 |  |
The simple solution seems to be to keep distinct the titles of the Lord, as (1) The God
of Israel and (2) The Lamb, God manifest in the flesh; the restoration of the nation of
Israel being one thing, the inheritance of the new Jerusalem being another. "If children,
then heirs, heirs of God", that is one position. "Joint-heirs with Christ, if so be we suffer
with Him" (Rom. 8: 17), that is another, and is somewhat parallel to the case before us.
The glory of God.
Let us now read the description of this wondrous city:--
"He showed me the holy Jerusalem . . . . . having the glory of God" (Rev. 21: 10, 11).
The glory of God is a theme that requires separate treatment, and we must content
ourselves here with pointing out a few outstanding features:--
(1). The glory of God is directly attacked by the Babylonian system that flooded the earth
with idolatry (Rom. 1: 23).
(2). Sin causes all to come short of the glory of God (Rom. 3: 23).
(3). Only by virtue of redemption may any therefore entertain the hope of the glory of
God (Rom. 5: 2).
(4). Immediately following the rebellion of Babel "the God of glory" called Abram out of
Chaldea (Acts 7: 2).
(5). The glory of God is vitally connected with resurrection:--
(a). Christ was raised from the dead "by the glory of the Father" (Rom. 6: 4).
(b). At the tomb of Lazarus, the Lord said in connection with the raising of
Lazarus "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou
shouldest see the glory of God?" (John 11: 40).
We may at least see in the new Jerusalem these five elements. The Babylonian attack
has perished for ever; sin has passed away with the former things; redemption is the
foundation upon which this city rests, and resurrection life is its animating principle.
This glory is said to be, not "her light" but "her luminary" (phoster). There was no
need in this city for the light of either sun or moon. The wall is "great and high", and
there are twelve gates, with twelve angels, the names of the twelve tribes of Israel being
inscribed on the gates. Verse 21 adds the information that each gate was a pearl.
Paul, not one of the twelve apostles.
The super-structure of the wall is of jasper (verse 18), but the wall rests upon twelve
foundations, bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. With the exception
of Matthias no doubt is entertained concerning the names of the remaining eleven. We
have given our reasons in The Berean Expositor for June, 1923, for believing that
Matthias is the twelfth apostle; and in the expositions upon Ephesians the peculiar
position of the apostle Paul is considered. It is our firm belief that the name of Paul is not
to be found upon the foundations of the new Jerusalem, also that Paul is not one of the
apostles of "the Lamb".