C.) The Living Condition of the Eternal State:
Now we have come to the place in our study that describes the
conditions of eternity. We will examine three aspects of the eternal
world.
1.) The Theocratic Kingdom/Government
2.) The New Jerusalem/The City
3.) The Physical Life/Living Conditions
1.) The Theocratic Kingdom/Government
In studying the living condition, we must look at those things
that will affect life during that time. The Theocratic kingdom
is previewed in the Millennial reign of Christ. But here, the
fullness of God's kingdom will be revealed. The question is asked,
"What is the theocratic kingdom?"
Theocratic comes from the word theocracy, which means:
Theocracy: Def. 1.) Literally, the rule of a state by God or a
god: hence, 2.) Government by Priests claiming to rule with divine
authority. 3.) A country governed in this way. 4.) A government
in which God himself is the ruler.
In the perfect world, all power and rule will be of God Almighty.
God will be the sovereign ruler of the world. In I Corinthians
15: 23-28, the Scripture states that Jesus will give all power
back to God, that God may be all in all. Jesus will be Lord of
Lord and King of Kings.
"Then cometh the end, when He (Jesus) shall have delivered
up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall put down
all rule and all authority and power..."
Verse 28, "And when all things shall be subdued unto Him,
then shall the Son (Jesus) also Himself be subject unto Him (God)
that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all".
(I Corinthians 15:23-28)
This will be a world ruled by God Himself. The Throne of God and
of the Lamb will be established in the New World.
"AndI heard a Great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold the
Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and
they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them,
and be their God". (Revelation 21:3)
"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God
and of the Lamb shall be in it: And His servants shall serve Him:"
(Revelation 22:3)
Revelation 21:24 gives reference to the fact that there will be
some type of rule and governing in the New World. This Scripture
states that saved nations will walk in the light and that Kings
shall bring their glory into the New Jerusalem.
"And the Nations of them which are Saved shall walk in the
light of it: And the Kings of the earth do bring their glory and
honor into it". (Revelation 21:24)
The nations and kingdoms of the New World will all be subject
to the authority and government of God. This also makes clear
the fact that the New World will be a practical and usable world,
not a world filled with spirit beings or Christians flying around
with wings and silver slippers. There will be order in God's new
system.
2.) The New Jerusalem / The City
"And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down
from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband".
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold the
Tabernacle of God is with men..." (Revelation 21:2,3)
This will be a different Jerusalem from the one we know today.
This Jerusalem will come from heaven and will rest on the New
Earth. The name "New Jerusalem" tells us a lot about
this city. The word "New" is defined as: 1.) Is applied
to that which has never exited before or which has only just come
into being. 2.) taking the place of what has exited; 3.) never
exiting before: appearing, thought of, developed, made, produced,
etc. for the first time.
The name "Jerusalem" is defined as: 1.) The city of
peace. So the name "NEW JERUSALEM" Jerusalem tells us
that this city will replace the Old Jerusalem, (a city today filled
with violence and bloodshed, a city with no peace and rest). God
said concerning the New Jerusalem that "The voice of weeping
shall be no more heard in her".
"For, behold I create New Heavens and New Earth: And the
former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind".
"But ye be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create:
for, behold, I created Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a
joy".
"And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and
the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice
of crying". (Isaiah 65:17,18, 19)
The New Jerusalem is that eternal city that God has promised to
the righteous. A city that is prepared for prepared people, a
city that will have no destruction, a city whose builder and maker
is God, a city whose origin is in Heaven. Let's look at some Scriptures
that testify this truth.
1.) "...Wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God:
for he prepared for them a city". (Hebrews 11:16)
2.) "For here have no continuing city, but we seek one to
come". (Hebrews 13:14)
3.) "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose
builder and maker is God". (Hebrews 11:10)
4.) "But ye are come into Mount Zion, and unto the city of
the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable
company of Angels.
"To the General Assembly and church of the first born, which
are written in heaven and to God the judge of all, and to the
Spirits of just men made perfect". (Hebrews 12:22, 23)
5.) "Himthat overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple
of my God, and He shall go no more out and I will write upon him
the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which
is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God:
And I will write upon him my new name". (Revelation 3:12)
Clarence Larkin, in his book on Revelation, describes the city
like this:
"THE description of it is surpassingly grand. It is of Celestial
origin. It is not Heaven itself, for it comes down out of Heaven".
