"God's Holy City"
Revelation 21:1-22:7
READ AS TEXT: Revelation 21:1-2
INTRO:Philippians 3:20-21 says, "For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." Titus 2:13 says, "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." Each one of us saved here tonight are filled with sweet anticipation! An anticipation to see our Savior face-to-face!
What will Heaven be like? No one can say with certainty, more is said of things that won't be there, than of what things will. And the glorious descriptions given to us in God’s Word are beyond comprehension of our finite minds. Nothing in our frame of reference can compare with the glories of Heaven! But by the help of the Holy Spirit, I want us to try and picture in our minds what Heaven may be like. I want us to view with our spiritual sight, prayerfully, just a glimpse of what Heaven may hold for us!
1 Corinthians 2:9 assures us, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of men, the things God hath prepared for them that love Him.” It is this anticipation that makes us so long for the place God has prepared for us!
Dr. Robert Lowry, a Baptist preacher of Philadelphia, wrote his most famous hymn in 1864. While in a pastorate in Brooklyn, on a hot July day, Lowry lay exhausted. An epidemic was raging in Brooklyn, and hundreds were passing over the river of death. Dr. Lowry was thinking of the sad scenes all around him when the question arose in his mind, "Shall we meet again? We are parting at the river of death; Shall we meet at the river of life?" With his heart full of these thoughts, he sat himself at his parlor organ, and both the words and music came to him as if by inspiration.
His words which have inspired millions are:
Shall we gather at the river,
where bright angel feet have trod,
With its crystal tide forever,
flowing by the Throne of God?
On the margin of the river,
washing up its silver spray,
We will walk and worship ever
All the happy, golden day.
Ere we reach the Shining River,
Lay we every burden down;
Grace our spirits will deliver,
And provide a robe and Crown.
Soon we reach the silver river;
Soon our pilgrimage will cease;
Soon our happy hearts will quiver
With the melody of peace.
Yes, we'll gather at the river,
The beautiful, beautiful river;
Gather with the Saints at the river
That flows by the Throne of God!
With our minds on the prospects of Heaven and contemplating the words of Robert Lowry’s song, let us try to picture God's Holy City!
GOD'S HOLY CITY:
(1) THE INHABITANTS OF THE CITY
REVELATION 21:3, 9-10—“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.”
- WHO WILL BE THERE. According to v3, it is the dwelling place of God Himself, but not only God but it is the dwelling place of the Bride, the Lamb's wife (v9). This is the promised destiny of the Church. Hebrews 12:22-23, 13:14 tells us, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.” Revelation 3:12 promises, “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, and the name of the city 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.” Heaven is a PREPARED PLACE for PREPARED PEOPLE (John 14:1-3)! It seems evident from Hebrews 11:10, 40 that O.T. Saints will live there also. Those verses tell us, “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” According to Hebrews 12:22-23, an innumerable company of angels will be there also. So God will be there—Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. The Bride will be there, O.T. Saints will be there, and multitudes of angels.
- WHO WON’T BE THERE. Revelation 21:8, 27 says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.” Only those whose names are written in THE LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE WILL BE THERE! As all the filth of the old Jerusalem was carried outside the walls and burnt there, so nothing defiled shall enter the heavenly city, but be burnt outside (compare Rev_22:15). It is striking that the apostle of love, who shows us the glories of the heavenly city, is he also who speaks most plainly of the terrors of hell. (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary. e-Sword. Version 7.6.1. Copyright 2000-2005. Rick Meyers. All Rights Reserved Worldwide).
(2) THE INDESCRIBABLE BEAUTY OF THE CITY
REVELATION 21:11-21
A. THE SHINING OF THE CITY. Revelation 21:11—“Having the glory of
God and her light (Gr. brightness) was like unto a stone most precious,
even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." Jasper today is opaque, not
clear, so it seems probable John was describing the City's glimmering
beauty. Today we would liken it to the shining of a diamond. Adam
Clarke wrote: “Among precious stones there are some even of the same
species more valuable than others: for their value is in proportion to
their being free from flaws, and of a good water, i.e., a uniform and
brilliant transparency. A crystal is perfectly clear, the oriental jasper is
a beautiful sea-green. The stone that is here described is represented
as a perfectly transparent jasper, being as unclouded as the brightest
crystal, and consequently the most precious of its species. Nothing can
be finer than this description: the light of this city is ever intense,
equal, and splendid; but it is tinged with this green hue, in order to
make it agreeable to the sight.” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary on The
Bible. e-Sword. Version 7.6.1. Copyright 2000-2005. Rick Meyers. All
Rights Reserved Worldwide).
B. THE SIZE OF THE CITY (Revelation 21:12-17). Notice with me:
The Size And Description Of The Wall (Revelation 21:12-14, 17-18a, 19-21a). It tells us in v17 that the wall measures 144 cubits or 216 feet thick. V12 says It has 12 gates inscribed with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. Speaking of these gates, v13 says, of these gates, 3 lie on the east, 3 lie on the north, 3 on the south, and 3 on the west. V14 tell us the wall has 12 foundations and in these foundations are the names of the twelve apostles. The wall is of jasper, translucent, meaning shiny, but not able to see through (v18a). The foundations of the wall are of all manner of precious stones. These are in layers giving a rainbow effect (vv. 19-21a).
