The New Jerusalem

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 11, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 15.

The New Jerusalem

1. In the building of what did rebellion begin against God after the Deluge?

And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. Gen. 11: 4.

NOTE.—The building of cities has been one of the curses of the earth from that time since. Nearly all the corruption that devours a land begins in the cities. In fact the corruption that overspreads the country has its source and inspiration in the great teeming, unhealthy cities, and it is because of this corruption that these cities have gone down.

2. Because of the corruption and destruction of cities what was the writer of Hebrews led to say?

For here have we NO CONTINUING CITY, but we seek ONE TO COME. Heb. 13: 14.

3. What does he declare God had prepared for the faithful?

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for HE HATH PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY. Heb. 11: 16.

4. Of what will the kingdom of Christ consist?

And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Dan. 7: 27.

5. What will be the capital of that kingdom?

Jerusalem. "Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, and give Him no rest, till He establish, and till He make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." Isa. 62: 3-7.

For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of Hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall He be called. Isa. 54: 5.

6. What was that city called as it was revealed to John?

And I John saw the holy city, NEW JERUSALEM, coming down from God out of heaven, PREPARED AS A BRIDE adorned for her husband. . . . And 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. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, THE HOLY JERUSALEM, descending out of heaven from God. Rev. 21: 2, 9, 10.

7. What was the size of that new earth capital?

And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. Rev. 21: 16.

NOTE.—By the measurements in vogue in John's time this would make a city measured around it, as the custom was in those days, a city 375 miles on each side, as large as the States of New York and Pennsylvania—a fitting capital for that glorious new earth, in which there will be little sea, but in which the great redeemed land of God will cover largely the earth's surface.

8. What is the character of that city physically?

We are assured in the twenty-first chapter of Revelation that its walls are largely built of precious stones, that its gates are of pearl, that they are swung wide open night and day because there are no criminals in its land, that all the abominable and sinners of every kind are cast out—devoured, and that the glory which comes from the presence of God itself outshines that of the sun. In the midst of that city, flowing out from the throne of God, is the River of Life; and on either side of that river the Tree of Life, which bears its monthly fruits, and to which the redeemed shall come from all the earth from month to month to keep glad festival for God, and from Sabbath to Sabbath to worship before Him and receive more abundant draughts of life.

9. What is said of its character morally?

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: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. Rev. 22: 3, 4.

10. What is said of those who shall dwell there?

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Rev. 21: 3-5.

11. Who shall have a place in this glorious city?

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. Rev. 21: 7.