In chapter 21, verse 1, John informs us that he "saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and that there is to be no sea on that new earth." This statement means exactly what it says, since there is no indication of a departure from the literal meaning.

After John was given a vision of the new heavens and the new earth, he then saw "the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband."

When this eternal Jerusalem comes down and rests upon the eternal earth, then the tabernacle of God will be with men. He will dwell with them and they will be His people, and He will be their God. This will be an entirely new order and different from that which obtains at the present time. According to Psalm 115:16

"16 The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah,
But the earth hath he given to the children of men."

The atmospheric heavens surround immediately the earth. Out in space are the stellar heavens. Beyond them are the heavens of the heavens, which is called "the immediate presence of God." It is there that He dwells. But He gave the earth to the children of men. He does not dwell with them in the literal sense as is foretold that He will, eventually, in the future.

But when the eternal order is created, God's tabernacle will no longer be in the heavens of the heavens, but it will be in this eternal Jerusalem, which will come down out of the eternal heavens and rest on the eternal earth.

John emphasizes the fact that this eternal order will be made completely new--from start to finish. In other words, no material that has entered into the present physical order will be used in the construction of the eternal universe. As a matter-of-fact, as we have seen, all the materials that now constitute the present physical order pass out of existence at the end of the Millennium. Hence, the Lord creates all things anew.

According to verse 6 Christ declares: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end," the beginning of all things, and the end, the one in whom all things find their consummation, and to whom are all things. He is the one who has the fountain of the water of life. He will let anyone who will, come and drink thereof so that he may never thirst again.

In verse 7 a promise is made to those who overcome that they shall inherit all those things. God will be their God, and they will be His children.

But in verse 8 the place of awful doom of certain characters is set forth. "But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death."

In Revelation 21:9-22:5 we have a full and detailed statement of the eternal Jerusalem.

In verses 9 and 10 John informs us that he was invited by "one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues" to come with him, saying, "I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.'' Then this angel took John to a high mountain, from which he could view the situation of the eternal order and showed him "the holy city Jerusalem," the eternal Jerusalem, "coming down out of heaven from God," and resting upon the eternal earth. From this advantageous place John viewed these eternal matters and was thrilled to the very depths of his soul.

In verses 11-17 we are given a description of the eternal Jerusalem. It is a city "foursquare," that is, a perfect cube, the sides of which are 12,000 furlongs. When these Greek measurements are translated into English, we learn that this city will be 1,500 miles long, 1,500 miles wide, and 1,500 miles high.

At this point of our investigation we should make a contrast between this eternal city of Jerusalem, of which we read in Revelation, chapters 21 and 22, and the millennial Jerusalem. When we study Ezekiel's prophecy, chapters 40-48, we have a full and detailed description of the Jerusalem of the Millennial Age and of its Temple. The city of Jerusalem will be upon what the prophet called the oblation--the high mountain that will be created in Palestine at the beginning of the Millennium, and that will stand throughout the Kingdom Age. The city of Jerusalem proper, with its suburbs, will be a city ten miles broad by ten miles long. In other words, the millennial Jerusalem will cover one hundred square miles. But this is a very small affair in comparison with the eternal Jerusalem, the ground plan of which will cover 2,250,000 square miles. These facts show conclusively that the millennial Jerusalem is one thing, and the eternal Jerusalem is an entirely different matter.

Also in this connection let us make an observation, which is an inference that we draw from the facts that are presented here: namely, since God has a sense of proportion and does all things well, that is, perfectly, we may assume that the eternal earth upon which the eternal Jerusalem will rest forever will be an enormous affair, in comparison with which this earth is but a mere speck.

Surrounding this eternal city of Jerusalem will be a wall which will have twelve foundations and twelve gates resting upon these twelve foundations. Over each gate will be engraved the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. On the foundation underneath each gate will be the name of one of the Apostles of the Lamb. Thus very conspicuously will be the names of Jews in connection with the eternal Jerusalem where we shall be with God and with our loved ones forever and ever. Only through these gates will anyone be able to enter into this eternal city.

In verses 18-21 we read of the various gems out of which the foundations and the gates of the city will be made, and which will adorn this city. The glory that will radiate from this place is far beyond the wildest imagination of any mortal at the present time.

According to verses 22 and 23, God and Christ will be the light of the city. There will be no need of sun, moon, or stars, "for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb." They will be the light of the city, and they will also be the temple in the midst of the city.

Verse 24 is a very important and strikingly significant passage: "And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it." The Common Version adds a modifying clause which reads: "And the nations of them that are saved." This clause was added to the original text by a very late Latin manuscript. It is not in any of the old, reliable Greek manuscripts.

Who are referred to in this passage? All of the saved from the present material universe will be in the city of Jerusalem, but these people and their kings will live out on that earth. These will come and visit this eternal city. This conclusion we cannot avoid, if we accept the statements as they are given. But, who are they?

I would like to venture a guess. I am inclined to believe that this will be a new race of people who will be created, and who will live upon that eternal earth. Sin will never touch them. They will be in perfect harmony with the will of God throughout all eternity. It is altogether possible that the saints who suffer and labor for the Lord, and who reign with Christ in the Millennium will likewise reign over this new race of people. But remember, my dear friends, I am only throwing this out as a possible suggestion, and not as a definite dogma.

In 22:1,2 we have a most beautiful picture of the river of water of life, "bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb." This river will flow in the midst of the street. It is altogether possible that this street is the one mentioned in 21:21.

On either side of this stream is the tree of life, which bears "twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month," and the leaves are for the healing of the nations. But this seems to be an erroneous translation. There will be no sickness, no death in the eternal order. A better rendering appears to me to be "and the leaves of the tree were for the health of the nations." This tree of life will have the same purpose that it had in the Garden of Eden (Gen., chap. 2).

In 22:5 we read of this land of eternal day: "And there shall be night no more: and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."

It has never entered the mind of mortal man what God has in store for those who know Him, and who love Him.

We shall be occupied throughout all eternity in reigning with Christ, as we are told in the last quotation.

We who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and who are trusting Him and the merits of His shed blood, shall enjoy these great and marvelous blessings forever and ever. It pays to be on God's side, to know Christ, and to labor for Him while we have yet time and opportunity. May the Spirit of God stir our hearts to loyalty and faithfulness in the discharge of every duty that comes upon us, is my prayer.