No mortal hands are employed in it's construction".
Names Given to this City
1.) The Holy City - Revelation 21:2
2.) The Tabernacle of God - Revelation 21:3
3.) The Bride, The Lamb's Wife - Revelation 21:9
4.) The Holy Jerusalem - Revelation 21:10
5.) The Heavenly Jerusalem - Hebrews 12:22, 23
6.) Continuing City - Hebrews 13:14
Each name given to this city gives us the perfect character of
God's city.
1.) The Holy City: Revelation 21:2
Holiness reveals that the city will be a separated one, a city
that is set apart from all other cities. Also, the occupant of
that city must be holy. This will be a holy city dedicated to
God.
2.) Tabernacle of God: Revelation 21:3
The name Tabernacle reveals that the city will be a sanctuary
where God Himself will dwell among men. (Exodus 25:8)
3.) The Bride, The Lamb's Wife: Revelation 21:9
The Bride, The Lamb's Wife, reveals the relationship of the city
to Jesus and the church.
4.) Holy Jerusalem: Revelation 21:10
Reveals that this will be a holy city of peace, a city of perfect
peace set apart by God.
5.) The Heavenly Jerusalem: Hebrews 12:22, 23
This reveals the origin of this Holy City, a city coming down
from heaven to plant earth.
The Description of this City
The Scripture gives clear reference as to how this New Jerusalem
will look. This city will be like none ever built. The description
of the city is found in Revelation 21:11-21.
"And He carried me away on the Spirit to a great and high
mountain, and showed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem. descending
out of heaven from God".
"Having the Glory of God; and her light was like unto a stone
most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal".
(Revelation 21:10, 11)
The New Jerusalem will glow from the shekinah glory of God. This
will illuminate from the power of God, and shine forth because
of the precious stones of the city.
The Gates of the City
"And had a wall great and high; and had twelve gates, and
at the gates twelve Angels and names written therein, which are
the names of the twelve Tribes of the children of Israel;"
"On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the
south three gates; and on the west three gates." (Revelation
21:12, 13)
This city will have great and high walls, alone with twelve gates
around it. There will be three gates facing the north, south,
east and west. Here, we see in the design of the Eternal city,
that God allows twelve entrances from four directions. How complete
do we see the work of God in this construction, for in the first
tabernacle, God only allows one entrance and it was from the east.
It was from the same direction God cast Adam and Eve out of the
Garden of Eden. But, now in the completed, redemptive work of
Christ, man may enter God's presence and city from any direction
he wills.
The Scripture goes further to reveal that each gate will have
an Angel assigned to it. Each Angel will be like Sentries or door
keepers of the city. (It is good to note, also, that society would
have us think that these Angels are here to pass judgment on those
who are not worthy to go into eternity. But this will not be the
case. For at this time, all who are here will be allowed to enter
because they are redeemed by the Blood of Jesus Christ.)
The names of the twelve Tribes of Israel will be on each gate.
Here, the Old Testament saints are forever remembered in this
perpetual city. The gates were made of pearls; each gate was of
one several pearl. Here, we have no doubt where the term "pearly
gates" was coined. Only God can create gates of pure pearl.
As we go on to see the size of this city, it will become apparent
that these gates are massive in size. I can't wait to behold the
splendor and grandeur of this city!
"And the twelve gates. were twelve pearls, every several
gate was of one pearl;..." (Revelation 21:21)
The Walls and Foundations of the City
"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in
them the names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb." (Revelation
21:14)
The walls of this great city will sit on twelve precious foundations
and in the foundations will be the names of the twelve Apostles
of Jesus. As we saw in the pearly gates, the Old Testament saints
were represented. Even now, do we see the complete picture of
Redemption. For here, we have the New Testament Apostles represented,
showing us the total community of God, all redeemed by the work
of Christ. The Old Testament saints brought to Christ by faith
in the Law and the New testament saints saved through faith in
Jesus Christ. This also shows us that the Old and the New Testament
saints are one in the overall plan of God...one big family under
God. The Scripture states, "that through Christ we who were
one time strangers are now made made nigh by the blood of Jesus."
