The New Jerusalem

The New Jerusalem
By Paul Lee Tan, Th.D.
Bible Communications, Inc., Dallas, Texas

Revelation 21 and 22 describe the New Jerusalem which will be located in the new heavens and the new earth. This new creation will be part of the new world created after the present heavens and earth are destroyed by fire at the end of the age: 2 Peter 3.10-13. New Jerusalem will be the eternal residence of all believers. John’s vision of the celestial city is of a real, literal city of the future.

In the description of the New Jerusalem, all the elements of an actual city ¾
dimensions, foundations, walls, gates, streets ¾ are indicated. While some details of its structure may not be fully understood, none of them are wholly outside the realm of possibility.

The record of Scripture is definite: the length, width and height of the city will be exactly 12,000 furlongs each: Revelation 21.16-17. A furlong is 582 feet; therefore, the city will be 1,323 miles in all directions, giving it a total base area of 1,750,329 square miles! It has been conservatively estimated such a city could hold a staggering 72 billion inhabitants. On the basis of the dimensions given in Revelation 21.16 alone, it is not possible to determine whether the city will be a gigantic cube or a square-based triangle.

The building components of the New Jerusalem are astounding. The wall around the city will have gates made of pearl, each with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed on the gates: Revelation 21.12,17-18,21. This wall will glitter like a bracelet of diamonds: Revelation 21.18. In connection with the pearly gates, twelve angels are said to be stationed at each gate as servants of God. The foundation of the wall is composed of twelve precious stones of various brilliant colors: Revelation 21.19-20. Each color of the precious stones represents one of the twelve apostles upon whom the Church is built. The streets are made of transparent gold: Revelation 21.18,21; while Jesus, the Lamb, lights the city: Revelation 21.11,23.

Hebrews 12.22-24 lists the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem to include angels, the Church, God the Judge, Old Testament saints and Jesus, the Mediator. There will be no need of a temple because God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple: Revelation 21.22. In the middle of the city will be a river which flows from the Throne of God down through the city: Revelation 22.1-2. The Tree of Life will be on either side of the river bearing fruit and leaves “for the healing of the nations,” Revelation 22.2. The inhabitants of this glorious future city will enjoy each other’s presence and bask under the glory of the eternal Godhead.

In the New Jerusalem there will be no more death, tears, mourning, crying nor pain: Revelation 21.4. The Lamb will remove the curse begun in the Garden of Eden as believers dwell forever in their spotless home. Every aspect of life will bring joy and fulfillment for all eternity.

What Scripture tells us of the splendid New Jerusalem is but a pebble in the great ocean of unrevealed truths. Truly, the half has never been told in the Bible – nor could it ever be: 1 Kings 10.7! But what has been told is enough to make us realize we will stand ourselves happily in our future home: the New Jerusalem for all eternity!