The Perfect City of God—New Jerusalem

How does one describe the indescribable? How does one picture what seems impossible to imagine? The Spirit shows us how—by the use of picture language and symbols. So one of the great and wondrous messengers,  those mysterious beings who have watched the whole history of mankind on the earth, comes to John to show him the Bride, the wife of the Lamb - Rev. 21:10-27 ESV

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed-- 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 on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

A reminder about the use of numbers in John's Revelation:

The biblical method of using numbers is not common to the haphazard conjecture of some modern interpreters, who claim that a sort of allegory lies behind the true meaning of the numbers of Revelation. Apocalyptic numerology should not be confused with eccentric interpretation. Apocalyptic literature is highly developed in its symbolism. When one is familiar with this genre of literature, a more historical, less arbitrary interpretation prevails. 

For years this blog has studied the background of the Bible's use of numbers. I refer my readers back to some of these studies as we encounter again this chapter's detailed use of the numbers 3, 4, 10 and 12. For instance, see the following:

• Biblical Numerology Background 
• Essentially The Revelation Is a Book of Symbols
• Symbolical Language Is Common

Each Hebrew letter has a numerical value - read from right to left

We join John now to look into the wondrous future God has prepared for His people. Three is the number used for God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Four is the number for man as he makes his way and lives his life upon this earth with all four of its directions.

This future is to come from heaven, from God, with all its wonder and glory and radiance, shining like the rarest of jewels, like jasper, a mineral belonging to the quartz family of gemstones.

One of many types of  Jasper

The appeal of Jasper is its interesting color patterns and formations. Though it can be a solid color, it is most often mottled, spotted, ringed, or striped. Each Jasper has a unique color or pattern, lending this gemstone much variety. Jasper is an ancient gemstone, and is mentioned in the bible and other classical sources. Though fairly common and affordable today, Jasper in antiquity was regarded as a very valuable stone.

The twelve gates of Jerusalem, the city of David, refers to the people of God, the twelve tribes, the twelve apostles, in other words all God's people gathered together by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. These people come from all directions, north, south, east and west. They are many and varied, gathered by the love of God, revealed in Christ.

And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 

What an amazing gathering this is and how very immense and absolutely perfect on all sides. It is, in fact, a perfect cube, equal in all aspects. A stadia was an ancient unit of length equal to a bit over 600 feet. So 12,000 stadia would equal about 7,200,000 feet or about 1,400 miles in length, width and height. This description sounds strange, almost ridiculous until you remember again that it is symbolical, pointing to the endless love of God that gathers in His chosen people of all races, places and times.

Jewels of Rev. 21

And what a wondrously beautiful city this is, adorned with every kind of jewel, radiant and sparkling.

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 

And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. - Rev 21:10-27 ESV

The Battle of Gog and Magog

OK, time to take a look at Gog and Magog—another of those well-worn phrases that have been interpreted by some in one way and by others in other ways. What is the Revelation telling us?

First, let us note those passages from the OT that speak of Gog and Magog. For starters Magog is one of the sons of Japheth (Hebrew: "enlarge"), who  was one of the three sons of Noah. He is considered to be the progenitor of European, and some Asian, peoples.

The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. - Gen 10:2 ESV

The sons of Japheth: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. - 1Ch 1:5 ESV

By the 7th century B.C. in the days of the prophet Ezekiel (Eze 38:2; 39:6), Magog had become the name of a nation, probably some Asian tribe like the Scythians or Tartars.

"Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him - Eze 38:2 ESV

I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the LORD. - Eze 39:6 ESV.

In the days of the NT the Scythians were ever the enemies of Rome, never conquered by them. They are described as skilled horsemen, and expert in the use of the bow. The Latin father Jerome says that Magog denotes "Scythian nations, fierce and innumerable, who live beyond the Caucasus and the Lake Maeotis, and near the Caspian Sea, and spread out even onward to India." 

Many are the opinions about what the Revelation refers to when it speaks of Gog and Magog. 

And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. - Rev 20:7-10 ESV 

Some argue for a battle before the literal thousand years of the Millennium; others speak of a battle at the end of the thousand years. Below is but one example from the blog Countdown to Armageddon. Study that blog and you will discover some very fascinating and rather far fetched prophecies about the end times.

Building an Iron Wall to keep the Barbarians out

You’ll notice Gog and Magog are mentioned in the previous passage. Back in Chapter 11 on Armageddon in The Rise and Fall of the Antichrist we read how Ezekiel 38 and 39 refer to the Antichrist as “Gog” and his followers as “Magog.” But even though the Battle of Armageddon and the Battle of Gog and Magog both refer to Gog and Magog, these are not the same battle, but are 1000 years apart. The Battle of Armageddon occurs at the end of the Plagues of the Wrath of God period, just before the beginning of the Millennium. This Battle of Gog and Magog takes place at the very end of the Millennium.

