'That a real city, as well as a perfected moral system, is here to be

understood, I see not how we can otherwise conclude.  All the elements of a

city are indicated.  It has specific dimensions.  It has foundations, walls,

gates, and streets.  It has guards outside and inhabitants within, both

distinct from what characterizes it as a real construction.  It is called a

city -- "the Holy City".  It is named as a city "the Holy Jerusalem".  It is

called "the New Jerusalem", as over against an old Jerusalem, which was a

material city.  Among the highest promises to the saints of all ages was the

promise of a special place and economy answering to a heavenly city, and

which is continually referred to as an enduring and God -built city.  And

whatever difficulty we may have in taking it in, or in reconciling it to our

prepossessions, I do not see how we can be just and fair to God's Word, and

the faith of the saints of former ages, and not see and admit that we here

have to do, not with a mere ideal and fantastic city, but with a true, real,

God -built city, substantial and eternal; albeit there has never been another

like it'. -- J.A. Seiss, D.D.

'This is "the Jerusalem which is above".  All glorious is the city, for

such must be whatever comes from God out of Heaven.  Splendid in its attire,

i.e., its construction and materials, for it is like the splendid dress of a

bride adorned for her husband.  When the body is raised, and united once more

to the soul, the natural consequence is that a new world is necessary for its

abode.  The paradise in which pious souls had hitherto been, was a place of

happiness fitted for them when separated from their respective bodies.  But

now a new state of being commences.  It is not altogether and merely

spiritual, for the body is again united with the soul; it is not a material

state, for the body by its resurrection has become a spiritual body.  This

new state of being demands, of course, a new world for its appropriate

development.  It is not the mere fiction of a poetic imagination, but there

is a corresponding reality. -- Prof. Moses Stuart.

'The sudden coming into sight, from heavenly space, of a glittering

object, unknown to astronomers, self -luminous, above the brightness of the

sun, steadily approaching, till it enters our atmosphere, and comes into

close proximity to this globe, transcends all human experience, and defies

all natural philosophy.  But the epoch is an epoch of miracles; the Almighty

God is visibly interposing and is not bound by natural laws which He made,

and which He can interrupt or counteract at His pleasure.  The suspension of

a non -rotating cubic mass, fifteen hundred miles every way, in our

atmosphere, composed of gold and gems, inhabited by glorified human beings,

would surely throw out of bearing the specific gravity of the earth, so alter

its relations to the sun, moon, and other planets, as to be inconceivable.

Nay, I dare not say so.  What compensations the Upholder of all things may

make for the anticipated disturbances I cannot conjecture.  My business is

with His Word.  Hath he spoken, and shall He not make it good?  I am sure He

will, though I do not know how'. -- P. H. Gosse, F.R.S.