21:2Revelation 21:2

John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, as the glorious eternal home God has provided for His people.Ms 87, 1909, par. 1–5+2 The vision belongs to a new heaven and a new earth after the first heaven and first earth pass away, when God will dwell with men as their God, wipe away tears, and end death, sorrow, crying, and pain.LSEGW 464.2+2 The city descends to the earth made new after sin is removed, when the sin-cursed earth is purified by refining fire and freed from every stain of sin and mark of the curse.Lt 26, 1895, par. 10–12+2 It comes down at the close of the thousand years after the judgment of the wicked, when Jesus with the angels and all the saints leaves the heavenly city toward earth and settles the New Jerusalem in dazzling splendor upon the purified plain.1T 67.2+4 There God will dwell personally with His people forever, and the overcomers will inherit all things as His sons in an eternal home restored to Edenic purity with every trace of the curse removed.LSEGW 464.2+4 Entrance belongs to those prepared to see God's face, with characters formed after the divine likeness and transformed by grace to be fit to live in His presence, and contemplating that city now draws the heart toward God and away from the world.SCEV 31.5–32.1+4

John saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared and adorned in beauty like a bride for her husband.Ms 87, 1909, par. 1–5+4 It is the glorious home and eternal blessing God has provided for His people and His children, descending to the earth made new and to the renewed earth as the eternal home of the redeemed.Ms 87, 1909, par. 1–5+3 The school of the hereafter is located in that city when it comes down to the new earth, and its coming belongs to the promised future in which God will dwell personally with His people and they will enjoy His presence throughout eternity on the earth cleansed from sin and the curse and given to the saints forever.ED 301.3–5+2

The vision belongs to a new heaven and a new earth after the first heaven and first earth pass away and there is no more sea, when former things pass away and all things are made new.LSEGW 464.2+2 Then the tabernacle of God will be with men, God will dwell with them and be their God, they will be His people, He will wipe away their tears, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain.LSEGW 464.2+3 It is glad news to all who love God, linked with the promise that the Lord's redeemed will return to Zion with everlasting joy when sorrow and sighing flee away.LSEGW 464.2+1 Those who overcome inherit all things as God's sons and the thirsty receive the water of life freely, while the dead rest beyond earthly turmoil and grief; those who receive and believe Christ have Paradise hope now and power to become God's children, but it brings no rejoicing to those who delight in commonplace trivial things and take no pleasure in thinking and talking of God, whereas those who love to think of God and heaven will be in their element breathing heaven's atmosphere in its holy associations and pleasures.Lt 3, 1904, par. 8–12+1

The vision was presented as a living reality and its words proclaimed with great power as a sure coming event, a representation of what is to be, the future reality God will bring to pass.Ms 126, 1906, par. 13–15+1 It concerns the close of earth's history and calls for attention in the last days, with prophecies that reveal the glory of Christ's second coming, draw attention to it, and point to its nearness.GC 363.2–3+2

John was shown the New Jerusalem before it had come down, as a representation of a future reality.Ms 136, 1906, par. 7–8 Banished to a lonely island, he was shown by a majestic angel with beaming countenance the things to take place on earth and the state of the church to the end, her backslidings and the position she must occupy to please God and overcome, carried through her perilous conflicts and fiery trials in which she is made white and tried unto final triumph as victorious overcomers gloriously saved in the kingdom of God, with the angel growing radiant with joy and exceeding glorious in showing that final triumph and deliverance.SG1 130.1+1 The splendor and dazzling glory of the heavenly city so enraptured and overwhelmed him that in deep reverence and awe he fell at the angel's feet to worship him, forgetful of former reproof, and was gently raised and reproved to worship God alone.SG1 130.1+1

The city is the great city with twelve foundations and twelve gates, three on each side, with an angel at each gate.ExVEGW 13.2–15.1+4 Its streets are of transparent gold clear as crystal, and it contains God's paradise, the garden of Eden taken from earth after transgression, which returns more beautiful and gloriously adorned than before.SG3 83.2 Within it is a temple with a Holy Place and Holy of Holies separated by veils, where Jesus ministers before God presenting the saints' prayers with incense.SG3 83.2 At the end of the thousand years after the judgment of the wicked dead, Jesus descends from the city to the Mount of Olives, the mountain beneath Him splits and parts asunder into an immense plain to receive the city, and the New Jerusalem comes down in dazzling glory from God out of heaven and settles on the plain where Jesus and the saints stand as their home in the better world and the saints are gathered there.SG3 83.2+4

