What Do You Know
About LIFE?
What Do You Know
About DEATH?
Do You Know
The TRUTH?
Like the beauty of the world is for all to behold ...
may the information and articles here become precious to you.
Where will you go when it's your time to die?
You need to know this today. Tomorrow may be too late!
HINT: It is NOT through a church, baptism, or good works.
What Does The Future Hold ?
Exciting and EASY Study on REVELATION
Uneed2no.com
Here is a great church to attend in Trumbull County, Ohio
FAITH Baptist Church
1401 Shaw Avenue, Niles, Ohio 44446
(330) 652-8151
10:00 a.m. Sunday School
11:00 a.m. Morning Worship
6:30 p.m. Evening Worship
6:30 p.m. Wednesday Services
Pastor Lenny Towle, with wife, Mrs. Amy Towle
"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."
John is continuing to pen down all that he witnessed. He now sees "a new heaven and a new earth". The new heaven and new earth are going to be a perfect utopia. Earth will be all new with no sin. There will be no prickers, no pain, no sorrow, no sufferings, and definitely no Satan!
The "new heaven" is not talking about where God abides. It is not His Throne. God's Throne is established forever and ever. Psalm 93:2 tells us that God's Throne was always here, and it will always be: "Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting". The "new heaven" in this verse is speaking about our universe ... the planets, the stars, and the darkness. It will be changed into 'light': "...God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5b). There will be no more darkness at all ... no nighttime, no shadows. Everything will be bright and beautiful, lit up with the Light of Christ. Jesus stated the He is "the Light of the world" (John 8:12).
We are also told why there will be a "new heaven and a new earth" in this verse. It is because "the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea". God is going to destroy the earth, that we know now, by fire. 2 Peter 3:10 tells us "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements (planets) shall melt with a fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." There is going to a great explosion in the darkness of space = "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise". The planets = "elements shall melt with a fervent heat". "The earth ... shall be burned up". God is going to destroy His works of the "first haven and the first earth" and "create a new heaven and new earth".
It will hurt God's heart that He has to destroy His first creation. It will hurt God's heart as He has to bring judgment upon the earth because of all our sins. We are studying the last book of the Bible ... Revelation ... and it circles right back around to Genesis, the first book of the Bible. In Genesis 6:6-7, God said: "And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; ... for it repenteth me that I have made them". In our chapter here in Revelation, we see that God will destroy all of the earth and it's galaxies. The GREAT NEWS is that God is going to create a "new heaven and a new earth" that is perfect and beautiful beyond comprehension! And the Lord is going to let John give us a peek at all the beauty that is to come !!! ...
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."
In Verse 1 of this chapter, we learned that "the first heaven and the first earth were passed away". We also learned in Verse 1 that God created "a new heaven and a new earth". Now, in this verse, God is decorating His earth. Just like a "bride adorned for her husband", God has lovingly created something extra special for us. An earthly bride will take a lot of time preparing for her wedding. She is excited and tries to look her best. God is excited, too. He has prepared this special gift and He is bringing it down "out of heaven" to His "bride".
This is a very special gift from the Lord. The Lord built a whole new city for us. This gift is the "holy city" ... "new Jerusalem" and it has an extra special Gift inside of it. Our next verse tells us what this extra precious gift from God is for us ...
"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."
This is a very special event. First, this event is going to be announced loudly with "a great voice out of heaven". It will be proclaimed throughout "the new heaven and new earth". Unlike all the other announcements that were given during the Tribulation Period, this "great voice" will be proclaiming VERY GREAT NEWS! This will be a super exciting and extremely precious event!
God will be bringing His tabernacle down to the "new earth". Don't be confused. This is not "new Jerusalem" that John talked about in Verse 2. We will go to the "new Jerusalem" in Verse 10. However, Verse 3 here is talking about "the tabernacle of God", not "new Jerusalem". God is telling us that He Himself is going to bring down His tabernacle to the "new earth".
This is HUGE. Back in the Old Testament only the high priests were allowed in the tabernacle, and only the high priest was allowed in the "Holy of Holies" of the tabernacle. The "Holy of Holies" was the inner most room of the tabernacle. It was where ONLY the high priest was allowed to enter. It was such a holy place that the high priest had to have "a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate" repeated all the way around the hem of his robe (Exodus 28:34). This was part of the high priest's garment because the other priests would listen for the bells on his robe. The high priest would also have a rope tied around his foot. If the priests stopped hearing the bells for any length of time, they would pull the high priest out with the rope, assuming he was dead, because of the holiness of God. Other priests could not enter into the "Holy of Holies" to get him because God would kill them. God says in Exodus 33:20: "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live". Only the high priest was allowed to come in once a year and make sacrifice for the sins of the people, including himself. Yet, here we are in Revelation, and God is establishing His tabernacle on earth again. But this tabernacle is much, much better than the first one.
Unlike the first tabernacle, our verse tells us that "the tabernacle of God is with men". It does not say it is for the high priest only. God is allowing all people to come to Him in His tabernacle. Remember, God is HOLY. Priests died in the first tabernacle becaue of the holiness of God. Now, after the end of the old world, God will be allowing everyone to approach Him. We will be allowed to approach a very holy God.
Look what else God tells us in this verse. Not only can we approach God, but "He shall dwell with us"! God Almighty will live among us! We humans are filthy beings unlike angels that are holy beings. Yet God is choosing to bring His tabernacle down to us people and "dwell with us"! Then God says that we "shall be His people". He puts us right there with Him. He adopts us. God continues to say in this verse that He "Himself shall be with them and be their God". That's priceless!
God said back in the Old Testament, in Exodus 29:45-46: "And I (God) will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God".
It is going to be an awesome event when God brings His tabernacle down to dwell with all mankind. Look what God is going to do when He dwells with us ... in the next verse ...
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
After the end of the Tribulation, after Satan is cast into the "Lake of Fire", after God destroys the earth and judges the unsaved, God then creates a "new heaven and a new earth". God will then bring His tabernacle to the earth. He will dwell with mankind. He calls them His people and God becomes their Father. In other words, people will really get to know their Heavenly Father. Then in this verse, God Himself, lovingly will "wipe away all tears from their eyes". This is an action of real love and comfort.
Then the Father promises that there will "be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying". There will be nothing to make us unhappy anymore. God the Father also promises that "neither shall there be any more pain". There shall never be any more physical or mental pain. Depression will be gone. Body pains will be no more. Our Heavenly Father will make all of us happy and healed "for the former things are passed away". They are all gone! Our Heavenly Father willl take them all away!
"Behold, the former things ae come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them" (Isaiah 42:9). And God continues to say ...
SORROW TURNS
TO GLADNESS !
"And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."
In Verse 3 of this Chapter, John heard "a great voice out of heaven". In Verses 3 and 4, this "great voice" is the one declaring what God will be doing. This "great voice" tells us that God's tabernacle is going to dwell among us. This "great voice" tells us that "God Himself shall be with" us (v.3). And this "great voice" tells us that "God shall wipe away all tears" (v. 4).But now, in Verse 5, it will be God Himself speaking: "And He that sat upon the throne said".
