THE
HOLY CITY
NEW JERUSALEM
Part 2
NEW HEAVEN, NEW EARTH, NEW JERUSALEM
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
– Revelation 21:1 cf. 21:5
After the natural people of the earth have been regenerated by the Word, the Millennial Age of Regeneration will end with a final testing of the inhabitants (Rev.20:7-8), followed by the Great White Throne Judgment, after which a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH will replace the present ones (2 Pet.3:5-7). (Remember that the Millennial Reign of Christ is an Age of Regeneration. Through that one thousand years God will redeem the earth and restore all things to the character of the original creation. God will remove all traces of sins through Christ and His (Bride-)Wife, and mankind will be taught the Ways of God by the Rod of Christ.)
With the New Heaven and New Earth, God will make all things new. The heaven (sky, atmosphere) will be completely cleansed of all its corruptions, such as putrid gases, destructive chemical agents, and every foul and polluting substance that exists in the air. The geographical surface of the earth will be completely altered. The large seas (oceans) of waters covering about 71% of the earth will cease to be there leaving only rivers, lakes and small seas of waters. Most surface waters will return to the firmament of the heaven to swaddle the earth (like a garment) to cool the earth as it was in the days before “the fountains of the great deep” were broken up and “the windows (floodgates) of heaven were opened” in the generation of Noah (Gen.7:11). There will be no city with the infrastructure of buildings, roads, etc, crowded with millions of people in it. Man-made things which destroy the environment one way or another will never exist in the Eternal Age of the New Heaven and New Earth. No man will live unto himself and for himself, for such was the cause which led to the Fall. Man will be one with the environment and be in harmony with all the creations of God. Nature and its products will be the essence of all life. Everything will exist according to the laws of the Tree of Life. No seed of discrepancy will ever exist again as it did in the days of Adam and Eve.
Yes, the whole earth will be a paradise, a delight, an Eden to the Lord God Almighty. The most beautiful and glorious thing that John saw was the NEW JERUSALEM, the Holy City of God. Beloved, note that whatever the New Earth will be, the HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM will occupy a pre- eminent place in the Eternal Age. All things will revolve around it, for she is the fulfillment of God's Ultimate Intention — His Family — born of His Ultimate Conception — the Monogene, the (Seed)Word — in the beginning. “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you” (Jhn.14:20).
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
– Revelation 21:2
As we have realized, the Holy City, New Jerusalem is the Redeemed People of all ages since the time of Adam right up to the end of the Great White Throne Judgement. And all these Redeemed People have Glorified Bodies. Just as a bride is prepared for her husband, so are the Redeemed also beautifully prepared from the very beginning of time to be the Spiritual Tabernacle of God. Now, this is the “very city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” that Abraham, the Father of our Faith had looked for. It will be completed after the Great White Throne Judgement. And after the New Heaven and New Earth are created, God will set the City upon the New Earth.
BRIDE OF CHRIST — LAMB'S WIFE
At this juncture, let me stress an important point concerning the FAITH-relationship of the Chosen and Redeemed People of God with God, their Redeemer. As a nation of chosen people, Israel was considered a Bride of the Lord (Isa.62:5; Jer.3:8). In the Gospel Dispensation, the Christians (the Church and Body of Christ) are also a Bride of the Lord. Both were united as one in the Cross of Jesus Christ. Read Ephesians 2-3. The building and making of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, the (Bride-) Wife of the Lord, began when THE SURE FOUNDATION STONE was laid upon the Cross at Calvary. However, the houses in this New Jerusalem are set up in stages. (Remember that this Holy City will appear only in the Eternal Age of the New Heaven and New Earth, and not before that. It will not even be found in the Age of Regeneration.) All those who are to be redeemed and given Glorified Bodies, whether they lived before or after the Cross, are the called out ones and are known by different names: Disciples of Jesus, Church, Body of Christ, Elect, Chosen, Saints, Beloved of God, etc. However, because Adam and Eve were set as a type of Christ and the Redeemed in the Garden of Eden, the term Bride of Christ, or the Lamb's Wife, is most suitably used to describe the relationship.
Now, the focus of any (ancient) city is its king's palace. In this case, it is the Temple and Tabernacle. Therefore, the Temple (Greek: naos, sanctuary proper) must first be built followed by the Tabernacle (Greek: skene, the whole building). Then, other houses are built around it (cf. Numbers 2). Thus, according to Saint Paul, even the resurrection of the saints will take place in phases: “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming” (1 Cor.15:23; cf. Rom.12:4; Rev.14:4). Now notice: prior to his visions of the Holy City (in Revelation 21), the Apostle John did not see the Holy City in Heaven. However, he saw the most important building of that Holy City in Heaven — the Temple of the Tabernacle of God (Rev.11:19a; 15:5,8a). This points to Christ (the Temple) being in the Redeemed (the Tabernacle) in Heaven. But this group of the Redeemed are only the “firstfruits” of Christ who are harvested out of the field of the world, for they are one with THE WORD in their days. “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches” (Romans 11:16). These are the chosen members of His Body who heard what the Spirit of the Lord had said in their days. They believed and received the Promised Word of God. They are the Spirit-filled ones. We can say that they are the “wise” believers of every age who lived and walked in the Word all the way. They are truly one with the Word, and the Glory of the Lord God is in them. Hence, they are the only group of people who will be given “fine linen, clean and white” upon their resurrection to go into the Grand Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven.
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”
– Revelation 19:6-9
While the members of the (Bride-)Wife of the Lamb (the “blessed” ones mentioned in Revelation 19:9) rejoice in the Final Grand Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven, the people on the earth below enter into the period of the final week of Daniel's prophecy of Seventy Weeks (Dan.9:27). Among the people left behind on this earth will be many members of the Body of Christ who have refused, or have failed, to hear, believe and receive the Message of God for this age. They failed to walk in the Light of the Word because they did not carry oil (Holy Spirit) in their vessels to feed their lamps (life and testimony of their faith) in preparation to meet their Lord. Because they have failed to cloth themselves with THE SPIRIT and THE WORD, they will not be granted to be arrayed in “fine linen, clean and white”. Thus, they will not be caught away in the 'rapture' for the Grand Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This group of Christians are the Foolish Virgins spoken of by Jesus Christ in His parable in Matthew 25:1-13. They will be left behind because of their foolish attitude towards the Word of Truth. They are not the denominational tares, for the tares are ordained for the burning. They are those who have heard the messages of separation and of Christ's return and have separated from Church-ism and its system. They are the separatists, the independents and even the so-called Endtime Message believers. But like the Sadducees, they are carnal minded and are unwilling to come to grips with the Sacred Scriptures and to acknowledge the Word of Truth (Matthew 22:29). They just hold on to their religious beliefs and teachings of their denomination churches. World Council of Churches. They would even compromise with the spirit of error just to please certain people. Truly, their white robes are stained with carnalities, false doctrines and teachings of men, but they do not know it. Therefore, they will need to be purged in the Great Tribulation and give their lives as a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev.7:9-17; cf. Eph.5:27). And after the Great Tribulation, the multitude of martyred Christians will be resurrected together with the martyred Jews who had faithfully held the testimony of the Word of Yahweh (Rev.20:1-5, cf. 6:9-11). Both groups will present themselves before the Thrones of Christ and all those raptured “blessed” saints. Then, as One Body and Bride, they will all reign with Christ a thousand years. Hence, the Apostle John wrote: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).
● Yes, “the second death hath no power” over those who shall be raised to life in the First Resurrection, for all the souls in this first resurrection will receive immortal life and will not be judged nor condemned. They will all be worthy to put on a Glorified Body and be a part of the Body and Wife of the Lord Jesus Christ to rule with Him for a thousand years. And after the thousand years, the rest of the dead would be raised and be judged at the Great White Throne. Read Revelation 20:11-15 and Daniel 7:9-10. This is the resurrection which the Apostle Paul sought to avoid, when he said: “If by any means I might attain to the 'out-resurrection' (or earlier resurrection) from among the dead” (Phil.3:11, Greek text). He sought to be part of the First Resurrection because “Blessed and Holy is he who hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and they shall reign with Him a thousand years.”
●In the Second Resurrection, the Second Death will have the power to claim life as it is stated that “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” But “whosoever” whose name is found written in the “Book of Life” is given Eternal Life. This is a fact that none can deny. This is the resurrection where two groups of people will stand in judgement, and one group shall be given eternal life and the other shall face the second death. This is the general resurrection which Jesus spoke about when He said: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (Jhn.5:28-29). The dead are judged “according to their works” which are recorded in the “books of works” which Apostle John saw open at the Great White Throne Judgement (Rev.20:12-13) and all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life would then be cast into the Lake of fire.
ELECTION
But who are those people whose names are written in the Book of Life? They are those Elected Ones who had a certain FAITH-relationship with God and His Word. A good example was Cornelius, a devout Gentile, who definitely did not worship idols, but one who feared God (see Acts 10). As a Gentile, he obviously did not know about the God of Abraham, otherwise he would have been circumcised and be a proselyte of Judaism. Yet, God showed His Grace to Cornelius and gave him the Gospel. Cornelius was indeed a blessed person. For others who do not have this privilege, either because they lived outside the scope of Bible lands, or Bible time, God's election will still stand (Rom.9:11 cf. 11:2-8). Read Genesis 18:25; Proverbs 11:18-19,30; 14:32; Psalms 58:11 and 112:5-7. However, among those who have that FAITH-relationship with God, many will still have their names removed or blotted out; for some have turned from God to idols (Exod.32:30-34; Ezek.3:20; 18:24,26; 33:18), others have rejected the very Messiah that they claimed they believed (Psalm 69:21-28), and those who, in the process of time, would reject the Word of Truth and pay homage to the Beast or its Image (Rev.13:8). Consider these words of Jesus: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Those whose names are not blotted out are like those “sheep” people (described in Matthew 25:31-46) whom our Gracious Lord Jesus will judge at the end of the Great Tribulation, and give them Life to enter into the Age of Regeneration. Remember that these righteous souls who stand in the Great White Throne Judgement are not Holy Ghost Filled Christians of the Church Ages (otherwise they would have followed the Message for their ages and be resurrected together with the Endtime living saints at the Coming of Christ), nor are they Holy People like Moses, Abraham, Sarah in the Old Testament time who had a deep and intimate FAITH-relationship with God and were led by the Word and Spirit of God.
Now, consider this question of Paul: “Have ye received the Holy Ghost SINCE you believed?” (Acts 19:2). Notice that Paul was addressing the believers of the Gospel. Truly, there were many Gospel believers like them throughout the ages, who had never received the Holy Spirit. They believed the Gospel, repented of their sins, and were sanctified by the Spirit, but did not have the INDWELLING PRESENCE of the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14:17; Mark 1:15; John 1:12-13; 20:31; Romans 10:8-13). Without the indwelling presence of the Spirit, many were as carnal as Hymenaeus, Philetus and Alexander. They wandered away from the Truth and blasphemed God (1 Tim.1:20; 2 Tim.2:17 cf. Heb.10:38-39; 1 Cor.3:1). Yes, like Judas Iscariot, many were anointed; like the worshippers of old who offered sacrifices for their sins, many were justified; and like a filthy vessel made clean, many were sanctified; but they have not received the Holy Spirit. They were not filled with the Holy Spirit. Therefore they will all be judged “according to their works” (cf. 1 Cor.10:11-15), and “whosoever” was found written in the “Book of Life” would be given Eternal Life “that the purpose of the election of God might stand.” And this group of souls that is redeemed and given eternal life will also have immortal bodies. They will be a part of that HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM as is revealed in Paul's words: “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 [Greek: paneguris – all-assembly] and church [Greek: ekklesia] of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Hebrews 12: 22-23). Amen.
HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM
— THE TABERNACLE OF GOD
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
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 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.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
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.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
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 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 show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,”
– Revelation 21:2-10
Time, as we know it, will end when the Eighth Day (Eternal Age) begins, but earthly seasons as governed by the sun, moon and stars will continue according to the courses which God had set for them since the beginning when He created and made them (Gen.1:14-18). The NEW HEAVEN and NEW EARTH will replace the present ones. God will make all things new. The HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, which is the (Bride-)Wife of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, will come down out of Heaven from God to the New Earth. Within her dwells the Almighty God. She is the Tabernacle of God, the Holy City of God. The Shekinah Glory of the Eternal One dwelling in His First Begotten, Who dwells in His Redeemed and Glorified People, brings the whole of His Heavenly City upon the New Earth that He may dwell with a people. This Holy City, New Jerusalem, which Abraham had looked for, started with a Sure Foundation Stone, Jesus Christ, Who was the Temple of Almighty God. Then, lively stones were collected and houses built around It. More houses were built to form the City which was called the Body of Christ. Paul called It the Bride of Christ. However, Jesus simply called it “My Father's house”.