Its glories lie beyond human power to grasp, describe, or picture, beyond sight, hearing, or imagination, part of the heavenly home and world of beauty God has prepared.Lt 54, 1886, par. 4–6+1 The highest stretch of imagination only enters upon the borders of the eternal weight of glory the faithful overcomer will realize, human powers even cultivated to the utmost fall faint and weary before the works of the great Master Artist, and finite common ideas mixed with the holy and sacred only make a blunder of the whole thing, so the city must be approached with reverence as holy ground.Lt 54, 1886, par. 4–6 Its atmosphere is ever right and healthy, with no chilling winds, no cold blustering changeable weather, and no disagreeable changes.Ms 5, 1859, par. 84

The holy city is pure and built by God, immovable and firm as God's throne.Ms 100, 1898, par. 5 It is where Christ is now, in contrast with old Jerusalem where He once lived on earth, so devotion is to be directed toward Christ in the heavenly sanctuary.Ms 52, 1896, par. 29–30

Old Jerusalem on the present earth is not sacred but cursed and defiled, resting under God's curse and the darkest blot of guilt for refusing Christ's light and rejecting and crucifying His Son, so pilgrimages there do not strengthen faith or advance God's cause.Lt 26, 1895, par. 10–12+2 Believers should look beyond it to the New Jerusalem where Christ will be seen in majesty and glory as King of kings and Lord of lords.Ms 52, 1896, par. 24–28+1 After the sin-cursed earth is purified from every stain of sin by refining fire from heaven and sin is removed, Christ will stand on the Mount of Olives which will split and become an immense plain prepared for God's city, the city will descend upon it, and only then will the land now called the Holy Land indeed become holy and Jerusalem be cleansed when the earth is made new.Lt 26, 1895, par. 10–12+2

The holy city comes down to an earth made new only after sin is removed, when the sin-cursed earth is purified by refining fire from heaven, freed from every stain of sin and every mark of the curse, melted over and made without sin.Lt 26, 1895, par. 10–12+4 Until then old Jerusalem on the present earth is not sacred but rests under God's curse and the darkest blot of guilt for refusing Christ's light and rejecting and crucifying His Son, so pilgrimages there do not strengthen faith, and only after purification, when Christ stands on the Mount of Olives and it is rent asunder into an immense plain, will the land now called the Holy Land indeed become holy and be prepared to receive God's city.Lt 26, 1895, par. 10–12+1 The descent belongs to the vision of the earth cleansed and given to the saints forever as their eternal, peaceful, immortal home, where joy and glory reflect the Redeemer.Ms 69, 1912, par. 51–56+1

It comes down at the close of the thousand years after the judgment of the wicked dead.ExVEGW 33.2+4 Through the thousand years the saints rest and reign with Christ in the holy city in heaven, sitting in judgment on the wicked, and at the close Jesus with the angels and all the saints leaves the city and descends toward earth.ExVEGW 33.2+2 Jesus descends with the saints to the Mount of Olives, which under His presence cannot bear Him up but parts asunder into a vast plain, purified and prepared to receive the city.1T 67.2+4 Then the New Jerusalem is seen above coming down from God out of heaven in dazzling splendor and glory, with twelve foundations and twelve gates three on each side and an angel at each gate, and it settles on the plain where they stand, where Christ enters it with His people and the angels.1T 67.2+4

The city brings back God's paradise, the garden of Eden planted and especially blessed by God, which remained after Adam and Eve were driven out until the flood, when God in providence withdrew it to preserve a specimen of His perfect work free from the curse sin brought upon the earth.SG3 83.2+2 It returns more beautiful and gloriously adorned than before it was removed, and after Christ's second coming and the resurrection of the righteous Eden will bloom again on earth, connected with the meeting of Adam the first man and Christ the second Adam.SG3 83.2+2 Outside the settled city are glorious things prepared for the saints, including beautiful silver houses supported by pearl-set pillars, fields, woods, animals, and Mount Zion with its temple.LS 216.1–217.2 The saints will live there and tend the earth, praising God, and they cried out in joy as they watched the city descend.LS 216.1–217.2+1