As God the Father sits on His throne, He says: "Behold, I make all things new". This will be like God saying: "Look! Look around you and see. I have made all things new for you!"
When God, the Father, speaks directly to John. He tells John to "Write". John has carefully always written down everything God has told him. Proverbs 30:5 says: "Every word of God is pure". God tells John that "these words are true and faithful". God tells John that everything that he has written down is "true and faithful". In John 17:17, the Bible says that God's "Word is truth".
Deuteronomy 7:9 says: "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations". God makes a promise here in Chapter 21 to those of us who are saved. It is a beautiful promise to encourage us to keep living our best for our Father. We need to keep these promises, that are from God Himself, in our hearts and minds.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Colossians 3:16).
"And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
God, the Father, is still speaking in this verse. He speaks directly to John and declares "It is done". The Lord is saying that everything that He wanted to accomplish, is accomplished. He destroyed all evil and created a "new heaven and a new earth".
God was in the beginning. He created the earth: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). In Revelation 22:13 Jesus says: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last". God showed us His Deity in Genesis 1:26, when God said "Let us", meaning Himself and Christ. He showed us His Deity in John 1:1&14 which says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." "And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us". We also studied about the Deity of God in Chapter 1, Verse 6, of Revelation.
The Lord tells us that He is the "Alpha and Omega". "Alpha" is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. "Alpha" also represents the dominate position of all. God is first of everything. "Omega" is the last letter of the Greek alphabet. This signifies the end. Only God Almighty has the power to put an end to all evil, and He will. He says, "It is done".
God knows when the end will be. God wants people to know what the end will be for the saved and for the unsaved. God put the second half of this verse in here for us who are still alive on the earth. It is not for those who will be judged at the "Great White Throne" judgment. God is using this verse to encourage people to be saved before the "Great White Throne" judgment. And He is reminding the saved that he "will give" us His "water of life".
In the first chapter of Revelation, God stated that He is "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" in (Revelation 1:8), and He ends Revelation saying these same words: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last" (Revelation 22:13).
In this verse, God makes a statement of reassurance. From Genesis to Revelation, God has called people unto Himself. The end has not yet come today. God is telling people today that they still have time to repent and be saved. He is telling people that He is the "Alpha and Omega". God promises that He "will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
"If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink"
( John 7:37b)
​
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14)
​
"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee"
(Psalm 63:1a)
God does not pour His 'water' down anyone's throat. He offers it. It is up to us to drink of His "living water". It is His Gift. The Gift of Eternal Life. "Thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water" (John 4:10b). Jesus said in Revelation 3:20 (that we studied), that He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks. Jesus said "if any man open the door, I will come in to him". It is totally up to you to open your heart and let Christ in. If you do, the next verse tells you about your blessings. If you don't let Christ into your heart, the following verse tells you about your chosen results.
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
Just like in verse 6, God is talking to us who are still alive. We still have the opportunity to be saved. When the Lord saith in this verse: "he that overcometh", He does not mean by good works. The word "overcometh" means 'to get the better of, to gain superiority'. Salvation is NEVER by 'good works'. It is only through the shed blood of Christ on the cross that we can be saved. God is telling us here in His Word that when a person "is athirst" (v.6), he seeks after the Lord. When a person seeks the Lord, the Lord gives that person "the water of life freely". This is Salvation ... accepting "the water of life FREELY" (v.6). Salvation is FREE. You cannot work for it.
After a person accepts "the water of life FREELY" (v.6) then that person has "overcometh" Satan. They have become a child of God. Satan cannot drag their soul to hell. However, our bodies are still here on the earth if we are alive. We as Christians, will have obstacles that Satan throws our way to overcome. 1 John 5:4 tells us "For whosoever is born of God overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith". It is only through Christ that we can overcome the world. 2 Corinthians 2:14a tells us: "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumpth in Christ"
Christians may suffer a lot on this earth. When God says "he that overcometh", God is saying 'stay strong in Him'. 2 Corinthians 2:14a tells us: "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ" God is telling us that we will have the victory through Christ. Be patient, the end is near.
God also says there are rewards for being His child. Our verse says that "He that overcometh shall inherit all things". This is HUGE. There is nothing more we could ever ask for or need. God says "all things". God, the Father, makes this very personal. God says: "I will be his God, and he shall be my son". God adopts us through the blood of His Son and because we become His child.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten (adopted) us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3-4).
When we accept Christ as our Saviour, God adopts us and we inherit "all things" through Christ. God is telling all people two things: first is to become a child of God. Accept Him as your Saviour. Then the second thing He tells Christians is to 'Hang in there' because your Heavenly Father is going to give you "all things". But the best part of this verse is God's last statement: "I will be his God, and he shall be my son."
Imagine ... God Almighty as your Father! Imagine ... God wanting you to be His child! That is incredible!! But we don't have to imagine because this is what God wants. This is what He is promising, and this is what He has been saying all through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. It is up to us to respond. It is up to us to accept God's FREE invitation to be His child and to overcome the world. However, if someone doesn't accept God's Gift, His Son, then the next verse tells us what will happen to the person delays or refuses to accept God's Gift ...
"Ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15b).
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
God Almighty is still talking to those alive on the earth. Again, the Lord is warning people. He pleads with them to be saved and He warns them that Hell is very real.
Here is a list of people that God composed for us to read: Please note, as you read these definitions, keep in mind that these are people God loves. He died for them and we also are guilty of some of the sins God has listed here. "For ye ere sometimes darkness, but NOW (saved) are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).
FEARFUL = Being afraid and causing others to be afraid. Perhaps afraid to be saved. Afraid to admit they are a sinner. Ashamed of Christ. "But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation" (Hebrews 10:27b).
UNBELIEVING = Refusing to believe that God is real. Atheists, humanistics, those who reject God, or those who do not accept the Holy Bible. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, ater the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8).
ABOMINABLE = People who do not hate evil. Those who don't detest things that God calls sin. Taking God's name as a slang, swear word is one of the biggest sins listed in the Bible. The first biggest sin is not accepting Christ as Saviour. Another big sin is taking God's name as a swear word or a slang. For example, when something doesn't go right, people say "Oh, God!" or perhaps using Jesus Christ in disgust. The third commandment states: "Thou shalt NOT take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will NOT hold him guiltless (innocent) that taketh His name in vain" (Exodus 20:7). Did you know that taking God's name in vain is a higher commandment (3rd Commandment), than the commandment not to murder, "Thou shalt not kill" (6th Commandment) ???
MURDERERS = This breaks the 6th Commandment "Thou shalt not kill". This means not to kill another person according to the law. It does not include capital punishment, but it does include abortion. Those who perform abortions will have to stand before God Almighty one day. The staff that convinces a female that it is "just an egg" will also be held accountable to God. But did you know that if you hate someone, you are also considered a "murderer"? God says in 1 John 3:15a: "Whosoever HATETH his brother is a murderer".
