The New Jerusalem with Its Jewelled Walls and GatesBible World
11:10Hebrews 11:10
For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Abraham lived in the promised land as a stranger in tents with Isaac and Jacob, owning no ground except a burial tomb, because he looked beyond Canaan to the lasting heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, the saints' future home with God. That city has foundations and cannot be moved, firm as the throne of God, and it endures because God Himself is its builder, maker, designer and founder. The promise to him was not to end in occupation of Canaan by his fleshly descendants, but to embrace the whole earth freed from the curse, an incorruptible inheritance fulfilled through Christ to all who are his by faith. A place there is had only by obedience to God's law, building character on the Rock, being clothed in Christ's righteousness, and overcoming sin and self by His power. This hope makes God's people pilgrims now, weaning them from earthly wealth and pleasure, and filling them with joy, peace and strength amid trial until they enter the gates in glory.
City God Builds
The city is the heavenly city, the better heavenly country, the Holy City, the New Jerusalem in Paradise in heaven, the saints' future home with God and the final reward of the righteous and of every overcomer. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob looked forward to it and saw its glories, and Abraham's hope was in that lasting city whose builder and maker is God. Those who are Abraham's children share that hope, for by faith they seek that country and their conduct shows they do not make this world their home or treasure but look forward to the eternal glory promised. It is the city God has built for His people and their homeward destination, a lasting home founded and built by God and a place of rest where sorrow, grief, and lost hopes are gone. The faithful who have fought the good fight of faith will share the Redeemer's glory in God's kingdom there.
The city has foundations, is lasting, is firm as the throne of God, and cannot be moved. It is the only city that will endure, in contrast to earthly cities and to the attractive earthly city. Abraham lived as a temporary resident in the promised land because he looked beyond it to the city God had prepared, and his hope rested on a lasting home whose security and maker were divine. God is its builder and maker, and it has foundations, a better-than-earthly reward for those who build well-formed characters on the solid Rock in keeping with the living Word. Christ's messengers are to direct minds to this lasting home by faith toward heaven and its glory and to urge the seeking of the immortal inheritance and the storing of treasure with God.
God is its builder, maker, designer, and founder, which distinguishes it as divine in security, permanence, and home. Faith looks beyond discouraging things that can be seen toward the heavenly city God has built and the better country believers seek. Its foundations and divine maker distinguish it as the future home Christ prepares and the hope set before those who fight the Lord's battles in this world. It is the lasting home Abraham looked toward while living as a pilgrim on earth, a reward to be sought above earthly riches and pleasures which will perish.
The city is real and presently out of sight but seen by faith, calling for active preparation and for eyes fixed on Christ. It is a real place with foundations whose builder and maker is God, soon to be the home of the saints, and the hope of living there and seeing Jesus in His glory encourages believers to remain faithful and endure trials. Believers travel over a dangerous path to that city seen by faith, living in the world but not of the world, keeping their light shining brightly and keeping strict watchfulness and constant guard lest their feet stumble. Its foundations, walls, and gates were formed in Paradise since Old Jerusalem was built, so the New is not older than the Old, where God's temple with the ark of His testament is.
The city is described with streets of pure gold transparent like glass and paved with gold, with golden gates and pearly gates, with sapphire walls and precious-stone foundations, with God's paradise, with the river of life flowing from the throne, and with the tree of life whose leaves heal the nations. God's throne is there and there is no more curse. Nothing defiling enters it. There is no sickness, parting, poverty, pain, or death there, with sorrow, grief, and lost hopes gone, for its heavenly riches endure.
The description also applies to God's spiritual temple, whose living stones are people gathered from every nation and class, gathered by the truth and shaped and fitted by God for their places. The finished temple will be complete and perfect and admired because God is its builder.
Abraham's Pilgrim Sojourn
When he was called to go out to a place he should afterward receive for an inheritance, Abraham obeyed, leaving his kindred and his country and going out not knowing where he went. Wherever he pitched his tent his first work was to build an altar to worship God with those who accompanied him. He sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country, living as a temporary resident in tents with Isaac and Jacob as fellow heirs of the same promise. He lived there as a stranger because he looked beyond it to the lasting city with foundations that God Himself founds, builds, and makes, to the heavenly country and God's promised reward.
Though the Lord had promised him the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and though he possessed great substance which he used to the glory of God and the good of his fellow men, neither he nor his son nor his son's son received it. He owned no land there and had no possession in the earth, not so much as to set his foot on. His sole possession in the land of promise was the rock-hewn tomb in the cave of Machpelah which he had to buy of the Canaanites as a burial place for Sarah and for his dead.
Because God gave him a view of the immortal inheritance, he looked beyond land he could not claim as his own to the eternal inheritance revealed to him as his possession, and with that hope he was content. He looked past earthly farms and possessions to his own farm and eternal possession, to the city with foundations whose builder and maker is God. That city belongs to the future immortal life, when the earth is purified and becomes his home, and it is the better, heavenly country sought by those who live by faith.
He did not expect to find the city until the faithful are raised. His promised home is connected with having a place in the new earth. It will soon be the home of the saints, the long-talked-of city soon to be entered, and the hope of living there encourages faithfulness and endurance of trials.