What the Patriarch Abraham looked for, the Apostle John saw it. Yes, the Holy City, New Jerusalem will be completed when the Eighth Day dawns. And God will tabernacle in It and live among the natural people and be “their God”. This natural people comprises those who will be redeemed out of the earth for they will not succumb to the deception of Satan after his release at the end of the Millennial Age of Regeneration. Because of their faithfulness and obedience to the Law of the Righteous One, they will be saved from the fire of the wrath of God which shall be poured upon those who shall join forces with Satan to rebel and lay siege against the saints of God and His beloved city, the earthly Jerusalem. As nations of faithful and obedient people, they will be granted to live eternally in the New Heaven and New Earth. Read Revelation 20:7-10; 21:24,26; 22:2. Hence, there will be two types of people living in the New Earth: the Redeemed Saints with Glorified Bodies, who will make up the Holy City, and the Redeemed People of the Age of Regeneration with Natural Bodies.
The Apostle John was carried away in the spirit to “a great and high mountain” to see that Heavenly Great City, the Holy Jerusalem, just as Prophet Ezekiel was carried in his spirit (in his days) to “a very high mountain” where he was shown the Temple and the City of David (Ezek.40:2). Recall that this term signifies a supreme position of great authority and awe. This is the great heavenly position that the Glorified Wife of Christ shall sit with Christ, for the Almighty God and the Lamb will dwell in her (cf. Eph.1:3,19; 2:6). Yes, as a Queen she will sit, even as she will sit with Christ in the Age of Regeneration. The Word of the Lord is clear when it stated that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is “the bride, the Lamb's wife”. And we know that “the bride, the Lamb's wife” is the Redeemed and Glorified Saints of Christ. No, beloved, do not for a moment think that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is a literal city. God does not live in a house made with hands. Read Mark 14:58, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2, Hebrews 9:11 and 10:5. Ask yourself these questions: How could a literal city be the Lamb's Wife? Does not the Scriptures clearly teach that the Elect are the Bride of the Lamb? God is a Spirit. He is Holy and dwells in Light. God does not need a literal house, or city, to live in or else He would have built one in the Garden of Eden in the beginning. Some may feel that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is a literal city of mansions created for the Saints to live in. But what use is a mansion of gold with several rooms to a Glorified Saint? Is there really such a need for it when the Saints themselves possess a far better body than the Angelic beings, a body like our Lord Jesus Christ, which is spiritual and is not bound by the elements of the earth? Think: did Adam and Eve need to live in a house made with hands before the Fall?
Now, all examples in the Old Testament followed the Heavenly patterns. They were shadows of the Heavenly things (Heb.8:5). Hence, the Heavenly New Jerusalem, the Wife of the Lamb of God, the Tabernacle of God is the House (the Abode) of God! Amen. Through her the Almighty God will live among the natural people in the New Earth “and be their God”. And there will be no more sorrow, crying, pain or death.
ITS GLORY
“Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;”
– Revelation 21:11
As foreshadowed in the Tabernacle of Moses and the Temple of Solomon, the Holy City, New Jerusalem will also have the Glory of God in her. The Glory of God is God's Word. And It is given unto her for a covering. Yes, Christ the Word is given unto the Saints for a Covering, a Defence and a Protection.
Let me interject here the importance of the prophetic invitation which John wrote in Revelation 22:17: “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” We know that THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT ARE ONE (John 6:63; Ephesians 6:17). Notice, it is not stated that “the Spirit and the Word say, Come”, but rather “the Spirit and the Bride say, Come”. Now, where is the Word? Is It not in the Bride? If the Bride has the Word, then she has to be One with the Word in order that she can be called the Wife of the Lamb. Yes, the Bride has to get into the “chuppah” (Hebrew term for “marriage chamber”) of the Word and be One with Christ, the Word Himself. This is the evening time. The invisible union of the Heavenly Word(-Groom) and the Earthly Bride must now take place and that they be one. The Bride must carry the Word to fulfill this prophetic words: “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come.” Now, since the revelation of this Mystery of the Holy City, New Jerusalem has already been made known, what time are we at now? Yes, even now this prophetic utterance is becoming a reality as the Word and Bride become One. Are you a part of the Bride(-Wife)?
The Apostle John noticed that “her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal”. This signifies that there is no flaw, defilement, evil, nor spot of any kind in the Lamb's Wife. Obviously, for she is One with the Word. She has received the Seed of the Word and is Fruitful. What's more, It is a light, clear as crystal, that penetrates deep into the recesses of her soul and spirit (cf. Heb.4:12). She is beautiful, precious, valuable and attractive in the eyes of her Lord, Master and God.
ITS DIMENSION
“And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
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 in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.”
– Revelation 21:12-17
The great and high wall of any literal city is built to protect its people from any attack by the enemy as well to keep the enemy out. Spiritually, this typifies the Lamb's Wife having God's Covering, Defence and Protection, and also the “unclean” who will not have any part in the Holy City of God — “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without (outside) are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Revelation 22:14-15).
A “golden reed” was used to measure the City, the gates and the wall. The “golden reed” was God's divine yardstick of flawless perfection — without stain of sin, without deceit, and without misrepresentation. What God had ordained, He carried it out precisely. Now, the wall measured 144 cubits. The number 144 is the amplification of the number 12; 12 times 12 are 144. And the number 12 is an extremely significant number in Scriptures. It is the number of the chosen ones in relation to governmental perfection. In the Old Testament, God called the descendants of Abraham, Israel, as a chosen nation of people. In the New Testament, He called sinners, both Jews and Gentiles, to repentance at the Cross of Christ that they might be a chosen body of people — the Church. We find 12 Princes (for there were 12 tribes of Israel) and 12 chosen Apostles who are the foundations of the Church. There are 12 gates on the wall around the City with the names of the 12 tribes inscribed on them. There are 3 gates on each of the four sides; north, east, south and west, signifying that the Redeemed Saints are completely gathered from the four corners of this present earth. (3 denotes completeness.) But the names of the tribes are not mentioned although they will be found on the gates of the (literal) city of Jerusalem in the Age of Regeneration (Ezekiel 48:31-34). This is another fact which proves that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is not a literal city with literal gates. The 12 gates point to the 12 principalities (the authority of the princes) of Israel, for it was unto the children of Israel that the Oracles Of God were committed (Acts 7:38; Romans 3:1-2). The Word was brought to them through God's prophets. To be a part of this Holy City, one must enter through its gates for there is no other way to get into God's House, God's Family. The 12 tribes of Israel had THE WORD. Then the 12 Apostles, who were all Jews, was each given a special “Stone” for the works they were ordained to do. Being a part of the Rock of Ages, they had the “Rock of Revelation” concerning Christ Jesus Who was the Mystery of God revealed to the world. Their “Stones” were strong and solid. Their revelations of THE WORD were true. And their “Stones” formed the foundations (or footings) of the Holy City. (They were laid in such a manner that there was one each between the three gates of each wall and the four corners. Hence, the interwoven relationship between the Old and the New Testaments.) Upon these foundations more houses were built in the Holy City and God's Family was enlarged. Nothing could tear away their foundations. They could not be destroyed. Their Apostolic revelations of the Oracles of God were secured to the One Sure Foundation Stone — Christ the Word, the Rock of Ages! (Isaiah 28:16). Hence, the number 144, being the amplification of the number 12, signifies that the Elect of God (the Holy City) have the Oracles of God, which were first given to the 12 tribes of Israel, and the foundations of the 12 Apostles. Simply, the Elect of God have the Apostolic Foundation of the Prophetic Word. Amen.
That the Holy City, New Jerusalem is perfect and chosen of God is again shown by the number 12 in the measurement of the CITY, which “lieth foursquare”, that is, the length and the breadth are equal, 12,000 furlongs by 12,000 furlongs. The height is also 12,000 furlongs. [Note: The word “foursquare” does not include the measurement of height. Many Christians believe otherwise because of the second statement in Revelation 21:16. Hence, they believe that the Holy City is shaped like a cube and give the interpretation that it is thus complete and perfect in God. However, observe what is stated in the first statement: “And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth”, that is, the City has four equal sides and is square in shape. The word “foursquare” means “four sides equal and square in shape”. It does not mean a cube. See Exodus 30:2; 37:25; 39:8-9.] In Bible numerology, 3 denotes completeness, whereas 4 denotes the earth. Hence, the uniform measurement of length, breadth and height speaks of completeness, and the four equal sides show us that the Lamb's Wife is redeemed out of the four corners of the earth. (Remember the one river which split into four heads after leaving the Garden of Eden and flowed out into the “world”?)
Now, what does the measurement of height of this City tell us? Simply this: the Holy City, New Jerusalem is not a literal city! Have we ever been told of the height of any city in the world? The size of a city is only measured by the surface area it occupies. You just don't measure its height; for how will you measure it? The tallest building? (If so, to what purpose does it serve?) And since the New Jerusalem is 12,000 furlongs (about 1,500 miles) high, is the measurement that of the tallest building? Of course, not! Therefore, the dimension of its length, breadth and height shows us the volume of its size, giving us an idea of the large number who are redeemed and clothed with Glorified Bodies. (Notice the number of times the number 12,000 is used — 3 times 12,000. This tells us of the completeness of the Holy City and the perfection of God's control, rule or government.) However, for those who insist that the Holy City is literal, and looks like a cube, and that it will either replace the city of Jerusalem or hang over it, consider the size of the City: 12,000 furlongs by 12,000 furlongs (or 1,500 miles by 1,500 miles). The city of Jerusalem in Biblical time was roughly 1 mile by 1 mile. Today it is roughly 7 miles by 6 miles. In the Age of Regeneration, the city will measure 12 miles by 12 miles. If the Holy City, in the New Heaven and New Earth, is literal, how will it fit into the locality of the Land of Israel? Of course it can't, because the actual boundary of the land will no longer exist in the New Earth. That ought to tell us something. Then again, what about the height of the City? With its height of about 1,500 miles, some 500 miles of it will be sticking out of the earth's atmosphere. [The troposphere is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. It extends from Earth's surface to an average height of about 12 km (7.5 mi; 39,000 ft),][Atmosphere of Earth here] And would the “throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1) be somewhere in that highest area of the City? Beloved, do not forget that the natural people in the New Earth do not have supernatural bodies. They will be like Adam and Eve before their fall. They will need oxygen to breathe. (Without special equipment, breathing is already impossible even at an altitude of 10 miles. Air thins out with increase altitude.) Hence, how are they going to approach the Throne of the Lord in that great height? Now, some of you may be childish enough to think that God could do this or do that to make things possible, like increasing the height of the atmosphere. Yes, that is possible, but God does not break His ordained order of things which He has already created perfectly “good” as recorded in the Book of Genesis. Every star, every planet and everything in the whole universe has been perfectly set on course with its weight and volume perfectly measured out (Job 28:24-27; Isaiah 40:12). God never makes mistake. He's a Great Scientist. Therefore, God does not have to alter the weight and volume of anything which He has already created upon the earth.
Now, in a given dimension of any city there is no measurement of its height. The height of the Holy City, New Jerusalem is given to draw our attention to the shape of the Pyramid. Now, the Pyramid is the only structure that has a Headstone besides the Cornerstone. The Headstone is the 'Capping Stone' (or Capstone) on the top of the Pyramid. The Great Pyramid of Giza was never capped with the Headstone. ( click here)[According to the Pyramidologists, some of the descendants of Seth, probably in the generation of Enoch, who migrated to Egypt and were called the 'shepherd kings' by the Egyptians, were the builders of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. It was not built to be a tomb. (The Egyptians later copied the structure and built pyramids for the purposes of worship and entombment of their dead Pharaohs.) They believe that the Great Pyramid is the Gospel of God in stones. The detailed structures inside that pyramid tell the “Gospel Story” of the Prince of Darkness and his Bottomless Pit, of the Fall of mankind, of the Call of a Chosen People, Israel, being the Queen of the One Who has chosen her, of the Law Age, of the Grace (Gospel) Age, of the Risen King, of His Coming Judgement, and etc. The four equal sides of the Great Pyramid were covered with casing stones which reflected the light of the sun like polished glass.] Consider these Scriptures:
“Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
– Isaiah 28:16
“Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
– 1 Peter 2:6
“Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
– 1 Peter 2:7-8 (cf. Psm.118:22; Matt.21:42; Isa.8:14)
“Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.”
