New Jerusalem (Part I)

Lesson Content

Introduction:

1. New Jerusalem is the eternal habitation of the perfected New Testament Church or the Bride of Christ (Rev.21:2).

2. New Jerusalem is the place which Jesus said He would prepare for His Bride (Jn.14:2,3). This is ‘the hope’ laid up for us in heaven (Col.1:5).

3. In the Old Testament tabernacle there were three places, namely, the outer court, the holy place and the most holy place. The most holy place is a shadow of New Jerusalem. The High priest entered this most holy place one day in the year. Nobody else could enter there (Heb.9:2,3,6-8). After His death, Jesus entered the most holy place in heaven as the eternal High Priest (Heb.6:19,20). When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom (Matt.27:51). This shows that we now have access into the most holy place in heaven, spiritually. This is what is explained in Hebrews 10:19,20. We enter the most holy place spiritually when we are baptized with the Holy Spirit (Eph.2:18). If those who are Spirit -baptized have to inherit New Jerusalem, they must grow to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph.4:13). The features of New Jerusalem: (Rev.21:2,10-27; 22:1-5)

1. General description: The light and glory of the city (Rev.21:11,23,24; 22:5). Its adornment (Rev.21:2). Its other names (Rev.21:2,9) Its wall (Rev.21:12,14,15,17,18). Its street (Rev.21:21) Its gates (Rev.21:12,21,25). Its measurements (Rev.21:16,17). Its foundations (Rev.21:14,19,20). The river of water of life (Rev.22:1,2). The throne of God (Rev.22:1,3).

2. John saw no temple there (Rev.21:22).

3. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will be found there (Rev.21:27).

4. God is preparing New Jerusalem with the sanctified characters and tried faith of the saints. The city being of pure gold (Rev.21:18) reveals the tried and

precious faith of the saints and the precious stones in the foundations reveal the spiritually developed, divine character of the saints.

5. New Jerusalem is a city shaped like a cube.

6. Jesus Himself is the corner stone of New Jerusalem, laid in Zion (Eph.2:19,20; Isa.28:16; I Pet.2:6).