Inheritance Promised Fulfilled
The city Abraham looked for was not Canaan but the heavenly country, the better country, the whole earth freed from the curse of sin. It is an incorruptible, undefiled inheritance that fadeth not away, where the meek inherit the earth in abundance of peace and the kingdom under the whole heaven is given to the saints. Though Canaan was promised to him, he owned no land there except the burial place he had to buy for Sarah, and he looked beyond earthly possessions and prosperity to the city God would build and to immortal life on a purified earth made his home. Like him, believers are pilgrims and strangers in this world who do not expect their full reward in land or wealth now but look for eternal glory. The promise to Abraham and his seed was not to meet its final accomplishment in occupation of Canaan by the Jewish people but includes the whole earth through righteousness of faith and is fulfilled through Christ. Abraham himself will share it with all that are Christ's as Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise, and those who are children of Abraham must dwell here as pilgrims and strangers seeking the same city.
The city is the future home Christ prepares, distinguished by its foundations and its divine maker and builder. This hope belongs to those who fight the Lord's battles in this world as pilgrims and strangers on earth looking beyond earthly life for a lasting city. It is connected with Christ's promise to return, receive His people, and bring them to the place He has prepared. That place means the provisions made for them, the mansions Jesus has gone to prepare, the blessed home in the better heavenly country. They hold citizenship in heaven, refuse to conform to the world in speech and in its spirit of complaining, look for the Lord to come, and must prepare for the glorious jubilee that begins when they enter the gates of the city of God. By keeping the eye on the riches of the grace of Christ and beholding those provisions and talking of the home to come, they live in this world and act their part in humanity yet are not of the world, forgetting annoyances and fretting cares and breathing the atmosphere of heaven with comfort and joy in God.
Christ came from that heavenly country to give a lived example of obeying the laws of that better country and city, which reveal His character. The city God has built is for all who will be obedient to the laws of God. Christ gave His life to make it possible for fallen humanity to meet the conditions that give entrance into that city. Enoch also looked for the city, having seen the celestial city and the King in His glory in Zion in the midst of Zion. Instead of gathering gold and silver and building up possessions on earth, his heart was set on eternal treasures, with his mind, his heart, and his conversation in heaven. As wickedness and iniquity around him increased, his longing for the home of God grew more earnest, so that while still on earth he dwelt by faith in the realms of light.
The city God builds was the great hope held before the patriarchs and prophets, a heavenly country and permanent home for which they lived as pilgrims and strangers on earth, unwilling to return to their former worldly associations. Abraham stands among the heroes of faith and the great cloud of witnesses surrounding believers, marked by fidelity to God in darkness and brought conspicuously before the world in order that their light may shine forth to those in darkness. He breasted evils and difficulties in his way and in the name of the Lord braced himself successfully against the opposing forces of evil, sustained and strengthened with the Lord holding him by His hand. Their obedience and fidelity lead others to glorify Him.
Conditions for Entering
A place in the city is obtained through obedience to God's requirements, for the city is prepared for all who obey the laws of God which reveal His character, and the conditions are read in Exodus in the Ten Commandments that mark His people in the last days so they glorify His name. Christ came from that heavenly country to give a lived example of obeying the laws of that better country, and He gave His life to make it possible for fallen humanity to meet the conditions for entrance. Through obedience to God's law as the guide in this life the human family may become a united, happy family there, gaining a character fitted for heaven and living in harmony with the laws of God. There is no room there for those who have no regard for the will of the Lord, and those who subordinate eternity to time and choose earthly riches will lose that treasure at death and fail of eternal life, while those who continue to transgress God's law cannot enter, but Christians who follow the pattern of Christ's life will receive eternal life measured by the life of God.
Preparation is building a well-formed character on the solid Rock according to the living Word and God's word, for which a better-than-earthly and lasting reward is prepared. God has prepared the city and desires proof by faithfulness in service that preparation to enter it is being made, with the goal always kept in view while pressing forward, including learning the language of Canaan. That preparation is made in His strength through steady advancement and transformation of character, with a conscience clear toward God and people, by constant improvement in knowledge and steady onward and upward movement. While God prepares the kingdom and builds the heavenly home, His people are to build their characters in the divine likeness, serving Him without pride or self-exaltation.
Entrance requires being fitted by continuing to look to the Redeemer, perfecting Christian character with the love of Jesus abiding in the heart as a constant solace, rejoicing through trials and letting trials cleanse away dross and sinful thoughts and plans rather than making one unkind and disagreeable. The way toward that home is to put on Christ's righteousness and strive to overcome so as to be received into God's paradise, with Christian life inwardly joined to the life of Jesus and clothed in His righteousness. Looking for that city means turning from worldly attachments and childish amusements as pilgrims and strangers whose citizenship is above, waiting, watching, praying and working with whole mind, heart and strength. In this world preparation must be made for that home by now being clothed with the wedding garment, the robe of Christ's righteousness, standing without spot or wrinkle, with every soul while probation still lingers washing his own robe of character and preparing for translation, desiring to be clothed with Christ's righteousness.