– Zechariah 4:7
Architecturally the 'Capstone' on the top of the Pyramid is the only corner stone which binds together all the other corners as well as the walls of the structure. Hence, the “Head of the corner” and the “Chief corner stone”. Christ Jesus is not just the Foundational Corner Stone, He is also the Head Stone. (The word “chief corner stone” is “akrogoniaios” in Greek, where “akron” means the “highest, extreme, tip, top, uttermost part” and “gonia” means “corner, angle”.) It is in this Rock that we as lively stones are built as a habitation of God. He is the One Who binds our lives together as a whole: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph.2:20-22). Yes, the Stone has become a great and high Mountain (cf. Daniel 2). [Notice that a mountain looks like a pyramid, and not a cube. A pyramidal structure is very stable. Its cannot be pushed or moved out of shape. A cube is not so. If one of its sides is pushed it will no longer be a cube.]
THE
ECHELON OF
RULES AND AUTHORITIES
Looking at the Holy City, New Jerusalem in the shape of the PYRAMID, we begin to understand the mystery of God concerning Himself. The Word of God is the pivotal point in which all things evolve and consist, and It is hidden in God Himself (John 1:1-4). And He chose to reveal the Mystery of the Hidden Word in His Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Col.1:15-19). Christ the Lord is God's ultimate conception by which God's ultimate intention is to dwell in a Spiritual Tabernacle of People as well as to dwell with a natural people upon the earth. God wants a House and He wants a Family. And it is in and through the Headstone that He seeks to bring about that House and Family for Himself.
Of the pyramidal structure, it is certainly the great archetype of the finished Holy City and is symbolic of our Lord and His Wife as the government of the New Earth. We cannot help but recognize that Yahweh, the Founder and Builder, has designed and ordained a divine echelon of rules and authorities within His Holy City, New Jerusalem. Though all the saints are God's children, yet each of them is rewarded differently. Whatever the position a saint is placed, it is his, or her, reward according to the order of the scheme as predestinated by the foreknowledge of God. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office” (Rom.12:4). Basically, all classes of saints are ranked according to their standing with THE WORD of God of Whom they have to give an account (Matt.18:23; Rom.14:12; 1 Cor.3:8,11-15; Rev.22:12). Hence, what do we see within the echelon of rules and authorities? At the Apex of the pyramidal echelon we see Christ, the Head Stone. He is the Peak of the “great and high mountain”. And together with the natural people upon the New Earth, we must all look up to Him with reverence, for by Him will the earth be redeemed unto the Father. The level below the Peak will be the “Four and Twenty Elders” followed by the 'First Class' Saints – the Church of the Firstborn – of each Church Age. Obviously the “Foolish Virgins” and the “Faithful Jews”, who will die for their faith in the Great Tribulation, should be in the next level in the echelon. Those of the “General Assembly” who will be given Eternal Life at the Great White Throne Judgement in the Second Resurrection will occupy the lowest level of the echelon.
BABYLON THE GREAT CITY
Saints, if we have the Truth and have been continually walking in the Light of God, we would have recognized what Satan, the Adversary of God, has been doing throughout the ages since the beginning of Man. Whatever God does, Satan impersonates. By so doing he seeks to confuse mankind and trap them in the false hope of salvation. In the days after the Flood, he inspired Cush and his son, Nimrod, to build a city and a religious tower to keep the people from migrating. The city is in the Land of Shinar (Gen.10: 8-10; 11:1-4). It was called Babel, or Babylon as is now commonly known. Nimrod was Satan's headstone in his religious building within the literal city of Babel. Of course, what Satan had done was not a coincidence. He must have known to a certain degree what God had planned to do. God chose a people (Israel) to inherit a land (Canaan) with a city (Jerusalem) where the centre of worship (Tabernacle of God) was located. Observe that Satan's religion was in the city of Babylon and God's religion was in the city of Jerusalem. But these two cities were types of the spiritual cities of “Mystery, Babylon the Great” and “Holy City, New Jerusalem”, respectively, as prophetically revealed in the Book of Revelation.
Bible believers who have the prophetic revelation of God's Holy Word would clearly understand that “Mystery, Babylon the Great” refers to that great antichrist city of the great Roman Catholic Church and her organisations. It is the (Bride-)Wife of Satan. Read Revelation 17-18. To the world, she is called by another name — Vatican City (in Rome). How big is this city on earth? Certainly it is not restricted to only an area of square mile ( square kilometre) with a population of a thousand people. No. She sits on “many waters” – the millions of faithful citizens around the whole world – who pledge allegiance to her (Rev.17:1). That's the true size of the so-called 'Holy City of Rome'. Unlike the Holy City, New Jerusalem which comes down from Heaven, the City of Mystery Babylon comes up from the bottomless pit (Rev.9:2). Being from the bottomless pit this great city has no foundation (no bottom, no base) and is full of filth. Without a foundation therefore it does not have any measurement. This shows that her many buildings (the people who trusted in her) have no (real) hope but, for supports and coverings, are just grabbing the air of every wind of doctrine which proceeds from her headstone, the Pope. Though she has millions upon millions of people in her city, she will one day be destroyed. Read Revelation 18. Since the 4th Century, her primary aim has been to gain power over all nations of the earth. [Contrary to popular belief, Communism is not the main threat to the world, Catholicism is. According to Bible prophecies, the great City of Mystery Babylon would be destroyed by the beast with ten horns — Euro-Communism (Rev.13: 1-3; 17:16-18; 18:2,10,16,20-21).]
Satan's Mystery, Babylon the Great, his so-called “Holy City”, is just as 'beautiful' as God's Holy City, New Jerusalem. As the wife of Satan, she is clothed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls. Yes, to the eyes of her beholder, she is a real beauty. And Satan tries to pass her off as God's Wife to deceive the Elect. But for the golden cup of abominations and filthiness of her fornication in her hand, Satan would have succeeded. But thank God, for He has given us the spirit of revelation to discern the Jezebel spirit in the great Whore, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth ! However, all those who have sought refuge and sanctuary for their souls in this religious City of Mystery, Babylon the Great will learn too late that it is nothing but a cage of unclean birds, a habitation of devils and a hold of every foul spirit.
THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD
“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”
– Revelation 21:18-21
Truly, no word could ever describe the beautiful Holy City of God. How could it ever be, for its true spiritual beauty could only be felt and understood by the inner man. Hence, beautiful and precious substances were used to describe the Holy City. The Holy City is perfectly built according to the Heavenly Pattern in the Mind of God, and there is no flaw in the Wife of the Lamb (vv.9,15-17, cf. Deut.32:4; 2 Chr.8:16; Heb.13:21) for she is foreknown of God and predestinated as such (cf.Eph.1; Heb.4:3).
Notice that the wall was jasper. Pure jasper stone is translucent or even transparent and clear. Such a wall reflects the saints of God as having a flawless covering of the Holy Spirit of the Lord, but their lives are open books to be read of all men. There is nothing in the saints that needs to be hidden from the eyes of the world. Even the City was of “pure gold, like unto clear glass” showing us that through fiery trials she has been purged of every dross until she is as clear as glass (cf. 1 Cor.3:11-17; 1 Pet.1:7; 2:5). Yes, it is divinity in the redeemed. She is perfect in all her faith. And with the Glory of God, which is THE WORD, the Light shining in and through her would surely blend together as One Clear Light (cf.Rev.21:11). Notice also that “the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” This was exactly the kind of street which the saints had walked upon in their lives and they will continue to walk upon it in the New Earth. Since time immemorial, the Only (One) Way to the Heavenly Father has been the One Who is The Truth, The Life, and The Way. He is The Word of God, The Glory of God, and The Golden Street of God.
Precious stones are produced by a process of tremendous pressure, heat and other elements. The brightness and beauty of the twelve different foundation stones of various colours of red, blue, white, green, and golden yellow reflect the heavenly and holy characters of the saints who have been purchased by the precious blood of the Son of God, their eternal praises and divine blessings. And these are the Truths which their Apostolic Fathers had taught and even laid down their lives for them. Hence, each of the twelve stones exemplifies the beauty and splendor of the sacrificial life of that Apostle.
Pearl symbolizes suffering under pressure brought about by 'irritants'. The twelve gates, being twelve pearls, which represent the twelve princes of Israel, have undergone many sufferings as they bore the Name and the Word of Yahweh until the appointed time when they shall bring forth the Manchild of the Lord, their Messiah. They suffered many afflictions brought upon them by the Adversary of God of the nations round about them. Under such conditions, they have become precious and priceless pearls in God's sight. Yes, God will always bring out the best in His people through the 'irritants' of trials and sufferings inflicted upon them by the enemies.
See Graphic.
THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY CITY
“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”
– Revelation 21:22
Moses, the Deliverer of the children of Israel, was instructed by God to build the Tabernacle according to the pattern shown to him on the mountain (Ex.25:40; Heb.8:5). From the simple Tabernacle of Moses, it grew in stature through the ages in the form of the Temple of Solomon and what is yet to be seen of the Temple in the Millennial Reign of Christ. All these reflected the Glory of God in Christ Jesus and in the Saints, thus fulfilling the True Tabernacle, THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, that was in the Mind of God before the foundation of the world was laid. Hence, Apostle John saw no Temple other than the Temple that was Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God! Christ is the Temple of God. God and Christ are One. Amen! “The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple” of the Holy City, New Jerusalem (cf. Jhn.17:20-26).
“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.”
– Revelation 21:23
Though the sun, moon and stars exist, the Glorified Saints, the New Jerusalem do not need their light, for the Lamb of God, the Word of God, the Pillar of Fire, is the Light in her. God is Light (1 Jhn.1:5). He dwells in Light (1 Tim.6:16). (Up to this point in our study, we should be convinced by the revelation of the Word that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is definitely not a literal city but the Glorified Saints whom the Lord God dwells in. Spiritual saint could not be so blind as to see it otherwise.) The “glory of God” is the Word of God, and the Word is tabernacled in the Lamb who is the Temple of the Holy City. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men…That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (Jhn.1:4,9 cf. 8:12; Isa.60:19; Psm.36:9).
“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 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."
– Revelation 21:24-26
During the Millennial Reign of Christ, the Age of Regeneration (Matt.19:28), the population of the earth would be replenished with the descendants of the nations of “sheep” people (Matt.25:31-46). These people would have to obey the Law and the Word of the Lord for their cleansing and 'de-hybridizing' of their fallen nature (cf. Psm.119:9; Jhn.15:3). Immediately after that period of one thousand years, Satan would be released from his prison to try the populace who, for the days of their lives, have never known testing, trial or temptation. Many would reject the Law and the Word of God and join Satan in his rebellion against God to gain power, thus ending up in the Lake of Fire (Rev.20:7-10). The remnant of the nations of people who will take side with the Lord's Christ shall be saved from the evil seduction of Satan. When they hold fast to the Word, they will not only be saved from destruction, but will also be purged and 'de-hybridized' of their fallen nature. And they shall walk by the precious Light which illuminates from THE TABERNACLE OF GOD, THE HOLY CITY, which is the GLORIFIED SAINTS, who will be placed throughout the New Earth. Truly, unlike the city of Jerusalem whose gates had to be shut at night to keep its inhabitants safe, God's doors (gates) need not be shut for there will be no night in the Holy City as He is the Light which shall light up every Glorified Saint to give Life to all the nations of the earth. The national rulers (or leaders) of the earth shall bring adoration, praise, splendor, reverence, tribute, homage, etc, of their nations to the Holy City.
“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.”
– Revelation 21:27
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Holy City, New Jerusalem is the Holy and Glorified Wife of the Lamb! She is the Everlasting Father's House, and no sin can enter, for all sinners shall have their part in the Lake of Fire. For one to become a citizen and be a part of that Holy City, one has to receive the Word and be born again during the Gospel Age. Once that age is over, those who could survive the Great Tribulation and be judged as “sheep” would be given life to repopulate the earth in the Age of Regeneration (Matt.25:31-46 cf. Rev.13:8). Out of that thousand years of regeneration only those whose names are in the Book of Life will be saved. And since these natural people are purged and sanctified by the Word, they will have the right to enter into the Holy City, bringing into it their glory and honour. However, they will not have the right to be citizens of the City.