WHOREMONGERS = A whoremonger is a person who has dealings with prostitutes. This means someone who pimps people out and those who hire them. It also includes people having sexual activities outside of the marriage. The Lord says this is sin. God warns about this sin in Ephesians 5:5: "For this ye know, that no whoremonger ... hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God".
SORCERERS = Are people who use sorcery, magic, and witchcraft. These can include fortune tellers, divination, and horoscopes. This leads people away from the Bible and away from Christ. "Elymas the sorcerer withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith" (Acts 13:8).
IDOLATERS = Are people who worship an idol as if it were holy. The very first of the Ten Commandments states: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me". The Second Commandment states: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image (statue), or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God" (Exodus 20:3-5).
LIARS = This includes all of us. There is not one person who has never told a lie. Even a 'little white lie' is still a lie. That makes us all liars. God says in Colossians 3:9: "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds".
The verse here that we are studying, Verse 8, says: "But the fearful, and unbelieving and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." God pointed out all these sins because He does not want anyone to have a "part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone". Christ died on the cross to make The Way to Heaven so people would not have to be forever doomed. Those of us who are saved, we were like the list above, but we asked Christ to forgive us and cleanse us. "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin" (Psalm 51:2).
In Revelation 20:14 we studied about the "second death". Here is God Almighty warning us again about the "second death". God is pleading ... PLEASE do not be a part of the "second death".
Born into the world and don't ask Jesus to be your Saviour = Second Death
(Physically die once on earth, and die the second time by being cast into the Lake of Fire)
"And there came unto me one of seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the Bride, the Lamb's wife.
As John finishes writing the list of unsaved people in Verse 8, an angel approaches him. This isn't any angel. This angel is "one of seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues". We studied the "seven angels which had the seven vials" in Revelation 15. In Verse 1 of Chapter 15 we learned that these seven angels held vials "filled up with the wrath of God".
The Lord describes the angels, in Revelation 15:6, as being "clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles". The apparel of these seven angels represents their royal priesthood. So one of these royal angels approach John for the second time. This angel has emptied his vial "filled with the wrath of God" upon the earth and now he is going to show John something new.
The first time that an angel said to John "Come up hither" was when an angel escorted John up to see "a door was opened in heaven" (Revelation 4:1). This was the beginning of John's heavenly venture. Now we are near the end of Revelation and an angel is saying to John again "Come hither".
This angel, which previously held God's wrath, now has something special to show John. The angel tells John "I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife". Who doesn't want to see the bride? The bride is kept out of sight until the groom is ready for her. This angel is going show John the bride! This is very exciting! But first, the angel is going to show us the gift Jesus prepared for His bride ... "New Jerusalem".
"And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God."
This strong angel that had emptied the "vial of the wrath of God" in Revelation 15 now carries John "away in the spirit". The angel did not carry John's physical body. John was in the spirit. This is like when we die. Our physical body stays in our coffin but our spirit goes to Heaven if we are saved. "Then shall the dust (our bodies) return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
This angel takes John "to a great and high mountain". The mountain that John is taken to is very"high". This mountain will be higher than the Himalayas, where some of those mountains are around five miles high in elevation. This mountain will also be a "great" mountain. When we think of a "great" mountain, we should be reminded of the mountain Jesus always resorted to ... Mount Olives. Mount Olives is "great" in the fact that this is where Jesus "abode".
Luke 21:;37 that "In the day time (Jesus) was teaching in the temple; and at night He went out and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives". "Abode" means a place where someone temporarily stays. This earth was not Jesus' home, but while He walked the earth, His main "abode" was in Mount Olives.
Mount Olives is also called Mount Olivet. Mount Olives is a mountain ridge that has three peaks. The top ridge of Mount Olives is a watershed. A watershed is an area of land that provides water to rivers, lakes, and seas below it. In verse 6 of this Chapter 21, Jesus said that He "will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."
The view is astonishing when you are near the top of Mount Olives. You can see the city of Jerusalem spread across the land like the veil of a bride. The tiny village of Bethphage peeps over the ridge while a river marks a crooked path through deep green grass. Psalm 23:2 says: "He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters."
Jesus often walked with His disciples though the Mount of Olives. Mount Olives is near to the walls of Jerusalem. You can see nearly every city street from the mountain's summit. The Lord and His disciples had a splendid view of the Temple from Mount Olives. Many times, Jesus taught in the Temple: "And in the day time He was teaching in the temple" (Luke 21:37).
On the eastern slope of Mount Olives, lies a city gate called "Beautiful". In Acts 3:2 we read: "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful". Jesus healed this lame man at the "Beautiful" gate.
At the bottom of Mount Olives lies the glorious Garden of Gethsemane. The Garden of Gethsemane displayed groves of olive trees. The moonlight glistened between the olive trees as Jesus knelt and prayed. "Then cometh Jesus with them (disciples) unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder" (Matthew 26:36). "And being in an agony He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:44). These prayers, in the garden of Gethsemane that Jesus prayed, were for you and me as He prepared Himself to die on the cross for us.
From Mount Olives, one could see the walls that surrounds Jerusalem. Outside the city gates of Jerusalem lies Golgotha, "the place of the skull". Mark 15:22 tells us that "they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of the skull". If someone would have been standing on Mount Olives that day, they may have watched Christ being crucified. Mark 15:25 tells us that "it was the third hour, and they crucified Him".
The great news is that after three days an angel said: "Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen: He is not here: behold the place where they laid Him" (Mark 16:6). Not only did Jesus rise from the grave, He also ascended into Heaven from Mount Olives: "...While they beheld, He was taken up;; and a cloud received Him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9) "He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19).
More great news is what an angel says in Acts 1:11: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." And when Christ comes back to the earth "His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half off it toward the south" (Zechariah 14:4). "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one" (Zechariah 14:9). And this brings us right back to Revelation 21:10. This is the time when "the LORD shall be king over all the earth".
And as the angel carries John "away in the spirit to a great and high mountain", the angel shows John "that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." This new Jerusalem is not going to be like the old Jerusalem that we just studied. The old Jerusalem was of the earth. The new Jerusalem comes down out of heaven. It is a gift from God Himself. It is the "holy Jerusalem" and it will descend "out of heaven from God". God is giving another gift. God describes to us how special and beautiful new Jerusalem is going to be in the next few verses ...
"Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal:"
In our previous verse, we studied about "one of the seven angels" showing John "that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God". Now John goes on to describe "the holy Jerusalem" that is going to descend "out of heaven from God".