The city will belong to those who are true, humble, and faithful, who overcome sin, and they will enter it abundantly as conquerors, not merely as people barely pardoned. Its gates will be thrown open to all who overcome by the blood of the Lamb, making it their aim while in this world to overcome every wrong tendency by looking to a pattern higher than any human being, turning from self to behold the love the Father has bestowed in calling them sons of God, and beholding the beauty of His character until there is no occasion for unhappiness or fault-finding and no desire to dwell on anything disagreeable. The lasting city founded and built by God is to be striven for with every spiritual nerve and muscle, not in human strength but with the wisdom and power of God, arming for conflict against every influence that would obstruct the way, bringing minds up to noble and elevated thoughts, offering humble prayer, and searching to know what is truth. Reaching the Holy City is climbing by holding fast to Christ the Mediator, forsaking sin and advancing step by step, trusting Christ while working in obedience to God's commandments, adding Christian graces until perfect love for God and fellow people crowns progress, with an abundant entrance for those who persevere and everlasting life for those who resolutely climb, since letting go of Christ or relaxing effort leads to falling away.
Seeking the city involves the privilege open to all of cleansing from all selfishness, from all rudeness in speech, and from all discourtesy in spirit, word, or action. That preparation means learning to be true Christian gentlemen after the example of Jesus Christ, partaking of the divine nature by yielding fully to the Lord's side, so that Christianity in the heart works out in true courtesy and sanctified actions. Christians prepare for the city built by God and the city built for the pure and holy by showing love for God and fellow people, with selfishness removed and God's image and character restored in them by Christ, for without this love Christ cannot restore God's image and attributes or make them partakers of the divine nature, and this is necessary for eternal life.
The heavenly city is a lasting home and a reward to be sought above earthly riches and pleasures which will perish, for its heavenly riches endure in a place free from poverty, sickness, pain, and death. It is an eternal treasure and immortal inheritance that poverty cannot strip away, with the threshold of heaven held open flooded with divine glory from the throne, and it must be striven for and sought, wanted and longed for, worth spending everything to gain and to help perishing souls gain. Entrance into the immortal inheritance is found by those purchased by the blood of Christ who love and serve the Lord, with believers striving together to secure it. Those who enter must overcome self and sin and cannot bring guilt or transgression of God's law with them, and a fitting character is required, so that a continual education in speculation, unfair dealing, falsehood and robbery unfits a person to enter even when placed in leading positions in the church.
Pilgrim Life Today
Those who are Abraham's children share Abraham's hope, seeking by faith the lasting city and the heavenly country as the reward of every overcomer. By that faith they confess themselves strangers and pilgrims on earth, seeing the promises afar off and embracing them without having received them, with pilgrimage ending in death in faith in hope of walking with Christ in white and receiving a crown of righteousness. Their conduct shows they seek a better, heavenly country and do not make this world their home or treasure, for earth is not home and this world is only a temporary dwelling soon to be destroyed. As Christ's messengers they hold the same hope, living as pilgrims and strangers looking for the city Abraham looked for.
That hope weans affections from earth so that cares and perplexities of farms here do not engross the mind, and affections are set on heavenly things rather than earthly wealth, honor, fashion, and pleasure. Lives show treasure laid up in heaven by living like people waiting for their Lord and glorifying God. The choice for eternal life is marked in life and conduct, plainly saying a better, heavenly homeland is sought, and loving the world with its fashion and pleasure shows life has not been chosen. The hope of a place in the city God builds therefore turns spending away from self-pleasing and show toward using means wisely for God's work, the good of others, and the saving of souls.
Looking for the city means doing the work of this life in accordance with God's will, with integrity and concern for eternal interests. It means doing God's will, working diligently, watching, working, and praying, waiting for salvation and final reward rather than following personal wishes or seeking ease, position, or honor. Citizenship is held in heaven as those waiting for the Lord to come and receive them, refusing to conform to the world in speech and in its spirit of complaining, refusing to dabble in politics, refusing to choose company for mere amusement, ceasing to be infatuated by childish things, and wearing neat apparel with nothing put on to attract attention or create controversy. The short time left calls for living in readiness to move to the city with foundations built and made by God, keeping light shining while traveling a dangerous path with strict watchfulness and whole mind, heart, and strength, prepared for the glorious jubilee at entering its gates.
Believers press forward with the city God has prepared always kept in view as the goal, proving by faithfulness in service that preparation to enter is being made. That city stands at the end of the narrow road to heaven, which requires self-denial and whole-hearted obedience, while the broad road of human indulgence and disobedience leads to death and does not end there. The narrow road is entered through the gate of self-denial by denying self daily, taking up the cross, and following Christ in His footsteps, for He came from heaven to travel the narrow path through the straight gate and is Himself the way to that city. Advancement is step by step with Satan contesting every inch of ground, made in God's strength through steady advancement, transformation of character, learning the language of Canaan, and a conscience clear toward God and people.
As pilgrims and strangers looking for the city, believers set an example of economy in this world. That means making provision for the sick pleasant and desirable and meeting people where they are for both poor and wealthy, yet refusing unnecessary display. It means refusing to invest a large sum in one magnificent institution that would rob the next enterprise and hinder establishing other needed institutions, beginning small and building up as the Lord prospers the work.
