New Jerusalem is found in Revelation chapter 21, and we will get there. However, we are going to get a running start from the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:13-14 You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his
savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to
be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be
hid.
This is Jesus speaking to His disciples. First, He says that they are the salt of the earth. Then He says they are the light of the world and a city set on a hill. This is prophetic! Jesus is prophesying. Those disciples have not yet become the salt of the earth or the light of the world. Like His Father, Jesus calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17). He knows what they are going to become, and He sees them that way before they are. Do you know how He sees you? You know what you are with all your weaknesses, but the Lord knows what you will become, and He relates to you like that. He begins a work in you, and He knows He will finish it (Philippians 1:6), so He relates to you as a finished product. That should do something for you right there.
Now, let’s look at verse 14 again. He says the disciples are a city. The disciples will become a city, and if you are a disciple, you will become a part of that city, too. This is not a city of houses and stores. It is a city where God dwells. It is His city! Sometimes this city is called a temple for it is also the dwelling place of God. Let’s look at it.
II Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
This temple or city is not yet finished. God is still creating it. Many Christians are already in it for God dwells in them and walks in them. Many of the saints of the past, the prophets of old, are in that city and many more will be added. It will be a city without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: for I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her (Zechariah 2:4-5). As you probably see already, New Jerusalem is where God dwells in His people. He walks in them! That means He functions in them and through them. It is a city that already is, and it continues to expand. Now let’s go to Revelation chapter 21.
Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
When I became a Christian, I experienced a new heaven and a new earth. And when I was baptized in the Spirit, I found myself in a new heaven and a new earth again. Jesus passed through the heavens in His way back to the Father. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Hebrews 4:14. In like manner we should be passing through the heavens also. Listen, there is no stopping place in God. Even after you are in New Jerusalem there will be continual expansion, for the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end (Isaiah 9:7).
And there will be no more sea. That does not mean that the seas and oceans will dry up. Seas represent the multitudes of earthly people. Just as the seas have waves, storms, and sea monsters so it is among the nations of people – wars and rumors of wars, continuous battles and confusion. There will be none of that in New Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
The holy city New Jerusalem is coming down from God out of heaven. What does that mean? New Jerusalem is not a city like the ones we have on earth. It is a city of saints, men and women of God. Neither is it coming down out of the sky. The heavens of God are the realms of spirit, which are all about us. When the Scriptures speak of God coming to man in some way, it speaks of Him descending. That does not mean He is coming down out of the sky. When the Scriptures speak of man moving closer to God in some way, it speaks of ascension. We do not leave the ground; we ascend spiritually. Don’t forget that God is omnipresent; He is everywhere at the same time. He is not sitting on a throne up beyond the moon somewhere.
Next, it says that New Jerusalem is prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. A city cannot be a bride. Again, we see that this city, New Jerusalem, is made up of people. It is the bride of Christ. Can the people of the Lord be a city and a bride? Yes, they are a city in whom the Lord dwells; He lives in them and functions through them. They are also married to Him. That means they are one!
Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.
John hears a great voice out of heaven. This is not speaking of the heaven of the skies, but the heaven of the spirit realm of God. It is not a voice out of the literal heavens. It is a voice from the realm of spirit and John hears it with his spirit. Have you learned to hear and see with your spirit? Apostle Paul said in Romans 1:9 that he served God with his spirit. Every Christian must learn to see and hear with his spirit. God is Spirit and so we must become also.
The tabernacle of God is with men. That means men will become the Holy of Holies, the place of God’s dwelling. He will dwell in them and function in them. They will be His people and He will be their God. Here is the thing you must understand: this is not pie-in-the-sky. This is for now. You can be a member of this city! God can dwell in you and walk in you! You can become!
Revelation 21:18 The city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Throughout the Scriptures, gold represents the divine nature of God. The city being pure gold means that it has taken on His divine nature, which is exactly what Peter spoke of in his epistle. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. II Peter 1:4. Can you see it? You can become pure gold, too. He has given to us exceeding great and precious promises that we might be partakers of the divine nature. Find those precious promises! And believe them with all your heart! One more point.
Revelation 21:21 The street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
New Jerusalem is not a city with streets. It is a city of God’s people, and there is only one street. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way (the street), the truth, and the life. He is also pure gold which speaks of His divine nature. He is the street of pure gold! If you want to be in the Holy City of New Jerusalem, then get on the street of pure gold. He will lead you there!
Copyright © 2014 by Henry DuBose