THE (LAMB'S) BOOK OF LIFE
The “(Lamb's) Book of Life” is not a literal register book in which a record of names is kept and updated through the ages of time. Some preachers teach that when a person receives the Lord Jesus as Saviour, his name is then written in the book. This is contrary to the statement found in Revelation 17:8 — “whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world”. God is Omnipotent and Omniscient. Hence, He knows the life of each person upon the earth even before the foundation of the world was laid (cf. Acts 15:18). The “Book of Life” actually points to “The Word” which was with God in the beginning. It was by THE WORD that the Heavens and Earth came into existence. And it is through Christ Jesus that THE WORD of God is revealed to the world. THE WORD tabernacled in Christ Jesus as a Holy Epistle (Book) of Life to be read of all men. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jhn.14:6). “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 Jhn.5:11). “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (Jhn.5:39). One must receive Him in order to be identified with Him and be One with Him Who is THE WORD — Yahweh. In so doing, one becomes a part of THE WORD of Life and, in turn, an epistle to be read of all men, too. Hence, one's name is thus said to be in the “Book of Life”.
However, LIFE, as God wills it, has different degrees of glory in the different bodies it dwells in. “The glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another” (1 Cor.15:40b). “There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (1 Cor.15:44b). Christ Jesus, the last Adam, Who being God and Man, came to fulfill the Redemption Plan of God and to bring about a Spiritual Glorified Family of Sons and Daughters of God unto the Heavenly Father, and also to redeem the Earth and restore it back to its original state, as it was in the beginning, for a Natural People like the first Adam. The Gospel Age is a part of God's Great Eternal Plan by which He could call, justify, and glorify a people whom He had foreknown before the foundation of the world (Rom.8:30). The Everlasting Father had predestinated these people to be His children, to be His Glorious Family, each being clothed with a spiritual body like that of His Only Begotten Son. On the other hand, God had foreordained a percentage of the natural people who would live in the Age of Regeneration. They are those who will not be deceived by Satan when he is released from his bondage after a thousand years. They will be restored back to the position of that first man, Adam, who in the natural body would have lived forever if he had not sinned. Though they are not a part of God's Glorified Family of sons and daughters, they will still be His People and God will be their God. As God dwells with a natural people upon the New Earth in the Eternal Age, the GLORY of the spiritual Lamb's Wife, the Tabernacle of God, the HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM will be manifested. “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” (Rev.21:3).
THE WATER STREET — THE ONE AND ONLY WAY
“And he showed 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.”
– Revelation 22:1-2
Notice that the “pure river of water of life” does not flow in any specific direction. The Spirit of revelation once again draws our attention to the Truth that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is the Lamb's Wife, and is not a literal city. All literal rivers tend to flow in a specific direction. In the time of Adam and Eve, there was a river which flowed from Eden eastward through the Garden. Prophet Ezekiel said that there will be water flowing from under the threshold of the Millennial Temple and it will flow eastward, and on both sides of the river there will be many trees. If the New Jerusalem is literal, then the river must also be literal, and to be scripturally and prophetically consistent the river must flow eastward. Isn't that logical? However, would it be possible for natural water to flow from a height of 1,500 miles in space where there is no water vapour? And if water does come down from that height, how will it flow? Would God create a mountain 1,500 miles high for the water to flow down, or will He just let the water splash onto the earth and create a lake? What about “the street”? Would not a literal city have a network of many streets ?
Christians tend to think that because we have a supernatural God we ought to think supernaturally. Well, that is true. But supernatural does not mean something 'Walt Disney', or something magical. Yet, that is what many Christians are drifting into. They are actually fantasizing. Do you know that the natural things we see around us are in fact supernatural? Look closely around you, and if you care to see, you will notice that they are all ordained by God to obey certain sets of laws. These laws are God's supernatural, divine laws. But because we accept them the way they are we consider them natural. Because they have become part of our lives, we take them for granted. Beloved, God does not break His own laws. He fulfills them.
As I have mentioned, the NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH will be an EDEN. Everything will be made new — in God's ways. Everything that ever was in the Mind of God before He set forth to accomplish them in the beginning would have been finished by then. Everything would be as He wanted them to be. Even His commandment to Adam: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…” would be fulfilled as the New Earth comes into existence. And by then when the earth is replenished with natural people, whose number is known only to God, there will be no more birth in the New Earth. Yes, there will be plenty of land. Everywhere there will be greeneries, fresh clean air all around, rivers of fresh crystal clear water and fruit trees in abundance. And natural man will no longer eat meat. There will be no city of skyscrapers, highways, factories and motor vehicles; there will be no man-made machinery or 'hi-tech' equipment that will pollute the air or the water, no airplane, no ocean liner; there will be no misappropriation or ravaging of any natural resources. Simply, all living and non living things will exist according to God's supernatural laws which have been violated in one way or another by mankind for some 6,000 years.
Now, we know where the Throne of God and of the Lamb is. It is clear from the Scriptures that it is in the Holy City, New Jerusalem. Did not our Lord Jesus say: “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you” (Jhn.14:20). Remember that the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, which is the Lamb's Wife, the Glorified Redeemed Saints (Rev.21:22). Yes, the Lamb's Wife is Yahweh's Resting Place even as He lives, walks, speaks and works through her (Acts 7:48-49). And she is scattered throughout the New Earth. Blessed be the Name of the Lord! And out of the Throne of the Eternal Presence of the Lord will flow a Pure River of Water of Life, clear as crystal — the holy and perfect soul quenching Spirit of Life. Read John 7:37-39. It will flow through one channel – “the street” – the One and Only Water Way — Christ, the Word of God! See? The Life (Grk: Zoe) of God in Christ Jesus in the Holy City, which is the Tabernacle of God, flowing out into the whole New Earth. The Water of Life is not stagnant in the Throne of God, It flows forth like a river. And right “in the midst” of the Pure River of Water of Life, and on both sides of It, is the Tree of Life.
Notice, it says a “Tree of Life” and not “many trees” as some preachers are trying to imply in order to support their teaching that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is the Millennial Temple. Now, what is the Tree of Life? It is none other than the Divine Law and Truth of God. Man must partake of the Spirit and the Word of God in order to live. The Spirit and the Word are One (cf. Jhn.3:5; 6:63). Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jhn.14:6). As the Pure River of Water of the Spirit of Life flows out into the New Earth of natural people, It carries with It the Divine Law and Truth of God, the Tree of Life, which is full of spiritual sap. (In the days of Adam and Eve, the Tree of Life was there in the midst of the Garden of Eden where the river of life flowed. And from the sap of this Tree of Life in the Presence of the Shekinah Glory, Adam and Eve partook daily of the Fruit of True Life until the Serpent deceived Eve with his knowledge of that other “tree”.) Everywhere It flows, It carries with It the Tree of Life “on either side of the river”. That is, no matter where a man dwells upon the New Earth in the Eternal Age, he will have access to that Spirit of Life to feed upon the Divine Law and Truth of God. He will not have to travel to any particular place or to 'cross over Jordan', so to speak, to receive It because the members of the Holy City, New Jerusalem will be scattered throughout the New Earth. The Lamb's Wife is One with the Tree of Life. In the Eternal Age, the life of each Glorified Saint would be filled with the twelve fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, virtue, knowledge and wisdom. Yes, the natural people have to eat of the Tree of Life eternally. In partaking of the Tree of Life, each individual will yield Its fruits (effects and results) faithfully throughout the twelve seasonal months. [Notice again the number 12 which represents perfect governmental rule, administration and control.] Even the leaves of the Tree of Life will be for the healing (blessings and graces) of the nations of people everywhere. Hence, the Divine Spirit and Word of God will be administered to the natural people in the New Earth that God's fruits might be brought forth in their lives for a continual bliss, even the healing – well-being and breaches – of the nations (cf. Psm.1:2-3; Prov.11:30; Jhn.15:8; Mal.4:2; Isa.30:26). Amen.
The Spirit and the Word are One, and they are Life and Blessing to all who feed upon them. They are soul-quenching and body-building. Truly, the Eternal Age will be one of eternal bliss as the Spirit and the Word cover the earth and integrate all nations of people together as a Family of the Living God. Blessed Be His Holy Name!
HIS FACE, HIS NAME, HIS LIGHT
“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.
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."
– Revelation 22:3-5
Saints of God, as long as this Pure River of Water of Life, together with Its Tree of Life, continues to flow from the Throne of God and of the Lamb that is in the Holy City, New Jerusalem, the nations of people, which are saved, shall benefit and shall continue to walk in the Light of the Life that they received, and shall pay homage of glory and honor to the Lord. There will be no more curse as the Devil and his horde of fallen angels are cast into the Lake which burn with fire and brimstone. As foreshadowed by the sons of Aaron (Ex.28:1) who ministered to God in the Sanctuary of the Tabernacle or Temple of old, and to His chosen people without, so shall we, the Glorified Saints of God, minister and serve the Lord in the Holy City, New Jerusalem, and reign over the nations of the people in the New Heaven and New Earth. And having His Name and Light in us, we shall reign with Him for ever and ever while beholding His lovely Face. Yes, in that day we shall say even as Jesus had said: “Our Father hitherto worked, so also His Christ, and now we work” (cf. Jhn.5:17). Work is a part of God's Eternal Plan.
Little Bride of Christ, little flock of the Lord, it is the Father's good pleasure to give unto us the revelation of Jesus Christ, even as He has given us the Kingdom of God. By it, the revelation that is given unto us, that we might truly understand that we are gods (Psm.82:6; Jhn.10:34), gods as true gods – sons and daughters – of the Living God, the Father of us all. For being born of His Spirit and His Word, Whose Spirit and Word abide in us (1 Jhn.4:13; 1 Pet:1:23), we could be nothing else but God's “begottens”. Now, those who cannot believe it, cannot receive it, and they shall all die like carnal men (cf. Psm.82:6-7). The carnal church world may try to dispute that and despise us. To them we are but a bunch of fanatics as they look at us through their world of so-called fundamental creeds and dogmas. No doubt, in the days of Jesus Christ, His disciples were a bunch of misguided people in the eyes of the truly religious denominational cults — the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Scribes. The carnal churches have failed to realize that they are nothing but denominational cults of various faiths, a cage of unclean birds heading back to their harlot mother — Papal Romanism !
Therefore, beloved, seeing the revelation of the beauty of this glorious Holy City, let us press towards it, walking faithfully in the Light of the Holy Baptism that we have received. For truly the Holy Spirit has purified us by faith, and has translated us into the Church of the Firstborn (not of the General Assembly – Heb.12:23), and even now, has endowed us with the power to be a part of that celestial regime. Yes, the hour is late, for the Spirit of prophecy has even declared: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Rev.22:11).
THE SPIRIT, THE WORD, AND THE BRIDE
Finally, the mystery of the settings in the Garden of Eden in the days of Adam and Eve, the Tabernacle that Prophet Moses built according to the pattern shown to him on Mount Sinai, the Temple that Solomon built and the Temple that will be built in the Millennial Age of Regeneration – all of which revealed the Shekinah Glory and the Presence of God “in the midst” – is revealed in this Heavenly Holy City, New Jerusalem, where “in the midst” of It dwells the Almighty God forever! There is Only One Place where the Living God has truly chosen to put His Holy Name — the Temple in the Holy City, New Jerusalem! (cf. 2 Chr.6:6; Neh.1:9). Amen! What our Father Abraham saw in his days of this City, which was not built by hands, was then “afar off”. But today, as his seeds, we see it being completed right before our very eyes. The mystery has now been revealed. Yes, we have the revelation of it. We no longer have to wonder and try to figure out what this Holy City is all about. Then, beloved, where are we at in the calendar of God's prophetic time ? Notice closely the Word at the closing of the Revelation of Jesus Christ:
“And The Spirit and The Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
– Revelation 22:17
Everywhere in the Scriptures we see that THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD ARE ONE (Zech.4:6; Jhn.1:1-2; Eph.6:17). But towards the end of the Book of Revelation, the Spirit of prophecy reveals that THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE ARE ONE. Do you see? If The Word is in The Bride, then The Word and The Bride have to be One. Hence, “The Spirit and The Bride say” because The Word is in The Bride! Amen. We ought to be One with the Spirit now since we have the revelation of the last two chapters of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It has to be so if we have been in the Marriage Chamber (Heb: Chuppah) of His Word, having heard and obeyed the Message of God's seventh and last Church Age Messenger, William M. Branham. Hence, the revelation of the Holy City, New Jerusalem! And now that this Truth is made known to the Elect, the hour is later than we dare to think.
“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.”
– Revelation 3:12
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
– Revelation 22:21
EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS !
