Christ in Revelation - The New Jerusalem (Part 1)
The New Jerusalem.
The Great White Throne.
When God`s work in time has finished, there will be a Great White Throne Judgment. The judge opens the `books.` Those whose names are in the book of life will not be judged, however every other person will be judged on how they lived their life – their works according to their God given conscience – some to eternal fire & others to life. (Rev. 20: 11 – 15)
The New Heavens & New Earth.
`And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and first earth had passed away....` (Rev. 21: 1)
This is the beginning of eternity. All things have been made new. All rulership is to be restored under Christ in the universe. The first area was in the third heaven (previously) with Christ & His Body as king priests.
The New Jerusalem.
In eternity it will be time for the other realms to come under Christ`s rulership.`I ...saw the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,....`(Rev.21: 2)
It is from the area of Christ`s throne that the new Jerusalem comes down to near the earth. It is the next rulership to be put in place under Christ.
`....prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.` (Rev. 21: 2) Bride – Heb. `Kallah` meaning as if perfect, from primary root – to complete, make perfect.
The city is a community of people that God has `made perfect.` They believed God`s promise that He would build a city for them.
`...he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.` (Heb. 11: 10)
These are the `just,` (righteous – pre-cross) men and women who believed that God would take them to this city. They awaited in the General assembly in heaven, (Heb. 12: 23) till God`s appointed time. So when the New Jerusalem descends they are given new bodies and are the residents of this palatial city.
Description of the City.
The whole city is described as a `cube,` (four square) which is symbolic of the Holy of Holies in which God spoke to Israel. Thus the city, the community of people is the place where God dwells by His Spirit and speaks to and through His people out to the nations of the world. (Tabernacle – means to dwell)
It is symbolically 12,000 furlongs square. The word `furlongs,` in Greek is `stao,` meaning a measurement & figuratively a covenant. Thus we realise that this city is the one `covenanted` to people in Israel.
Upon the city is God`s glory that shines brighter than the sun, with the city like a crystal reflecting this. Its purpose is to bring forth Christ`s rulership over the earth.
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