The Heavenly City - Part Three

The city is provisioned for everlasting service by the water of life - Re 22:1 “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” A pure river, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb; promised to those who thirst (for righteousness) - Re 21:6 “And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.”; 22:17 “The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”; Mt 5:6 “"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

The city is provisioned for everlasting service by the tree of life - Re 22:2 “through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” In the middle of the street (as was in the garden of Eden, now in the city of God!). Straddling the river of the water of life (from which it gets its nourishment?), bearing twelve fruits, yielding fruit every month (perpetual provisions), with leaves for the healing of the nations (no more sickness).

The city is provisioned for everlasting service by the reign of His servants - Re 22:3-5 “No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.” The curse which made work difficult is no more – see Gen 3:17-19. The throne of God and of the Lamb is present (God’s reign continues!). His servants serve Him (there will be work, but it will not be laborious). They shall see His face (like the angels, they will enjoy His presence) - Mt 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."’ His name will be on their foreheads (they shall be designated as His) - Re 3:12 “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” There shall be no night, no need of lamp nor light of the sun (for God is the light). They shall reign forever and ever (the exalted nature of our service!) - Mt 25:21 “His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'” -- A glorious city, with provisions to enable glorious service for eternity!

Granted, we are dealing with a highly figurative passage.... John was shown that which is to come in symbols - Re 1:1 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,” We must be careful not to strain the figures beyond their intended purpose. But how shall we envision the hope that we have in Christ...?. With images of our own imagination, with those from other uninspired sources? Or with those provided by Jesus Himself, to comfort and encourage His servants?

As we look for the city to come (see He 13:14).... A city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God - He 11:10. A city prepared by God who is not ashamed to be called our God - He 11:16 ...may we who are disciples of Jesus Christ allow the vision seen by John to excite and encourage us to remain faithful until we walk through those pearly gates! Listen, then, to these words:

“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!”

And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

- Rev 22:12-17

This material is adapted from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God Be The Glory!

With this lesson being the last lesson in the series of textual sermons we will begin a new series next week.

The Heavenly City - Part Two

Let’s read more about the glorious city in verses (22-27). The city is illuminated by the presence of God and the Lamb. Its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb - Re 21:22 “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” There is no temple, unlike there was in heaven described earlier - Re 7:15 ‘"Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.” For that depicted the blessing of the intermediate state, but this the eternal state. It is illuminated by the glory of God and the Lamb - Re 21:23 “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” There was no need of the sun or moon to shine in it – note also Isa 60:19-20 “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.” Of course, the sun and moon as we know it had burned up, and replaced by a new heaven and a new earth – see 2 Pe 3:10-13; Re 21:1. -- A glorious city, illuminated by a glorious God and Savior!

The city is enhanced by those who enter it. The nations of the saved shall walk in its light - Re 21:24a “By its light will the nations walk,”. The saved come from different nations - Mt 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”. The imagery is similar to that found in Isaiah - Isa 60:3-9 “And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD. All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall come up with acceptance on my altar, and I will beautify my beautiful house. Who are these that fly like a cloud, and like doves to their windows? For the coastlands shall hope for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has made you beautiful.”

The kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it - Re 21:24b “and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,”. Perhaps referring to such righteous kings like those of Judah (David, Hezekiah, Josiah). Or those redeemed by the Lamb, who will reign together with Him - Re 22:6 “And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place."’

Its gates shall not be shut at all by day, and there is no night there - Re 21:25 “and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there.” Those twelve gates of pearl shall remain open. There is no night, for the glory of God and the Lamb are ever present. The nations shall bring their glory and honor into it - Re 21:26 “They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.” Glory and honor to be added to the glory of God and the Lamb - Re 21:23 “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Glory and honor they themselves received at the coming of the Lord - 2 Th 1:10-12 “when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Nothing that defiles shall enter it - Re 21:27 “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.” None that cause an abomination or a lie, shall enter it - Re 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."’ Only those written in the Lamb’s book of Life enter it - Re 3:5 “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”; 20:15 “And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” -- A glorious city, enhanced by the glorified redeemed of all nations!