Living by faith after the same pattern as Abraham, who obeyed when called to go out not knowing where he went and sojourned in the land of promise in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, calls for faith stripped of human elements so it lays hold of invisible things in a deeper religious experience. Faith looks beyond discouraging things that can be seen toward the heavenly city God has built and the better country sought. That same faith shown by God's servants of old can work in believers now, enabling them to keep trusting through trials and to serve as channels of His power.
The city built by God is the home of a people whose life is in harmony with the principles of heaven, where true greatness, glory, and blessedness are found in belonging to it. Life in this fallen world is a time of testing in which people show through daily self-denial, obedience to God, and following Christ's example whether they value God's gift of Christ. A life that displays Christ's character helps others see the way to enter the city of God.
Hope Sustaining Mission
Hope for the lasting city founded, built and made by God fills the heart with joy even when faith costs homes and inheritance on earth. Trials, sorrows, disappointments and afflictions are outweighed by the eternal glory ahead, and the hope of that home and its crown directs the mind heavenward. Present afflictions seem light and brief when the mind is directed to unseen things and to the tree of life, and those who are true, humble and faithful and overcome sin will enter abundantly as conquerors, not as ones barely pardoned. That hope brings joy and leads to seeking purity and becoming like Jesus. Its hope of eternal life, rest, peace and unfading glory gives strength amid present suffering and makes heaven the supreme gain.
Christians are pilgrims and strangers traveling a narrow path of self-denial and self-sacrifice, sustained by wonderful promises in the Word that unveil eternity and give glimpses of the far greater eternal glory awaiting the overcomer. The city means the provisions made for them, the mansions Jesus has gone to prepare, the blessed home in the better heavenly country, and keeping the eye on the riches of Christ's grace instead of on deformity and the curse lets them live in this world and act their part in humanity yet not be of the world. By beholding those provisions and talking of the home to come they forget annoyances and fretting cares, breathe the atmosphere of heaven, and are soothed, comforted and joyful in God. Looking for that city lets God's people breathe the very atmosphere of heaven even in a loathsome dungeon crowded with criminals, turns persecution to the furtherance of the gospel, and when held forth guides many feet into the path of life.
Glimpses of another and better country are presented by the Holy Spirit to impress minds, bringing things afar off nigh. Those to whom the world has been everything are caused to realize that eternity demands all attention, and as the divine power of truth is seen new thoughts are awakened. From longing, unsatisfied minds comes the desire to know what to do to inherit eternal life, leading to a new heart and a new life inspired by Christ. That hope in the future kingdom brings joy and leads to seeking purity and becoming like Jesus.
Beholding that nobler world brought within range of spiritual vision does not incapacitate for the essential duties of this life but better qualifies for performing present duties. Every moment is impregnated with endless results unto a crown of glory that fadeth not away, and weeded of vanities this life is to cultivate every power to enjoy all that is useful and precious, being good and doing good and laying up heavenly treasure for the future life. The Redeemer brings people to the threshold of heaven to see it flushed with living glories, declaring He died so they might make it their home and enjoy its glories through the ceaseless ages of eternity, and urges earnest seeking for the future life that measures with the life of God. The hope of that home and its crown directs the mind heavenward and calls for the use of all reasoning powers and abilities to gain it.
The record of the faithful provides instruction: workers in the cities are to go forward in faith, do their best, and watch, work and pray, trusting that God hears and answers petitions. Abraham lived as a stranger in the promised land by faith, looking toward the city God would establish, and that lesson is to be read and applied. Christ's messengers are to direct minds to heaven and its glory, urge seeking the immortal inheritance, and call to store treasure with God, for only the city God builds will endure. Visions of the King in His beauty will be given and the rest remaining for the people of God will be opened to view before soon entering the long-talked-of city built by God. Holding forth the pilgrim hope of the celestial city guides many feet into the path of life.
Preparation for eternal life shapes education and reading, supporting steady spiritual growth toward the lasting home founded and built by God. Children are to be educated for eternal life, for heaven is home and citizenship is held above while this present world is soon to be destroyed. Schools and lesson books should not depend on books that tell little about that city but should tell much about it and contain the loftiest themes of thought, with the Word revealed in living characters in pure, excellent, elevating language. Lives must not be devoted to a world soon to be destroyed but must be fitted for that home by living, holy principles from the Word.
The march to the city of God is no funeral march for those who depend on the Word of the living God with heart and mind and soul, with the channel of communication unobstructed, having the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and speaking as moved by the Holy Ghost. God's people advance journeying toward the heavenly city, gaining ground step by step, and Satan contests every inch of ground over which they advance. The willing and obedient are safely led through life's dark and difficult paths, for surrendering to God and accepting the Holy Spirit's guidance binds to Christ and guides toward that city.
A faithful Christian lives by faith looking forward to the city whose builder and maker is God, seeing the promises afar off and embracing them without having received them, confessing to be a stranger and pilgrim whose pilgrimage ends in death in faith with hope of walking with Christ in white and receiving a crown of righteousness. Those who are true, humble and faithful and overcome sin will enter abundantly as conquerors, not merely as people barely pardoned. Loved ones meet and part in this life, but inside that city with golden gates and sapphire walls there will be no sad partings and sickness will never enter there. Those who die in faith will meet their loved ones again there after the Lifegiver calls the dead from their prison houses.
