The Heavenly City - Revelation 21:9-27

In Revelation 21:2 (NIV), John saw "the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."   Now he is taken for a better view. "“Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." [1]   The New Jerusalem is the Church, the bride of Christ.  It is radiant with the glory of God.  It's gates and walls speak of its radiance and its angelic protectors secure it.

"In the wall were set twelve gates. The number twelve here has symbolic meaning, for each is inscribed with one of the twelve tribes of Israel (7:5–8) . . . The perfect security of New Jerusalem is declared in the number twelve. Each layer of the foundation stones is also inscribed, but this time with the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Matt. 10:2–4)."[2]

“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” (Revelation 21:22, NIV). "No longer need the inhabitants go to the Tabernacle or the Temple, somewhere in the camp or in the city, in order to have fellowship with God. The radiance of God’s majesty and glory, in all its fullness, fills the entire city. It is not limited to any particular place in the city. It manifests itself everywhere. No sanctuary is needed, for the fellowship of believers with their God is direct and immediate." [3]

 “The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.” (Revelation 21:24–26, NIV)  

Who are the true citizens of this city?  ". . . only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life." [4] 

"The best words that describe this chapter are “beyond imagination” . . . all agree that Scripture’s final presentation of the eternal state of the blessed—the “beatific vision,” to use the old phrase—focuses on perfect access to God and Christ. Their fellowship will be unhindered either by sin or by the limits imposed by living in a fallen world. All marks of the Fall will be erased forever. [5]

Father in spite of this unspeakable vision we still conclude that no eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what You have prepared for those who love You.  To live in such beauty and glory is beyond what we can imagine.  It is all by grace through faith in Your Son.  This is our blessed hope.  This is what we long for.  To be in the Presence of Christ.  

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1. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Re 21:9). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
2. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (398–399). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
3. Hendriksen, William (1998-06-01). More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation (p. 203). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
4. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Re 21:27). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
5. Easley, K. H. (1998). Vol. 12: Revelation. Holman New Testament Commentary (403). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.