THE
HOLY 
CITY
NEW JERUSALEM
Part 2
NEW HEAVEN, NEW EARTH, NEW JERUSALEM
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
– Revelation 21:1 cf. 21:5
After the natural people of the earth have been regenerated by the Word, the Millennial Age of Regeneration will end with a final testing of the inhabitants (Rev.20:7-8), followed by the Great White Throne Judgment, after which a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH will replace the present ones (2 Pet.3:5-7). (Remember that the Millennial Reign of Christ is an Age of Regeneration. Through that one thousand years God will redeem the earth and restore all things to the character of the original creation. God will remove all traces of sins through Christ and His (Bride-)Wife, and mankind will be taught the Ways of God by the Rod of Christ.)
With the New Heaven and New Earth, God will make all things new. The heaven (sky, atmosphere) will be completely cleansed of all its corruptions, such as putrid gases, destructive chemical agents, and every foul and polluting substance that exists in the air. The geographical surface of the earth will be completely altered. The large seas (oceans) of waters covering about 71% of the earth will cease to be there leaving only rivers, lakes and small seas of waters. Most surface waters will return to the firmament of the heaven to swaddle the earth (like a garment) to cool the earth as it was in the days before “the fountains of the great deep” were broken up and “the windows (floodgates) of heaven were opened” in the generation of Noah (Gen.7:11). There will be no city with the infrastructure of buildings, roads, etc, crowded with millions of people in it. Man-made things which destroy the environment one way or another will never exist in the Eternal Age of the New Heaven and New Earth. No man will live unto himself and for himself, for such was the cause which led to the Fall. Man will be one with the environment and be in harmony with all the creations of God. Nature and its products will be the essence of all life. Everything will exist according to the laws of the Tree of Life. No seed of discrepancy will ever exist again as it did in the days of Adam and Eve.
Yes, the whole earth will be a paradise, a delight, an Eden to the Lord God Almighty. The most beautiful and glorious thing that John saw was the NEW JERUSALEM, the Holy City of God. Beloved, note that whatever the New Earth will be, the HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM will occupy a pre- eminent place in the Eternal Age. All things will revolve around it, for she is the fulfillment of God's Ultimate Intention — His Family — born of His Ultimate Conception — the Monogene, the (Seed)Word — in the beginning. “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you” (Jhn.14:20).
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
– Revelation 21:2
As we have realized, the Holy City, New Jerusalem is the Redeemed People of all ages since the time of Adam right up to the end of the Great White Throne Judgement. And all these Redeemed People have Glorified Bodies. Just as a bride is prepared for her husband, so are the Redeemed also beautifully prepared from the very beginning of time to be the Spiritual Tabernacle of God. Now, this is the “very city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” that Abraham, the Father of our Faith had looked for. It will be completed after the Great White Throne Judgement. And after the New Heaven and New Earth are created, God will set the City upon the New Earth.
BRIDE OF CHRIST — LAMB'S WIFE
At this juncture, let me stress an important point concerning the FAITH-relationship of the Chosen and Redeemed People of God with God, their Redeemer. As a nation of chosen people, Israel was considered a Bride of the Lord (Isa.62:5; Jer.3:8). In the Gospel Dispensation, the Christians (the Church and Body of Christ) are also a Bride of the Lord. Both were united as one in the Cross of Jesus Christ. Read Ephesians 2-3. The building and making of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, the (Bride-) Wife of the Lord, began when THE SURE FOUNDATION STONE was laid upon the Cross at Calvary. However, the houses in this New Jerusalem are set up in stages. (Remember that this Holy City will appear only in the Eternal Age of the New Heaven and New Earth, and not before that. It will not even be found in the Age of Regeneration.) All those who are to be redeemed and given Glorified Bodies, whether they lived before or after the Cross, are the called out ones and are known by different names: Disciples of Jesus, Church, Body of Christ, Elect, Chosen, Saints, Beloved of God, etc. However, because Adam and Eve were set as a type of Christ and the Redeemed in the Garden of Eden, the term Bride of Christ, or the Lamb's Wife, is most suitably used to describe the relationship.
Now, the focus of any (ancient) city is its king's palace. In this case, it is the Temple and Tabernacle. Therefore, the Temple (Grk: naos, sanctuary proper) must first be built followed by the Tabernacle (Grk: skene, the whole building). Then, other houses are built around it (cf. Num.2). Thus, according to Saint Paul, even the resurrection of the saints will take place in phases: “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming” (1 Cor.15:23; cf. Rom.12:4; Rev.14:4). Now notice: prior to his visions of the Holy City (in Revelation 21), the Apostle John did not see the Holy City in Heaven. However, he saw the most important building of that Holy City in Heaven — the Temple of the Tabernacle of God (Rev.11:19a; 15:5,8a). This points to Christ (the Temple) being in the Redeemed (the Tabernacle) in Heaven. But this group of the Redeemed are only the “firstfruits” of Christ who are harvested out of the field of the world, for they are one with THE WORD in their days. “For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches” (Rom.11:16). These are the chosen members of His Body who heard what the Spirit of the Lord had said in their days. They believed and received the Promised Word of God. They are the Spirit-filled ones. We can say that they are the “wise” believers of every age who lived and walked in the Word all the way. They are truly one with the Word, and the Glory of the Lord God is in them. Hence, they are the only group of people who will be given “fine linen, clean and white” upon their resurrection to go into the Grand Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven.
“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”
– Revelation 19:6-9
While the members of the (Bride-)Wife of the Lamb (the “blessed” ones mentioned in Revelation 19:9) rejoice in the Final Grand Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven, the people on the earth below enter into the period of the final week of Daniel's prophecy of Seventy Weeks (Dan.9:27). Among the people left behind on this earth will be many members of the Body of Christ who have refused, or have failed, to hear, believe and receive the Message of God for this age. They failed to walk in the Light of the Word because they did not carry oil (Holy Spirit) in their vessels to feed their lamps (life and testimony of their faith) in preparation to meet their Lord. Because they have failed to cloth themselves with THE SPIRIT and THE WORD, they will not be granted to be arrayed in “fine linen, clean and white”. Thus, they will not be caught away in the 'rapture' for the Grand Marriage Supper of the Lamb. This group of Christians are the Foolish Virgins spoken of by Jesus Christ in His parable in Matthew 25:1-13. They will be left behind because of their foolish attitude towards the Word of Truth. They are not the denominational tares, for the tares are ordained for the burning. They are those who have heard the messages of separation and of Christ's return and have separated from Church-ism and its system. They are the separatists, the independents and even the so-called Endtime Message believers. But like the Sadducees, they are carnal minded and are unwilling to come to grips with the Sacred Scriptures and to acknowledge the Word of Truth (Matt.22:29). They just hold on to their religious beliefs and teachings of their churches. They would even compromise with the spirit of error just to please certain people. Truly, their white robes are stained with carnalities, false doctrines and teachings, but they do not know it. Therefore, they will need to be purged in the Great Tribulation and give their lives as a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ (Rev.7:9-17; cf. Eph.5:27). And after the Great Tribulation, the multitude of martyred Christians will be resurrected together with the martyred Jews who had faithfully held the testimony of the Word of Yahweh (Rev.20:1-5, cf. 6:9-11). Both groups will present themselves before the Thrones of Christ and all those raptured “blessed” saints. Then, as One Body and Bride, they will all reign with Christ a thousand years. Hence, the Apostle John wrote: “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Rev.20:6).
Yes, “the second death hath no power” over those who shall be raised to life in the First Resurrection, for all the souls in this resurrection will receive immortal life and will not be judged nor condemned. They will all be worthy to put on a Glorified Body and be a part of the Body and Wife of the Lord Jesus Christ to rule with Him for a thousand years. And after the thousand years, the rest of the dead would be raised and be judged at the Great White Throne. Read Revelation 20:11-15 and Daniel 7:9-10. This is the resurrection which the Apostle Paul sought to avoid, when he said: “If by any means I might attain to the 'out-resurrection' (or earlier resurrection) from among the dead” (Phil.3:11, Greek text). He sought to be part of the First Resurrection because “Blessed and Holy is he who hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and they shall reign with Him a thousand years.” In the Second Resurrection, the Second Death will have the power to claim life as it is stated that “whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” But “whosoever” whose name is found written in the “Book of Life” is given Eternal Life. This is a fact that none can deny. This is the resurrection where two groups of people will stand in judgement, and one group shall be given eternal life and the other shall face the second death. This is the general resurrection which Jesus spoke about when He said: “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (Jhn.5:28-29). The dead are judged “according to their works” which are recorded in the “books of works” which Apostle John saw open at the Great White Throne Judgement (Rev.20:12-13) and all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life would then be cast into the Lake of fire.
ELECTION
But who are those people whose names are written in the Book of Life? They are those Elected Ones who had a certain FAITH-relationship with God and His Word. A good example was Cornelius, a devout Gentile, who definitely did not worship idols, but one who feared God (see Acts 10). As a Gentile, he obviously did not know about the God of Abraham, otherwise he would have been circumcised and be a proselyte of Judaism. Yet, God showed His Grace to Cornelius and gave him the Gospel. Cornelius was indeed a blessed person. For others who do not have this privilege, either because they lived outside the scope of Bible lands, or Bible time, God's election will still stand (Rom.9:11 cf. 11:2-8). Read Genesis 18:25; Proverbs 11:18-19,30; 14:32; Psalms 58:11 and 112:5-7. However, among those who have that FAITH-relationship with God, many will still have their names removed or blotted out; for some have turned from God to idols (Exod.32:30-34; Ezek.3:20; 18:24,26; 33:18), others have rejected the very Messiah that they claimed they believed (Psm.69:21-28), and those who, in the process of time, would reject the Word of Truth and pay homage to the Beast or its Image (Rev.13:8). Consider these words of Jesus: “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt.7:21-23).
Those whose names are not blotted out are like those “sheep” people (described in Matthew 25:31-46) whom our Gracious Lord Jesus will judge at the end of the Great Tribulation, and give them Life to enter into the Age of Regeneration. Remember that these righteous souls who stand in the Great White Throne Judgement are not Holy Ghost Filled Christians of the Church Ages (otherwise they would have followed the Message for their ages and be resurrected together with the Endtime living saints at the Coming of Christ), nor are they Holy People like Moses, Abraham, Sarah in the Old Testament time who had a deep and intimate FAITH-relationship with God and were led by the Word and Spirit of God.
Now, consider this question of Paul: “Have ye received the Holy Ghost SINCE you believed?” (Acts 19:2). Notice that Paul was addressing the believers of the Gospel. Truly, there were many Gospel believers like them throughout the ages, who had never received the Holy Spirit. They believed the Gospel, repented of their sins, and were sanctified by the Spirit, but did not have the INDWELLING PRESENCE of the Holy Spirit have the INDWELLING PRESENCE of the Holy Spirit (cf. Jhn.14:17; Mk.1:15; Jhn.1:12-13; 20:31; Rom.10:8-13). Without the indwelling presence of the Spirit, many were as carnal as Hymenaeus, Philetus and Alexander. They wandered away from the Truth and blasphemed God (1 Tim.1:20; 2 Tim.2:17 cf. Heb.10:38-39; 1 Cor.3:1). Yes, like Judas Iscariot, many were anointed; like the worshippers of old who offered sacrifices for their sins, many were justified; and like a filthy vessel made clean, many were sanctified; but they have not received the Holy Spirit. They were not filled with the Holy Spirit. Therefore they will all be judged “according to their works” (cf. 1 Cor.10:11-15), and “whosoever” was found written in the “Book of Life” would be given Eternal Life “that the purpose of the election of God might stand.” And this group that is redeemed and given eternal life will also have immortal bodies. They will be a part of that HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM as is revealed in Paul's words: “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 [Grk: paneguris – all-assembly] and church [Grk: ekklesia] of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect” (Heb.12: 22-23). Amen.
HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM
— THE TABERNACLE OF GOD
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
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 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.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
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.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
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 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 show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,”
– Revelation 21:2-10
Time, as we know it, will end when the Eighth Day (Eternal Age) begins, but earthly seasons as governed by the sun, moon and stars will continue according to the courses which God had set for them since the beginning when He created and made them (Gen.1:14-18). The NEW HEAVEN and NEW EARTH will replace the present ones. God will make all things new. The HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, which is the (Bride-)Wife of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, will come down out of Heaven from God to the New Earth. Within her dwells the Almighty God. She is the Tabernacle of God, the Holy City of God. The Shekinah Glory of the Eternal One dwelling in His First Begotten, Who dwells in His Redeemed and Glorified People, brings the whole of His Heavenly City upon the New Earth that He may dwell with a people. This Holy City, New Jerusalem, which Abraham had looked for, started with a Sure Foundation Stone, Jesus Christ, Who was the Temple of Almighty God. Then, lively stones were collected and houses built around It. More houses were built to form the City which was called the Body of Christ. Paul called It the Bride of Christ. However, Jesus simply called it “My Father's house”.
