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We look in vain in this chapter of Revelation for any further description of the new
heaven and new earth. Immediately following the briefest of introductions John focuses
upon one phase of this new world:--
"And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of
heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (21: 2).
Again a pause, and a further expansion:--
The city is named . . . . . New Jerusalem.
The city is located . . . . . Coming down from heaven.
The city is likened . . . . . Prepared as a bride.
Here the description ceases. Presently the theme is resumed with a wealth of detail,
but in the brief summary which prefaces this section the above suffices. John "saw" the
city. He also "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" (21: 3).
The city--a tabernacle.
This is an evident explanation of the purpose of the new Jerusalem. It is to be in
reality what the tabernacle was to Israel in type. It was further to be for "men", whereas
the tabernacle was exclusive to Israel. At the close of the description (12: 1-5) we read
Eden, paradise restored. It will be seen therefore that there are to be a series of steps ever
back to "as it was in the beginning".
(1). THE MILLENNIUM.--Jerusalem on earth, a holy city.
Special feature THE TEMPLE (Ezek. 40:-47:)
(2). THE NEW HEAVEN.--Jerusalem, heavenly city.
Special feature THE TABERNACLE.
(3). THE NEW EARTH.--Paradise, "The day of the age" (II Pet. 3:).
Special feature THE TREE OF LIFE.
We have already suggested that the new Jerusalem is closely associated with the
"overcomer", and a glance back to some of the promises in Rev. 2: and 3: will show
that some of them are not fulfilled until after the millennium.
Reward extend beyond the millennium.
"To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of
the paradise of God". (2: 7).
"He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death". (2: 11).
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot
out his name out of the book of life". (3: 5).
"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" (3: 12).