"But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are
made nigh by the blood of Christ." (Ephesians 2:13)
"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but
fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;"
"And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets,
Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"
"In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto
an holy temple in the Lord;"
"In whom ye also are builded together for an Habitation of
God through the Spirit."(Ephesians 2:19-22)
In Dr. Ed F. Vallowe's book, Riches to Revelation, he summed up
this truth like this:
"Note also the foundation stones contain the names of the
Apostles, indicating that the Holy City will contain the redeemed
by the blood of Christ, who heard the word through the faithful
witnessing of the servants of God in the first century, known
to us as the Apostles. The gates of the city contain the names
of the twelve Tribes clearly indicating that they are the vehicles
through which the oracles of God were revealed in the Old testament
days, and to whom the Messiah came. Both the Old Testament Saints
and the New Testament Saints will have access to this city, but
each time they enter they will be reminded of their debt to the
nation of Israel and to the Apostles."
"And the building of the wall of it was of Jasper: and the
city was pure gold, like clear glass." (Revelation 21:18)
The walls of the city will be made of Jasper stone. Some references
on this precious stone tells us that this is a translucent, crystal
rock; green in color. It is a glittering stone. The Jasper stone
walls of the city will exhibit, to all who see it, the splendor
of God's glory shining through. John also stated that the city
was pure gold, like clear glass. We can only imagine the grandeur
and beauty of this precious city. This city will radiate perfection;
the gold so pure that no flaw can be seen in it.
The Measurements of the City
The measurement of this city will be staggering to the human mind.
God has prepared a massive city that will be filled with the righteous
saints.
"And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large
as the breadth (width): and he measured the city with the reed,
twelve thousands furlongs. The length and the breadth and the
height of it are equal."
"And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and
four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the
Angel." (Revelation 21:16-17)
The measurement of the walls were 144 cubits, which is equal to
216 feet high. This is taking into consideration that a cubit
measures out to be 18 inches. Now, the overall city measures out
to be 12,000 furlongs, which is about 1,380 square miles. (The
size of the city is about 1,380 miles long, 1,380 miles wide and
1,380 miles high.) The way this is calculated is as follows:
One furlong is equivalent to 607 English feet. Take the 607 English
feet and multiply it by 12,000 furlongs. You come up with a figure
of 7,284,000 feet. Now, divide this 5,280 feet, which is equal
to one mile. The resulting, final figure is 1,379.54 square miles.
What a city this will be! Never have there ever been a city of
this size on earth!
The foundations of the city will be garnished with all manners
of precious stones.
"And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished
with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was Jasper;
the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an
emerald;"
"The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite;
the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus;
the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelve, an Ametheyst."
"...and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were
transparent glass." (Revelation 21:18-21)
The Eternal city will be a breath-taking sight to behold. The
foundations garnished with all manner of precious stones, the
measurement of the city and the glory that will radiate from this
city all testify to the fact how much God loves and values our
relationship with Him. He wants us to be a part of His splendor
and glory. Even the streets of the city will be that of gold.
Today, gold is the most precious metal known to man, but in the
New Jerusalem, it will be the streets on which the righteous walk.
Praise God! Only God can make such a city of this caliber. This
is that city in which the Partiarch seeked.
"For he (Abraham) look for a city which hath foundations,
whose builder and maker is God." (Hebrews 11:10)
3.) The Physical Life
The physical life of the Eternal State will be that beyond our
imagination. The Scripture clearly teach that our eternity with
God will be in a physical, tangible world. Today, there are many
voices speaking falsehoods about our future in eternity. Some
teach that in eternity, we will become disembodied, spirit beings
walking around in Heaven all day. Others teach that we will receive
wings and become angels and get silver slippers and spend eternity
in Heaven. In this portion of our study, we will examine the physical
side of Eternity for the righteous. In the final plan of God,
mankind will be restored to his original place in creation before
Adam's fall. Whatever Adam had before his fall, will be restored
to redeemed man. Case in point: Adam lost his right to eat of
the Tree of Life. But in the new world, the redeemed will also
have access to this tree to partake of the fruits of it.
The physical side of Eternity:
1.) A life of knowing God face to face.
In the Eternal State, we will see God, the Father, face to face.