Abraham lived in the promised land as a stranger in tents with Isaac and Jacob, owning no ground except a burial tomb, because he looked beyond Canaan to the lasting heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, the saints' future home with God. That city has foundations and cannot be moved, firm as the throne of God, and it endures because God Himself is its builder, maker, designer and founder. The promise to him was not to end in occupation of Canaan by his fleshly descendants, but to embrace the whole earth freed from the curse, an incorruptible inheritance fulfilled through Christ to all who are his by faith. A place there is had only by obedience to God's law, building character on the Rock, being clothed in Christ's righteousness, and overcoming sin and self by His power. This hope makes God's people pilgrims now, weaning them from earthly wealth and pleasure, and filling them with joy, peace and strength amid trial until they enter the gates in glory.
City God Builds
The city is the heavenly city, the better heavenly country, the Holy City, the New Jerusalem in Paradise in heaven, the saints' future home with God and the final reward of the righteous and of every overcomer. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob looked forward to it and saw its glories, and Abraham's hope was in that lasting city whose builder and maker is God. Those who are Abraham's children share that hope, for by faith they seek that country and their conduct shows they do not make this world their home or treasure but look forward to the eternal glory promised. It is the city God has built for His people and their homeward destination, a lasting home founded and built by God and a place of rest where sorrow, grief, and lost hopes are gone. The faithful who have fought the good fight of faith will share the Redeemer's glory in God's kingdom there.
The city has foundations, is lasting, is firm as the throne of God, and cannot be moved. It is the only city that will endure, in contrast to earthly cities and to the attractive earthly city. Abraham lived as a temporary resident in the promised land because he looked beyond it to the city God had prepared, and his hope rested on a lasting home whose security and maker were divine. God is its builder and maker, and it has foundations, a better-than-earthly reward for those who build well-formed characters on the solid Rock in keeping with the living Word. Christ's messengers are to direct minds to this lasting home by faith toward heaven and its glory and to urge the seeking of the immortal inheritance and the storing of treasure with God.
God is its builder, maker, designer, and founder, which distinguishes it as divine in security, permanence, and home. Faith looks beyond discouraging things that can be seen toward the heavenly city God has built and the better country believers seek. Its foundations and divine maker distinguish it as the future home Christ prepares and the hope set before those who fight the Lord's battles in this world. It is the lasting home Abraham looked toward while living as a pilgrim on earth, a reward to be sought above earthly riches and pleasures which will perish.
The city is real and presently out of sight but seen by faith, calling for active preparation and for eyes fixed on Christ. It is a real place with foundations whose builder and maker is God, soon to be the home of the saints, and the hope of living there and seeing Jesus in His glory encourages believers to remain faithful and endure trials. Believers travel over a dangerous path to that city seen by faith, living in the world but not of the world, keeping their light shining brightly and keeping strict watchfulness and constant guard lest their feet stumble. Its foundations, walls, and gates were formed in Paradise since Old Jerusalem was built, so the New is not older than the Old, where God's temple with the ark of His testament is.
The city is described with streets of pure gold transparent like glass and paved with gold, with golden gates and pearly gates, with sapphire walls and precious-stone foundations, with God's paradise, with the river of life flowing from the throne, and with the tree of life whose leaves heal the nations. God's throne is there and there is no more curse. Nothing defiling enters it. There is no sickness, parting, poverty, pain, or death there, with sorrow, grief, and lost hopes gone, for its heavenly riches endure.
The description also applies to God's spiritual temple, whose living stones are people gathered from every nation and class, gathered by the truth and shaped and fitted by God for their places. The finished temple will be complete and perfect and admired because God is its builder.
Abraham's Pilgrim Sojourn
When he was called to go out to a place he should afterward receive for an inheritance, Abraham obeyed, leaving his kindred and his country and going out not knowing where he went. Wherever he pitched his tent his first work was to build an altar to worship God with those who accompanied him. He sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country, living as a temporary resident in tents with Isaac and Jacob as fellow heirs of the same promise. He lived there as a stranger because he looked beyond it to the lasting city with foundations that God Himself founds, builds, and makes, to the heavenly country and God's promised reward.
Though the Lord had promised him the land of Canaan as an everlasting possession, and though he possessed great substance which he used to the glory of God and the good of his fellow men, neither he nor his son nor his son's son received it. He owned no land there and had no possession in the earth, not so much as to set his foot on. His sole possession in the land of promise was the rock-hewn tomb in the cave of Machpelah which he had to buy of the Canaanites as a burial place for Sarah and for his dead.
Because God gave him a view of the immortal inheritance, he looked beyond land he could not claim as his own to the eternal inheritance revealed to him as his possession, and with that hope he was content. He looked past earthly farms and possessions to his own farm and eternal possession, to the city with foundations whose builder and maker is God. That city belongs to the future immortal life, when the earth is purified and becomes his home, and it is the better, heavenly country sought by those who live by faith.
He did not expect to find the city until the faithful are raised. His promised home is connected with having a place in the new earth. It will soon be the home of the saints, the long-talked-of city soon to be entered, and the hope of living there encourages faithfulness and endurance of trials.