What the Patriarch Abraham looked for, the Apostle John saw it. Yes, the Holy City, New Jerusalem will be completed when the Eighth Day dawns. And God will tabernacle in It and live among the natural people and be “their God”. This natural people comprises those who will be redeemed out of the earth for they will not succumb to the deception of Satan after his release at the end of the Millennial Age of Regeneration. Because of their faithfulness and obedience to the Law of the Righteous One, they will be saved from the fire of the wrath of God which shall be poured upon those who shall join forces with Satan to rebel and lay siege against the saints of God and His beloved city, the earthly Jerusalem. As nations of faithful and obedient people, they will be granted to live eternally in the New Heaven and New Earth. Read Revelation 20:7-10; 21:24,26; 22:2. Hence, there will be two types of people living in the New Earth: the Redeemed Saints with Glorified Bodies, who will make up the Holy City, and the Redeemed People of the Age of Regeneration with Natural Bodies.
The Apostle John was carried away in the spirit to “a great and high mountain” to see that Heavenly Great City, the Holy Jerusalem, just as Prophet Ezekiel was carried in his spirit (in his days) to “a very high mountain” where he was shown the Temple and the City of David (Ezek.40:2). Recall that this term signifies a supreme position of great authority and awe. This is the great heavenly position that the Glorified Wife of Christ shall sit with Christ, for the Almighty God and the Lamb will dwell in her (cf. Eph.1:3,19; 2:6). Yes, as a Queen she will sit, even as she will sit with Christ in the Age of Regeneration. The Word of the Lord is clear when it stated that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is “the bride, the Lamb's wife”. And we know that “the bride, the Lamb's wife” is the Redeemed and Glorified Saints of Christ. No, beloved, do not for a moment think that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is a literal city. God does not live in a house made with hands. Read Mark 14:58, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2, Hebrews 9:11 and 10:5. Ask yourself these questions: How could a literal city be the Lamb's Wife? Does not the Scriptures clearly teach that the Elect are the Bride of the Lamb? God is a Spirit. He is Holy and dwells in Light. God does not need a literal house, or city, to live in or else He would have built one in the Garden of Eden in the beginning. Some may feel that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is a literal city of mansions created for the Saints to live in. But what use is a mansion of gold with several rooms to a Glorified Saint? Is there really such a need for it when the Saints themselves possess a far better body than the Angelic beings, a body like our Lord Jesus Christ, which is spiritual and is not bound by the elements of the earth? Think: did Adam and Eve need to live in a house made with hands before the Fall?
Now, all examples in the Old Testament followed the Heavenly patterns. They were shadows of the Heavenly things (Heb.8:5). Hence, the Heavenly New Jerusalem, the Wife of the Lamb of God, the Tabernacle of God is the House (the Abode) of God! Amen. Through her the Almighty God will live among the natural people in the New Earth “and be their God”. And there will be no more sorrow, crying, pain or death.
ITS GLORY
“Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;”
– Revelation 21:11
As foreshadowed in the Tabernacle of Moses and the Temple of Solomon, the Holy City, New Jerusalem will also have the Glory of God in her. The Glory of God is God's Word. And It is given unto her for a covering. Yes, Christ the Word is given unto the Saints for a Covering, a Defence and a Protection.
Let me interject here the importance of the prophetic invitation which John wrote in Revelation 22:17: “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” We know that THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT ARE ONE (Jhn.6:63; Eph.6:17). Notice, it is not stated that “the Spirit and the Word say, Come”, but rather “the Spirit and the Bride say, Come”. Now, where is the Word? Is It not in the Bride? If the Bride has the Word, then she has to be One with the Word in order that she can be called the Wife of the Lamb. Yes, the Bride has to get into the “chuppah” (Hebrew for “marriage chamber”) of the Word and be One with Christ, the Word Himself. This is the evening time. The invisible union of the Heavenly Word(-Groom) and the Earthly Bride must now take place and that they be one. The Bride must carry the Word to fulfill this prophetic words: “And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come.” Now, since the revelation of this Mystery of the Holy City, New Jerusalem has already been made known, what time are we at now? Yes, even now this prophetic utterance is becoming a reality as the Word and Bride become One. Are you a part of the Bride(-Wife)?
The Apostle John noticed that “her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal”. This signifies that there is no flaw, defilement, evil, nor spot of any kind in the Lamb's Wife. Obviously, for she is One with the Word. She has received the Seed of the Word and is Fruitful. What's more, It is a light, clear as crystal, that penetrates deep into the recesses of her soul and spirit (cf. Heb.4:12). She is beautiful, precious, valuable and attractive in the eyes of her Lord, Master and God.
ITS DIMENSION
“And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
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 in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.”
– Revelation 21:12-17
The great and high wall of any literal city is built to protect its people from any attack by the enemy as well to keep the enemy out. Spiritually, this typifies the Lamb's Wife having God's Covering, Defence and Protection, and also the “unclean” who will not have any part in the Holy City of God — “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie” (Rev.22:14-15).
A “golden reed” was used to measure the City, the gates and the wall. The “golden reed” was God's divine yardstick of flawless perfection — without stain of sin, without deceit, and without misrepresentation. What God had ordained, He carried it out precisely. Now, the wall measured 144 cubits. The number 144 is the amplification of the number 12; 12 times 12 are 144. And the number 12 is an extremely significant number in Scriptures. It is the number of the chosen ones in relation to governmental perfection. In the Old Testament, God called the descendants of Abraham, Israel, as a chosen nation of people. In the New Testament, He called sinners, both Jews and Gentiles, to repentance at the Cross of Christ that they might be a chosen body of people — the Church. We find 12 Princes (for there were 12 tribes of Israel) and 12 chosen Apostles who are the foundations of the Church. There are 12 gates on the wall around the City with the names of the 12 tribes inscribed on them. There are 3 gates on each of the four sides; north, east, south and west, signifying that the Redeemed Saints are completely gathered from the four corners of this present earth. (3 denotes completeness.) But the names of the tribes are not mentioned although they will be found on the gates of the (literal) city of Jerusalem in the Age of Regeneration (Ezek.48:31-34). This is another fact which proves that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is not a literal city with literal gates. The 12 gates point to the 12 principalities (the authority of the princes) of Israel, for it was unto the children of Israel that the Oracles Of God were committed (Acts 7:38; Rom.3:1-2). The Word was brought to them through God's prophets. To be a part of this Holy City, one must enter through its gates for there is no other way to get into God's House, God's Family. The 12 tribes of Israel had THE WORD. Then the 12 Apostles, who were all Jews, was each given a special “Stone” for the works they were ordained to do. Being a part of the Rock of Ages, they had the “Rock of Revelation” concerning Christ Jesus Who was the Mystery of God revealed to the world. Their “Stones” were strong and solid. Their revelations of THE WORD were true. And their “Stones” formed the foundations (or footings) of the Holy City. (They were laid in such a manner that there was one each between the three gates of each wall and the four corners. Hence, the interwoven relationship between the Old and the New Testaments.) Upon these foundations more houses were built in the Holy City and God's Family was enlarged. Nothing could tear away their foundations. They could not be destroyed. Their Apostolic revelations of the Oracles of God were secured to the One Sure Foundation Stone — Christ the Word, the Rock of Ages! (Isa.28:16). Hence, the number 144, being the amplification of the number 12, signifies that the Elect of God (the Holy City) have the Oracles of God, which were first given to the 12 tribes of Israel, and the foundations of the 12 Apostles. Simply, the Elect of God have the Apostolic Foundation of the Prophetic Word. Amen.
That the Holy City, New Jerusalem is perfect and chosen of God is again shown by the number 12 in the measurement of the CITY, which “lieth foursquare”, that is, the length and the breadth are equal, 12,000 furlongs by 12,000 furlongs. The height is also 12,000 furlongs. [Note: The word “foursquare” does not include the measurement of height. Many Christians believe otherwise because of the second statement in Revelation 21:16. Hence, they believe that the Holy City is shaped like a cube and give the interpretation that it is thus complete and perfect in God. However, observe what is stated in the first statement: “And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth”, that is, the City has four equal sides and is square in shape. The word “foursquare” means “four sides equal and square in shape”. It does not mean a cube. See Exodus 30:2; 37:25; 39:8-9.] In Bible numerology, 3 denotes completeness, whereas 4 denotes the earth. Hence, the uniform measurement of length, breadth and height speaks of completeness, and the four equal sides show us that the Lamb's Wife is redeemed out of the four corners of the earth. (Remember the one river which split into four heads after leaving the Garden of Eden and flowed out into the “world”?)
Now, what does the measurement of height of this City tell us? Simply this: the Holy City, New Jerusalem is not a literal city! Have we ever been told of the height of any city in the world? The size of a city is only measured by the surface area it occupies. You just don't measure its height; for how will you measure it? The tallest building? (If so, to what purpose does it serve?) And since the New Jerusalem is 12,000 furlongs (about 1,500 miles) high, is the measurement that of the tallest building? Of course, not! Therefore, the dimension of its length, breadth and height shows us the volume of its size, giving us an idea of the large number who are redeemed and clothed with Glorified Bodies. (Notice the number of times the number 12,000 is used — 3 times 12,000. This tells us of the completeness of the Holy City and the perfection of God's control, rule or government.) However, for those who insist that the Holy City is literal, and looks like a cube, and that it will either replace the city of Jerusalem or hang over it, consider the size of the City: 12,000 furlongs by 12,000 furlongs (or 1,500 miles by 1,500 miles). The city of Jerusalem in Biblical time was roughly 1 mile by 1 mile. Today it is roughly 7 miles by 6 miles. In the Age of Regeneration, the city will measure 12 miles by 12 miles. If the Holy City, in the New Heaven and New Earth, is literal, how will it fit into the locality of the Land of Israel? Of course it can't, because the actual boundary of the land will no longer exist in the New Earth. That ought to tell us something. Then again, what about the height of the City? With its height of about 1,500 miles, some 500 miles of it will be sticking out of the earth's atmosphere. And would the “throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev.22:1) be somewhere in that highest area of the City? Beloved, do not forget that the natural people in the New Earth do not have supernatural bodies. They will be like Adam and Eve before their fall. They will need oxygen to breathe. (Without special equipment, breathing is already impossible even at an altitude of 10 miles. Air thins out with increase altitude.) Hence, how are they going to approach the Throne of the Lord in that great height? Now, some of you may be childish enough to think that God could do this or do that to make things possible, like increasing the height of the atmosphere. Yes, that is possible, but God does not break His ordained order of things which He has already created perfectly “good” as recorded in the Book of Genesis. Every star, every planet and everything in the whole universe has been perfectly set on course with its weight and volume perfectly measured out (Job 28:24-27; Isa.40:12). God never makes mistake. He's a Great Scientist. Therefore, God does not have to alter the weight and volume of anything which He has already created upon the earth.
Now, in a given dimension of any city there is no measurement of its height. The height of the Holy City, New Jerusalem is given to draw our attention to the shape of the Pyramid. Now, the Pyramid is the only structure that has a Headstone besides the Cornerstone. The Headstone is the 'Capping Stone' (or Capstone) on the top of the Pyramid. The Great Pyramid of Giza was never capped with the Headstone. [According to the Pyramidologists, some of the descendants of Seth, probably in the generation of Enoch, who migrated to Egypt and were called the 'shepherd kings' by the Egyptians, were the builders of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. It was not built to be a tomb. (The Egyptians later copied the structure and built pyramids for the purposes of worship and entombment of their dead Pharaohs.) They believe that the Great Pyramid is the Gospel of God in stones. The detailed structures inside that pyramid tell the “Gospel Story” of the Prince of Darkness and his Bottomless Pit, of the Fall of mankind, of the Call of a Chosen People, Israel, being the Queen of the One Who has chosen her, of the Law Age, of the Grace (Gospel) Age, of the Risen King, of His Coming Judgement, and etc. The four equal sides of the Great Pyramid were covered with casing stones which reflected the light of the sun like polished glass.] Consider these Scriptures:
“Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
– Isaiah 28:16
“Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
– 1 Peter 2:6
“Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
– 1 Peter 2:7-8 (cf. Psm.118:22; Matt.21:42; Isa.8:14)
“Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.”
