New Jerusalem
                                                                                                  By Pastor F. M. Riley
                                                                                                  July 7, 2018
     "For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
     But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
     Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is A'gar [Hagar...Genesis 16:15].  
     For this A'gar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.  
     But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all," Galatians 4:22-26.  
Introduction
     I have been asked who is going to live in New Jerusalem?  This question comes up from time to time.  The question arises due to a lack of Bible study, or due to some assigning meanings to the Scriptures which are not clearly stated in either the Scriptures nor their context.
     I may, or may not, have the answers some are looking for. But since I was asked for about the umpteenth time, I have prayed about it, and felt led of the Lord to answer the question the best I know how.  
 New Jerusalem
     New Jerusalem is referred to by name only five times in the entire Bible, and all five references are in the New Testament. "5" is the number in the Bible which signifies, "Grace; the grace of God."  Surely every reader knows that the "Grace of God" comes down to mankind from our Heavenly Father who resides in New Jerusalem in Heaven above.  
      The first three times in the Bible, which refer to New Jerusalem, do give some insight into the subject.  But the last two times are in the last two chapters of the Bible, and contain details about New Jerusalem given no where else in the Scriptures. Therefore, these last two chapters in God's Word should be studied carefully by those wanting insight into this subject.  
     The passages in God's Word which refer to New Jerusalem are.......
     [1]     Galatians 4:26
     [2]     Hebrews 12:22
     [3]     Revelation 3:12
     [4]     Revelation 21:2
     [5]     Revelation 21:10
       The inspired Word does clearly state, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him," 1 Corinthians 2:9.   Glory to God!  We can only imagine what the Lord is preparing for His Bride, whom He loved enough to purchase her freedom from sin and death, and from this present evil world, with His own precious blood, Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:13-14.  
Details About New Jerusalem
     The inspired Word gives us just enough details about New Jerusalem to confirm to us that there is such a place.  It almost appears that the Lord Jesus wants to surprise His Bride, as He escorts her through the city, and shows her all of her new home that He has been "preparing" for her throughout this present Dispensation of Grace, John 14:2.  Isn't this a characteristic of a husband who truly loves his wife; to surprise her with a special gift?  Our readers who carefully notice the wording and context of John 14:1-3, will surely notiice, that while the Lord told His disciples [Church], He was going away to "prepare a place" for them, He did not go into details about what He was going to "prepare," other than stating that it would be in His "Father's house."
     Folks, there are truth's about the Lord's creation, which He does not want us to know, until the "appointed time."  The Word clearly states, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him," 1 Corinthians 2:9.  We believers can only imagine what the Lord is preparing for His Church Bride, and His people, whom He loved enough to purchase their redemption from sin and death, and from this present evil world, with His own precious blood, Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:13-14.  
The Location in Relation to the Earth
     Have our readers ever wondered where God was at, when He "created the heaven and the earth," Genesis 1:1?  He wasn't standing on the earth, for it hadn't yet been created.  He wasn't on some planet in the heavens, for "the heaven" with the myriads of planets  hadn't yet been created.  So where was the Lord God?  
     Isn't it obvious that "the Father's house" or abiding place from which God "framed" the worlds  [Hebrews 11:3] was already in existence before He began to create as recorded in Genesis 1:1?  Obviously, the  residence of the Lord God, from which He rules over His entire creation,  had already been created in eternity past, prior to Genesis 1:1. New Jerusalem first and foremost is the dwelling place and  capitol city from which Almighty God rules over all.  It will also be the "home" of the Bride of Christ, but not to the exclusion of all other redeemed peoples, as some teach today.
      This same truth is evident from reading Ezekiel 28:11-17, regarding the rebellion and fall of "the anointed cherub."  He rebelled against God, and became the one we know today as "Satan." Obviously his rebellion took place in eternity past,  before the Lord God began the creation process as recorded in Genesis 1:1.  How do we know this?  Because when God created "the heaven and the earth" as recorded in Genesis 1:1, Satan, the fallen "anointed cherub,"  in his hatred for God, brought God's new creation into a state of  "waste and desolation [tohu waw bohu]," just as it is seen in Genesis 1:2.  
     I am well aware that many reject this truth, claiming that the earth being "without form and void" [waste and desolation] was just the way the Lord had created it before He made it into a beautiful earth.  Folks, this claim is just not so! The Lord God obviously anticipated what some would claim about Genesis 1:2.  So He inspired  Isaiah 45:18 to be placed in His Word, "For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He created it not in vain [void.....tohu], He formed it to be inhabited [a habitable place]: I am the Lord; and there is none else."  
