A City at the Center of Forever

The City At The Center of Forever

Revelation 21

There is a City in heaven right now. Hebrews 11:16, Hebrews 13:14, Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 12:22.

1. A new Revelation 21:1

• 2 Peter 3:11-13
• Romans 8:19-21
• Adam was the first priest. The language used of the Garden is similar language used when the tabernacle and later the temple were constructed. God’s original intent appears to have been that Adam and his race would spread out on the new earth, and as they moved upon the earth, they would extend the borders of Eden until it filled the world.
• The sea was no more: The sea represented danger to the ancient world. In Revelation, the sea represented the kingdoms of the world and the Beast that ruled over them. (cf: Revelation 13)
• Revelation 21:3, “Dwell” (skenoo) is only used one other place in the New Testament, John 1:14. At the incarnation, God became flesh and dwelt with us. At the final consummation of the Kingdom, God again physically dwells (tabernacles) with us.
• We will relate to God face to face.

2. A New Revelation 21:4

• He will wipe away our tears. This is intensely personal. There are some wounds only God can heal.
• Isaiah 38, God told Hezekiah that he saw his tears.

3. A New Revelation 21:5-8

• Revelation 25:6, “It is done.” What was promised in Genesis 3:15 is now completed.
• We will live forever, sustained by living water.
• Two groups are described: Those who live forever, and those who die forever. (Revelation 21:7 v. Revelation 21:8)

4. A New Revelation 21:9-27

• The Cities glory. Revelation 21:11. Moses asked to see the glory of God. God took him to a high mountain, and hid his face. Here John is taken to a high mountain and allowed to look.
• The Cities Wall. Revelation 21:12, Revelation 21:17. The wall is approximately 225 feet.
• The Cities Gate. Revelation 21:12. The city has twelve gates with twelve angels guarding the gates. This should remind us of the angel who guarded the Tree of life to prevent Adam and Eve from returning to the garden and eating of the tree. Here the angels does not prevent God’s people from approaching the tree (which is inside the city) but welcomes them. Notice above the gate is inscribed the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. Considering how much trouble they caused, it should encourage us as we approach that God welcomes the sinner and even wrote their names above the gates.
• The Cities Foundation. Revelation 21:14. The city has twelve foundations, one for each Apostle. The Gates represent the Old Testament (12 tribes) while the Foundations represent the New Testament (12 Apostles.) The city from heaven rests on the Gospel.
• The Cities Size. Revelation 21:15-16. The city is cube, like the holy of holies. However, instead of being 10x10x10x10, it’s 1,500×1,500×1,500×1,500.
• The Cities Jewels. Revelation 21:19. The Jewels represented here come from the breastplate of the High Priest.
• The Cities Street. Revelation 21:21. Two familiar things here: Streets of gold and pearly gates. Pearls on earth are small, here they are huge. Gold on earth is rare, here it is used like pavement.
• The Cities Temple. Revelation 22:22. No temple because God fills the space Himself. God is not pinned up in a temple, but all present among His people.
• The Cities Light. Revelation 22:23. God’s glory is the light of the new city.
• The Cities Nations: Revelation 22:24: The nations “walk” by the light of His glory. This and Revelation 5:9 show us that many nations and races will be present in heaven.