of
history the Edenic condition would be restored between God and humanity.
The
City of God
St.
John , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit draws upon this concept
of the restored Eden when he writes of the New Jerusalem descending out of
Heaven from God.
"Then
I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”for the first heaven and the first earth
had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully
dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with
them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their
God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or
mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” he
who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said,
“Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Rev: 21:1-5
This
city, which we are given a glimpse of, we are told has been sought
even from the time of the Patriarchs. Abraham is spoken of as seeking this
city.
"By
faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise; for
he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder
is God." Heb: 11:9-10
The
Holy Scriptures even describe the Christian life in Jesus in the terms of
this New Jerusalem.
"But
you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly
Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful
assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written
in heaven". Heb: 12:22-23
This
New Jerusalem is described within the book of Revelation as it descends to the
New Earth from out of Heaven from God. St. John records what the Spirit
showed him as he transported in the Spirit to a high mountain by an angle.
"One
of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came
and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he
carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the
Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God" Rev:21:9-10
St. John tells us about the Holy City of
God, this New Jerusalem, which is described in great detail within the
book of Revelation as it descends from Heaven from God to the
New Earth. This Holy City is depicted as being filled with radiance of the
glory of the Lord."It
had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates.
On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were
three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on
the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the
names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The
angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its
gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was
wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in
length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using
human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick.The wall was made of jasper, and
the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were
decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper,
the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the
sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the
tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.The twelve
gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of
the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.
I did
not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are
its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the
glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by
its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no
day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory
and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever
enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only
those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life"(12-27)
Many
Christians see this vision as a literal city, the New Jerusalem in which
all redeemed humanity, in
Christ, will dwell in with the great God at the close of human
history.
But is
this what the Holy Spirit is really speaking to us?
A
Community
In the
ancient world, the world in which the Church was founded on the Day of Pentecost,
the community was of supreme value and great importance and all the
more, to be closely associated with a given community was a thing to be
prized and to take pride in. To have one's name written into the role book of a
given city as a citizen was highly prized among the people and of great
personal and social pride.
Even
St. Paul demonstrates this pride in his citizenship and being a a citizen
of the city of Tarsus in the Cilicia region of Asia Minor.
"Paul
answered, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no
ordinary" Acts:21:39
Jesus
himself alluded to this citizenship as a position to be valued in a
conversation with his Disciples as they returned and gave a report on their
evangelism tour and the power which was manifested in them.
"but
rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Luke: 10:20b
But
what is this community, especially in the ancient world in-which the
Church arose out of at the manifesting of the Holy Spirit among and in the
lives of the followers of Jesus?
A
community in the ancient world was, and still is, is an
extended interdependent relationship among several people all
living together in a given place all who are a part of one another's lives
and each contributing to that extended relationship as they are able.
Understanding
the ancient world's view of a community as an extended relationships to which
persons are bound together in , can help us better understand what the Spirit
is telling us about the New Jerusalem.
St.
John begins his description of the New Jerusalem describing it as having and
emitting the very radiance of the glory of God and walls which enclosed
the city.
"It
shone with the glory of God, and its radiance was like that of a very
precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal"Rev:21:11
Community
In Christ
St.
John’s description of this New Jerusalem, this extended community
relationship, from the very start points us to the presence of Jesus,
the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Holy Trinity as being the very
source of and among this community relationship of the redeemed.
The
"glory" and "radiance" which St. John
sees coming from the New Jerusalem is Jesus himself who we are told is
according to the Hebrews Epistle is:
"
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his
being" Heb: 1:3
This
tells us that Jesus is that glorious perfect representation of what God, the
Holy Trinity wants for humanity, which is , what the New Jerusalem expresses
for us , a that we should and will live in an extend community bound together
thru the person of Jesus, and that this was and is God's purpose even from the
very creation.
"let
us make man in our image and in our likeness" Gen: 1:26
This
community relationship is patterned after God's own "image"
and "likeness", for the Holy Trinity is a community
relationship which God has within himself. This is why humanity is drawn to
live in community with others, because God himself is a community. Living in
community with others, is the part of the "image" and "likeness" which
God is referring to.
High
Walls and Gates
This
glorious City of God, this radiant community we are told by St. John has
high walls which enclose the community and each of these walls has three gates.
"It
had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates.
On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were
three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on
the west"Rev:21:12-13
These
gates we are told never shut "On no day will its gates ever be shut
(25)" again this speaks of our God's grace and desire that all
come to Jesus, he will never turn us away.
In the
ancient world walls were needed for security. Wall represented and spoke
of safety, a place of refuge and security. The higher and thicker the walls are
the more safety there was for those within.
The
safety of the Old Covenant Cities of Refuge found throughout
Israel are brought to mind. Joshua: 20:1-9. That Jesus is the
refuge to which we all can resort to and enter.
These
great walls of the New Jerusalem which enclose this community of the redeemed, speak
to us all regarding the security of our relationship with our Lord Jesus.
That
our relationship with our God is secure, and is secured, by and through
Jesus alone. We are assured of God's great love for us and that there is
nothing we can do lose his loving grip upon our lives.
"I
give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch
them out of My hand. "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than
all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand"Jhn:10:28-29
In
these great secure walls are found the gates of Pearl thru which the redeemed
enter into this community. The gates are found on all side of the city, the
north, the south, the east or west, each of these gates bare a name of the
tribes of Israel upon them, showing us that Israel was from where the Christ
would arise from, for salvation is of the Jews.Jhn:4:22b.