The city comes down through an opening in the sky above Orion, the open space from which the voice of God comes.SLGB 1.6–7+4 Its descent follows the voice of God shaking the sun, moon, stars, and earth, when dark heavy clouds clash, the atmosphere parts and rolls back to reveal the opening, and the sun, moon, and stars are moved out of their places yet do not pass away.ExVEGW 23.1–24.1+3 This shaking of the powers of heaven is after and distinct from the shaking of the powers of earth and of angry nations by war, sword, famine, and pestilence.SLGB 1.6–7+3 While Jesus descends the wicked dead are raised, stand on earth, and gather around the city in a vast army surrounding it.ExVEGW 32.5+3 Satan fills them with his spirit and flatters them that the army in the city is small and his is large so they can overcome the saints and take the city, but its gates are closed, the redeemed are secure within, and the saints gather with Jesus on the wall seeing the beauty and glory of Paradise before the curse is pronounced.EW 43.3+2

Fire from God then destroys the wicked and purifies the earth, so the earth is not fully cleansed until the wicked dead are raised and gathered, and they do not enter or desecrate the earth made new.ExVEGW 32.5+3 Except where the city rests the whole earth appears wrapped in a sea of liquid fire like a boundless lake, and by a miracle of Almighty power God preserves the city unharmed amid the devouring elements, just as He preserved the ark amid the flood because it contained eight righteous persons, while the righteous abide safely inside.SG3 87.2 Afterward the saints inherit the whole earth made new as their glorious home, the wicked never defile it, and the city and its inhabitants will never again be corrupted.EW 45.1+3 This sequence follows Christ's coming, the resurrection of the dead, the resurrection of the wicked, and the final destruction of Satan and the wicked and of sin, when Christ's triumph and reign on earth are complete and His glorious kingdom is established on the new earth, closing the great controversy with the earth renewed as God's people's everlasting inheritance and the world's history brought to its close.3SP v.1–2+3

The redeemed travel upward toward the city as their destination in a cloudy chariot, gathered to meet Christ and accompanied by angels with cries of praise.SG1 208.1+2 Before entering they are arranged in a square with Jesus standing in their midst, visibly exalted above the saints and angels.SG1 208.1+1

The New Jerusalem is the holy city, the capital and representative of Christ's kingdom, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.GC 426.2–427.2+1 Christ receives that city and kingdom from the Ancient of Days in heaven, and after receiving it He returns in glory to redeem His people, who share in the marriage supper.GC 426.2–427.2+1

As a bride the city is married to Christ while He ministers in the Most Holy Place of the heavenly sanctuary, cleansing the sanctuary and making a special atonement for Israel.EW 212.2+1 After completing that work He descends in kingly power and takes to Himself those who have patiently waited for His return.EW 212.2+1 The city belongs to the restoration through Christ's sacrifice of the Eden home and humanity's lost dominion, when the earth will be renewed, freed from sin, sorrow and death, restored to Edenic beauty and given as an everlasting possession.CH 167.1+3 It is the final home of the saved where death cannot enter and the nations of the saved live forever, fulfilling a greater deliverance than Israel's entry into the promised land and ending God's people's earthly wanderings.PP 477.1+2

The school of the hereafter will be located in that holy city when it comes down from God out of heaven to the new earth, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.ED 301.3–5 It is the city to which the saints are gathered, and Jesus and the angels know whom to raise and gather there without requiring the final sentence on the wicked before the first resurrection.WLF 24.4 It is the home of Enoch, who was translated from earth and visits other worlds from there, and the faithful including the 144,000 will share the privilege of visiting those worlds and seeing God's works and handiwork.ExVEGW 22.2+1 At Christ's appearing the faithful who have honored God's law are translated without seeing death and enter through its gates into the land of Eden.10MR 157.4–158.1

Balaam was permitted to look down through the ages and behold the city of God at a great distance in its majesty with the redeemed inside in glory after Christ's second appearing in power and glory, while he himself would be shut out with the wicked.ST Dec 16, 1880 He will come forth among the wicked dead in the second resurrection to hear Depart from me, ye cursed, and to see the redeemed in the city while he remains outside.ST Dec 16, 1880 Its prophecies of Christ's second coming and the earth made new to be occupied by the redeemed were wrongly applied to Christ's first coming.10MR 152.1–3 Its coming shows the final victory of Christ's followers and the establishment of God's kingdom, when the city of God receives its King and peace, joy and everlasting righteousness reign so that God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven.RH Nov 26, 1903