First, we are told that New Jerusalem will have "the glory of God". In Verse 3 of this chapter (21), we were told that that "God will dwell with" us. That "God Himself" shall be with all of us. This city, "New Jerusalem", will come down from God and God will dwell in it so He can be with us! From Genesis through Revelation, God has always indicated that He wants to be near us. He wants to walk and talk with us. In the first book of the Bible, Genesis 3:8, tells us that God would walk in the Garden of Eden and have fellowship with Adam and Eve. Here in the last book of the Bible, God tells us that He wants so much to have fellowship with all humans. God has created a beautiful city called New Jerusalem, and that He is going to bring it down from Heaven. God tells us that He Himself is going to dwell in it for us! That is divine love. After all we humans have done to Him, He still wants to be with us! How unworthy we are.
Next, we are told that "her (New Jerusalem) light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper sone, clear as crystal". The "light" described here is the most precious light ever. We are told in verse 23 of this chapter (21) that the "light" is Jesus ... "the Lamb is the light thereof". Jesus is "The Light" (John 8:12). And it is Jesus Who is "most precious".
Jesus is also "like unto a stone". Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; and Psalm 118:22 all speak of Jesus being "The stone which the builders rejected". In Revelation 4:1-8, God gave a glimpse of a heavenly scene. Verse 4 says: "And He that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald". 1 Peter 2:4 says this about Christ: "To Whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious".
The diamond jasper represents purity, holiness, and judgment (Refer back to Revelation, Chapter 4: 1-8). The jasper stone is the first foundation of the wall of New Jerusalem. Verse 19, of this chapter (21), states that "The first foundation was jasper".
"And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:"
In the previous two verses, we saw that God will bring "New Jerusalem" out of heaven so He can dwell with us on the new earth. We also saw that Christ is the "Head corner stone", the precious foundation of "New Jerusalem". Now, the Lord is describing to us the "wall" that surrounds "New Jerusalem". This "wall" is described as being "great and high". The word "great" means extra-large in comparison to anything else. It will be exceedingly above and beyond anything else. It will be great in size. Verse 17 of this chapter tells us the exact height of this high wall. "And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits". 144 cubits equals 216 feet. This "great and high wall" will be 216 feet high. That will be like a building that has over 21 floors in it high.
Our verse here goes on to tell us that there will be "twelve gates" on the wall. There will be three "gates" on each side of the wall. Verse 13 tells us this: "On the east (side) three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates". This adds up to a total of "twelve gates".
At each of these "twelve gates" God has ordained a special angel to stand, one angel at each gate: "and at the gates twelve angels". God is painting us the picture of "New Jerusalem". He said His New Jerusalem is going to have a "great and high" wall around it. The wall will have "twelve gates" and at each gate an angel will stand guard by it. Then the Lord tells us that each of these gates will have a Jewish name written on it. There are "twelve tribes of the children of Israel". The name of one tribe will be on one gate. Twelve gates with twelve names = Reuban, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. These are the twelve sons of Israel. Each one of the above named son of Israel will be written on the "twelve gates" of "New Jerusalem" guarded by an angel.
"On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates."
The Lord put this verse here to make sure we understood how the wall is going to be. God is not putting all twelve gates on one side, nor is He dividing the twelve tribes in half and putting six gates on one gate and six on another gate. God clarifies all this to us. Remember, this is Revelation. God reveals. There will be "three gates" on each directional side with the name of the twelve tribes inscribed on each gate.
"On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates."
"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."
God is continuing to describe "the wall of the city". We just studied that the wall has "twelve gates" with the names of "twelve tribes" of the children of Israel inscribed on each gate. Now we continue to learn that this wall has "twelve foundations".
Please understand that this is not talking about the foundation of the city of "New Jerusalem". Jesus is that foundation: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). However, the gospel of Christ is the foundations of the "wall". Ephesians 2:20 tells us: "And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone". Jesus personally chose twelve apostles to carry forth His gospel into the world after He was risen from the dead and ascended into Heaven. Mark 16:19-20 tells us: "So then after the Lord had spoken unto them (the apostles), He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they (the apostles) went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following". The Lord ordained His "twelve apostles" to be the foundations for spreading the gospel throughout the whole earth. Jesus commissioned the apostles in Matthew 28:19 to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations". In John 17:18, Jesus said this unto His heavenly Father: "As Thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world" to preach the gospel. And in Mark 16:15, Jesus "said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature". And that is precisely what the apostles did. They preached the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the whole world. This is why our verse calls them "the twelve apostles of the Lamb".
Jesus used His apostles to lay the foundations for His gospel to be established in the world. They proclaimed and documented (the Bible) that Jesus is the Messiah, and that He died and rose again for our sins. Acts 1:3, states that Jesus "shewed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them (the apostles) forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God".
Our verse here, verse 14, is shows us that, because the gospel of Christ was entrusted to the "twelve apostles of the Lamb", the Lord is naming the foundations of "the wall" after His "twelve apostles". The Lord is doing this to show the world that the gospel, which was preached by the apostles, is indeed His gospel. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, the Messiah. "New Jerusalem" indicates that God's kingdom is built on Christ, the Foundation; and "the wall" indicates the gospel of Christ, and was presented by His chosen "twelve apostles of the Lamb".
"And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof."
The angel that was showing "New Jerusalem" to John was holding "a golden reed". A "reed" is like a yardstick. It is a unit of measurement. A "reed" is about 10 feet in length. In Revelation 11:1 "a reed like unto a rod" was given to John. That angel told John to "Rise, and measure the temple of God". This is during the Tribulation Period. John was instructed to measure the temple on the earth during the Great Tribulation Period. The "reed" that this angel will be holding will be "a golden reed". The "golden reed" that the angel has represents God's heavenly Temple.
John was told, in Revelation 11:1, to measure the earthly temple using an earthly "reed". The angel will be the one measuring God's "city (New Jerusalem), and the gates, and the walls", not John, not a man. This angel will be the one using God's "golden reed" to measure "that great city, the holy Jerusalem" that will descend "out of heaven from God".
"And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal."
The Lord reveals to us that "the city (New Jerusalem) lieth foursquare". That "the length is as large as the breadth" and that "the height of it are equal". "The city lieth foursquare". This angel takes his "golden reed" and measures "New Jerusalem". He tells us that the "city" is as long as it is wide, and that it is as high as it is wide. It is a cube.
This angel also tells us the precise size of "the city". He tells us that it is 12,000 furlongs. That would equal about 1,500 MILES! That would be like the distance from New York, New York all the way down south to Dallas, Texas.
"New Jerusalem" will be 1,500 miles long. It will be 1,500 miles wide and it will be as high as it is long and wide. "New Jerusalem" will be 1,500 miles high. It is very hard to comprehend a city 1,500 miles high! Mount Everest is about 5.5 miles high. "New Jerusalem" will be about 273 times higher than Mount Everest!!
"New Jerusalem" is a really, really HUGE cube. 1,500 miles square in each direction. In Revelation 3:12 we studied that in July 2020, UFO enthusiasts were speculating about strange NASA photos. Scientists were able to snap the closest pictures yet with detailed shots of our sun. They were breathtaking images of the sun. However, the photos showed the shadow an enormous cube in space according to UFO enthusiasts.