– Zechariah 4:7
Architecturally the 'Capstone' on the top of the Pyramid is the only corner stone which binds together all the other corners as well as the walls of the structure. Hence, the “Head of the corner” and the “Chief corner stone”. Christ Jesus is not just the Foundational Corner Stone, He is also the Head Stone. (The word “chief corner stone” is “akrogoniaios” in Greek, where “akron” means the “highest, extreme, tip, top, uttermost part” and “gonia” means “corner, angle”.) It is in this Rock that we as lively stones are built as a habitation of God. He is the One Who binds our lives together as a whole: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph.2:20-22). Yes, the Stone has become a great and high Mountain (cf. Dan.2). [Notice that a mountain looks like a pyramid, and not a cube. A pyramidal structure is very stable. Its cannot be pushed or moved out of shape. A cube is not so. If one of its sides is pushed it will no longer be a cube.]
THE
ECHELON OF
RULES AND AUTHORITIES
Looking at the Holy City, New Jerusalem in the shape of the PYRAMID, we begin to understand the mystery of God concerning Himself. The Word of God is the pivotal point in which all things evolve and consist, and It is hidden in God Himself (Jhn.1:1-4). And He chose to reveal the Mystery of the Hidden Word in His Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Col.1:15-19). Christ the Lord is God's ultimate conception by which God's ultimate intention is to dwell in a Spiritual Tabernacle of People as well as to dwell with a natural people upon the earth. God wants a House and He wants a Family. And it is in and through the Headstone that He seeks to bring about that House and Family for Himself.
Of the pyramidal structure, it is certainly the great archetype of the finished Holy City and is symbolic of our Lord and His Wife as the government of the New Earth. We cannot help but recognize that Yahweh, the Founder and Builder, has designed and ordained a divine echelon of rules and authorities within His Holy City, New Jerusalem. Though all the saints are God's children, yet each of them is rewarded differently. Whatever the position a saint is placed, it is his, or her, reward according to the order of the scheme as predestinated by the foreknowledge of God. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office” (Rom.12:4). Basically, all classes of saints are ranked according to their standing with THE WORD of God of Whom they have to give an account (Matt.18:23; Rom.14:12; 1 Cor.3:8,11-15; Rev.22:12). Hence, what do we see within the echelon of rules and authorities? At the Apex of the pyramidal echelon we see Christ, the Head Stone. He is the Peak of the “great and high mountain”. And together with the natural people upon the New Earth, we must all look up to Him with reverence, for by Him will the earth be redeemed unto the Father. The level below the Peak will be the “Four and Twenty Elders” followed by the 'First Class' Saints – the Church of the Firstborn – of each Church Age. Obviously the “Foolish Virgins” and the “Faithful Jews”, who will die for their faith in the Great Tribulation, should be in the next level in the echelon. Those of the “General Assembly” who will be given Eternal Life at the Great White Throne Judgement in the Second Resurrection will occupy the lowest level of the echelon.
BABYLON THE GREAT CITY
Saints, if we have the Truth and have been continually walking in the Light of God, we would have recognized what Satan, the Adversary of God, has been doing throughout the ages since the beginning of Man. Whatever God does, Satan impersonates. By so doing he seeks to confuse mankind and trap them in the false hope of salvation. In the days after the Flood, he inspired Cush and his son, Nimrod, to build a city and a religious tower to keep the people from migrating. The city is in the Land of Shinar (Gen.10: 8-10; 11:1-4). It was called Babel, or Babylon as is now commonly known. Nimrod was Satan's headstone in his religious building within the literal city of Babel. Of course, what Satan had done was not a coincidence. He must have known to a certain degree what God had planned to do. God chose a people (Israel) to inherit a land (Canaan) with a city (Jerusalem) where the centre of worship (Tabernacle of God) was located. Observe that Satan's religion was in the city of Babylon and God's religion was in the city of Jerusalem. But these two cities were types of the spiritual cities of “Mystery, Babylon the Great” and “Holy City, New Jerusalem”, respectively, as prophetically revealed in the Book of Revelation.
Bible believers who have the prophetic revelation of God's Holy Word would clearly understand that “Mystery, Babylon the Great” refers to that great antichrist city of the great Roman Catholic Church and her organisations. It is the (Bride-)Wife of Satan. Read Revelation 17-18. To the world, she is called by another name — Vatican City (in Rome). How big is this city on earth? Certainly it is not restricted to only an area of square mile ( square kilometre) with a population of a thousand people. No. She sits on “many waters” – the millions of faithful citizens around the whole world – who pledge allegiance to her (Rev.17:1). That's the true size of the so-called 'Holy City of Rome'. Unlike the Holy City, New Jerusalem which comes down from Heaven, the City of Mystery Babylon comes up from the bottomless pit (Rev.9:2). Being from the bottomless pit this great city has no foundation (no bottom, no base) and is full of filth. Without a foundation therefore it does not have any measurement. This shows that her many buildings (the people who trusted in her) have no (real) hope but, for supports and coverings, are just grabbing the air of every wind of doctrine which proceeds from her headstone, the Pope. Though she has millions upon millions of people in her city, she will one day be destroyed. Read Revelation 18. Since the 4th Century, her primary aim has been to gain power over all nations of the earth. [Contrary to popular belief, Communism is not the main threat to the world, Catholicism is. According to Bible prophecies, the great City of Mystery Babylon would be destroyed by the beast with ten horns — Euro-Communism (Rev.13: 1-3; 17:16-18; 18:2,10,16,20-21).]
Satan's Mystery, Babylon the Great, his so-called “Holy City”, is just as 'beautiful' as God's Holy City, New Jerusalem. As the wife of Satan, she is clothed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and decked with gold, precious stones and pearls. Yes, to the eyes of her beholder, she is a real beauty. And Satan tries to pass her off as God's Wife to deceive the Elect. But for the golden cup of abominations and filthiness of her fornication in her hand, Satan would have succeeded. But thank God, for He has given us the spirit of revelation to discern the Jezebel spirit in the great Whore, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the earth ! However, all those who have sought refuge and sanctuary for their souls in this religious City of Mystery, Babylon the Great will learn too late that it is nothing but a cage of unclean birds, a habitation of devils and a hold of every foul spirit.
THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF GOD
“And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”
– Revelation 21:18-21
Truly, no word could ever describe the beautiful Holy City of God. How could it ever be, for its true spiritual beauty could only be felt and understood by the inner man. Hence, beautiful and precious substances were used to describe the Holy City. The Holy City is perfectly built according to the Heavenly Pattern in the Mind of God, and there is no flaw in the Wife of the Lamb (vv.9,15-17, cf. Deut.32:4; 2 Chr.8:16; Heb.13:21) for she is foreknown of God and predestinated as such (cf.Eph.1; Heb.4:3).
Notice that the wall was jasper. Pure jasper stone is translucent or even transparent and clear. Such a wall reflects the saints of God as having a flawless covering of the Holy Spirit of the Lord, but their lives are open books to be read of all men. There is nothing in the saints that needs to be hidden from the eyes of the world. Even the City was of “pure gold, like unto clear glass” showing us that through fiery trials she has been purged of every dross until she is as clear as glass (cf. 1 Cor.3:11-17; 1 Pet.1:7; 2:5). Yes, it is divinity in the redeemed. She is perfect in all her faith. And with the Glory of God, which is THE WORD, the Light shining in and through her would surely blend together as One Clear Light (cf.Rev.21:11). Notice also that “the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” This was exactly the kind of street which the saints had walked upon in their lives and they will continue to walk upon it in the New Earth. Since time immemorial, the Only (One) Way to the Heavenly Father has been the One Who is The Truth, The Life, and The Way. He is The Word of God, The Glory of God, and The Golden Street of God.
Precious stones are produced by a process of tremendous pressure, heat and other elements. The brightness and beauty of the twelve different foundation stones of various colours of red, blue, white, green, and golden yellow reflect the heavenly and holy characters of the saints who have been purchased by the precious blood of the Son of God, their eternal praises and divine blessings. And these are the Truths which their Apostolic Fathers had taught and even laid down their lives for them. Hence, each of the twelve stones exemplifies the beauty and splendor of the sacrificial life of that Apostle.
Pearl symbolizes suffering under pressure brought about by 'irritants'. The twelve gates, being twelve pearls, which represent the twelve princes of Israel, have undergone many sufferings as they bore the Name and the Word of Yahweh until the appointed time when they shall bring forth the Manchild of the Lord, their Messiah. They suffered many afflictions brought upon them by the Adversary of God of the nations round about them. Under such conditions, they have become precious and priceless pearls in God's sight. Yes, God will always bring out the best in His people through the 'irritants' of trials and sufferings inflicted upon them by the enemies.
THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY CITY
“And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”
– Revelation 21:22
Moses, the Deliverer of the children of Israel, was instructed by God to build the Tabernacle according to the pattern shown to him on the mountain (Ex.25:40; Heb.8:5). From the simple Tabernacle of Moses, it grew in stature through the ages in the form of the Temple of Solomon and what is yet to be seen of the Temple in the Millennial Reign of Christ. All these reflected the Glory of God in Christ Jesus and in the Saints, thus fulfilling the True Tabernacle, THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM, that was in the Mind of God before the foundation of the world was laid. Hence, Apostle John saw no Temple other than the Temple that was Christ Jesus, the Lamb of God! Christ is the Temple of God. God and Christ are One. Amen! “The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple” of the Holy City, New Jerusalem (cf. Jhn.17:20-26).
“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.”
– Revelation 21:23
Though the sun, moon and stars exist, the Glorified Saints, the New Jerusalem do not need their light, for the Lamb of God, the Word of God, the Pillar of Fire, is the Light in her. God is Light (1 Jhn.1:5). He dwells in Light (1 Tim.6:16). (Up to this point in our study, we should be convinced by the revelation of the Word that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is definitely not a literal city but the Glorified Saints whom the Lord God dwells in. Spiritual saint could not be so blind as to see it otherwise.) The “glory of God” is the Word of God, and the Word is tabernacled in the Lamb who is the Temple of the Holy City. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men…That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (Jhn.1:4,9 cf. 8:12; Isa.60:19; Psm.36:9).
“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 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."
– Revelation 21:24-26
During the Millennial Reign of Christ, the Age of Regeneration (Matt.19:28), the population of the earth would be replenished with the descendants of the nations of “sheep” people (Matt.25:31-46). These people would have to obey the Law and the Word of the Lord for their cleansing and 'de-hybridizing' of their fallen nature (cf. Psm.119:9; Jhn.15:3). Immediately after that period of one thousand years, Satan would be released from his prison to try the populace who, for the days of their lives, have never known testing, trial or temptation. Many would reject the Law and the Word of God and join Satan in his rebellion against God to gain power, thus ending up in the Lake of Fire (Rev.20:7-10). The remnant of the nations of people who will take side with the Lord's Christ shall be saved from the evil seduction of Satan. When they hold fast to the Word, they will not only be saved from destruction, but will also be purged and 'de-hybridized' of their fallen nature. And they shall walk by the precious Light which illuminates from THE TABERNACLE OF GOD, THE HOLY CITY, which is the GLORIFIED SAINTS, who will be placed throughout the New Earth. Truly, unlike the city of Jerusalem whose gates had to be shut at night to keep its inhabitants safe, God's doors (gates) need not be shut for there will be no night in the Holy City as He is the Light which shall light up every Glorified Saint to give Life to all the nations of the earth. The national rulers (or leaders) of the earth shall bring adoration, praise, splendor, reverence, tribute, homage, etc, of their nations to the Holy City.
“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.”
– Revelation 21:27
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Holy City, New Jerusalem is the Holy and Glorified Wife of the Lamb! She is the Everlasting Father's House, and no sin can enter, for all sinners shall have their part in the Lake of Fire. For one to become a citizen and be a part of that Holy City, one has to receive the Word and be born again during the Gospel Age. Once that age is over, those who could survive the Great Tribulation and be judged as “sheep” would be given life to repopulate the earth in the Age of Regeneration (Matt.25:31-46 cf. Rev.13:8). Out of that thousand years of regeneration only those whose names are in the Book of Life will be saved. And since these natural people are purged and sanctified by the Word, they will have the right to enter into the Holy City, bringing into it their glory and honour. However, they will not have the right to be citizens of the City.