     Therefore the Lord did not create the earth "without form, and void"     [void...tohu], as it is seen in Genesis 1:2,  but rather it was created as a habitable place from the instant of creation.  This then means that the rebellion of "the anointed cherub" took place in eternity past, before the heaven and the earth were  created.  But when God created the earth, Satan brought it into the condition described in Genesis 1:2.  
     So where was God's residence before He began the creation of "the heaven and the earth?"   Obviously, God was already residing in New Jerusalem, located somewhere in space far above the created universe, Psalm 11:4; 103:19.       
Isaac and Rebekah
     What in the world does Isaac and Rebekah have to do with this subject?  I'm so glad you asked!  Study carefully the account in Genesis 15 - 16, and then ln 21 - 24.  
     In studying types and shadows in God's Word, Isaac is most definitely a type of Christ.  And his wife, Rebekah, is then a type of the Lord's  Gentile  bride or church.  
     The point I want to make about Isaac and Rebekah in this study, is that when they were married, Isaac took Rebekah into his mother's tent, Genesis 24:67, just as the Lord Jesus is going to take His Church Bride into New Jerusalem.  And what is one of the truths the inspired Word sets forth about New Jerusalem?   "But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all," Galatians 4:26.  
     Have our readers ever noticed the blessing pronounced upon Rebekah by her family as she departed from them to go with Isaac?  The inspired Word says,
     "And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them,"  Genesis 24:60.  
     Keep in mind that Rebekah was a type  of the Bride of Christ; the Lord's Church.  And in the past 2,000 years of this present Dispensation of Grace, hasn't the preaching of the Gospel of Christ by the Lord's church brought "thousands of millions" to  spiritual birth?  Oh, glory to God!  How sweet and wonderful is the inspired Word of God!  
     Further, according to the prophecies of God's Word, God's people,  will one day SOON "possess the gate of those which" hate us!  Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  Now let's take a more careful look at the Scriptures referring to.......
The Father's House
      New Jerusalem is then the capitol city, or the "Father's house," [John 14:2] from which Almighty God rules over all of His creation.  It apparently was already in existence before the Lord God began to create.  And throughout human history the Lord God has looked down upon the earth and mankind upon it, and intervened in what fallen mankind was doing from time to time,  when the Lord knew it was necessary in order to preserve mankind upon the earth, Daniel 2:20-22; Acts 17:26.   
       I have already referred to the passage in Galatians 4:26.  So now let's move forward to Hebrews 12:21-22.
     "And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:
     But ye are come unto mount Si'on, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumberable company of angels."  
     In this Book of Hebrews, the inspired writer was exhorting his own Jewish people to receive Christ during this present dispensation. He knew that everything the Lord has given and promised to His Church is "better" than that which has been promised to Israel.    The inspired writer is pointing out that in confronting them with the Gospel of Christ,  the Lord God has not brought them back again to Mount Sinai where the Law was given under circumstances which frightened the whole nation gathered around the mountain.  See Exodus, chapters 19 and 20.  Instead, the inspired writer tells  Israel and the Jewish people, that in the Gospel of Christ, they have been brought   ".....unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels," Hebrews 12:22.  
     This Scripture clearly states that "the heavenly Jerusalem" is "the city of the living God."  Then our readers should understand that  "the heavenly Jerusalem" [New Jerusalem] is God's city.  He owns it, possesses it, resides in it, and rules the whole creation from it. Therefore, He can do with it as He purposes to do.  Glory to God!
Servants of the Lord.......
     Now let's move on to the next Scriptural reference to New Jerusalem, which was given in the Lord's letter to His church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:12, "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name."  This particular Scripture is a promise from the Lord Himself to the "overcomers" in the Lord's church.  See 1 John 2:13-14; 5:4-5.   
     It was a common practice in ancient times for a slave owner to write his name upon his slaves, and even his address, thereby publicly identifying the slaves who belonged to him.  
      Now before some reader gets "bent out of shape," let me make it clear that I am not advocating or approving of slavery, the way it was once practiced in this present evil world.   Is this stated clearly enough?
       Certainly we who are believers are not slaves in the sense the unbelieving lost world practiced slavery.    Read John 8:32-36.  Yet, in a spiritual sense, we believers are not totally free either.  See 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:26-28, and Colossians 3:11.  Understand that by our own act of faith in the Lord Jesus as our Savior,  we have become servants of  the Lord for all the eternal "ages to come," Ephesians 2:6-7.  Therefore, God's name will be written upon us, but also the "new name" of the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained freedom from sin and death.  Oh, glory to God!  Hallelujah!  What a Savior.  And what a privilege it is to be a bond servant [a servant bought with a price] to Father God and to the Lord Jesus Christ.    
     Notice that the Lord also said that He would write upon the "overcomer" [every true believer, 1 John 5:4-5] the name "of the city of My God, new Jerusalem."   That city is the true "home" of the Lord's Church; the Bride of Christ, and of all New Covenant believers.  And, without apology to any reader, I am one of those who eagerly looks forward to going  "home."  Thank you Lord Jesus!