In 2024, the James Webb Space Telescope was thought to have observed a large object about 10 light-years away and moving towards our earth. Social Medias posted all kinds of posts supposing this to be aliens and alien life. I guess a lot of people want to call angels "aliens". But knowing the Bible and knowing what God says about "New Jerusalem" "descending out of heaven from God", and that it is a 1,500-mile cube, I guess it could be "New Jerusalem". However, "New Jerusalem" is NOT coming down to the earth until AFTER the Great Tribulation Period and AFTER the new heaven and the new earth.
"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."
Next, the angel "measured the wall" with his "golden reed". The earthly city of Jerusalem that we know today has been surrounded by walls since ancient times. The walls are for a defense. When this angel measures "the wall" of "New Jerusalem", he tells us that it is "an hundred and forty and four cubits". From our study of Revelation, God told us that He has a chosen army .. a defense team. In Revelation 19:14, the Lord tells us that His armies are "clothed in fine linen" and "they followed Him upon white horses". In Revelation 14:4, we are told this army "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth". AND we are told how many are in this army! Revelation 14:1 tells us that there are 144,000 army men!
"The wall" represents defense. The Lord purposely made the wall to measure 144,000 cubits as a reward for His own army. The Lord rewarded the twelve tribes of Israel by placing their names on His gates, and He rewarded the twelve apostles with names on His wall's foundation. And the Lord rewards His chosen army by building His wall to equal 144,000. A strong, bonded together, invincible "wall".
"And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass."
God is continuing to reveal to us the beauty of His "city, New Jerusalem". He continues to describe the wall of the "144,000 cubits". God tells us that "the wall" is of beautiful "jasper".
"Jasper" was one of the stones on the high priest's breastplate (Exodus 28:20). "Jasper" is formed through volcanic ash. Even though there are 31 types of jasper, the Red Jasper reminds us of the blood of Christ. It has a deep, red color. With the wall being a deep Red Jasper, it would represent that no one can get into the city of God without going the the blood of Christ. When someone goes through the "wall" by the blood of Christ, then they can enter into "the city" of "pure gold, like unto clear glass".
Yes, God made "New Jerusalem" out of gold. Not just any gold either. God took the very best and built a city for us to dwell in with Him. "Pure gold" means that it is perfect. This shows God's Son, Jesus. Jesus is pure and sinless. He is God's most treasured possession. The Lord Jesus was put through the 'fire' of calvary for our sins. Jesus shines forth as gold tried in a fire. In Revelation 3:18: The Lord says: "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich". We are made rich through the blood of Christ. The gold of the Lord Jesus is so pure that it is "like unto clear glass". When we get to walk through "the wall" surrounding "New Jerusalem", we will be reminded of the precious blood of our Saviour. When we get to approach "New Jerusalem", we will remember how Jesus was tried in the 'fire' of calvary and shines as the most precious gold ever, "like unto clear glass". We are redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). This is all created because "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not periosh, but have everlasting life". These words of John 3:16 were actually spoken by Christ Himself!
"And the foundations of the wall of the city was garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;"
God wants us to know how much He loves us. In this verse, God tells us that He "garnished" the foundations with "precious stones". It is like putting icing and decorations on an elegant wedding cake. He is making all the preparations for the wedding.
Picture a cake decorator. After the wedding cake is all frosted, he takes beautiful flowers and lays them around the base. This is like what the Father is doing in our verse. He garnishes the "foundations of the wall" with "all manner of precious stones".
"The first foundation was jasper". Just like the whole "wall" is based on the foundation of Jesus Christ illustrated by the "Jasper" color of Christ's blood, so is the first foundation reflecting that it "first" must be by the blood of Christ. Christ is the Foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). 1 Corinthians 3:12 instructs us to build upon the Foundation.
We see that "the first foundation was jasper". God garnishes this foundation with His blood. We see this all through "The Gospel of Jesus Christ".
Red "Jasper," the FIRST stone mentioned, is a stone that burns with the fiery embers of passion! Peter had a real zeal and passion for Christ. Jesus told Peter in John 21:16 to "Feed my sheep". In other words, Jesus told Peter to teach people the Gospel. Of all the apostles, Jesus told Peter to Feed my sheep" because Jesus knew the love and zeal Peter had for Him. Peter had a "fiery passion" to tell others about the Messiah.
The SECOND stone is a "sapphire". Keep in mind that God tells us in our verse that these are "precious stones". "The sapphire" is also a "precious stone".
The "sapphire" is blue in color. Not only does a sapphire have great beauty and luster, but it has the property of hardness. When Andrew accepted Jesus as his Messiah, he went out and brought his brother to Christ. Andrew's brother was Peter. Even though Andrew is not mentioned in the Bible very often, he was the man who worked hard in the background. Andrew is the one who brought the boy to Christ that had the two fishes and five loaves of bread and fed five thousand people. Andrew had great inner beauty and he shined for the Lord. He endured "hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3).
The THIRD precious stone, in our verse, is the "chalcedony". A "chalcedony" stone has various colors to it. It is found in copper mines. It is used for cups and vases to hold water.
The apostle James, the son of Zebedee, was like a "chalcedony" stone that had many 'colors' to him. James was called one of the "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). James was also one of the three apostles that Jesus chose to take with Him when Jesus "was transfigured before them" (Mark 9:2). Just like the "chalcedony" stone was used to make cups and vases to hold water, Andrew held the gospel up for all to partake of. Andrew's 'colors' shone the most when he became the first of Jesus' apostles to be killed as a martyr. Andrew's commitment to Christ, shook the world like thunder as his death helped Christianity spread throughout the world.
John was Jesus' closest apostle. John is known as the "beloved disciple" and the "disciple whom Jesus loved" (John 21:7). It was John whom Jesus entrusted His mother to when Christ was on the cross. John 19:26-27 "When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple (John) standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith He to the disciple (John), Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple (John) took her unto his own home". John took personal care of Jesus' earthly mother.
The FOURTH stone, in this verse, is the pure gem that probably came from the mines near Mount Zabarah in Egypt. An "emerald" is not a hard stone. It is more easily broken than the other precios stones. However, some cultures believe the "emerald" can counteract poison. Other cultures feel that "emeralds" strengthens sight and memory.
John alone was the only apostle that stayed with Christ at the Cross. John was the first to believe that Jesus had risen from the grave and John was the first to recognize Jesus after Jesus arose from the grave: "Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved (John) saith unto Peter, It is the Lord" (John 21:7). It is this John whom the Lord used to pen down the Book of Revelation. In the first very part of our study of Revelation, we learned a lot about John. He was boiled in oil in Ephesus and exiled to the Isle of Patmos where God had him write Revelation for us (see Chapter 1 of this study on Revelation).
