Ep 529 – Revelation 21:9-27

As strange and difficult to believe as things have been to this point, the imagery and events that populate the close of John's book seem to get even more out-of-the-ordinary and other-worldly. In Revelation 21:9-27, John is given a mountain-top view of the New Jerusalem. It descended from heaven and, from his vantage point, John is able to see all the unique attributes of this one-of-a-kind city. It is like nothing John has ever seen and his attempts to describe it at limited by his imagination and vocabulary. John is even given the unique task of measuring the city, personally walking its streets and taking precise measurements of its walls and gates. It is massive in size and yet contains jewels and precious metals in such quantities that they are used as construction materials, not for decoration. But the real glory of the city is God Himself. He and His Son are the primary focus of the city, which explains why there is no temple or tabernacle. The city is unmarred by sin and illuminated by the very presence of God. Holiness permeates its streets, buildings, gates and citizens. And while the New Jerusalem will have walls, they are not for keeping enemies out, because there will be none. And the gates will be open at all times, allowing all to enter freely at any time.