The holy city comes as part of a new heaven and new earth after the first heaven and first earth pass away and there is no more sea, and its coming means the tabernacle of God will be with men, God Himself dwelling with them as their God while they are His people forever.Ms 89, 1909, par. 2–7+2 In that dwelling God wipes away tears and ends death, sorrow, crying, and pain, the former things passing away and all things made new, fulfilling the promise that the redeemed return to Zion with everlasting joy when sorrow and sighing flee away.LSEGW 464.2+1 The thirsty receive the water of life freely, and those who overcome inherit all things as God's sons, a thirst not for the earthly but for the heavenly inheritance possessed by those who have made Christ their friend and given life to follow Him.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3+1 That water is to be taken now without hesitancy about being the Lord's child, by those now getting ready and being fitted and sanctified through belief of the truth, while those who receive and believe Christ have Paradise hope now and power to become His children.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3+1 It is glad news to all who love God, but those delighting in feeding the mind on commonplace and trivial things and taking no pleasure in thinking and talking of God now will not rejoice in it, whereas those loving to think of God and heaven will be in their element breathing heaven's atmosphere and happy in its holy associations.Ms 143, 1901, par. 25–28

The city descends to the renewed earth as the eternal home of the redeemed, part of the earth cleansed from sin and the curse and given to the saints forever.Ms 69, 1912, par. 51–56+1 The earth will be purified by fire and freed from sin and every mark of the curse, restored to original loveliness and Edenic purity where nothing mars loveliness or brings corruption, and God's presence will bring lasting happiness with nothing disturbing their peace.10MR 158.3–159.2+2 It belongs to the beauty and perfection of the earth made new as a secure home beyond description, the holy city in the earth made new where the saints may spend eternity free from earthly suffering and heartache.ST Aug 26, 1913+1 The saints will be redeemed and immortal, take possession and live there, and their joy and glory will reflect their Redeemer.10MR 158.3–159.2

There those who meet will know no more partings, for God's city will be free from sadness and every sorrow and crushed hopes will be gone.Lt 76, 1908, par. 16–19+2 Heaviness gives way to joy and honor pictured by wedding garments and the King's coronation, when the faithful who fought the good fight and lived hidden with Christ share the Redeemer's glory in God's kingdom and see their King.9T 287.1+1 Their immortal joy reflects their Redeemer, and this hope calls believers to seek eternal life in obedience to God's commandments.Lt 76, 1908, par. 16–19+1

The faithful will meet there even if they never met in this world, and those faithful and true through earth's troubles will be reunited after death.Lt 96, 1908, par. 5+1 The dead will answer the Life-giver's call and come forth from their prisonhouse triumphing over death and the grave, and the loved and lost will be reunited to walk the streets together wearing jeweled crowns and singing the song of Moses and the Lamb.Lt 71, 1878, par. 1–5 Christ gave His life so children could develop Christian character and be welcomed there, with a kingdom and crown prepared for them to sing in praise of the Redeemer.Ms 70, 1911, par. 10 Seeing children in their care among the redeemed rewards faithful care and helps believers endure present trials and live faithfully.Lt 30, 1874, par. 3

Its golden gates swing back on glittering hinges to reveal Christ's glory, and Christ Himself leads His redeemed through its pearly gates as a church without spot or wrinkle to present to His Father, looking upon them and seeing the travail of His soul and being satisfied in a great salvation purchased by Jesus.Lt 5, 1851, par. 3–4+1 He opens the gates and welcomes them in, leading them beside living waters, and entry is joined to keeping God's commandments and having right to the tree of life, with every life measured and sanctified by Christ's life and no sinner entering.RH Jul 21, 1851+1 Then overcomers, mothers and fathers with children, enter the city, the crown of life is placed on their heads and harps in their hands, the victory is gained, and with shining faces they praise God, the harps tuned to His praise.Ms 114, 1909, par. 27+2 They also thank those who helped them in this world, and the living Saviour who was with them in sadness and grief giving strength to endure brings them out of affliction into that glory as what to aim for.Ms 78, 1910, par. 31+1

Believers may by faith and hope enter it now in contemplation, picturing walking its streets, seeing its mansions, and hearing praise rise to God and the Lamb, which turns the mind to eternal things away from earthly attractions and human praise.Lt 17, 1891, par. 10–12 Its lasting joys and enduring bliss where Christ dwells contrast with this life's temporary amusements, and there the redeemed receive the rewards of obedience to God's requirements.Ms 51, 1912, par. 3 The city and its joys await in heaven where Christ and angels will welcome the redeemed when there is no more death, sorrow, or sin, urging people to help one another gain them.Ms 101, 1908, par. 19 It is the everlasting heavenly home where the Lamb's people share a heavenly feast.COL 424.4 The just are gathered there in glory and eternal life, while the wicked stand outside its walls recognizing the reward they lost, the walls distinguishing the saved from those facing death as sin's wages.EW 252.1