Inheritance Promised Fulfilled
The city Abraham looked for was not Canaan but the heavenly country, the better country, the whole earth freed from the curse of sin. It is an incorruptible, undefiled inheritance that fadeth not away, where the meek inherit the earth in abundance of peace and the kingdom under the whole heaven is given to the saints. Though Canaan was promised to him, he owned no land there except the burial place he had to buy for Sarah, and he looked beyond earthly possessions and prosperity to the city God would build and to immortal life on a purified earth made his home. Like him, believers are pilgrims and strangers in this world who do not expect their full reward in land or wealth now but look for eternal glory. The promise to Abraham and his seed was not to meet its final accomplishment in occupation of Canaan by the Jewish people but includes the whole earth through righteousness of faith and is fulfilled through Christ. Abraham himself will share it with all that are Christ's as Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise, and those who are children of Abraham must dwell here as pilgrims and strangers seeking the same city.
The city is the future home Christ prepares, distinguished by its foundations and its divine maker and builder. This hope belongs to those who fight the Lord's battles in this world as pilgrims and strangers on earth looking beyond earthly life for a lasting city. It is connected with Christ's promise to return, receive His people, and bring them to the place He has prepared. That place means the provisions made for them, the mansions Jesus has gone to prepare, the blessed home in the better heavenly country. They hold citizenship in heaven, refuse to conform to the world in speech and in its spirit of complaining, look for the Lord to come, and must prepare for the glorious jubilee that begins when they enter the gates of the city of God. By keeping the eye on the riches of the grace of Christ and beholding those provisions and talking of the home to come, they live in this world and act their part in humanity yet are not of the world, forgetting annoyances and fretting cares and breathing the atmosphere of heaven with comfort and joy in God.
Christ came from that heavenly country to give a lived example of obeying the laws of that better country and city, which reveal His character. The city God has built is for all who will be obedient to the laws of God. Christ gave His life to make it possible for fallen humanity to meet the conditions that give entrance into that city. Enoch also looked for the city, having seen the celestial city and the King in His glory in Zion in the midst of Zion. Instead of gathering gold and silver and building up possessions on earth, his heart was set on eternal treasures, with his mind, his heart, and his conversation in heaven. As wickedness and iniquity around him increased, his longing for the home of God grew more earnest, so that while still on earth he dwelt by faith in the realms of light.
The city God builds was the great hope held before the patriarchs and prophets, a heavenly country and permanent home for which they lived as pilgrims and strangers on earth, unwilling to return to their former worldly associations. Abraham stands among the heroes of faith and the great cloud of witnesses surrounding believers, marked by fidelity to God in darkness and brought conspicuously before the world in order that their light may shine forth to those in darkness. He breasted evils and difficulties in his way and in the name of the Lord braced himself successfully against the opposing forces of evil, sustained and strengthened with the Lord holding him by His hand. Their obedience and fidelity lead others to glorify Him.
Conditions for Entering
A place in the city is obtained through obedience to God's requirements, for the city is prepared for all who obey the laws of God which reveal His character, and the conditions are read in Exodus in the Ten Commandments that mark His people in the last days so they glorify His name. Christ came from that heavenly country to give a lived example of obeying the laws of that better country, and He gave His life to make it possible for fallen humanity to meet the conditions for entrance. Through obedience to God's law as the guide in this life the human family may become a united, happy family there, gaining a character fitted for heaven and living in harmony with the laws of God. There is no room there for those who have no regard for the will of the Lord, and those who subordinate eternity to time and choose earthly riches will lose that treasure at death and fail of eternal life, while those who continue to transgress God's law cannot enter, but Christians who follow the pattern of Christ's life will receive eternal life measured by the life of God.
Preparation is building a well-formed character on the solid Rock according to the living Word and God's word, for which a better-than-earthly and lasting reward is prepared. God has prepared the city and desires proof by faithfulness in service that preparation to enter it is being made, with the goal always kept in view while pressing forward, including learning the language of Canaan. That preparation is made in His strength through steady advancement and transformation of character, with a conscience clear toward God and people, by constant improvement in knowledge and steady onward and upward movement. While God prepares the kingdom and builds the heavenly home, His people are to build their characters in the divine likeness, serving Him without pride or self-exaltation.
Entrance requires being fitted by continuing to look to the Redeemer, perfecting Christian character with the love of Jesus abiding in the heart as a constant solace, rejoicing through trials and letting trials cleanse away dross and sinful thoughts and plans rather than making one unkind and disagreeable. The way toward that home is to put on Christ's righteousness and strive to overcome so as to be received into God's paradise, with Christian life inwardly joined to the life of Jesus and clothed in His righteousness. Looking for that city means turning from worldly attachments and childish amusements as pilgrims and strangers whose citizenship is above, waiting, watching, praying and working with whole mind, heart and strength. In this world preparation must be made for that home by now being clothed with the wedding garment, the robe of Christ's righteousness, standing without spot or wrinkle, with every soul while probation still lingers washing his own robe of character and preparing for translation, desiring to be clothed with Christ's righteousness.
