A New City

August 14, 2022 Background Scripture: Revelation 21:10 - 27 Lesson Passage: Revelation 21 :10 - 21 God showed John something splendid. John could only describe it relative to his previous experiences. John was shown a city that he knew was holy. The only holy city John was familiar with was Jerusalem. Therefore, John called the city that he was shown New Jerusalem. The Jerusalem that John was familiar with had been through many sieges and battles. She was protected by a wall that had been breached and burned on some occasions. Even in the new earth, John could only imagine a city having a wall around it—even though the gates always remained open! The materials that were used to build the city were the most precious metals and stones known during John's lifetime. Not only did the gates remain open, but John also noted that there was no temple inside the city. John's conclusion was that God's presence was available to all rather than a select few who could enter the Most Holy Place once a year. Although the twelve gates of the city were named after the twelve tribes of Israel, John also saw that non-Jewish people were allowed access into the city as well. The twelve foundations the walls rested on were named after the twelve apostles. We know that it was the work of the apostles of Jesus that delivered the message of the gospel to the nations, Those who were entering the New Jerusalem were those who had responded positively to the gospel message and accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. John wrote about the nations bringing tributes into the city to God. All this should be viewed in the context of life in Jerusalem during the first century while John was alive. It is likely that John was shown something he could relate to so that he could share his vision with others. That is important if John were to share his vision with others. If the vision was only given for John's sake, then it might have been indescribable for him because he would have nothing to compare it to. So, what are we to make of John's vision today? First, God has promised that He will destroy this present world as we know it, and He will make all things new. John's vision confirms that. Every aspect of the city John is shown is new including its name. John described the splendor of the city in terms of the most precious material known to mankind during John's lifetime. Secondly, there will be more than just Jews living in God's new creation. The city's construction gives the obvious connection between the Jews and non-Jews. That connection is the Jewish apostles of Jesus who were commissioned to evangelize all nations. Everyone in the new creation has access to the presence of God. But there is no indication that anyone is living in the city other than the Father and the Lamb of God. John was careful to not offer any description of God's presence other than the brightness of His glory. Because of God's glory, no other light will be needed to illuminate the city. God's presence will be there, therefore there will never be night, or darkness. Thirdly, John wrote about kings of the earth being present in the new creation. There is no explanation given for the presence of human government. Finally, John wrote that there would be nothing there that is unclean or defiles. Only people who are saved will be in the new creation. Their names will be found in the Lamb's Book of Life. Since the days of the apostles, people have been warned to make sure their names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. As it turns out, that is the criteria for access into the new city. If your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life, you will one day see the New City. Robert C. Hudson July 30, 2022