Entrance belongs to those prepared to see God's face and meet the Lord, with characters formed after the divine likeness for the eternal home prepared for those who love Him.Lt 118, 1908, par. 19+2 Becoming more like Christ and reaching the perfection God requires is the experience of those counted worthy to enter, and those transformed by grace will be fit to live in His presence and walk with Jesus.Lt 115, 1903, par. 26+1 Preparation of character comes through obedience to truth and cleansing through the blood of the Lamb, and entering requires thorough conversion pictured by the wedding garment for the Lamb's marriage supper.Ms 89, 1909, par. 8–10+1 Overcoming selfishness by complete surrender conforms heart, mind, soul, and strength to Christ's will with no crooked dealing.Lt 118, 1908, par. 19

All who enter are changed and sanctified in character in this life, as the nations keeping truth who do His commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter through the twelve gates into the city with twelve foundations and streets of transparent gold clear as crystal.Ms 6a, 1886, par. 26 Every life must be measured by Christ's life and sanctified, and no sinner may enter when harps are tuned to praise God.Ms 114, 1909, par. 27 God's kingdom is formed by holy saints not sinners, and judgment leaves no impurity unaddressed except by repentance and forsaking uncleanness.Lt 159, 1901, par. 13–15 Those with guilt-laden, impure characters will not enter when probation ends and character is fixed, underscoring the need to turn from impurity and pursue holiness.Lt 26d, 1887, par. 35–37

Only the truly penitent find place there, whose sins are confessed and pardoned, with inheritance in the earth made new.9MR 127.1–2+1 Being fitted requires washing and being clean in the fountain open in Jerusalem through sincere repentance so that every sin is cleansed.Lt 23, 1890, par. 53–54 This means uniting more closely with Jesus, keeping step with Him, lifting the cross, denying self, humbling the heart before God, recovering from Satan's snare, and making calling and election sure.Lt 23, 1890, par. 53–54

Christ alone can prepare people to enter through its gates.RH May 4, 1905 The gospel truths reform character and fit people for entrance when given place, and living out heaven's principles in this present life is the opportunity to cultivate the heavenly graces that fit for entrance there.RH Apr 1, 1909+1 The truths calling believers out to stand as a peculiar people and keeping them in harmony with heaven's laws accomplish a wonderful work of reform in character and call to continual advancement to a higher grade of Christian living.Ms 31, 1908, par. 7

Dwelling by faith on Christ and the glories of the heavenly world where Jesus will be seen in glory gives stimulus and support in warfare against sin, so that pride and love of the world lose power as His infinite love is contemplated.ST Jun 19, 1884 By faith the crowns laid up for overcomers can be seen now and the exultant song of the redeemed heard now, but to enter and look upon Jesus there the mind must be turned from earthly things to behold Him with the eye of faith here in unyielding trust bringing peace and joy.ST Jun 19, 1884+1 His words and character must be the frequent subject of thought and conversation with time devoted each day to prayerful meditation, since without earnest effort assurance of God's love cannot be retained.ST Jun 19, 1884+1 Its atmosphere is purity itself where the redeemed delight in what is pure and holy in spiritual exercises, and those who have not learned to love devotion and heavenly things on earth will be unprepared to enjoy life there.2T 264.3–265.1

Preparation means learning from Christ, obeying God, and overcoming worldly corruption, and those prepared will see the King in His beauty.6MR 215.2–4 Those who will enter must use God's gifts to gain increased knowledge of heaven, making constant improvement and daily becoming purer, nobler, and more refined.Ms 198, 1903, par. 3 In this life they fit themselves to take place among heaven's nobility and to be translated to the courts above, and through grace Christians now are to be examples of what all must become to enter.Ms 198, 1903, par. 3 Entry requires a character transformed by the Holy Spirit, and home life is a place to learn the Christlike character needed to live there.Ms 70, 1903, par. 19–21