.....And Priests of the Lord.......  
     Do not overlook the truth spoken by the Lord, that we "overcomers" will serve as "pillars" in the Temple of God.  
      Under Old Testament Law, the Levitical priests that ministered in the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple, were supposed to serve as spiritual pillars to uphold and support the truth of God's Word as they ministered to the people of Israel, thereby strengthening the people spiritually, so that Israel as a nation and people, would stay close to God and His Word.  Those Old Covenant Levitical priests miserably failed at what they were supposed to be,  and at what they were supposed to do.  But the "overcomers" in the Lord's Church; the Lord's Bride, who will serve in the future Temple of God will not fail.  Glory to God!
     Now don't fail to turn and read Revelation 5:8-10.   
.....And in the Ages to Come.......
     The last two chapters in our Bibles give us the most details about New Jerusalem to be found anywhere in God's Word.  John was shown in these two chapters, events which will occur after the Great White Throne Judgment of all the incorrigible wicked, when totally redeemed and purified mankind enters into the "Eternal Age."  
     These two chapters in God's Word should be carefully studied by every reader who wants to know the truths set forth in the inspired Scriptures about New Jerusalem.  There is so much information given in these two chapters, that to comment on it all would require a Bible Study devoted to an exposition of just these two chapters.  I haven't the time nor the space to go into such details in this study.  Therefore, I am only going to refer to the details in these chapters in brief.   
Renewal and  Purification      
     In Revelation 21:1, in John's vision, he was shown "a new heaven, and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: and there was no more sea."  In other words, all traces of sin will be totally removed from off the face of the earth, because Almighty God will not dwell where there is sin, Psalm 104:30; Habakkuk 1:13.  
     Readers should notice that this includes the removal of the seas and oceans upon the "new" earth.  Why?  There are two reasons for the removal of the seas upon the earth.     
     [1]   First, because the seas upon the earth typify fallen mankind in all of their unbelief, wickedness, and sin.  Read it for yourself in Isaiah 57:20 and Jude 13.    
      [2]   Second, because the millions of acres of land now covered by the seas and oceans will be needed for crop production and homes to feed and house swiftly increasing humanity upon the earth, as redeemed mankind, still in their natural bodies, enters into the "Eternal Age." Do our readers remember what God told Adam and Eve to do?  See Genesis 1:28.   Glory to God!
The Inspired Description    
     Then in 21:2, the inspired description of New Jerusalm begins.  Notice carefully that John sees this city "coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."  The fact that New Jerusalem is coming down out of the heaven towards the earth is stated in God's Word three times; in Revelation 3:12, here in 21:2, and again in 21:10.
     The remainder of these two chapters record John being shown this city.  Study the chapters carefully.
A Synopsis
     Shape and Size.......New Jerusalem as a city, is a Great Golden Pyramid suspended or floating in space high above the earth,  We reach this conclusion for two reasons.  Now read 21:15-16.  
     [1]    First, because the inspired Scriptures clearly state that the city is "four square."  "The "length and the breadth and the height of it are equal."  The measurement of the city is "12,000 furlongs." If this refers to the distance completely around the city, then it is more than a million miles around the city.  But if it refers to just one side of the city, then it would be more than five million miles around the city.  Look up the length of a "furlong" and do the calculations for yourself.  Didn't our Lord say, "In My Father's house are many mansions [abiding places]," John 14:2?   Dear readers, New Jerusalem is B-I-G!  
     [2]    I underlined the word, "height" above to emphasize how high into space the city extends.  Since it is four square, then it must be in the shape of a great pyramid.  This perfectly harmonizes with what men have believed throughout human history.  All over this earth today are found pyramids, and the ruins of pyramids.  The ancient peoples were great pyramid builders.  The "Great Pyramid" in the land of Egypt has been classifed as one of the "wonders of the world."  Obviously, ancient mankind knew that God rules from a gigantic city in space, shaped like a pyramid, and they copied it in their buildings upon the earth.
     There is also a  wall around this great pyramid shaped city, having twelve gates in the wall which are made of pearls.  Beyond these gates is  a street of pure gold.  This street likely goes all the way around the base of the great golden pyramid.  
     On the gates and foundations of the city are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and of the Lord's apostles, 21:12; 21:14.    
     Construction and Color.......New Jerusalem is "pure gold," gold having been purified to the extent that it is tranlucent, "like unto clear glass," 21:18.  Yet the color of it is that of a pure "Jasper" stone; blood red.  Likewise the color of the wall around the city, the first foundation undergirding the city, and the light radiating from the city.  All of these are blood red in color.  So the area above, below, and around the city is all blood red.  This means that no living person can ever enter that city except through saving faith in the precious blood of Christ.  Folks, it is "the way of the cross" that leads truly repentant believers "home" to glory.   No other "way" will do, John 14:6; Acts 4:12.  
