Revelation 21:17
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
The verse stands in the visions of the last events of earth's history made known by Christ to John on Patmos as a solemn warning for the last days, forming part of the last four chapters of Revelation. It belongs to the vision and description of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem with its twelve gates and twelve foundations coming down from God out of heaven with streets of transparent gold clear as crystal. The gates and inner glory of that city evoke the heavenly home. The measurement of the wall at a hundred and forty and four cubits is not explained.
The verse is part of the representation of the future purity and glory of God's kingdom and of the glories and eternal life prepared for God's commandment-keeping people numbered with the redeemed. Only the pure in heart can see God and endure that glory. Entrance into that city is given only to those changed and sanctified in character in this life, to the nations that have kept the truth, and to those made members of the Lord's royal family by obedience to all the commandments, who have right to the tree of life and enter through the gates into the city where there will be no more partings.
With the last chapters the verse must be read carefully because the work they require should have been done long ago and now needs to be done. It calls for a solemn review of life in light of eternity, to seek God, repent and receive His abundant pardon now, to search the Scriptures and seek earnestly for eternal life, and to purify oneself even as Christ is pure lest hope be failed. It calls for deep and thorough individual work, thorough humbling of the soul before God, cleansing, refining and transformation of the heart, deep searching of heart and cleansing of the soul temple, and diligent cultivation of the soil of the individual heart so fruit appears in the life in proportion to light given, with a right spirit in place of a wrong spirit and a mistaken defective standard and the softening, subduing grace of God in place of self swelling to large proportions. This is especially required of those carrying responsibility in the work and church and of watchmen placed in charge of souls as a preparation for helping others, and of every teacher and worker who feels competent to judge others while needing transformation himself. The vision of the city encourages the faithful to look beyond earthly life toward that home and to take comfort in God's promise and care.