The New Jerusalem, as described in the Book of Revelation, is a multifaceted concept representing the ultimate dwelling place of God with humanity, a perfected community, and the culmination of God's redemptive plan. It is depicted as a literal city of immense size and beauty, descending from heaven to a new earth, signifying a renewed creation where sin, suffering, and death are no more. Beyond its physical description, it symbolizes the perfected church, the bride of Christ, and the eternal fellowship between God and His redeemed people. Its characteristics include divine glory, the absence of a temple (as God and the Lamb are its temple), the presence of the tree of life and the river of the water of life, and gates made of single pearls, with foundations adorned with precious stones. The city's light emanates directly from God's glory, eliminating the need for sun or moon. It is a place of perpetual peace, righteousness, and direct communion with God, where every tear is wiped away and all things are made new.[1] [2] [3]
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The New Jerusalem is described in the Book of Revelation, primarily in chapters 21 and 22, as a literal city of immense proportions and unparalleled beauty, descending from heaven to a new earth. It is depicted as a cube, with its length, width, and height being equal, measuring 12,000 stadia (approximately 1,400 miles or 2,200 kilometers) in each dimension.[4] [5] This colossal size suggests it could encompass a significant portion of a continent, symbolizing its vastness and capacity to house all of God's redeemed people. The city's walls are made of jasper, and its foundations are adorned with twelve different precious stones, each representing one of the twelve apostles.[6] The twelve gates are each a single pearl, and inscribed on them are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the continuity of God's covenant with both Old and New Testament believers.[7] The streets of the city are pure gold, like transparent glass, and the city itself has no need of the sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates it, and the Lamb is its lamp.[8] [9]
Within the New Jerusalem, there is no temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple, indicating direct and unhindered access to God's presence.[10] From the throne of God and the Lamb flows the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, and on either side of the river stands the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations.[11] This imagery signifies eternal life, sustenance, and restoration. The city is a place where there will be no more curse, no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain, for the former things have passed away.[12] It represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with humanity, where He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.[13] The New Jerusalem is not merely a physical location but also a symbolic representation of the perfected church, the bride of Christ, and the eternal fellowship between God and His redeemed people in a renewed creation.[14] [15]
Authoritative Sources
- Revelation 21:1-27. [Bible Gateway]↩
- Revelation 22:1-5. [Bible Gateway]↩
- The New Jerusalem. [GotQuestions.org]↩
- Revelation 21:16. [Bible Gateway]↩
- What is the New Jerusalem?. [Christianity.com]↩
- Revelation 21:18-20. [Bible Gateway]↩
- Revelation 21:12, 21. [Bible Gateway]↩
- Revelation 21:21, 23. [Bible Gateway]↩
- The New Jerusalem: A City of Gold. [Bible Study Tools]↩
- Revelation 21:22. [Bible Gateway]↩
- Revelation 22:1-2. [Bible Gateway]↩
- Revelation 21:4. [Bible Gateway]↩
- Revelation 21:3-4. [Bible Gateway]↩
- The Symbolism of the New Jerusalem. [Ligonier Ministries]↩
- What is the New Jerusalem?. [CompellingTruth.org]↩
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