DEC 18

Revelation 21:9-27
Memorise John 14:1-3
“and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem”

Now, inasmuch as the Church building is where a Christian congregation meets to worship God, so our new abode with Christ as His wife is that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God (v 10). “Here comes the bride, so glorious and white!” This “great city” is a cube, 12,000 stadia (furlongs), that is, 1,500 miles on every side. The wall is 144 cubits thick, whereby one cubit, the measure of a man’s forearm, is 18 inches. This holy city is like the precious stone of jasper, clear as crystal.

This City has a high wall with 12 gates guarded by 12 angels. The names of the 12 tribes of Israel appear on these gates. The wall of the City stands on 12 foundations “and in them the names of the 12 apostles” (Judas Iscariot’s name cannot be seen there, and in his stead, it would most certainly be the Apostle Paul!).

The foundations of the City wall are garnished with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation is jasper, a dark opaque red. The second sapphire, which like the diamond is sparkling blue. The third is chalcedony, named after Chalcedon in modern-day Turkey, and is an agate stone. This stone having stripes of various colours is basically sky-blue. The fourth foundation is emerald – a clear green gem. The fifth is sardonyx, combining red and white. The sixth stone is sardius, of a reddish tint. The seventh, chrysolite, which according to Pliny is gold in colour and transparent. The eighth foundation, the beryl, is deep sea green. The ninth foundation, topaz, is a transparent yellow-green stone. The tenth foundation, a chrysoprasus, is another kind of green. The eleventh, a jacinth, is reddish orange and the twelfth, which is amethyst is purple. All these colours add up to the beauty of the rainbow so as to enhance the beauty and glory of God. The 12 gates are 12 big pearls while the street is paved with translucent pure gold.

Indeed what a beautiful place, adorned with all manner of precious jewels. Would you not want to live in such a place?

Thought: The New Jerusalem will be the most beautiful city ever built.
Prayer: Lord, I long for my home above.