John can rightly be compared to a pure "emerald". His pureness to Christ. His tender heart that can easily be broken because of his love for his Saviour. Yet, he 'counteracts poison' from Satan with the Book of Revelation. God uses John to 'strengthen' our ' spiritual 'sight and memory' as we read the five books of the Bible that God had John write: 'The Gospel of John', 'First John', 'Second John', 'Third John', and 'Revelation'.
"The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst."
This verse continues from Verse 19 "And the foundations of the wall of the city was garnished with all manner of precious stones". Now we are on the FIFTH stone. It is a "sardonyx". "Sardonyx" is a stone found in Judea. "Sardonyx" is a combination of Sardius and Onyx. It consists of many different colors within itself. Orange and red variations shine through the milky white coating. The "sardonyx" was among the precious stones of the king of Tyre, B.C. 1491.
Philip was a soul winner and knew the scriptures well. In the Book of John, chapter 1, verses 43-45, the account is documented that Jesus went "into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow Me." Then the first thing Philip did, when He decided to follow Jesus, was to find Nathanael. Philip told Nathanael that he was sure that Jesus was the One that the "Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth". Philip knew the Old Testament laws and commandments. Philip had studied the Old Testament Prophets in the scriptures. He was well educated in the Word of God.
Philip has always been mentioned as the fifth apostle of the twelve (Matthew 10:2-3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14). Philip was from the city of Bethsaida. The same city where Andrew and Peter lived.
Just like the vibrant red and orange stripes are layered between the milky white accent, Philip reflects his knowledge of the law of Moses and the prophets layered with his love for the Lord.
The SIXTH precious stone is a "sardius". The "sardius" stone of blood-red color and capable of receiving a polish. It is very suitable for engraving. It is named after the city of Sardis in Asia Minor where it was first discovered.
Bartholomew's full name is Nathanael Bartholomew. Nathanael Bartholomew was the close friend of Philip. Nathanael Bartholomew was the first person Philip went to and told him about Christ (John 1:45). Bartholomew believed on Christ when he first was introduced to Him (John 1:49). After the Lord Jesus was crucified and rose from the grave, He appeared unto Nathanael Bartholomew and other apostles at the sea of Tiberias.
Jesus' own words about Nathanael Bartholomew are: "Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Bartholomew was an Israelite, but he was no ordinary Israelite. Not only was Nathanael Bartholomew born in a pure genealogy line of Jews, but he also walked according to all the laws of Moses and the prophets. Jesus said Bartholomew had "no guile" in him. Guile means that there was no deceitfulness in Bartholomew. Nathanael Bartholomew was perfectly honest and true to God as a human could be. And Jesus gently engraved His name upon Bartholomew's heart when Bartholomew accepted Jesus into his heart.
The SEVENTH precious stone is a "chrysolyte" stone. The "chrysolyte" is a very pretty yellowish-gold color. It's color reminds us of "New Jerusalem". We will see the physical gold of "New Jerusalem" when we get to heaven. We can read about it in the scriptures and picture it in our minds. "Chrysolyte" represents divine beauty and grace.
Thomas was best known as "Doubting Thomas". Thomas had doubted that Jesus Christ physically rose from the grave. He wanted proof. He wasn't just going to believe heresy. There are a lot of people like "Doubting Thomas" today. Look at how Jesus handled Thomas'. First Jesus says: "Peace be unto you". Then the Lord says to Thomas: "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side, and be not faithless, but believing" (John 20:26-27). The Lord shows us, through Thomas, that God can handle and will answer any of our own lacks in faith when we ask Him.
_edited.png)
Not only was Thomas' faith restored but Thomas was a shining gold-colored gem for the Lord. Thomas was willing to follow Christ to the Cross and die with Him. Thomas expected the other apostles to have the same mindset. Thomas said in John 11:16: "Then Thomas, which is called Didymus, saith unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with Him." After Thomas touched Jesus' hands (John 20:28), Thomas traveled outside of the Roman Empire to preach the Gospel of Christ. Thomas traveled to places in Syria, Iraq, Iran Turkey and India and preached Jesus Christ risen from the dead. Thomas was killed on the mission field. He was speared to death. Just like Jesus had a spear thrust into His side, so did Thomas. Thomas was speared to death. Thomas mirrored His Saviour just like a gold-colored gem ..."Chrysolyte". The website ThruthOnlyBible.com has a wonderful article on "Thomas, the Greatest Missionary of the Twelve".
The EIGHTH precious gem is the "beryl". Pure "beryl" has no color to it. It gets its tint from impurities, which can be almost any color. When the very first pair of eyeglasses were made in Italy, the lenses were made of "beryl". Pure "beryl" is clear and durable.
Matthew was also called Levi. Matthew was a tax collector for Herod the tetrarch. His 'tax booth' was located on the road to Damascus. Matthew was a businessman. Matthew was very good at keeping accurate records. He was very meticulous when he penned down the Gospel of Jesus in the epistle called 'Matthew'.
The Lord Jesus personally called Matthew to follow Him. Matthew accepted Christ's invitation (Matthew 9:9). Matthew was filled with love for his Saviour. He prepared a big banquet for Jesus and invited a lot of people. Many, many people. Matthew was a humble man and he accepted everybody as they were. However, Matthew came under verbal attack in front of all his guests by the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus, in turn, rebuked the scribes and Pharisees (Mark 2:15-17). Matthew was martyred with a 'halberd'. A 'halberd' is a long-handled pole made for war, also called a battle-ax. It has an ax blade and a hook at one end and a spear at the other end. This instrument is what was used to kill Matthew.
Just like the pure "beryl" gem is clear and easy to see through, so was Matthew's life. As a Christian, he was very honest and fair with his business. He treated all people the same. You could see no hypocrisy in him. And just like the "beryl" is used as lenses in glasses to help people see, Matthew still helps people to see Christ clearly in the 'Gospel of Matthew'.
The NINTH precious gem is a "topaz". It is a colorless stone with a greyish cast. The "Topaz" is a hard, durable gemstone. It is one of the hardest natural minerals. When "Topaz" is heated it can turn into a deep blue color. "Topaz" is used in high temperatures for refining materials like steel. Although a "topaz" is very hard, it must be handled with great care. "Topaz" has a weakness of atomic bonding of its molecules. This makes the "topaz" vulnerable if struck with extreme force.
James, the son of Alphaeus, was the son of one of the Marys who stood by the Cross at Christ's crucifixion. James, also identified as James the Less, is often mentioned in the Bible in connection with his mother: "..Mary the mother of James the less" (Mark 15:40); "an Mary the mother of James" (Mark 16:1); "and Mary the mother of James and Joses".
James, the son of Alphaeus, was the first of the twelve apostles to see Jesus after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7) "After that, He was seen of James; then of all the apostles". James gave up family and friends to follow His Saviour. James died a martyred death. He was beaten, stoned and then clubbed to death for preaching that Christ rose from the grave.
