that aspect of truth which speaks of Prize, Crown and Reigning, Hebrews being a parallel

with Philippians, not with Ephesians.

We have the passages in the Revelation to examine, but before doing so, it may be

useful to enumerate the characteristics of this Heavenly City. It is called "free", "holy"

and "great"; the city that hath "foundations"; the city whose Builder and Maker is

"God"; the city of the "living God". It is called the Jerusalem that is "above", the

Jerusalem that is "heavenly" and the Jerusalem that is "new". In Hebrews the city is also

referred to as a "heavenly country" and "a better, that is, an heavenly country"--heavenly

because it is "better", presumably, than the earthly sphere and city.

Hitherto we have read no description of this city, nor found any definite link between

it and Old Testament prophecy. These features however come prominently forward in

the references found in the book of the Revelation and will occupy our attention in the

succeeding article.

The first reference in the book of Revelation to the New Jerusalem makes it clear that

the same element of reward which we have observed attaching to it in the epistle to the

Hebrews is to be remembered here:

It will be observed that in describing this city John was obliged to include one feature

out of many recorded in chapter 21:, namely, that it came down out of heaven from

God. This fact is recorded twice in Rev. 21: and is the first thing noted by John in

verses 2 and 10.

For our salvation the Son of God "came down", or "descended"; in John's Gospel,

particularly, as the Bread of Life which came down from heaven. In Ephesians, as the

One Who afterward ascended far above all heavens that He might fill all things, we read

that He "descended first", and at the second coming, as recorded in I Thess. 4:, the Lord

Himself shall "descend from heaven". The descent of the holy city from heaven to earth

is for the purposes of grace and glory. It constitutes "the tabernacle of God" among men,

with the consequent dwelling by God upon the earth among His people. The mind fails

in the attempt to imagine the effect upon the world when at last it can be said, "The

tabernacle of God is with men"! Some of the immediate effects are noted--Tears wiped

away, and death, sorrow, crying and pain, gone for ever! The nations of the earth shall

walk in the light of this city of God; Kings will bring their glory and honour unto it; the

glory and honour of the nations shall be brought unto it, but nothing that defiles shall

enter its gates!