THE (LAMB'S) BOOK OF LIFE
The “(Lamb's) Book of Life” is not a literal register book in which a record of names is kept and updated through the ages of time. Some preachers teach that when a person receives the Lord Jesus as Saviour, his name is then written in the book. This is contrary to the statement found in Revelation 17:8 — “whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world”. God is Omnipotent and Omniscient. Hence, He knows the life of each person upon the earth even before the foundation of the world was laid (cf. Acts 15:18). The “Book of Life” actually points to “The Word” which was with God in the beginning. It was by THE WORD that the Heavens and Earth came into existence. And it is through Christ Jesus that THE WORD of God is revealed to the world. THE WORD tabernacled in Christ Jesus as a Holy Epistle (Book) of Life to be read of all men. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jhn.14:6). “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son” (1 Jhn.5:11). “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (Jhn.5:39). One must receive Him in order to be identified with Him and be One with Him Who is THE WORD — Yahweh. In so doing, one becomes a part of THE WORD of Life and, in turn, an epistle to be read of all men, too. Hence, one's name is thus said to be in the “Book of Life”.
However, LIFE, as God wills it, has different degrees of glory in the different bodies it dwells in. “The glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another” (1 Cor.15:40b). “There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body” (1 Cor.15:44b). Christ Jesus, the last Adam, Who being God and Man, came to fulfill the Redemption Plan of God and to bring about a Spiritual Glorified Family of Sons and Daughters of God unto the Heavenly Father, and also to redeem the Earth and restore it back to its original state, as it was in the beginning, for a Natural People like the first Adam. The Gospel Age is a part of God's Great Eternal Plan by which He could call, justify, and glorify a people whom He had foreknown before the foundation of the world (Rom.8:30). The Everlasting Father had predestinated these people to be His children, to be His Glorious Family, each being clothed with a spiritual body like that of His Only Begotten Son. On the other hand, God had foreordained a percentage of the natural people who would live in the Age of Regeneration. They are those who will not be deceived by Satan when he is released from his bondage after a thousand years. They will be restored back to the position of that first man, Adam, who in the natural body would have lived forever if he had not sinned. Though they are not a part of God's Glorified Family of sons and daughters, they will still be His People and God will be their God. As God dwells with a natural people upon the New Earth in the Eternal Age, the GLORY of the spiritual Lamb's Wife, the Tabernacle of God, the HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM will be manifested. “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” (Rev.21:3).
THE WATER STREET — THE ONE AND ONLY WAY
“And he showed 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.”
– Revelation 22:1-2
Notice that the “pure river of water of life” does not flow in any specific direction. The Spirit of revelation once again draws our attention to the Truth that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is the Lamb's Wife, and is not a literal city. All literal rivers tend to flow in a specific direction. In the time of Adam and Eve, there was a river which flowed from Eden eastward through the Garden. Prophet Ezekiel said that there will be water flowing from under the threshold of the Millennial Temple and it will flow eastward, and on both sides of the river there will be many trees. If the New Jerusalem is literal, then the river must also be literal, and to be scripturally and prophetically consistent the river must flow eastward. Isn't that logical? However, would it be possible for natural water to flow from a height of 1,500 miles in space where there is no water vapour? And if water does come down from that height, how will it flow? Would God create a mountain 1,500 miles high for the water to flow down, or will He just let the water splash onto the earth and create a lake? What about “the street”? Would not a literal city have a network of many streets ?
Christians tend to think that because we have a supernatural God we ought to think supernaturally. Well, that is true. But supernatural does not mean something 'Walt Disney', or something magical. Yet, that is what many Christians are drifting into. They are actually fantasizing. Do you know that the natural things we see around us are in fact supernatural? Look closely around you, and if you care to see, you will notice that they are all ordained by God to obey certain sets of laws. These laws are God's supernatural, divine laws. But because we accept them the way they are we consider them natural. Because they have become part of our lives, we take them for granted. Beloved, God does not break His own laws. He fulfills them.
As I have mentioned, the NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH will be an EDEN. Everything will be made new — in God's ways. Everything that ever was in the Mind of God before He set forth to accomplish them in the beginning would have been finished by then. Everything would be as He wanted them to be. Even His commandment to Adam: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…” would be fulfilled as the New Earth comes into existence. And by then when the earth is replenished with natural people, whose number is known only to God, there will be no more birth in the New Earth. Yes, there will be plenty of land. Everywhere there will be greeneries, fresh clean air all around, rivers of fresh crystal clear water and fruit trees in abundance. And natural man will no longer eat meat. There will be no city of skyscrapers, highways, factories and motor vehicles; there will be no man-made machinery or 'hi-tech' equipment that will pollute the air or the water, no airplane, no ocean liner; there will be no misappropriation or ravaging of any natural resources. Simply, all living and non living things will exist according to God's supernatural laws which have been violated in one way or another by mankind for some 6,000 years.
Now, we know where the Throne of God and of the Lamb is. It is clear from the Scriptures that it is in the Holy City, New Jerusalem. Did not our Lord Jesus say: “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you” (Jhn.14:20). Remember that the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, which is the Lamb's Wife, the Glorified Redeemed Saints (Rev.21:22). Yes, the Lamb's Wife is Yahweh's Resting Place even as He lives, walks, speaks and works through her (Acts 7:48-49). And she is scattered throughout the New Earth. Blessed be the Name of the Lord! And out of the Throne of the Eternal Presence of the Lord will flow a Pure River of Water of Life, clear as crystal — the holy and perfect soul quenching Spirit of Life. Read John 7:37-39. It will flow through one channel – “the street” – the One and Only Water Way — Christ, the Word of God! See? The Life (Grk: Zoe) of God in Christ Jesus in the Holy City, which is the Tabernacle of God, flowing out into the whole New Earth. The Water of Life is not stagnant in the Throne of God, It flows forth like a river. And right “in the midst” of the Pure River of Water of Life, and on both sides of It, is the Tree of Life.
Notice, it says a “Tree of Life” and not “many trees” as some preachers are trying to imply in order to support their teaching that the Holy City, New Jerusalem is the Millennial Temple. Now, what is the Tree of Life? It is none other than the Divine Law and Truth of God. Man must partake of the Spirit and the Word of God in order to live. The Spirit and the Word are One (cf. Jhn.3:5; 6:63). Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jhn.14:6). As the Pure River of Water of the Spirit of Life flows out into the New Earth of natural people, It carries with It the Divine Law and Truth of God, the Tree of Life, which is full of spiritual sap. (In the days of Adam and Eve, the Tree of Life was there in the midst of the Garden of Eden where the river of life flowed. And from the sap of this Tree of Life in the Presence of the Shekinah Glory, Adam and Eve partook daily of the Fruit of True Life until the Serpent deceived Eve with his knowledge of that other “tree”.) Everywhere It flows, It carries with It the Tree of Life “on either side of the river”. That is, no matter where a man dwells upon the New Earth in the Eternal Age, he will have access to that Spirit of Life to feed upon the Divine Law and Truth of God. He will not have to travel to any particular place or to 'cross over Jordan', so to speak, to receive It because the members of the Holy City, New Jerusalem will be scattered throughout the New Earth. The Lamb's Wife is One with the Tree of Life. In the Eternal Age, the life of each Glorified Saint would be filled with the twelve fruits of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, virtue, knowledge and wisdom. Yes, the natural people have to eat of the Tree of Life eternally. In partaking of the Tree of Life, each individual will yield Its fruits (effects and results) faithfully throughout the twelve seasonal months. [Notice again the number 12 which represents perfect governmental rule, administration and control.] Even the leaves of the Tree of Life will be for the healing (blessings and graces) of the nations of people everywhere. Hence, the Divine Spirit and Word of God will be administered to the natural people in the New Earth that God's fruits might be brought forth in their lives for a continual bliss, even the healing – well-being and breaches – of the nations (cf. Psm.1:2-3; Prov.11:30; Jhn.15:8; Mal.4:2; Isa.30:26). Amen.
The Spirit and the Word are One, and they are Life and Blessing to all who feed upon them. They are soul-quenching and body-building. Truly, the Eternal Age will be one of eternal bliss as the Spirit and the Word cover the earth and integrate all nations of people together as a Family of the Living God. Blessed Be His Holy Name!
HIS FACE, HIS NAME, HIS LIGHT
“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.
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."
– Revelation 22:3-5
Saints of God, as long as this Pure River of Water of Life, together with Its Tree of Life, continues to flow from the Throne of God and of the Lamb that is in the Holy City, New Jerusalem, the nations of people, which are saved, shall benefit and shall continue to walk in the Light of the Life that they received, and shall pay homage of glory and honor to the Lord. There will be no more curse as the Devil and his horde of fallen angels are cast into the Lake which burn with fire and brimstone. As foreshadowed by the sons of Aaron (Ex.28:1) who ministered to God in the Sanctuary of the Tabernacle or Temple of old, and to His chosen people without, so shall we, the Glorified Saints of God, minister and serve the Lord in the Holy City, New Jerusalem, and reign over the nations of the people in the New Heaven and New Earth. And having His Name and Light in us, we shall reign with Him for ever and ever while beholding His lovely Face. Yes, in that day we shall say even as Jesus had said: “Our Father hitherto worked, so also His Christ, and now we work” (cf. Jhn.5:17). Work is a part of God's Eternal Plan.Little Bride of Christ, little flock of the Lord, it is the Father's good pleasure to give unto us the revelation of Jesus Christ, even as He has given us the Kingdom of God. By it, the revelation that is given unto us, that we might truly understand that we are gods (Psm.82:6; Jhn.10:34), gods as true gods – sons and daughters – of the Living God, the Father of us all. For being born of His Spirit and His Word, Whose Spirit and Word abide in us (1 Jhn.4:13; 1 Pet:1:23), we could be nothing else but God's “begottens”. Now, those who cannot believe it, cannot receive it, and they shall all die like carnal men (cf. Psm.82:6-7). The carnal church world may try to dispute that and despise us. To them we are but a bunch of fanatics as they look at us through their world of so-called fundamental creeds and dogmas. No doubt, in the days of Jesus Christ, His disciples were a bunch of misguided people in the eyes of the truly religious denominational cults — the Pharisees, the Sadducees and the Scribes. The carnal churches have failed to realize that they are nothing but denominational cults of various faiths, a cage of unclean birds heading back to their harlot mother — Papal Romanism !
Therefore, beloved, seeing the revelation of the beauty of this glorious Holy City, let us press towards it, walking faithfully in the Light of the Holy Baptism that we have received. For truly the Holy Spirit has purified us by faith, and has translated us into the Church of the Firstborn (not of the General Assembly – Heb.12:23), and even now, has endowed us with the power to be a part of that celestial regime. Yes, the hour is late, for the Spirit of prophecy has even declared: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still” (Rev.22:11).
THE SPIRIT, THE WORD, AND THE BRIDE
Finally, the mystery of the settings in the Garden of Eden in the days of Adam and Eve, the Tabernacle that Prophet Moses built according to the pattern shown to him on Mount Sinai, the Temple that Solomon built and the Temple that will be built in the Millennial Age of Regeneration – all of which revealed the Shekinah Glory and the Presence of God “in the midst” – is revealed in this Heavenly Holy City, New Jerusalem, where “in the midst” of It dwells the Almighty God forever! There is Only One Place where the Living God has truly chosen to put His Holy Name — the Temple in the Holy City, New Jerusalem! (cf. 2 Chr.6:6; Neh.1:9). Amen! What our Father Abraham saw in his days of this City, which was not built by hands, was then “afar off”. But today, as his seeds, we see it being completed right before our very eyes. The mystery has now been revealed. Yes, we have the revelation of it. We no longer have to wonder and try to figure out what this Holy City is all about. Then, beloved, where are we at in the calendar of God's prophetic time ? Notice closely the Word at the closing of the Revelation of Jesus Christ:
“And The Spirit and The Bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”
– Revelation 22:17
Everywhere in the Scriptures we see that THE SPIRIT AND THE WORD ARE ONE (Zech.4:6; Jhn.1:1-2; Eph.6:17). But towards the end of the Book of Revelation, the Spirit of prophecy reveals that THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE ARE ONE. Do you see? If The Word is in The Bride, then The Word and The Bride have to be One. Hence, “The Spirit and The Bride say” because The Word is in The Bride! Amen. We ought to be One with the Spirit now since we have the revelation of the last two chapters of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It has to be so if we have been in the Marriage Chamber (Heb: Chuppah) of His Word, having heard and obeyed the Message of God's seventh and last Church Age Messenger, William M. Branham. Hence, the revelation of the Holy City, New Jerusalem! And now that this Truth is made known to the Elect, the hour is later than we dare to think.
“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.”
– Revelation 3:12
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
– Revelation 22:21
EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS !
