Before we pass into this final scene of glory, let us dwell a little longer on the awful contrasts of the judgment of the rest of the dead, who lived not again until the thousand years or millennium, was finished. They must stand before the great white throne. And they are judged according to their works. Every secret thing is brought out there. In their lifetime they refused to be justified, now before that throne there is no escape from judgment. “They were judged EVERY MAN according to their works.” And there was no escape from the lake of fire. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Now, the gospel is, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Now, Jesus says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed from death unto life.” It is written now, “All that believe are justified from all things.” “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” How great then the contrast to be manifested before the judgment-seat of Christ, as the justified, with no condemnation, no charge possible against the justified; or to stand before the great white throne to be judged according to their works.
Is it not amazing that any soul can be indifferent with such an end before him? What a question for each reader of these lines, Are you justified by faith in the Lord Jesus, or are you hastening on to judgment; and then to the lake of fire? It may be said by some, that the lake of fire is a figure. If so, if a figure, what must be the reality of that everlasting punishment, where the beast and the false prophet will then be, “and shall be tormented clay and night forever and ever!”
Fellow believers, justified from all things, are we lifting up the warning voice to the multitudes hastening on to such a doom? We earnestly ask each reader to weigh this question, Am I hastening on to the lake of fire, or to the new heaven and new earth?
Verse 1. Mark, this verse is not, as often misquoted, new heavens, but a new heaven and a new earth. It is on this earth God has been dishonored by man’s sin. On this earth He has been glorified by the death of His Son. To this earth He shall return and reign a thousand years. And the revelation here is as to this earth as new, and (we take it) the heaven connected with it. These words seem to indicate this much: “And there was no more sea.” The material condition of this earth will be new.
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God, out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” What a temple, the dwelling-place of God! The holy city, not as she is seen now on earth. Not of earth, but coming down from God out of heaven. What holiness! what everlasting purity! No taint of sin can come down from God: “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband;” to be the eternal delight of Christ. God also has then His joy in men. He tabernacles with them. They shall be His people, God Himself shall be with them. No more tears, no more sorrow, crying, death, or pain. For the former things are passed away.
This is the blessed state of the new earth, in which forever dwelleth righteousness. The new creation is now seen in all its fullness, and incorruptibility. It is the work of Him who sits upon the throne. “Behold I make all things new.” Everlasting scenes of ineffable delight. Then shall He who loved us and gave Himself for us see of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied; “Oh, how He loves.” Poor thirsty soul, hear Him; He says, “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” And, oh, careless soul, hear further. “He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” If living in sin, overcome by Satan, dream not of these eternal joys. None but the overcomers will be there. Tempted, and it may be they have fallen, they have passed through many a fierce conflict; but they have been restored, and made conquerors. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” There is no thought here that such shall cease to exist, or be annihilated by this second death. They did not cease to exist at the first death. The rich man did not cease to exist when he lifted up his eyes, being in torment. He had his part in the awful punishment immediately after closing his eyes an earth. And now in the eternal state all these shall have their part, or portion, in the lake of fire.
If we do not believe this then we are infidels, and pretend to know the future better than God, who thus gives us these solemn warnings of truth. Whether we believe it or not, will not alter it.
If we answer to the above characters, and die unpardoned, such will assuredly be our everlasting, unending portion. Can anything equal the madness of running such a risk of death and judgment, and eternal woe, for the husks of society or the pleasures of sin? May God use these warnings of His holy word to any unconverted reader of this paper.
At the end of verse 8 is another important division of this book. This closes the revelation as to the eternal state—the new heaven and the new earth. From verse 9 to 22:5, we are taken back to see the holy city, the bride of the Lamb, during the period of blessedness of the millennium. Then afterward are concluding remarks to the end.
In chapter xvii. one of the seven angels had shown John the awful character and judgment of the apostate city, the great harlot—Mystery, Babylon the Great, &c. Now one of the same seven angels shows him the holy city—the true church, the bride of the Lamb. That church which He has built, and which the gates, or administration of hell, have not prevailed against. How little men suspect which are the gates of hell in this world. That church is the body of the Christ, composed of all true believers—of all the overcomers since the day it was formed. (Acts 2 Cor. 12:1212Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12:12).) These have been hated as He was hated, persecuted, and often put to cruel deaths. Yes, even by those who arrogantly call themselves the only true church; whilst the true members of the body of Christ have sighed, groaned and died in the dungeons of the harlot’s Inquisition. But have one of these members of Christ perished? They have been burnt at the stake, and their ashes cast into the Rhine or the Rhone. Look now at the sight presented, “Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light [or shining] was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.”
Not one whom the Father hath given unto Him shall be wanting there; all who are His having been raised, or changed, and taken up to heaven, as we have seen. Yes, He has come and taken them to the place prepared in the Father’s many mansions—He has taken them to Himself. Not one was left behind; not a stone shall be wanting in the holy Jerusalem. Oh, what a contrast that great and holy heavenly Jerusalem to the great earthly city, the harlot of Rome. She descends out of heaven from God, without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. She had been branded with shame, and every indignity here. Now she descends, having the glory of God. Yes, she is now the righteousness of God in Christ; as He is, so is she now. We shall see Him as He is, and be like Him. She is the delight of the heart of the Bridegroom—the bride of the Lamb. No obscurity now; “her light was like unto a stone most precious.” forever reflecting His glory in the light of life; no spot of impurity there, but “clear as crystal.”
No more gates of hell to hurt her; the ministers of Satan shall trample on her no more. Her security, her walls are great and high; no prowling “familiar” shall pass those walls. Never more shall one of her members be draped before the monsters of hell; she now takes the perfect administration of the world; she has twelve gates, the perfect number for administration.
Yes, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, if the Lord tarry a little longer, we may be on the eve of fierce persecution, and some may yet be comforted with this revelation of the holy city. It is blessed to know with certainty that the gates of hell shall not finally prevail against a single stone of the holy Jerusalem. How oft we have to mourn over the sad divisions of the church as seen now. But then all is in divine order. The administration is also perfect on every side; a perfect combination of the heavenly rule of the church through the earthly administration of Israel restored, and in the land. How perfect the administration, and how perfect the measure of the city of God! It lieth perfect, according to the measure of the golden reed. It is represented by the figure of a cube. Its vastness and its form alike proclaim that the gates of hell have not prevailed against it.
It may be observed that in the eternal state as described in verses 2-5, there are no wails or gates; there righteousness forever dwells. Here it reigns; hence the figures of security, its wall great and high, 12 by 12, 144 cubits high; walls of salvation, of jasper, and the city was pure gold, like unto glass. No defilement there, nothing to sully the walk, all is everlasting purity; its foundations are garnished with every precious stone, “every several gate was of one pearl.” What a change from the universal corruption of this world. Then the administration of righteousness shall be purity itself. “And the street of the city is pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” Every stone in that heavenly building shall reflect the glory of its builder. Such is the figure of the bride of the Lamb adorned for her husband. Everything in her now is suited to Himself.