Just like a "Topaz" is colorless with a gray hue, James, the son of Alphaeus, never sought self-fame. When 'heated' with the flames of persecution, James endured extreme heat for His Saviour. He 'refined' the early Christians. He had a tender heart bonded close to his mother. James was an encourager of the other apostles. God used James to pen down the epistle of James. Even though James was martyred for Christ, his words of encouragement and warnings live on in our world today.
The TENTH gem is "Chrysoprasus", also called Chrysoprase or chrysophrase. It is a beautiful gem made up of beautiful shades of greens, from apple greens to turquoise. It is composed of crystals so fine that they cannot be seen as distinct particles under normal magnification. Its hardness is like that of a flint. The "Chrysoprasus" was well known to the ancient Greeks and Romans. However, the use of "Chrysoprasus" is not widely used today because its supplies are limited, thus making it rare.
Thaddaeus is also called Judas or Jude. Thaddaeus was full of questions. He wanted to learn all about Christ that he could. He asked Jesus in John 14:22: "Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world?" Thaddaeus wanted to fully understand heavenly things.
Judas Thaddaeus was an outspoken preacher with great boldness for the gospel. He preached with power and conviction. Judas Thaddaeus is the author of the book of Jude (see The.Collector.com/Thaddaeus). Legend has it that Thaddeus was the son of Mary and Clopas (also known as Alphaeus). This would make the mother of Jesus his aunt.
According to "The SYSTEM BIBLE STUDY" book of 1954 by "Many of the World's Greatest Bible Scholars", Jude, the brother of James, is also called Judas (not Iscariot). He is also called Labbaeus in Matthew 10:3 and Thaddaeus in Mark 3:18 and Jude in Jude 1. These many "World's Greatest Bible Scholars" document on page 202 that the book of Jude is indeed written by the same Thaddaeus Labbaeus, the brother of James.
Jude Thaddaeus had great zeal and boldness for Christ and His coming. You can see this in the epistle of Jude. It is only one small chapter but it is packed with power and conviction. Thaddaeus tells us in verse 18 that "there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts." We are indeed in the last times.
Jude Thaddaeus has attributes like the "Chrysoprasus". People may not see him as the author of Jude under normal "magnifiers", however, Thaddaeus can be seen "as distinct particles" of authenticity under a spiritual magnifier. And just like the "Chrysoprasus", had the hardness like a flint, he preached hard. He warns the world. He warns us. Read Jude.
About-jesus.org refers to Fox's Book of Martyrs. It states that Thaddeus is also called Jude. Judas Thaddaeus was martyred by being crucified at Edessa in A.D. 72. Thaddaeus was indeed a 'rare gem'. It is extremely rare to find a man who will preach like Jude in our world today.
The ELEVENTH gem is a "Jacinth", also known as zircon. It is valuable and very beautiful to look upon. It has vibrant colors and sparkles brilliantly. Jacinth (zircon) has been used in scientific research to try to determine the age of the Earth’s crust, making it of scientific importance.
Simon was an apostle who was also known as Simon Zealotes. He was referred to as this because he was a member of a group called the Zealots. The Zealots were violent opposers of Roman rule. This group would rebel against Rome and refused to pay taxes. This group felt they were helping pave the way for the Messiah. Simon was very zealous for the Mosiac Law.
When Christ called Simon to follow Him, Simon obeyed. Simon was very zealous for the Lord. He knew Christ was the Messiah that his group had been fighting for. However, Simon had to learn a very hard lesson. Jesus said to Simon in Matthew 5:17: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Simon had to learn to learn: "For all the law if fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Galatians 5:14) and "Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans 13:10). The Romans that the Zealots rebelled against were Simon neighbors.
_edited.png)
There are many of us Christians who have Simon's zeal today. It is of great importance to have zeal for the Lord. We need to be doing our very best at all times for our Saviour. We need to have 'vibrant colors and sparkle brilliantly' so the world can see the Lord in us. Simon never lost his zeal for the Lord; he just had to redirect it. He followed the Lord closely. Simon knew that what the Lord Jesus was teaching was accurate with the Old Testament law because Simon had studied it so thoroughly. We need to study God's Word thoroughly, so we know if what we are being told from pulpits is accurate.
Simon Zelotes preached the Gospel of Christ, which he learned well, in several countries including Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain. Simon had zeal for his Saviour even during his own death in A.D. 74.. Simon remembered how Christ was crucified as Simon himself hung on a cross. Simon had the zeal to follow in the steps of his Saviour, even in his own death on a cross.
The TWELFTH gem is a "Amethyst". The "Amethyst" is often regarded as a powerful and protective stone. It has a three-dimensional network of atoms. The "Amethyst" also has great hardness and is very resistant to weather. The "Amethyst" is found in many locations around the world.
The Apostle Paul was the last of the twelve apostles. Paul did not have the privilege of walking beside Jesus physically like the other eleven apostles. However, like all real apostles, Paul was chosen by Jesus Himself on the "road to Damascus" (Acts chapter 9).
Paul was born a Jew but he was also a Roman citizen born in Tarsus. His Jewish name was Saul. Saul went to the university of the Pharisees in Athens. He was capable of speaking several different languages including Greek, Aramaic, and Latin. He was a diligent student in Judaism. He thoroughly knew and practiced the law.
Saul became a hostile activist against Christianity. Saul consented to have Stephen, the first martyred disciple, stoned to death. Saul (Paul) said in Acts 22:30: "And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him."
Saul, the Roman head soldier, marched down the "road to Damascus" to find more Christians to torture and kill. It was during this march, with his band of soldiers, that Jesus appeared to Saul. Saul was saved that day. Christ changed Saul's name to Paul (Acts 13:9). Jesus said in Acts 9:16: "For I (Jesus) will shew him (Paul) how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." Paul did indeed suffer many physical and mental things for his Lord. But Paul never wavered. He became one of the strongest soldiers for Christ. Paul wrote at least 13 books in the New Testament.
Like the "Amethyst" gem, a powerful and protective stone, Paul stood firm for his Saviour as he did his best to protect the churches. Paul traveled on many missionary journeys as he did his best to establish Christian churches. Paul was led outside of the city by Roman soldiers. There, the Roman soldiers took Paul and cut off Paul's head with a sword. Paul endured the 'hardness', like the "Amethyst", as a great soldier of Christ's.
"And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass."
In verse 12 of this chapter we studied the twelve gates with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written on them. We also saw that twelve angels will stand beside each gate. One angel at each gate. In this verse, we are now told that these gates are going to be made of pearl. Each one of the twelve gates will be made of a pearl = "every several gate was of one pearl". This is magnificent. A pearl is a highly prized gem. The largest pearl ever officially recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records is the Giga Pearl and weighs around 61 pounds and a little over 15 inches high. The pearls that these gates will be much huger. The average height of a gate in the wall of the current Jerusalem is 39 feet high. The pearl for each gate will be over 39 feet high! It will be "of one pearl".