The city will belong to those who are true, humble, and faithful, who overcome sin, and they will enter it abundantly as conquerors, not merely as people barely pardoned. Its gates will be thrown open to all who overcome by the blood of the Lamb, making it their aim while in this world to overcome every wrong tendency by looking to a pattern higher than any human being, turning from self to behold the love the Father has bestowed in calling them sons of God, and beholding the beauty of His character until there is no occasion for unhappiness or fault-finding and no desire to dwell on anything disagreeable. The lasting city founded and built by God is to be striven for with every spiritual nerve and muscle, not in human strength but with the wisdom and power of God, arming for conflict against every influence that would obstruct the way, bringing minds up to noble and elevated thoughts, offering humble prayer, and searching to know what is truth. Reaching the Holy City is climbing by holding fast to Christ the Mediator, forsaking sin and advancing step by step, trusting Christ while working in obedience to God's commandments, adding Christian graces until perfect love for God and fellow people crowns progress, with an abundant entrance for those who persevere and everlasting life for those who resolutely climb, since letting go of Christ or relaxing effort leads to falling away.
Seeking the city involves the privilege open to all of cleansing from all selfishness, from all rudeness in speech, and from all discourtesy in spirit, word, or action. That preparation means learning to be true Christian gentlemen after the example of Jesus Christ, partaking of the divine nature by yielding fully to the Lord's side, so that Christianity in the heart works out in true courtesy and sanctified actions. Christians prepare for the city built by God and the city built for the pure and holy by showing love for God and fellow people, with selfishness removed and God's image and character restored in them by Christ, for without this love Christ cannot restore God's image and attributes or make them partakers of the divine nature, and this is necessary for eternal life.
The heavenly city is a lasting home and a reward to be sought above earthly riches and pleasures which will perish, for its heavenly riches endure in a place free from poverty, sickness, pain, and death. It is an eternal treasure and immortal inheritance that poverty cannot strip away, with the threshold of heaven held open flooded with divine glory from the throne, and it must be striven for and sought, wanted and longed for, worth spending everything to gain and to help perishing souls gain. Entrance into the immortal inheritance is found by those purchased by the blood of Christ who love and serve the Lord, with believers striving together to secure it. Those who enter must overcome self and sin and cannot bring guilt or transgression of God's law with them, and a fitting character is required, so that a continual education in speculation, unfair dealing, falsehood and robbery unfits a person to enter even when placed in leading positions in the church.
Pilgrim Life Today
Those who are Abraham's children share Abraham's hope, seeking by faith the lasting city and the heavenly country as the reward of every overcomer. By that faith they confess themselves strangers and pilgrims on earth, seeing the promises afar off and embracing them without having received them, with pilgrimage ending in death in faith in hope of walking with Christ in white and receiving a crown of righteousness. Their conduct shows they seek a better, heavenly country and do not make this world their home or treasure, for earth is not home and this world is only a temporary dwelling soon to be destroyed. As Christ's messengers they hold the same hope, living as pilgrims and strangers looking for the city Abraham looked for.
That hope weans affections from earth so that cares and perplexities of farms here do not engross the mind, and affections are set on heavenly things rather than earthly wealth, honor, fashion, and pleasure. Lives show treasure laid up in heaven by living like people waiting for their Lord and glorifying God. The choice for eternal life is marked in life and conduct, plainly saying a better, heavenly homeland is sought, and loving the world with its fashion and pleasure shows life has not been chosen. The hope of a place in the city God builds therefore turns spending away from self-pleasing and show toward using means wisely for God's work, the good of others, and the saving of souls.
Looking for the city means doing the work of this life in accordance with God's will, with integrity and concern for eternal interests. It means doing God's will, working diligently, watching, working, and praying, waiting for salvation and final reward rather than following personal wishes or seeking ease, position, or honor. Citizenship is held in heaven as those waiting for the Lord to come and receive them, refusing to conform to the world in speech and in its spirit of complaining, refusing to dabble in politics, refusing to choose company for mere amusement, ceasing to be infatuated by childish things, and wearing neat apparel with nothing put on to attract attention or create controversy. The short time left calls for living in readiness to move to the city with foundations built and made by God, keeping light shining while traveling a dangerous path with strict watchfulness and whole mind, heart, and strength, prepared for the glorious jubilee at entering its gates.
Believers press forward with the city God has prepared always kept in view as the goal, proving by faithfulness in service that preparation to enter is being made. That city stands at the end of the narrow road to heaven, which requires self-denial and whole-hearted obedience, while the broad road of human indulgence and disobedience leads to death and does not end there. The narrow road is entered through the gate of self-denial by denying self daily, taking up the cross, and following Christ in His footsteps, for He came from heaven to travel the narrow path through the straight gate and is Himself the way to that city. Advancement is step by step with Satan contesting every inch of ground, made in God's strength through steady advancement, transformation of character, learning the language of Canaan, and a conscience clear toward God and people.
As pilgrims and strangers looking for the city, believers set an example of economy in this world. That means making provision for the sick pleasant and desirable and meeting people where they are for both poor and wealthy, yet refusing unnecessary display. It means refusing to invest a large sum in one magnificent institution that would rob the next enterprise and hinder establishing other needed institutions, beginning small and building up as the Lord prospers the work.
