Revelation Sermon Series–Week 19 Preview

Having been given a taste of what the new heaven and new earth are going to look like, John now gives us a taste of the new Jerusalem. At first glance of the holy city, it’s tempting to think that John is describing a literal new Jerusalem that is going to come down and stand in the place where the earthly one stood (Rev. 21:2). However, what the angel actually revealed to John was not a new and improved Jerusalem for Israel, rather, he said, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb” (Rev. 21:9). The new Jerusalem is not a city at all. The new Jerusalem is the Church, the Bride of Christ who is now officially the wife.
John goes on to describe the new Jerusalem in the most glorious and extravagant terms he can find as he attempts to capture how the Church reflects the glory of God (Rev. 21:11). The streets are paved in gold and the walls are like precious stones. It’s also huge, approximately 1,500 miles in every direction (length, width, and height), totaling 2,250,000 square miles (not counting the height for skyscrapers!). By way of comparison, Houston, TX is 665 square miles. The point being, Church is going to be packed! This is why the Lord Jesus has delayed His returning, so that the Church might continue to make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:18) and thus fulfill the promise God made to Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” (Gen 1:28).
The new Jerusalem is missing one notable item for a holy city though, there is no temple. That is not to say that we will not be worshiping God any longer. On the contrary, there will never be a moment when we will not be worshiping God! John explains, “for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb” (Rev. 21:22). There will be no reason to have to go to a temple to worship, because Jesus will dwell with His people (Rev. 21:3). This is what John is describing when he says there is no need for a sun or moon (note that John does not say there are no sun and moon, just no need for them), because Jesus’ light is the true light of the world. There is no longer the darkness of sin, corruption, to be found in the new Church. It is secure and the gates are always open so that the people of God can be with Jesus. It truly is going to be glorious!

This Week’s Verses: Ezekiel 43:1-9, Psalm 132, Rev. 21:9-27, John 1:15-34