The short period of probation is given for overcoming sinful nature and forming character in Christ's image, urgent because life may end at any time.Lt 82, 1887, par. 9 Entry cannot be expected without counting and accepting its cost, for profession without genuine conversion, repentance, confession, and a life consistent with God's principles does not qualify for its gates.Lt 102, 1901, par. 1–3 Those persisting in wrong actions and remaining unreconciled cannot enter unless a miracle of grace purifies and changes life.Ms 105, 1902, par. 1–4

The sealed saints are ticketed for the city after the great test of the image of the beast, which is formed before probation closes and by which eternal destiny is decided.Lt 11, 1890, par. 10–12+1 All proving loyalty by observing God's law and refusing a spurious Sunday Sabbath rank under Jehovah and receive the living God's seal, while yielding heavenly truth for Sunday brings the beast's mark.Lt 11, 1890, par. 10–12+1 The solemn warning must be given while that test is still before the people, not after all saints are already sealed and ticketed.Lt 11, 1890, par. 10–12+1

Entering requires following Jesus the pattern in self-denial and suffering along the narrow thorny pathway He trod, being perfect Christians and partakers of His sufferings to be partakers of His glory, so that as final overcomers heaven will be cheap enough.Lt 5, 1851, par. 3–4 Christ will lead His redeemed through pearly gates into the golden city and present a church without spot or wrinkle, seeing the travail of His soul and being satisfied in a great salvation purchased by Him.Lt 5, 1851, par. 3–4 Refusal to deny self even of tobacco is undecided and unreasonable in light of what Jesus has done, and those practicing self-denial may look as if at its open portals.Lt 5, 1851, par. 3–4+1 Those claiming to follow the Lamb will never be permitted to live there with the Saviour if they do not labor for souls as those who must give account, nor will those be permitted who do not faithfully work for others' physical, mental, and moral good, whose grateful presence will be found there.Ms 19, 1887, par. 23+1

Only good, obedient, patient children trying to do right are admitted, keeping God's commandments and loving and obeying parents in harmony and joy through earnest prayer for acceptance.Lt 7, 1849, par. 1–4+1 Wicked, fretful, disobedient children are not taken when they do wrong, because one fretful, disobedient child would spoil all heaven's harmony.ApY 61.2–63.1 Entering requires giving up selfish will, yielding will and way, learning patience, waiting others' time and convenience, and overcoming impatient, irritable, wrong feelings.ApY 61.2–63.1 Children are to be taught to obey, love, and serve the Lord in hope of entering, with proper home restraint, parents awakening to responsibility and walking in the narrow way, consecrated households, and standing against Satan who seeks every child, lest heaven be lost for lack of restraint as revealed in the Judgment.Ms 100, 1901, par. 11–12+1

A united family may at last gain heaven as members of the royal family and children of the heavenly King with a home after purification and cleansing of the earth.Ms 167, 1904, par. 16–20 This hope calls to seek victory over jealousy, envy, and hindrances to unity, and to reconcile with anyone believed to hold aught against them.Ms 167, 1904, par. 16–20 Having part with God's people and part in the city go together, and one staying out of the way loses both without thorough humble confession and willingness to be instructed.Lt 18, 1862, par. 17 Overcoming and developing complete Christian character with purified, refined minds and hearts prepares people to belong to heaven's royal family.Ms 115, 1898, par. 31

People are being prepared for the society of holy angels, and living out truth refines taste and sanctifies judgment to fit them for that society.RH Nov 19, 1861 Those loving and obeying God on earth are accounted pure and loyal, worthy to dwell with Him in the heavenly courts as a pure holy company around His throne.Lt 41, 1903, par. 4 That beautiful home above is forever beyond the enemy's temptation and trials.Lt 149, 1903, par. 13–15

The promise of eternity of happiness when the holy city comes down made ready like a bride is an inducement to live holy lives, earnestly comply with God's requirements, endure in His fear, understand relation to God in harmony with His will, and gain reward without losing heaven.Ms 42, 1886, par. 14–15 Its purity and glory call people to examine lives now and prepare for eternity, since only the pure in heart will see God and enjoy heaven, and those refusing self-denial could not endure heavenly life.Lt 101, 1901, par. 6–9 Fitness requires seeking perfection at a high spiritual standard, and those overcoming and separating from sin through Christ's merits will walk with angels.YGBCOEP 8.2–3+1