This
also tells us that through Jesus people of all nations might be joined with and
as part of the promises made to Israel. Eph: 2:21
The
Pearl is the message, the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, which has been preached
into all the world by the Apostles of our Lord.
"Again,
the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding
one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it."Matt:13:45-46
This
Gospel message is personified in the person of our Lord Jesus, preached
throughout the Earth. The directions also speak of the accessibility of God to
any and to all who will but freely receive it.
"Then
Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to
the very end of the age.” Matt: 28:18-20
Jesus
himself tells us that he is the gate through which we enter this holy community
and there is no other means.
Therefore
Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who
have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to
them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved They will come in
and go out, and find pasture."Jhn:10:7-9
What
this all tells us is that we have gained access into the redeemed
community, this New Jerusalem, when we hear the Gospel proclaimed and come
to believe and accept all that Jesus has accomplished for us all.
"The
angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its
gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was
wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in
length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using
human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick" Rev:21:15-17
The
Walls Measured
This
city is a place of perfect balance and is in a accordance with word of God.
The
rod which St. John sees the angle used to measure the city is the Greek the
word where from we derive the word Kanon or Canonical which is used
to describe the body of writings which we recognized as inspired by the
Holy Spirit, this means that our relationship with God is perfectly framed by
the word of God, the Holy Bible.
"The
angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its
gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was
wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in
length, and as wide and high as it is long. The angel measured the wall using
human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick" Rev:21:15-17
Foundations
St.
John directs us now to the foundations of this New Jerusalem, on which the
secure walls are built.
The
wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the
twelve apostles of the Lamb.Rev:21:14
This
reference to the Apostles reminds us that they were the very first who came to
believe that Jesus is the Christ and that they would serve as the start of God
work of grace, and the very start of this redeemed community under the tenants
of the New Covenant, which gave birth to the Church with Jesus as the very
cornerstone of the foundation which hold the rest in place. Matt: 16:17-19
"So
then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with
the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone", Eph:2:19-20
It
is Jesus who holds the New Jerusalem, this extended community relationship, in
place as the Cornerstone. This tells us that our secure relationship is built
on an unshakeable foundation secured by Jesus himself.
A
Royal Priesthood
the
foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.
The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the
fourth emerald,the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the
eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and
the twelfth amethyst" (19-20)
The
stones which are upon the great foundations speak to us of the Royal Priesthood
which all Christians are a part of as believers in Jesus.1Petr:2:9
This
Royal Priesthood of believers is from Jesus' own ministry as the
High Priest.Heb:4:14-16. The precious stones also call to mind the
Stones which adorned the Brest Plate of Israel's High Priest, which Jesus
supersedes.
The
Golden Way
St.
John also sees as the main road of the city a golden street. This would be
known in the ancient world as the King's High Way, or The King’s Street it was
the main way to the Royal residence, or to the main city of a kingdom.
This road was often a toll road and a price needed to be paid to travel it.
This
beautiful golden way of gold, is Jesus himself who has paved the way to this
New Jerusalem and who paid tole, the price for us all so that we might
enter this glorious city. "I am the Way" Jesus tells us.
No
Temple
St.
John notes the absences of any Temple, he then explained that this is
because it is due to the presence of God and Jesus himself.
"I
did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb
are its temple"
Those
who have entered into this redeemed community now worship in Spirit and in
truth and are not bound by locations or building ceremonies. Jhn:
4:19-24
Jesus
we are told that he himself is the living restored Temple of God which has
resin and from the dead to which we worship the great God in.
"Jesus
answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are
going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his
body." Jhn:2:19-20
Citizens
From All Nations
We are
told in the narrative of Revelation that people of all nations are
now apart of this community relationship with the great God, through
Jesus.
"The
glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will
ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only
those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life."(26-27)
The
Restoration of Eden
St.
John give us a little more detail about this extended community relationship
which is pictured by the New Jerusalem. St. John again borrows from the
Rabbinical belief of a restored Eden, which pictures for us what our God's
intent has always been toward humanity.
Eden
was a place and condition of rest, beauty, abundance, security, health, peace,
joy, and unlimited access and fellowship with the Creator of all things. Eden
was a place where humanity was intended to walk among the shade of the trees,
along the rivers which flowed and come to know their God. Gen:1-2
Here St.
John tells us that God's eternal purpose is now made a reality for all who will
believe. St. John gives us a glimpse of what is now made true for any and all
who will receive it through Jesus alone, that the Holy Spirit, pictured by the river
which flows from the Throne of God, minsters to us everything which the
cross of our Lord has accomplished for us.
There
is fruitfulness and life, glorious worship and fellowship in union with
our God, no more pain no more suffering, our minds filled with merits of our
Lord Jesus, no more sorrow not more alienation, no more disenfranchisement a
place of belonging where our Lord God is accessible and among and in us all and
it even now available to all and can be experienced even now thru the
body of the Church, which give us only a foretaste of awaits in eternity.
"Then
the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal,
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great
street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing
twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the
tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The
throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve
him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There
will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of
the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever
and ever."Rev:22:1-5
This
Community Relationship pictured by the New Jerusalem is what our God has always
intended for each and all of us as being in his "image"
and "likeness", even from the very Garden of Eden, to us now,
and on into eternity.
Benediction: May we each and all give glory to our God who,
through Jesus has brought us into an extended community relationship,
which he has always intended for us to live in union with himself and one
another, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.
Rev. Todd Crouch, Pastor
Topinabee Community Church
Topinabee, Michigan
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