Living by faith after the same pattern as Abraham, who obeyed when called to go out not knowing where he went and sojourned in the land of promise in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, calls for faith stripped of human elements so it lays hold of invisible things in a deeper religious experience. Faith looks beyond discouraging things that can be seen toward the heavenly city God has built and the better country sought. That same faith shown by God's servants of old can work in believers now, enabling them to keep trusting through trials and to serve as channels of His power.
The city built by God is the home of a people whose life is in harmony with the principles of heaven, where true greatness, glory, and blessedness are found in belonging to it. Life in this fallen world is a time of testing in which people show through daily self-denial, obedience to God, and following Christ's example whether they value God's gift of Christ. A life that displays Christ's character helps others see the way to enter the city of God.
Hope Sustaining Mission
Hope for the lasting city founded, built and made by God fills the heart with joy even when faith costs homes and inheritance on earth. Trials, sorrows, disappointments and afflictions are outweighed by the eternal glory ahead, and the hope of that home and its crown directs the mind heavenward. Present afflictions seem light and brief when the mind is directed to unseen things and to the tree of life, and those who are true, humble and faithful and overcome sin will enter abundantly as conquerors, not as ones barely pardoned. That hope brings joy and leads to seeking purity and becoming like Jesus. Its hope of eternal life, rest, peace and unfading glory gives strength amid present suffering and makes heaven the supreme gain.
Christians are pilgrims and strangers traveling a narrow path of self-denial and self-sacrifice, sustained by wonderful promises in the Word that unveil eternity and give glimpses of the far greater eternal glory awaiting the overcomer. The city means the provisions made for them, the mansions Jesus has gone to prepare, the blessed home in the better heavenly country, and keeping the eye on the riches of Christ's grace instead of on deformity and the curse lets them live in this world and act their part in humanity yet not be of the world. By beholding those provisions and talking of the home to come they forget annoyances and fretting cares, breathe the atmosphere of heaven, and are soothed, comforted and joyful in God. Looking for that city lets God's people breathe the very atmosphere of heaven even in a loathsome dungeon crowded with criminals, turns persecution to the furtherance of the gospel, and when held forth guides many feet into the path of life.
Glimpses of another and better country are presented by the Holy Spirit to impress minds, bringing things afar off nigh. Those to whom the world has been everything are caused to realize that eternity demands all attention, and as the divine power of truth is seen new thoughts are awakened. From longing, unsatisfied minds comes the desire to know what to do to inherit eternal life, leading to a new heart and a new life inspired by Christ. That hope in the future kingdom brings joy and leads to seeking purity and becoming like Jesus.
Beholding that nobler world brought within range of spiritual vision does not incapacitate for the essential duties of this life but better qualifies for performing present duties. Every moment is impregnated with endless results unto a crown of glory that fadeth not away, and weeded of vanities this life is to cultivate every power to enjoy all that is useful and precious, being good and doing good and laying up heavenly treasure for the future life. The Redeemer brings people to the threshold of heaven to see it flushed with living glories, declaring He died so they might make it their home and enjoy its glories through the ceaseless ages of eternity, and urges earnest seeking for the future life that measures with the life of God. The hope of that home and its crown directs the mind heavenward and calls for the use of all reasoning powers and abilities to gain it.
The record of the faithful provides instruction: workers in the cities are to go forward in faith, do their best, and watch, work and pray, trusting that God hears and answers petitions. Abraham lived as a stranger in the promised land by faith, looking toward the city God would establish, and that lesson is to be read and applied. Christ's messengers are to direct minds to heaven and its glory, urge seeking the immortal inheritance, and call to store treasure with God, for only the city God builds will endure. Visions of the King in His beauty will be given and the rest remaining for the people of God will be opened to view before soon entering the long-talked-of city built by God. Holding forth the pilgrim hope of the celestial city guides many feet into the path of life.
Preparation for eternal life shapes education and reading, supporting steady spiritual growth toward the lasting home founded and built by God. Children are to be educated for eternal life, for heaven is home and citizenship is held above while this present world is soon to be destroyed. Schools and lesson books should not depend on books that tell little about that city but should tell much about it and contain the loftiest themes of thought, with the Word revealed in living characters in pure, excellent, elevating language. Lives must not be devoted to a world soon to be destroyed but must be fitted for that home by living, holy principles from the Word.
The march to the city of God is no funeral march for those who depend on the Word of the living God with heart and mind and soul, with the channel of communication unobstructed, having the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and speaking as moved by the Holy Ghost. God's people advance journeying toward the heavenly city, gaining ground step by step, and Satan contests every inch of ground over which they advance. The willing and obedient are safely led through life's dark and difficult paths, for surrendering to God and accepting the Holy Spirit's guidance binds to Christ and guides toward that city.
A faithful Christian lives by faith looking forward to the city whose builder and maker is God, seeing the promises afar off and embracing them without having received them, confessing to be a stranger and pilgrim whose pilgrimage ends in death in faith with hope of walking with Christ in white and receiving a crown of righteousness. Those who are true, humble and faithful and overcome sin will enter abundantly as conquerors, not merely as people barely pardoned. Loved ones meet and part in this life, but inside that city with golden gates and sapphire walls there will be no sad partings and sickness will never enter there. Those who die in faith will meet their loved ones again there after the Lifegiver calls the dead from their prison houses.