In one of my favorite childhood movies, The Wizard of Oz, one grand scene is when Dorothy and her companions enter the Emerald City. As a rather young child when I watched the movie, the Emerald City seemed like a most spectacular place. The characters in the movie were all happy, thinking that their desires would now be met. Yet, the excitement and glory of that place is nothing in comparison to what we see here in our Scripture passage today from the Book of Revelation.
As we open our Scripture today, we read what the Apostle John wrote as he was given a vision of the New Jerusalem, God’s eternal city in heaven. Here he describes just a bit of the glory of this heavenly city. Some of you may have had the opportunity to visit some of the great cities around the world, yet they each had some faults. Many of them have crime in some parts of the city. If you stray away from the typical tourist areas, you may find the slums and dirtier parts that the tourist boards don’t want you to see. However, in the New Jerusalem you will not find any place like that. Let’s take a closer look at what we will find as we read from the final chapters of the Bible.
First, John tells us that there is no Temple in the New Jerusalem (vs. 22). That is because God Himself will be the temple in which everything exists. The presence of God literally fills the new heaven and new earth. For believers who are welcomed into the New Jerusalem, it will be like entering the limitless presence of the Lord.
As we read in verse 23, and later in verse 5, we see that there is no need for the sun or moon for any light. We might wonder how that could be, and where would light come from. Genesis 1:3 tells us there was light before the sun and stars were created and existed, which we read of in Genesis 1:16. The Apostle John tells us in I John 1:5 that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Believers will enjoy the Lord’s pure light in heaven because He will be with us forever.
The gates of the New Jerusalem will never need to be shut (vs. 25). In the past, city gates would be closed at sunset to protect the residents from criminals and bandits on the outside. In this heavenly, eternal city there will be no such people. There will be no night, which frequently in the Scriptures symbolized wickedness and evil.
There is a river which flows through the heavenly city. Unlike many rivers here on earth, which most of us would never consider drinking from, this river is pure, and clear as crystal (vs. 1). The source of this river is from the throne of God and the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is called the water of life. The water of life is a symbol of eternal life, which comes to us only through Jesus (John 4:7-14).
John further tells us that there is no more curse (vs. 3). The curse on humanity and on earth came as a result of Adam and Eve’s disobedience. That curse is now completely finished. God will never have to judge sin again since it will not exist in the new heaven and new earth. In addition, in the New Jerusalem we will see God’s Face (vs. 4). Here on earth no human could see God’s Face and live (Exodus 33:20-23). However, the residents of heaven can look on God’s Face without harm, because they, too, are now holy.
Not everyone will be allowed into the New Jerusalem. Only those whose names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life (vs. 27). Seeing how wonderful the heavenly city will be, especially compared with the mess this world has become, most people will say that is where they want to be. They want to get their name on that list, but might wonder how. The only way to have your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life is to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. One’s background, personality, or good works will not grant entrance into the New Jerusalem, and will not get your name in that Book. Just acknowledge that you are a sinner, and nothing you can ever do will cleanse those sins. Only the Blood of Jesus, shed on the Cross for your sins, can do that. His sinless life and sacrificial death paid that price. Personally accept what He did for you, and call upon Him to save you. Then your name will be added in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and you can one day join the redeemed in the New Jerusalem.
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