Its last four chapters demand careful reading because they call for a deep thorough individual work long overdue, with thorough humbling of heart, mind, and soul especially by those in responsibility, cleansing and refining and transformation of heart and cleansing of the soul temple as preparation for helping others.Lt 144, 1906, par. 5–9 Without this workers backslide and a wrong spirit and mistaken defective standard permeate.Lt 144, 1906, par. 5–9 The soil of the heart must be diligently cultivated so fruit appears in proportion to light, for God as Husbandman seeks fruit rather than position and supposed wisdom bringing human honor.Lt 144, 1906, par. 5–9 Those most needing heart-searching transformation to teach must not feel most competent to judge but humble themselves for discernment and softening grace without letting self swell.Lt 144, 1906, par. 5–9

Contemplating the holy city and the earth made new as heavenly treasures draws the heart toward God and away from the world, bringing heaven near and making heavenly things the chief joy and consolation of the believer.SCEV 31.5–32.1+2 Setting the heart on that eternal home loosens attachment to earthly things, so that earthly attractions lose their hold.RH Feb 17, 1853+1 Looking forward to its glory brings joy and strengthens the desire to serve God faithfully.3MR 81.1

Believers thirst for the heavenly inheritance rather than the earthly, because they have made Christ their friend and given their life to follow Him into possession of what will be given.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3 The water of life is offered freely to the thirsty now, to be taken without hesitancy about being the Lord’s child, and those who would inherit all things as God’s sons are now getting ready, being fitted and sanctified through belief of the truth.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3 They gather in provided meeting places to present the truth as it is in Jesus, and seeking the city is a hope to share with others, since preparation for it is preparation for eternity.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3+1

The beautiful new earth as the goal calls for working for one another and for determinedly bringing up youth in a right manner so they gain the crown of life as overcomers.Ms 78, 1910, par. 17 Angels assist in schools in educating boys and girls, the Holy Spirit works with every effort, and fathers and mothers take hold of the work so souls are saved.Ms 78, 1910, par. 17 The city of God is the destination parents are to seek for themselves and their children, who may share its eternal life and sing God’s praises in the earth made new.RH Feb 8, 1912 Seeing the children in their care among the redeemed there makes their care worthwhile, and the hope of that heavenly home helps believers endure present trials and live faithfully.Lt 30, 1874, par. 3

The New Jerusalem is the destination of the Christian pilgrim’s journey, made in trust in God’s keeping power with eyes fixed on Jesus and in faithful obedience.RH Feb 13, 1908 Heavenly angels guard those who keep the way of the Lord, and the journey is marked by unity and harmony with self-seeking, dissension, and strife put away.RH Feb 13, 1908 The Advent people travel toward the city with Jesus leading them, and looking steadfastly to Christ brings wisdom and knowledge that enable walking safely on His guided path.1T 58.4+1

The Prince of heaven will welcome the faithful home when His work on earth is finished, and the righteous who overcome through the blood of the Lamb and their testimony will receive the overcomer’s crown.RH Jul 29, 1909 Its open portals picture the hope and goal for which Christians are to stand faithfully in Christ’s cause, and the faithful will soon enter the golden city.Lt 280, 1908, par. 9+1 Dwelling by faith on Christ and the glories of that better land where Jesus will be seen in His glory gives powerful stimulus and support in the warfare against sin, so that pride and love of the world lose power as His infinite love is contemplated.ST Jun 19, 1884 By faith the crowns laid up for overcomers can be seen now and the exultant song of the redeemed heard now, but to enter the city and behold Jesus there the mind must be turned from earthly things to behold Him habitually with the eye of faith here, in unyielding trust and firm reliance bringing peace and joy, with His words and character the frequent subject of thought and conversation and with time given each day to prayerful meditation, since without earnest effort assurance of God’s love cannot be retained.ST Jun 19, 1884

The promised welcome into the city would already have been received if God’s people had carried the message of mercy to the world as intended, for Christ would have come by then.6T 450.1 The prospect of entering gives hope of heavenly bliss, while joy in Christ may be experienced even in this life.STB 588.2 Those who follow Jesus will be with Him in the city of God on the renewed and beautified earth where Eden is restored.Ms 161, 1898, par. 5

The city belongs to the wide, unbounded future of glory awaiting the redeemed when Christ comes, reached by the narrow path through its gates.9T 287.2 It stands with the new earth among the glories of the promised reward shown in visions of the Advent message’s progress and final triumph.1T iii.2 It is the home where those who have lost their lives for the truth will receive everlasting life, while persecutors remain outside seeing the faithful honored and illuminated by Jesus and hearing heaven’s song of triumph, suffering anguish as they realize the persecuted are accepted by God.HSFM 233.4