How does one respond to literalists who pick and choose what they want to be symbolical language and what they decide is literal prophecy? As always, it is best to consider the historical context into which John wrote the Revelation. Gog and Magog most likely did refer to the Scythians who constantly threatened Rome. These peoples also become a symbol of those enemies that Satan gathers to surround and destroy the saints and the beloved city of God. Dr. Bruce Metzger (Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation, pg. 95) urges us to take seriously the realism of Jesus' parable of the weeds among the wheat:

He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" ... 

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed is the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear. - Mat 13:24-30, 36-43 ESV

The point is clear. Christ will return as He promised. We live in the in-between time (symbolically indicated by 10x10x10 = 1,000). When He will return remains in His hands and in the hands of His Father. However, when He returns He will destroy the forces of evil and establish God's eternal kingdom. So we will rejoice in His presence forever. The remaining verses of the Revelation help us to celebrate this gracious Good News.

The Key of David

These days one can take a tour of the seven churches of Revelation. The tour lasts seven nights and eight days and includes Istanbul's St. Sophia Church and several Mosques, as well as a "romantic ferry ride along the Bosphorus." In this blog, however, we are taking a spiritual tour of the churches to learn what the Holy Spirit has to say to the churches of our day. Today's tour is of the church in Philadelphia.

The Ancient City of Philadelphia

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' - Rev 3:7-13 ESV

The one writing "has the key of David." This is a reference to the prophecy of Isaiah about Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah. He replaced Shebna, the comptroller or governor of King Hezekiah's palace. Sheba foolishly favored an alliance with Egypt against Assyria. As the one receiving the "key of David" Eliakim had the power to open and shut, a symbol of his absolute authority as the king's representative (Isa. 22:15-22). Later, when the Assyrian army was sent against Jerusalem in 701 Eliakim was one of the princes who parlayed with the Assyrian officers (2 Ki 18:18-19:37; Isa 36:3-22). He was sent by King Hezekiah to relay the Assyrian threats and to entreat Isaiah's prayers to the LORD on behalf of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Judah. Ultimately Sennacherib's army of 185,000 was destroyed by the LORD Jesus, the Angel of the LORD, and Sennacherib was murdered by his own sons (2 Ki 19:35-37).

The LORD Jesus, the Angel of the LORD, descended from David through the Virgin Mary (Luk 1:31-35; 2:7-11; Matt 1:19-25), and also the Son of God, is the almighty One with the keys of death and Hades (Rev 1:18). To Him belong the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, the keys that unlock or lock the gates leading to heaven and eternal life (Matt 16:19; 18:18; John 20:23). He and He alone has the authority to forgive sins and to welcome His disciples to the eternal palace of the King.

The Philadelphian Christians kept Jesus' word and did not deny His name. They were persecuted by Judaizers, those who would rob them of their faith in Christ and His sacrifice. Once again the false Jews are labeled "the synagogue of Satan" (Rev 2:9) and once again they are called liars who say they are Jews, but are not.

Hold fast, says the Spirit. Don't let anyone seize your crown (2 Tim 2:5; 4:8; 1 Co 9:25). The word for crown is stephanos, the wreath-crown received in athletic contests, a word familiar to Philadelphians since it was famous for such games. Jesus' brother James offers similar encouragement as he writes,

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. - Jas 1:12 ESV

The Philadelphians held fast. They did not let go of their faith in Christ. Their reward awaited them. They were to become eternal pillars in the temple of God (Jer 1:18; Gal 2:9).  Even in this age God has raised up a temple of living stones, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20). Again and again the apostles reminded believers that the old temple in Jerusalem has been replaced by a new, living, spiritual house.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." - Isa 28:16; 1Pe 2:4-6 ESV

What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." - Lev 26:12; 2Co 6:15-16 ESV 

So all believers in Christ rejoice that they share the same promises. They have the name of God. the name of Jesus, the name into which they are baptized. This was the commission Jesus gave to His apostles as He left them.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, - Mat 28:19 ESV

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. - Rom 6:3-5 ESV

What a wonder! What a joy! Buried with Christ. Risen with Christ. Eternal stones, even pillars in the Temple of God. Children of God, bearing His name. The Bride of Christ, wed to Him forever and eternally sharing His name. These are the promises given to the believers in Philadelphia, the promises shared by all who have died with Christ and risen again with Him to eternal life.