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The Holy City
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Written over 50 years ago, this article is written with the understanding that the last chapter in the Bible refers to the Millennial Age.. The vision of the new Jerusalem, the account of which concludes the Book of Revelation and the Bible, is a symbolic representation of the final phase, the consummation of the Divine Plan. John saw a wonderful city descending out of the heavens to settle everlastingly upon the new earth created by God to take the place of that old earth which had passed away. This city was to become the dwelling-place of God, where He would dwell with men, and into it there should nothing defiling ever enter; only those that were accounted worthy of everlasting life. From the city there flowed a "River of Life", having "Trees of Life" growing upon its banks, and from this water and food of life the sin sick nations of the world were to derive sustenance and healing. The vision closes with a gracious invitation to all men, that they come and partake of the water of life freely. This is not a vision of Heaven, as so many have supposed. It's essential basis is the coming of Divine government to earth and the presence of God to be with men, It foreshadows the restoration of Edenic conditions upon earth, for the connection of this River and these Trees of Life with the Genesis story is too plain to be ignored. It pictures the time when this rebellious earth has become fully reconciled to God and, to use Paul's words in Rom.8.21 "The creation itself shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God". The Church of Christ has already (in the 20th chapter) been exalted to Heaven and eternal association with Christ the Lord; the 21st and 22nd chapters tell of the corresponding completion of the Divine Plan for the earth, a completion which is to be effected during the Millennial Age. John's introductory synopsis of the vision (chap.21.1-8) records the words he heard from heaven "Behold the tabernacle (dwelling place) 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. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away". It is sometimes suggested that this chapter records two separate descents of the Holy City to earth; this is not likely. It is more probable that John prefaced his account of the actual vision with a short summary and then in verse 9 addressed himself to the vision in detail. The city as it appeared to John was square in outline, surrounded by a high wall of gleaming green jasper, the golden buildings set in terraces, one above another so that at the centre its height appeared to be as great as the width. This square form symbolised the justice and righteousness of the new Divine government, and its intimate connection with the heavenly powers was shown by its towering up to the skies. The wall rested upon twelve foundations bearing the names of the apostles, and at each of the twelve lofty gateways there was posted a guardian angel. The number twelve had particular significance to the ancients, for they pictured the sun as issuing forth from twelve successive portals in the heavens in turn, as month succeeded month, and this, with the division of the day into twelve hours, invested the number with the idea of earthly or material completeness and universality. Hence the twelve gateways, facing three each to north, south, east and west, symbolised the universal invitation to all peoples of earth to enter the Holy City; "Whosoever will, let him come" (Rev.22.17). "In this mountain will the Lord of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things." (Isa.25.6). The twelve foundations bearing the names of the Apostles stood for the universal appeal of the Gospel upon which the City is built. The height of the wall, one hundred and forty-four cubits, indicated the full comprehensive nature of the Kingdom, that it will contain all of God's earthly perfected creation; nothing will be left outside. The first function of the Holy City is to cleanse the nations. God is pictured as dwelling in the centre of the City, seated upon His Throne, the Son beside Him, for the purpose of "wiping away all tears" from the eyes of men (Rev.21.4 and 22.3‑5), and bringing healing to all. This work is denoted by the spectacle of a River of Life, seen by John to proceed from the Throne and issue forth from the city to flow through the country outside. The A.V. verse division of chap.2.1-2 is unfortunate and obscures the true sense. Rightly expressed, the passage reads "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the midst of the street of it (the city). And on either side of the river was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manners of fruits; and yielded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations". The term "street" means a broad highway, and "tree of life" is a generic term referring, not to one single tree, but to the species generally. John saw this broad highway extending outward from the city and the river flowing along its centre, the sides of the river being flanked with trees of life bearing twelve varieties of fruit. This is much like the vision seen by Ezekiel when he saw the river of life issuing from the Millennial Temple and flowing out to the east country, the trees of life on its banks also being for food and healing (Ezek.47.1‑12). This "street" corresponds to the "Highway of Holiness" spoken of by Isaiah in his 35th chapter "And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it (overlook it or miss finding it); for he shall be with them". This "Highway of Holiness" is the symbolic road along which mankind will be invited and exhorted, during the Millennial Age, to travel, toward harmony and reconciliation with God through faith in Jesus Christ and acceptance of Him as Saviour. 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." (21.24). These are the peoples to whom are addressed the words in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (Matt.25.34). When the evangelical work of the Millennial Age has been completed and all who are capable of recovery have become reconciled to God and attained human perfection, they are depicted as being the perpetual citizens of the Holy City. Every man will be a king, for God created man lord of the earthly dominion, and all men will share in the task of administering this earthly dominion in harmony with Divine laws. Hence all are "kings" and all will bring the glory and honour of sinless manhood into it. Here the veil is drawn. The Holy Scriptures do not take us
beyond the end of the Millenial Age to talk in detail of the "ages of
glory to follow". Of the condition and life of the redeemed through the
everlasting years they say nothing. We are shown the Plan of God for this
earth at its triumphant conclusion, sin and evil doers destroyed, the
Church of Christ exalted to the heavens, and all the nations fully
converted to God and enjoying His munificence on the restored and
perfected earth. "Not a stain of sin mars the peace and harmony of a
perfect society." For the further glories of revelation, of knowledge
and of activity that must assuredly be the lot of all the redeemed we must
wait, until the time shall come; but we can wait in full assurance that as
Isaiah predicted (Isa.32.17) "the work of righteousness shall be
peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever".
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