The 'New Jerusalem'
- Do I Really want to Live There?
All serious Bible students know that the present societies living on this present earth is not the end-game of almighty God. They know that what the Lord has in mind is the establishment of a theocratic kingdom on a new earth. In fact, the theocratic kingdom cannot be fully restored without the promise of a new heaven and a new earth.
And going a step further, the inheritance of the Christ, David's Son, will not be possessed unless Zion's hill (Jerusalem) is again occupied by Him (the Lamb of God).
GOD’S THEOCRATIC KINGDOM ON EARTH – HIS PLAN ALL ALONG
Now, concerning the whole idea of a future kingdom on the new earth, such was the understanding of the Lord’s churches of the first century. The Lord’s churches back then were in no doubt as to what that kingdom was all about – understanding that it was to be a literal kingdom -- having a real government, with a divine King.
They knew that some of the inhabitants would reign as kings and other would be ruled over as subjects or citizens of that kingdom. Such kingdom will be the government of God supplanting the governments of men -- the answer to the model prayer – “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
"And I 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"
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS 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. 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.
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. To the nations, the bride is representative of Christ; they 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).
However, in order to bring about this near fellowship (a kinship to divinity), both Jesus and His people will have had to undergo physical & spiritual change (hence, the glorification). As Jesus is the link between the invisible Father and man, so His bride will be the link between Jesus and the surrounding nations.
“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.” Revelation 21:5
ALL THINGS BECOME NEW By this time, God states that He is ‘making all things new.’ 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
a new creature
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 (see: Psalm 139:11, 12). 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...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.
By: Pastor Rick Howard