Sermon Central
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The New Jerusalem Series
Contributed by Grant Adams on Oct 7, 2021 (message contributor)
Summary: We’ve talked about Heaven and how great it is going to be. Now what about the Holy city, New Jerusalem? What will this be like? How is it described in God’s word? Notice several things about this city.
I. It’s People
1. This beautiful city will hold the redeemed people of all the ages. This is described in another passage in which several groups are said to be in this heavenly city. Hebrews 12:22-24. These include:
a. An innumerable company of angels.
b. The church.
c. God.
d. Old Testament saints called the spirits of just men made perfect.
e. Jesus Christ, the mediator of the New Covenant.
II. The Appearing of this City
1. This city will come down form God out of Heaven, after the creation of the new Heaven and earth, for that is the chronology presented earlier in Revelation.
III. It’s Glory
1. Verses 9-11
2. One of the seven angels shows John the heavenly city. The city’s overall beauty is marked with the glory of God.
3. Although man has often wanted to see the glory of God, because of his sinful state, he has never been able to stand in the full blaze of God’s glory.
4. This was true of Moses and also of the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration.
5. One day, however, in our redeemed state, believers will dwell in a city marked by the glory of the Lord.
IV. It’s Walls and Gates
1. Verses 12-14
2. This city has a great wall with gates and foundations.
3. The wall has 12 gates named for the 12 tribes of the sons of Israel, and 12 foundation stones bearing the names of the 12 apostles.
V. It’s Size and Shape
1. Verses 14-17
2. How large is this city?
a. The city is carefully measured and found to be 12,000 furlongs or 1,500 miles in its length, breadth, and height.
b. This an exceptionally large city.
c. It extends halfway across the U.S.
1) It must be large to hold the redeemed of all ages.
2) The length, width, and height of the city are equal.
3. The wall was found to be 144 cubits. A cubit was about 18 inches in length.
4. The distance from the elbow to the tip of the fingers.
5. This wall around the city was about 216 miles high.
VI. The Materials of this City
1. Verses 18-21
2. God gives a list of the stones that are used as the building materials of this city. A list occurs in three places throughout scripture.
a. The cover Satan had in heaven before he fell. Ezekiel 28:13
b. The second relates to Israel during the Millennium. Isaiah 54:11-12
c. The third is found in these passages.
3. Of the three lists, this one is the most extensive.
a. God says that our eternal abode will be more beautiful than what Satan had before he fell.
b. What Israel will have during the Millennium.
4. Of the special interest are the gates, for each gate is made of a single pearl.
a. Verse 21
b. This shows the beauty and perfection God will display in the makeup of this city.
5. The streets are pure gold, like transparent glass.
a. Today, it is impossible to refine gold perfectly.
b. The impurity in the gold gives it its color.
6. If gold could be refined completely so that it would contain no impurities at all, it well could be as transparent as glass.
VII. The Absence of a Temple
1. Verse 22
2. Nowhere in this city will there be a temple or place where the citizens can come to worship God.
3. God and the Lamb both will be in the city.
4. No need for a temple.
5. We will be able to worship God directly.
VIII. The Light of the City
1. Verse 23
2. No external light will be needed to illuminate it.
3. The glory of God and the Lamb will light it.
4. This does not necessarily mean there will be no moon are sun, but rather that such light will not be needed.
IX. The Nations
1. Verses 24-27
2. The nations will also be able to walk by the light of the city.
3. The gates will not need to be shut since there will be no night there.
4. Nothing can enter that will defile it, no sin, a perfect city.
X. The River
2. In this city there will be a beautiful river, the river of the water of life.
3. It will flow from the throne of God down through the city.
4. A pure river.
5. The tree of life on either side.
XI. The Life of this City
1. Verse 3-5
2. In this eternal city there will no longer be any curse of sin.
3. Christ is victorious over sin and in this place the curse will be completely lifted.
4. This city will also be the place for the throne of God and the Lamb.
