We will close this series of papers with a subject that is but very little studied in comparison with the intense interest it surely should have for every one of us. Even on earth we sing “There is no place like home,” and to it our thoughts ever turn in all our wanderings. How much more, then, should our hearts enjoy the consideration of our eternal home.
Somehow I think that this subject was more thought of in other days than now; for it is but seldom one hears the heavenly Jerusalem spoken of, and certainly very rarely with that heart-longing that a contemplation of its glories must raise. Let us consider a little the well-known passage that describes them.
The City
In Rev. 21:99And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Revelation 21:9), we find that the heavenly Jerusalem is itself the Bride, the Lamb’s wife. This city, therefore, really is not so much the abode of the saints (though it is that) as the saints themselves. Where inhabitants are spoken of, they are probably the saints looked at as individuals. This city is divine in its origin, it comes from God; it is also heavenly in its character, not being situated on earth like the Jewish city, but being placed in the heavens over it, so that it has the appearance of coming down out of heaven. It will probably be over the earthly Jerusalem to which it will give light and glory (compare Isa. 4:55And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence. (Isaiah 4:5)). It is clothed with the glory of God, according to Eph. 1:18; 2:718The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)
7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7).
Although it is the Bride of the Lamb that John sees, it is as a city he describes it, this being its appearance to the earth below. We are destined to know the deepest affections of Christ as His Bride, but to the world we shall be the center of heavenly rule, transmitting the glory and power of our Lord to the furthest parts of the redeemed world, and thus giving a deeper and fuller meaning to 1 Cor. 11:77For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. (1 Corinthians 11:7), “for the woman is the glory of the man.”
A Transparent Cube
This city is further described by the apostle as a perfectly transparent cube, 1,500 miles in every direction, having the glory and brilliancy of gold, and the crystal clearness of glass or jasper; a most beautiful figure as we shall see when we consider the city as a light bearer to the earth. This city is secure, she has a great and high wall (a symbol only), and twelve gates, or seats of judgment, of which angels are the door-keepers (See also. Heb. 2:55For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (Hebrews 2:5); and 1 Cor. 6:33Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? (1 Corinthians 6:3)), and at each of which a Jewish tribe is judged according to the Lord’s words in Matt. 19:2828And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28),
“Ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (See also Luke 22:3030That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:30)). The foundations of this glorious city are the twelve apostles of the Lamb according to Eph. 2:2020And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2:20). Such is the new and heavenly capital of the government of God. It is vast, as we have seen, and perfect, as shown by the figure of a cube. The foundations are precious stones, (that part most seen from the earth) showing all the varied glories of Christ.
Creation, Grace and Glory
We get these glories figured by precious stones three times in Scripture. We find His glories shown in creation in (Ezek. 28:1313Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. (Ezekiel 28:13)). We get the varied glories in grace in the high priest’s breastplate, and we get them all in glory here. The pure white light of Christ’s glory is thus split up by the media through which it passes into its varied characteristics, as displayed amongst, and apprehended by men.
This city differs from the earthly one in having no temple, for the all-pervading presence of the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb is there. Before passing on to consider it as a light-bearer we may here quote some beautiful words on this passage by another,
“The wall which secured this city was the divine glory. As it is written of the earthly Jerusalem, salvation hath God appointed for walls and bulwarks. The city was formed—in divine righteousness and holiness—gold transparent as glass. That which was by the Word wrought in and applied to men below, was now, the very nature of the whole place (See Eph. 4:2424And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (Ephesians 4:24)). The gates have the moral beauty which attracted Christ in the Church, (See Matt. 13:44,4644Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44)
46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:46)), and that in a glorious way. That on which men walked, instead of bringing danger of defilements, was itself righteous and holy; the street was gold, transparent as glass.” Such, then, is the general glorious aspect of our future home.
The City a Light-Bearer
Now let us see what is the object and purport of this vast city. A consideration of its construction will at once prepare us for the answer. It is a crystal cube, having in it the seat and center of glory of God and of the Lamb (Rev. 22:33And 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 22:3)). Every ray, therefore, of the divine glory to reach this earth, must pass through this transparent cube. It is, therefore, plain that every ray this city gives of light and glory to the earth, comes from Christ alone, though it is all transmitted through the saints who will then form (not alas, now)! a perfectly transparent medium: they enjoy direct light, the earth transmitted light. What a joy to think that we are then no longer to hinder and turn aside the light, as too often now, but perfectly to fulfill our high destiny of being light-bearers of the glory of the Lamb.
(To be continued)