The Eternal – PART 2 of 3
The Beauty and Glory of the Heavenly Jerusalem:
The Heavenly Jerusalem shines with unparalleled brilliance, reflecting the splendor and majesty of God's radiant Glory that illuminates every part of the city. Its magnificence is evident in its adornment: fine jewels, pearls, and stones of every color decorate the city, contributing to its awe-inspiring beauty. The city and its streets are crafted from transparent gold, purer than anything ever known on Earth. This uniq... moreThe Eternal – PART 2 of 3
The Beauty and Glory of the Heavenly Jerusalem:
The Heavenly Jerusalem shines with unparalleled brilliance, reflecting the splendor and majesty of God's radiant Glory that illuminates every part of the city. Its magnificence is evident in its adornment: fine jewels, pearls, and stones of every color decorate the city, contributing to its awe-inspiring beauty. The city and its streets are crafted from transparent gold, purer than anything ever known on Earth. This unique gold allows the glorious Light of God to shine through, creating a dazzling effect that sparkles like the most beautiful diamond.
The city is further distinguished by its twelve gates, each fashioned from a single pearl. An angel stands at each gate, ready to welcome and greet the righteous as they enter. On every gate is inscribed the name of one of the tribes of Israel, serving as a lasting reminder of Israel's essential role in the salvation of humanity.
Unlike previous places of worship, there is no temple within the Heavenly Jerusalem. Instead, God Himself will dwell among His people without any barriers, making His presence accessible to all. This city is the eternal Heaven, a place where all the Righteous will live forever, continually surrounded by the presence of Almighty God.
The Magnitude and Structure of the Heavenly City:
The Heavenly City, as described in the Bible, is uniquely fashioned in the shape of a cube. Its dimensions are both awe-inspiring and immense: the city measures approximately 1,400 to 1,500 miles in height, width, and depth—equivalent to 12,000 furlongs per side. To put this into perspective, if the Heavenly City were placed on American soil, it would cover more than half of the United States, showcasing its vastness.
To put this in perspective, the Earth's atmosphere reaches a height of about 7 miles, while the New Heaven—Jerusalem—will soar 1,500 miles high! This staggering height means that those standing at the base, or even miles away, would not be able to see the top, nor its full width or depth, with the naked eye. The city is as wide and deep as it is tall, making it impossible to grasp its full scope from any vantage point on Earth! Imagine standing on a beach in California and attempting to see the east side of Texas—such is the magnitude of the Heavenly City!
The question of whether mortals will exist on the New Earth remains uncertain. If mortals do inhabit its outer regions, they will walk in the radiant light that emanates from the Heavenly City. These Nations, living outside the grand city, will experience its brilliance and glory from afar. Meanwhile, those who are immortal will enter the city itself, bringing their righteousness and glory into its gates. This distinction illustrates the unique roles and experiences of both mortals and immortals in relation to the Heavenly City, emphasizing the eternal separation and unity found within its radiant presence. Heaven has come down and joined the New Earth! The New Jerusalem is the home of the Father where He will reside on the Throne. It will be filled with many mansions, and is the place where Jesus has gone to prepare a dwelling for us, as mentioned in John 14:2. Its immense capacity allows it to house millions upon millions of God's saints and angels, and it is where all will dwell together, worshipping and serving God on the New Earth!
- "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the Glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. – Revelation 21:22-23
Within the Heavenly City, there will be no night, as the Glory of God will shine continuously, illuminating every corner and casting light upon the Earth. The city's gates will remain open throughout the day, never being shut, symbolizing the perpetual welcome extended to the righteous.
Those who are righteous in Christ will have access to the city, and they will bring with them the glory and honor of the nations. This privilege is reserved exclusively for those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. In contrast, individuals who’ve rejected Christ and persisted in their sin will never see the Heavenly City. They have already been judged by the Almighty, and sent to the eternal hell of their own choosing, by rejecting the only One who could save them. Only the redeemed, whose lives have been transformed by their trust in Christ will dwell in this future Heaven. This magnificent city is destined to become the eternal home for all believers. Here, the faithful will reside forever, remaining in the presence of their Lord and King, Jesus Christ.
- "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. – Revelation 22: 1-3
The Nations Outside the Heavenly Jerusalem:
Chapter 22 of Revelation suggests the possibility that nations of people may exist outside the walls of the heavenly Jerusalem. This inference is drawn from references to the "water of life" and the "tree of life," whose leaves are described as being for the healing of the nations. Such details imply that there will be recipients who benefit from this healing.
However, the identity of those who require healing remains unclear. The saints and angels, described as eternal and incorruptible, would not need healing. Therefore, it is uncertain who would benefit from the healing leaves of the tree of life. While these passages raise intriguing questions, they also serve as a reminder of God's all-encompassing power. Ultimately, we do not know what else God has planned for the New Earth in the future—only what Jesus has revealed in the Book of Revelation.
It is a mystery, like many mysteries that have been given and revealed throughout history. Some things remain hidden, and we must wait and find out. We are informed in the scripture that the curse affecting us and all of creation, including the Earth, will be removed in the Eternal. There will be no more 'curse' or its effects on the New Earth. We also are told there will be no darkness, sun, or moon, for God will provide light for the Earth and illuminate the city with His Glory. The Lord immediately tells us, "… these words are faithful and true", probably because the information we've been given has seemed 'too good to be true' and phenomenal in its imagery!
✠ Sir John Scivoletti ✠
✠ Turco Joan of Arc Priory ✠
✠✠Act and God will Act (Actus et Deus Act)✠✠
