Revelation 21 describes the heavenly city of God. Christ came into the world that man may have eternal life with God. When he said, “I go to prepare a place for you,” he meant a place in the presence of God, a place where we will know blessed communion with God, and the heavenly city is that place. If not for Christ’s intercession, we would be lost forever.
In verses 9-14, John is shown the Bride of the Lamb, which is the holy city, the new Jerusalem, made up of all the redeemed of God, both Jews and Gentiles. The holy city, the Bride of Christ, is contrasted with the harlot, the city of Babylon, which John was shown in chapters 17-18. The harlot was adorned with precious jewels, but she also had a cup full of abominations. The contrast places before us a choice: unto which city will we belong?
The most striking characteristic of the heavenly city is that it bears the glory of God: “having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal” (verse 11). The city is the people of God, and the light radiating from them is the glory of God upon them. The apostle Paul instructs Christians to shine as lights in the world, reflecting their salvation. Their salvation glorifies God; so should their purpose in life.
In verse 12, we read of 12 gates in the city, with the names of the tribes of Israel on them. The gates are divided into 3 gates, each facing in a different direction. Christ welcomes souls who respond to the gospel from any direction, from all over the earth,
In Luke 13, Jesus taught the Jews the necessity of repentance, lest they be shut out of salvation. He said, “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and the north and the south and recline at table in the kingdom of God.” Sin unrepented of brings the second death, final damnation (Rev. 20:14).
In verse 14, “the wall of the city had 12 foundations, and on them were the 12 names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb.” We might think that the 12 tribes of Israel would be the foundations of the city since they preceded the apostles, but the prophets pointing to Christ in the Old Testament are fulfilled in Christ’s coming, and Christ delivered to his apostles the gospel interpretation of the Old Testament to be proclaimed to the world.
In verses 18-19, each foundation of the wall of the city was adorned with precious jewels. These correspond to the names of the apostles, emphasizing the immense value of the apostolic testimony of the gospel. Those who enter the city will be those who accepted and obeyed this gospel. The apostolic testimony is the only gospel foundation. If it erodes in the church, the walls crumble, and the same thing in one’s soul: if not founded on this truth, it will perish.
In verse 21, we see that each gate was made of pearl. Pearls were rare and valuable; the Lord Jesus spoke of a man finding the pearl of great price and selling all he had to obtain it. What is more valuable than to enter the gates of the heavenly city, to have salvation? The Lord, in the parable of the Great Banquet, spoke of men shut out of his kingdom for prioritizing common things- a farm, oxen, marriage- over Christ. The value of salvation was lost on them, and so they missed it.
In verses 22-25, the glory of God’s light illuminates the city. His presence is the reward of heaven. In 1 Kings 10, people from all over the world were so taken with King Solomon that they continually brought all manner of gifts to hear his wisdom. People from all over the world are so taken with Christ that they bring their glory and gifts into the heavenly city.
Verse 27 warns of hypocrisy. We must be genuine in our faith. The Lord knows true faith from false. Sin has rendered us unclean, and God says no unclean soul will enter the holy city. If Christ doesn’t cleanse you, you will not be clean. You will be found a hypocrite if you treat a crucified Christ as a common thing. Christ is very willing to have us, but until one is convinced of the guilt and misery of his own sin, he cannot see the value of so great a salvation.
