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Text: Revelation 21:5
"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."
The Closest Encounter of the Third Kind
Here is where it gets interesting; this city is to be the 'point of contact' with God. Residing here will not be mere angels, nor mere humans, but a blending of these two (spiritual and physical) planes of life.
Thus, from a blend of these two will emerge a third plane of life, i.e., a third life-form will be created, thus preparing them to engage with the presence of the glorified Christ; this will be the real 'close encounter of the third kind!'
Thus, Jerusalem will be like no other city on earth. Such is why the inhabitants of the city will not be like ordinary men. The privilege of the bride will be to enjoy the near fellowship of her Bridegroom, Jesus.
In order to bring this near fellowship (a kinship to divinity), both Jesus and His people will have had to undergo physical & spiritual change (hence, the glorification of our physical bodies).
As Jesus is the link between the invisible Father and man, so His bride will be the link between Jesus and the surrounding nations.
Behold, all things are Made New
By this time, God states that He is 'making all things new' (Revelation 21:5). These 'new heavens' and 'new earth' will be fully enjoyed by a people who have already experienced -
- A new birth
- A new heart
- A new spirit
- A new life (newness of life)
- A new creature
The Bride to the Nations
To the nations, the bride is representative of Christ Himself. Christ's bride will be as 'a god' to the nations in the same manner that Moses was sent as 'a god' to Pharaoh. They more closely resemble the 'image' (likeness) of Christ in mindset and character (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:1-3; 2 Peter 3:11-14).
Such is why we see a blending of physical with spiritual; this is why we see angelic beings standing guard at the 12 gates of the city.
This is why we see the city no longer needing the natural sunlight, for Jesus will be the Light thereof.
Inside the city, darkness will be the same as light for all such will be considered the same in the immediate presence of Christ;
If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light [are] both alike [to thee] (Psalm 139:11-12).
The Beauty of the City
This is why we see the physical walls, foundations, gates, etc, all representing spiritual men who formed the basis of God's government (both Old and New Testaments).
This is why we see the gates and walls called 'salvation' and 'praise.' The city represents victory. It represents a union between God and His closest followers.
Such is why Adam and Eve could no longer fellowship with God (in the 'city' garden) as His physical-divine beings any longer; they disqualified themselves, having defiled the 'divine' component of their nature when they sinned.
To the 'saved man' (although in his saved, rescued condition) living on a saved (rescued) earth in his sinless but 'natural' body, his view of the city from the outside (the badger skins, and dyed coverings looks like a tent, as it were).
Whereas those on the inside (the priesthood) are privileged to experience the city's Beauty (the Menorah-lit walls of gold and the glorious pattern of the veil) and Value (a sense of awe and overwhelming gratefulness to be in the presence of the Almighty).
Conclusion:
Is it any wonder as to why the 24 elders are casting their crowns to the Lamb with such praise, adoration and gratitude - or why the psalmist declares,
"Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence" (Psalm 140:13).
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