THE NEW JERUSALEM#16 | Why is Heaven equated with a city? ( Part 6 )

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3271 

THE NEW JERUSALEM#16

Why is Heaven equated with a city? ( Part 6 )

Questions however still remain:

1. Some still maintain that New Jerusalem is not a real city but a place symbolic of Heaven where the saints live. But how can

physically resurrected people live if not in a physical environment?

2. Others say they cannot get excited about the New Jerusalem because they do not like cities. But this city will be different—it will have all the advantages we associate with earthly cities but none of the disadvantages.

3. Still others ask why should there be one world capital in Jerusalem? The city at the center of the future Heaven is called the New Jerusalem. This city mentioned in the Bible has been part of God's plan since the beginning of time.

The New Jerusalem will be a place of unimagined blessing. The curse of the old earth will be gone (Revelation 22:3). In the city is the tree of life “for the healing of the nations” and the river of life (verses 1–2). It is the place that Paul spoke of: “In the coming ages [God] might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). 

The New Jerusalem is the ultimate fulfillment of all God’s promises. The New Jerusalem is God's goodness made fully manifest.

Abba Father, in Revelation 21:1, You will make a complete make-over of heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:12–13). The new heaven and new earth are what some call the “eternal state” and will be “where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).

The New Jerusalem is the consummation of the Body of Christ (the Church). Believers already take part in the membership of both the heavenly Jerusalem and the earthly Church in a kind of dual citizenship.

The New Jerusalem represents to Christians the final and everlasting reconciliation of You and Your chosen people, "the end of the Christian pilgrimage." As such, the New Jerusalem is a conception of Heaven.

Following the End Times and the second creation of heaven and earth, the New Jerusalem will be the earthly location where all true believers will spend eternity with You as their God.

The New Jerusalem will be a place of unimagined blessing. The curse of the old earth will be gone (Revelation 22:3). 

Rightfully, John ends his account of the New Jerusalem by stressing its eternal nature: And they ( the redeemed )  "shall reign forever and ever." ( Revelation 22:5 ).