THE CITY OF GOD by E. H. Bickersteth

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 9, 1875

THE CITY OF GOD.

By E. H. Bickersteth

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Rev. 21:1, 2.

Before us now it rose, builded aloft Upon the heavenly Zion. Never eye Of mortal man had seen, nor ear had heard, Though ravished with the distant fame thereof, Glory like this; the handiwork of God, And fashioned of Heaven's choice material, light, Through which the Light of light translucent shone. The mansion of creation's Architect; The palace of the Everlasting King; Its gates of pearl, its edifice of gold; Its very streets of pure crystalline gold; Its walls on twelve foundations superposed (Of which divine realities the earth Can only lend its feeble semblances), The jasper streak'd with many a tender dye, The sapphire of celestial blue serene, The agate once chalcedon's peerless boast, The fathomless repose of emerald, The ruby, and blood-tinctured sardonyx, The chrysolite, like amber-sheathing fire, The beryl emulous of ocean's sheen, The opal-tinted topaz clear as glass, The soft—pale, purple of the chrysoprase, The meliboean hyacinth, and last The lucid violet of amethyst. But not of pearly gates, or golden streets, Or bulwarks, or foundations built of jewels, Thought we that day, or linger'd to admire; For we were on our way to meet our God.

The city had no temple; for itself From wall to wall, from base to pinnacle, Was one harmonious veilless sanctuary, One Holiest of all; of which the shrine Reveal'd amid the clouds of Sinai Yielded the earliest pattern. This the house Which Israel's royal seer in symbol saw, And, by the Spirit's hand on his, described; This the beloved apostle, rapt in spirit To some high watch among the lasting hills, Beheld. Most blessed, beautiful sight! Here veil'd in radiant clouds, clouds only called From the supreme of brightness they enfolded, Was set the throne of Majesty in Heaven. In front seven ever-burning lamps of fire, Which are the Spirits of God; and round about Mysterious cherubim, instinct with eyes, Fourfold in glory, symbolized in forms Of lion-like imperial royalty, Of patient sacrificial ministry, Of human, more than human, sympathy, Of soaring eagles—plumed intelligence, Most highest of all creatures, whereof such Caught and reflected some peculiar rays, Some distinct aspect of his Lord; but all Uniting in one everlasting song, Cried, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of hosts.” And here around were four-and-twenty thrones In wider circuit, like a story belt, And on them four-and-twenty hierarchs In priestly apparel, but with kingly crowns, Sitting sublime. And in mid view, behold, What seemed the likeness of a sea of glass. But not on glassy sea, or royal priest, Or cherubim of glory, gazed we then; For we were on our way to meet our God, Children about to see their Father's face.

. . . But at last It seemed as rising from the sapphire throne Messiah led us first at large to view The city, himself had builded and prepared After his Father's counsel for his Bride; A city, or a temple, or a home, Or rather all in one. Enriched it was With every exquisite design of love, And every form of beauty. Not a film Stained its bright pavement of transparent gold; Not a harsh murmur vexed its silences, Or with the melodies of angels jarred. No cloud darkened its empyrean. Joy Held court here in its own metropolis. And through the midst the crystal river flowed Exhaustless from the everlasting throne, Shaded on either side by trees of life Which yielded in unwearying interchange Their rife vicissitudes of monthly fruits Amid their clustering leaves medicinal; Of fruits twelve manner; for eternity, Measured by ages limitless to man, Has intervals and periods of bliss, And high recurring festivals that stand On the sidereal calends marked in light. Through these celestial groves the Lamb of God Led us delighted. Every sight and sound Ravished the sense; and every loving heart Reflected joy to joy and light to light, Like crystals in a cave flashing with fire, And multiplied our bliss a million-fold.

O blessed royal priesthood! priests and kings Under the Great High Priest and Prince of Peace, Who now in tenderness assigned to each His priestly abode within the house of God (So Solomon around his temple built The chambers for its stated ministries), Where each might be alone with God, or mix In converse with his fellow-saints at will, Adorned with those peculiar gifts he knew, Who knows us better than we know ourselves, Would gratify those tastes and feelings most Himself had planted; delicate delights; If little, loving from their littleness, Which naught but love could ever have devised; If rich and large, more precious from the love That gave them than from excellence or cost; The bounties of a Father's thoughtfulness, The tokens of the Bridegroom's tenderness, Gifts of the Spirit, and with his love instinct.

—E. H. Bickersteth.