The Size Of The City And Its Description (Revelation 21:16, 18b, 21b). The City lieth foursquare implying it is of a cube shape. The measurements of it are 12,000 furloughs, one furlough equaling 582 feet, or a total measure of 1,500 miles. The length, breadth (width), and height are equal. (v16). That means the City is 1,500 miles long, 1,500 miles wide, and 1,500 miles high. The City is of pure gold, like a clear glass. So pure, it appears like glass! (v18b). The street of the City was pure gold, like transparent glass. Once again, so pure it can almost be seen through! (v21b).
(3) THE INFINITE GLORY OF THE CITY
REVELATION 21:22-26, 22:1-4
IT'S GLORY SEEN BY:
A. NO NEED FOR A TEMPLE. John said in Revelation 21:22—“And I
saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the
temple of it.”
B. NO NEED FOR LIGHT. Revelation 21:23-24; 22:5 tells us, “And the
city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the
glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 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. And there shall
be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for
the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
C. NO NEED TO SHUT ITS GATES. Revelation 21:25-26 says, “And the
gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.”
D. PARADISE WILL BE RESTORED. John said in Revelation 22:1-4—“
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the
street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which
bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the
leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be
no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and
his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name
shall be in their foreheads.”
(4) THE INCREDIBLE LIFE IN THE CITY
*The hymn writer has said well, "Oh, What a foretaste of glory divine…”.
What will life in the City be like? It will be:
A. A LIFE OF FELLOWSHIPWITH HIM. Revelation 22:4 promises, “And
they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”
Wherever Christ is that is were WE shall be! We will be in His presence
and privileged to behold His glory! 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, “For
now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in
part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” As the hymn
writer wrote:
“Face to face with Christ my Savior,
Face to face what will it be?
Face to face in all His glory,
Jesus Christ who died for me.
Face to face I shall behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky,
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by.”
We shall then come to the full realization of His promise given in John
14:1-3—“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in
me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I
am, there ye may be also.”
B. A LIFE OF REST. The labors of earth will be gone and we will be
forever with God! Hebrews 4:9 promises, “There remaineth therefore a
rest to the people of God.”
C. A LIFE OF FULL KNOWLEDGE. 1 Corinthians 13:12b says, “but then
face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known.” When the veil is taken away we show have a full revelation.
Paul offers us a glimpse into the future to give us hope that one day we
will be complete when we see God face to face. This truth should
strengthen our faith—we don’t have all the answers, but then we will.
Someday we will see Christ in person and be able to see with God’s
perspective (Living Letters From The Life Application Bible. p. 71).
D. A LIFE OF HOLINESS. Revelation 21:27 tells us, “And there shall in
no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's
book of life.” Heaven truly is a PREPARED PLACE FOR PREPARED
PEOPLE! Nothing sinful nor unclean may enter there. Only those
that have their names in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
E. A LIFE OF JOY. Revelation 21:4 promises, “And God shall wipe away
all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are
passed away.” Unlike this sinful world in which we live, in Heaven there
will be nothing there to cause us pain:
NO DEATH.
NO SORROW.
NO PAIN.
NO WORRY.
NO SEPARATION.
F. A LIFE OF SERVICE. Revelation 22:3 says, “And there shall be no
more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his
servants shall serve him.” As a pastor, I am often asked “What shall we
do in Heaven?” I don’t have all the answers but this verse clearly says,
“…And his servants shall serve him.” The word “serve” here is translated
from a Greek word which means “to minister, to worship.” Our service
will be a life of worship. (Revelation 7:9-12;19:1).
G. A LIFE OF ABUNDANCE. In Revelation 21:6 John writes, “And he
said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the
end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life
freely.” In Heaven we will never be in want! IN fact, we will be in
abundance.
H. A LIFE OF GLORY. (2 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 3:4).
We shall be fully occupied with the One “that Loved us, and Washed us from our sins in his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God and his father," ascribing "blessing, and honor, and glory, and power…unto Him that sitteth on the throne and unto the Lamb forever and ever." (J. Dwight Pentecost. Things To Come. p. 582).
*Someone has wrote these words:
OH Christ! He is the Fountain-
The Deep Sweet well of Love!
The streams on earth I've tasted,
More deep I'll drink above!
There, to an ocean fullness,
His Mercy doth expand,
And Glory, Glory dwelleth
In Immanuel's Land.
The Bride eyes not her Garment,
But her dear Bridegroom's face;
I will not gaze at glory,
But on my King of Grace-
Not at the Crown He giveth,
But on His Pierced hand:-
The Lamb is all the Glory
Of Immanuel's Land.
CLOSING: Heaven will be a glorious PLACE, but the greatest prospect of all
will be the PERSON--To see His marvelous face! Someone has said,
"He that thinks the most of Heaven, will do the most for earth!"
We are looking and longing for that eternal home, but yet, we long to be found faithful when He comes! 1 John 2:28 exhorts, "And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before his coming."
When He comes, eternity will begin for the saints of God!