In Part Three of our lesson we will read more of how this glorious city is provisioned.

The Heavenly City

Revelation 21:2-22:5

It is written that Abraham looked for a city; a city whose builder and maker is God - He 11:8-10“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” A city God had prepared for him - He 11:13-16 “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.”

It is written that we too look for a city; a city which is to come - He 13:14 “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” A city promised by Jesus to those who overcome - Re 3:12 “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.” John was shown a vision of a great city, along with words of comfort and warning (Re 21:2-8). He was then offered a detailed glimpse of this heavenly city.

Let’s take a closer look at what he saw as the great city as recorded in Re 21:9-21. John is shown the Holy City by one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls of wrath - Re 21:9-10a “Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain,” This angel offered to show John “the Bride, the Lamb's wife,” who then carried him away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain. He sees the great city, the holy Jerusalem - Re 21:10b-11 “and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” John saw the Holy City descending out of heaven from God - Re 21:2 “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”; also note 3:12. John saw the Holy City having the glory of God, with light like a jasper stone, clear as crystal - Re 4:2-3 “At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.” -- The imagery is uncertain, but the city may be depicted as hovering between heaven and the new earth.

John then goes on to describe the Holy city. It had a great and high wall - Re 21:12-14 “It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed-- on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” John saw a city with twelve gates, with three gates each on east, north, and south, with twelve angels at the gates. with the twelve tribes of Israel’s names inscribed on the gates. John saw twelve foundations with the twelve apostles’ names inscribed on the foundations.

The measurement of the city, the gates, and the wall - Re 21:15-17 “And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare; its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement.” The angel had a golden reed to measure with. The city is laid out as a cube, its length, breadth, and height are each 12,000 furlongs (1500 hundred miles cubed), the distance from Orlando to Denver! The wall is one hundred and forty-four cubits (216 feet), either high or thick.

The construction of the city, the wall, its foundations, and the gates is described in - Re 21:18-21 “The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.” The wall was of jasper; the city was pure gold, like clear glass. The twelve foundations of the wall were adorned with precious stones; Jasper, Sapphire, Chalcedony, Emerald, Sardonyx, Sardius, Chrysolite, Beryl, Topaz, Chrysoprase, Jacinth, and Amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. -- Imagine the colors, with varying shades of green, red, blue, gold, and clear crystal! Truly a great city; beyond our comprehension, but worthy of contemplation! In part two of our lesson we will read more about the glorious city in verses (22-27).

The Blessed State Of The Righteous Dead - Part Two

Revelation 14:13

Also in the New Covenant we find imagery that consoles. Jesus made promises that clearly refer to the eternal state, after the Judgment. The Righteous dead will have the right to the tree of life - Re 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.'”; 22:2, 14 “through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” – “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.” The Righteous dead will not be hurt by the second death - Re 2:11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.'”; 21:8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."’ Their names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life - Re 3:5 “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”; 20:12,15 “And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.” Yet also those scriptural text that refer to the intermediate state, between death and the resurrection are to reign over the nations with Christ - Re 2:26-27 “The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.”; 3:21 “The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”; 20:4-6 “Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.” They areto walk with Him in white, clothed in white garments - Re 3:4-5 “Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”; see also 7:9-17. -- Jesus describes blessings for the righteous dead prior to eternal state!

The condition of the righteous in the intermediate state has always been one of bliss.... As depicted by the story of the rich man and Lazarus, yet that only describes the condition while the Law of Moses was still in effect. The New Testament indicates that the condition of the righteous dead changed after Jesus ascended to heaven, so that Paradise is now in the presence of God in heaven. Faithful Christians can look forward to being with Christ upon their death. The righteous dead are now in the presence of Jesus, comforted by Him and serving God in His temple, even reigning with Him! “But if righteous dead are in heaven now, what happens after the resurrection and judgment...?” God and Jesus will dwell with them in heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven into a new heaven and new earth – see Re 21:1-22:5. A promise Peter and the early Christians looked forward to - 2 Pe 3:13 “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Wonderful are the words John heard from heaven...!
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”