     The Light of the City.......New Jerusalem is a city of light.  The source of the light will be Father God Himself, and the Lord Jesus Christ, 21:23.  The entire city will be lighted from "the glory of God."  The city itself is translucent, so no part of the city will be in shadows or dark.  
     While here let's shine God's light on another silly theory espoused by some commentators and Bible teachers.  What this Scripture states is that ".....the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it....."  It does not say that the sun and moon will go out of existence, or no longer exist, as some claim and teach.  There are numerous Scriptures in the Old Testament that explicitly state that the Sun and the Moon have been established "for ever."     
     Relocation of the City.......New Jerusalem is to be moved from it's present location in space.  
     Three times the Scriptures describe New Jerusalem as coming down towards the earth; Revelation 3:1, 21:2, and 21:10.  John was taken up into a high mountain in order to see this.  Forget your artist conceptions of John looking down on New Jerusalem sitting on the surface of the earth. Such conceptions are pure fiction.  There is no room on the earth for a city the size of New Jerusalem.  Plus the fact that the surface of the earth could not support the weight of the city.  Gold is one of the heaviest metals known to mankind.  John was looking up watching New Jerusalem coming down, just as the Scripture states.  But if it is not going to land or sit upon the earth, then where is it going to be in relation to the earth?  I'm so glad you asked!
     In 21:24, we are told, "And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it."  Since the redeemed people on the earth will walk in the light of the city, it should be obvious that New Jerusalem will be orbiting the earth in space, with the light of it shining down upon the earth, even as the Sun shines down upon the earth today.  
     The "kings of the earth" ruling the redeemed nations at that time,  who will bring their glory and honor into the city, will be "glorified" children of God, Revelation 5:8-10.  Obviously, during the "Eternal Age," they will be able to travel through space, going to and from New Jerusalem above the earth.  And visitors to the city will always be welcome, for the gates of the city will never be closed, 21:25.   Glory to God!   
     John's View of the City.......When John was first shown New Jerusalem, he viewed it as ".....a bride adorned for her husband," 21:2.  This should tell our readers that New Jerusalem will be the "home," of the Lord's Bride; His blood bought Church.  This does not mean that other redeemed people will not visit that city on occasion as noted above, for the city is first and foremost the residence of Almighty God, and of His Son; the Lamb of God who redeemed fallen mankind by the sacrifice of Himself.  
     The Tabernacle of God.......The Lord Jesus Christ is God incarnate in the flesh.  And many prophetic Scriptures indicate that He is to rule and reign over redeemed mankind in and from the earthly city of Jerusalem, Ezekiel 43:7.  Therefore God, in the person of the Lord Jesus, will "tabernacle" with mankind on the earth just as 21:3-5 states.  
     At that time there will be "no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:....."  Glory to God!  No cemeteries will ever exist on the new earth. No one will ever again sorrow over the death of  those they love.  Yes, redeemed people living in their natural bodies will never die, nor will they grow old, Job 33:23-26; Psalm 92:13-15.  Humanity upon the earth will swiftly increase, and dear sisters in Christ, every baby born will be born without pain, and without crying.  When the babies come forth from the womb, they will be smiling, or laughing out loud.  ".....for the former things are passed away."  Glory to God!  
Conclusion
     This study is long enough.  By the grace of God, I have touched on all of the main points to be Scripturally made about New Jerusalem.  I do invite every reader to join me there, for by the saving grace of the Lord Jesus, I have the assurance that New Jerusalem will be my future "home." My heart felt desire is to meet every reader of this study in our new "home" when our Lord comes to resurrect and rapture His people to glory.  If any reader has not been saved, or if any reader has doubts about their salvation, won't you please go to the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer today to resolve your problem.  I mean "like right now!"
      Time is running out for mankind upon this present wicked world.  If any unbeliever has ever intended to receive Christ and get saved "someday," then that day should be today.  
     Now read and in humble prayer act upon John 3:3-7, 3:16-18, 3:36, 5:24, 14:6, Acts 4:12, 16:30-31, Romans 10:8-13, Ephesians 2:8-10, and many other similar Scriptures.  May God grant His grace to every reader of this study is my prayer.  
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     Permission is granted to any true believer, or Bible believing Christian Ministry, to reproduce this study to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.  
     My personal contact information remains the same:
POSTAL.......Pastor F. M. Riley, 14275 Co. Rd. 8120, Rolla, MO 65401
EMAIL..........francismriley34@gmail.com
PHONE........573-202-6493  
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