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The New Jerusalem

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 22, 1866

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 27, No. 25.

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The New Jerusalem.

IN the last two chapters of the Bible we have a glimpse of the New Jerusalem which is worthy of contemplation. In size it greatly surpasses any city built by human power. The largest city of antiquity was Babylon on the river Euphrates. This was said to be fifteen miles square, or sixty miles in circumference. This vast space was surrounded by a high wall. This was probably the largest city ever built in this world. But the New Jerusalem, instead of being fifteen miles square, is three hundred and seventy-five miles square, or one thousand five hundred miles round it. The walls of this city, instead of being made of sun-dried brick, like Babylon, are made of material more splendid and costly than marble. "The foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones." These were put in layers, one above the other, in the following order, jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprasus, jacinth and amethyst. Think of a wall one thousand five hundred miles long, and two hundred and fifty feet high, made of such splendid material! And to add to the external beauty of this city, there are twelve gates, three on each side, and each gate composed of one solid pearl.
On entering this city we find the interior is as glorious, as the exterior is splendid. The city is of pure gold, like unto clear glass. So the street of the city is pure gold like transparent glass. Think of walking on a pure mirror, where every feature is perfectly reflected. It would seem that the river of living water, which has its origin under the throne of God, is that river the streams whereof make glad the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem.
As the river of Eden was divided into four streams before leaving the garden, so it would seem the celestial river is divided into as many rills as there are streets in the city, each street being thus furnished with pure and wholesome water in rich abundance. We may suppose these streams run gently through the middle of the street, while on each side of them is a row of beautiful fruit-trees, always in bloom, and always loaded with delicious fruit.
In large cities, light is an all-important article, as well as water. The New Jerusalem has no need of the sun, or moon, or artificial lights of any kind. It is always illuminated by the "glory of God." The light of this city is like unto a stone most precious, even like jasper stone, clear as crystal.
Another important item for cities is the expense of building and repairing churches. All this expense is saved in the New Jerusalem. One who had a clear view of it says, "I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."
And what makes this city a most desirable place to live in, is its perfect freedom from those ills that flesh is heir to, here in this world. Here we are constantly liable to pains and sickness, and separation from loved ones, and sorrows in ten thousand forms. Here we are in bondage all our lifetime to a fear of death. In that city are none of these evils. No death there. No sickness or parting from loved ones. No sorrow there forever. There are no tears shed in the New Jerusalem.
"But these things are negatives. Are there no positives there?" Yes, that glorious city is full of positives. Every want of the soul is fully met. Every desire gratified. The soul is filled with the fullness of God. It experiences more than mortal eye ever saw, or mortal ear ever heard, or mortal heart ever conceived. It swims in an ocean of love and joy, and peace. It has just the company it wants, just the employment it delights in, just the song it loves to sing, just the crown it loves to wear, just the palm-branch it loves to carry, and just the God and Saviour it loves to adore.
"Jerusalem, my happy home, Name ever dear to me! When shall my labors have an end, In joy, and peace, and thee?"
There happier bowers than Eden's bloom, Nor sin nor sorrow know, Bless'd seats! through rude and stormy scenes, I onward press to you.
O'er all those wide extended plains, Shines one eternal day; There God, the sun, forever reigns, And scatters night away.
No chilling wind, or poisonous breath Can reach that healthful shore: Sickness and sorrow, pain and death, Are felt and feared no more.
When shall I reach that happy place, And be forever blest? When shall I see my Father's face, And in his bosom rest?"