In the Old Testament, no one was allowed to see God and live,
but through the finished work of Christ, we will see and know
God face to face and live.
"And they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their
foreheads." (Revelation 22:4)
"...and He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people,
and God himself shall be with them, and be their God..."
(Revelation 21:3, 4)
"For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to
face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known."
(I Corinthians 13:12)
"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet
appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear,
we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (I
John 3:2)
2.) A life without crying, sorrow and pain:
In the Eternal State, all crying, sorrow and pain will be done
away with. There will be nothing that will cause pain and sorrow
there. God shall wipe it all away.
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
shall be no death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there
be any more pain for the former things are passed away."
(Revelation 21:4)
"...and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
(Revelation 7:17)
3.) A life without death:
In the Eternal State, the spirit of Death will not have a part.
All who are a part of this world will never die.
"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will
wipe away tears from all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall
he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken
it." (Isaiah 25:8)
"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there
shall be no more death..." (Revelation 21:4)
4.) No more hunger nor thirst:
In the Eternal State, there will be no famine of food, nor drought
that causes thirst. The fountain of the water of life will be
opened to all who thirst.
"...I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain
of the water of life freely." (Revelation 21:6)
"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat."
"For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed
them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation
7:16, 17)
"They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat
nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead
them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them."
(Isaiah 49:10)
5.) No more curse:
There will be no curse in the land on earth. The beautiful rose
bush that became thorn infested after Adam's fall, will no longer
have thorns and thistles. It will be restored to it's former glory.
Everything that was affected by the curse that fell on man, the
animal kingdom and the earth will no longer have the curse on
them. The earth will be restored to it's former glory
"And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God
and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:"
(Revelation 22:3)
6.) We will eat of the Tree of Life:
In the new world, we will eat from the Tree of Life. This tree
is the same tree that Adam and Eve could not eat because of their
sin. But we will have a right to partake of the fruit of this
tree. This tree will only be for the saints of God who have overcome
sin through the blood of Jesus.
"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree
of Life. which is in the midst of the paradise of God." (Revelation
2:7)
"In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of
the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner
of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of
the tree were for the healing of the nations." (Revelation
22:2)
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may
have a right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the
gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14)
7.) All nations shall walk in the light of God and the Lamb:
In the new world, there shall be nations all over the earth and
these nations shall bring their glory and honour into the city.
"And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the
light of it: and the Kings of the earth do bring their glory and
honour into it."
"And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for
there shall be no night there."
"And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations
into it." (Revelation 21:24-26)
8.) A life of service and work:
In the new world, men will serve God. This means we will have
jobs and duties to do and to complete. In the beginning when God
created Adam and Eve, they did not run around the Garden of Eden
doing nothing. Man was commanded to labor in the Garden. I believe
we will have jobs in the new world.
"...but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it;
and his servants shall serve him:" (Revelation 22:3)
"...and they shall reign for ever and ever." (Revelation
22:5)
9.) There shall be no night in the New Jerusalem:
Because of the light and glory of God and the Lamb, there will
be no need of light in the city. This means that the glory of
God will light up New Jerusalem. (Special note: This does not
mean that the sun will no longer give it's light. On the outskirts
of the city, the ordinance of the sun and moon will still be in
affect for all eternity.)
"And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle,
neither light of the sun for the Lord God giveth them light:..."
(Revelation 22:5)
"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon,
to shine in it: for the Glory of God did lighten it. And the Lamb
is the light thereof." (Revelation 21:23)
10.) God shall make all things new:
In the new world, God the Father shall make everything in it new
and uncontaminated nor tainted with corruption and sin. Can you
imagine a world without air pollution, oil-filled rivers and streams?
No where will there be toxic dumps, for this will be a world brand
new.
"And he that sat upon the throne said, behold I make all
things new." (Revelation 21:5)
In summary of the physical life of the Eternal World, it will
be a tangible, physical and practical world. We will know our
friends and loved ones. We will see God face to face and eat of
the Tree of Life. We will even have homes in the new world.
God wants us to know that our future with Him will not be a boring
time of regimented service, but one of a full and joyful life
of relationship, love, peace and glory with God. Jesus paid the
price at Calvary that we might one day have perfect fellowship
with God, our Creator.