This verse also tells us that "the street of the city (New Jerusalem) was pure gold". The street going into "New Jerusalem" will be "pure gold". It will not just be overlaid with gold, but it will be made totally of "pure gold". It will be solid "pure gold", purer than any other gold possible. This street, made of God's "pure gold", will shine so brilliantly that it will seem "as it were transparent glass". It will shine and reflect God's glory. "New Jerusalem" will shine bright all over the new world.
"And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."
There will be no temple in the city of "New Jerusalem". God even tells us why there will be no temple in "New Jerusalem". He tells us that it is because He and "the Lamb are the temple of it". This is truly the pinnacle of everything.
Going back to Genesis again, in the very beginning, God walked and talked with Adam and Eve (Genesis, chapters 1-3). But once Adam and Eve sinned, God could no longer walk with them. This broke God's heart. God had to remove Adam from the Garden of Eden because now they had sin on them. Habakkuk 1:13 tells us that God is "of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity". 1 Timothy 6:16 tells us that "no man can approach unto" God Himself. It is only through the blood of Jesus that we can pray to God Almighty.
Ever since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, God has yearned to walk with us again. However, God is holy. He cannot look upon sin for He is holy. But now, at the time God brings His 'wedding gift', "New Jerusalem" down from Heaven and gives it to the new earth, God Himself and Jesus the Lamb will be "the temple of it". We will be able to approach "the temple", God Himself, at any time and worship Him. Why? Because all sin will have been abolished. The old earth, the sin, and all iniquity will have been totally annihilated. Everything will be pure and sinless. God will be able to dwell among mankind again. God Almighty, our Heavenly Father, is looking forward to walking side by side with us again!
"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof."
"The city" (New Jerusalem) and the whole new earth will not have a sun, nor a moon. There will be no night. God's holiness will light up all the earth, and all the heavens. There will be no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5 says: "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all".
God Almighty's is so holy that He will light up everything with His glory. "And the Lamb is the Light thereof". God's Son, Jesus, is the Light. Jesus Himself said in John 8:12: "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world".
"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it."
The book of Revelation circles back around to Genesis. In Genesis 1:28 "God said unto them (Adam and Eve), Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth". This has been God's perfect plan since the beginning of time. Now we are at the end of time. God has done away with time There is no sun nor moon. There will not be a 24 hour time clock.
Just like God planned for the earth to be filled with people for Him, the new earth will be filled with God's people ... saved people ... "which are saved". There will be nations and nations of saved people walking "in the light of it". There will be "kings of the (new) earth do bring their glory and honour into" "New Jerusalem" to present it to God Himself.
I have heard several preachers state that the building, "New Jerusalem", is the Bride of Christ, the Lamb's wife. The Bride of Christ is never a cement building. People have used Revelation 21:2 as trying to say New Jerusalem is the Bride of Christ, but it does not say that. The verse says: "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared AS A bride adorned for her husband". John is saying the city is "adorned" like AS A bride. It is "prepared" as a bride. New Jerusalem will be beautiful just like a bride is beautiful. This verse DOES NOT say 'THE' bride is coming down from heaven. This verse does not say: 'And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as THE bride adorned for her husband!' "New Jerusalem" is not THE bride. A building is never a bride. "New Jerusalem" is adorned AS A bride.
"New Jerusalem" is the new home that God Almighty and the Lamb will dwell in on the new earth. "New Jerusalem" is like the palace that was in Jerusalem during King Solomon's reign. Solomon's Temple was built as a place for the glory of God to meet with the priests. "New Jerusalem" will be the Palace for the "King of kings", and instead of having a temple in it like Solomon had a Temple, "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of " "New Jerusalem" (Revelation 21:22).
We, the saved, are Christ's bride. Romans 12:5 says: "So we, being many, are one body in Christ". 1 Corinthians 12:27 states: "Now ye are the body of Christ, members in particular". Ephesians 5:23 tells us: "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Saviour of the body". Even in Colossians 1:24 tells us that the church is the body of Christ. The Lord Jesus is looking forward to claiming His Bride. He is anxiously awaiting for the time when His Heavenly Father descends His gift to His Son (Revelation 21:10), which is "New Jerusalem" in all her glory. "New Jerusalem" can be compared to like the 'church' in which the Son will 'marry' His bride.
Revelation 19:7-8 describes what the Bride of Christ will be wearing! "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her (Bride) was granted that she (Bride) should be arrayed (dressed) in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints." All the saints together are the Bride of Christ.
After "New Jerusalem" will be set down on the new earth, then the bride will be brought in. The Bride that Christ bought with His own blood: "... the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).
The next verse continues about revealing "New Jerusalem" and Christ's saved people.
"And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there."
The "twelve gates" that we studied about in verses 12, 13, and 21 will never be shut. They will be open all the time, forever and ever. No matter when because there is "no night there". God is going to allow us to have constant access to Himself. God will never shut the door in our face! No one is ever allowed to just waltz into a president's office anytime they want, yet we all will be permitted and encouraged to approach the "King of kings, and Lord of lords" at anytime! The KING of the entire universe will be permitting us to come into His Holy Presence!
Jesus said in John 10:9: "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out".
"It shall not be shut at all"
"And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it."
"And they shall bring" ... who? Who shall bring? That was answered in verse 24: "them which are saved". All the saints will be bringing "glory and honour" unto God Almighty through the "gates" which will never be shut.
1 Chronicles 16:28 says: "Give unto the LORD, ye kindreds of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength." John 5:23 tells us "That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father".
We all have the ability to "bring the glory and honour" to the Lord today. We can give glory to the Lord by giving Him thanks. We can also praise Him and sing to Him. We are told in Proverbs 3:9 to "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of ALL thine increase". That means that you should use everything God has given you to honour Him. We can honour God with our giving. God tells us in Malachi 3:10, 11 that if we tithe (give at least 10% of our income) to God, He will pour out blessings upon us.
After "New Jerusalem" is set down on the new earth, then all "of the nations" will enter in through the pearly gates and bring glory and honour to God Almighty Himself and the Lamb.
"And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it."
"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."
God Almighty is giving us assurance that "there shall in no wise enter into it" that is sin. God is telling us that we do not have to be afraid of anything when we are walking in "New Jerusalem". Hebrews 2:8 tells us that God "hast put all things in subjection under His feet". In 1 Corinthians 15:25 tells us "For He must reign, ... He hath put all enemies under His feet." God will have cast all sin, all evil, Satan, the Beast, the False Prophet and unsaved loved ones into the Lake of Fire in Chapter 20. In the New Earth, there will be no abominations, no evil, and not even one little 'white' lie. And there will be no more tears.
The Lord tells us in this verse that those who will walk on the streets of gold will be those "which are written in the Lamb's book of life". Those who have asked Jesus to forgive their sins, come into their heart, and be their Saviour. We studied the Book of Life in Revelation 20:12. We need to make an earnest effort to encourage our loved ones to accept Christ as their own Saviour so they can walk the streets of gold with us!
