The most beautiful cities in the world are continually surveyed by Forbes, travel agencies and websites like Ucityguides.com. Their research showed very similar choices. Paris is hailed for its man-made design and structures; Vancouver is noted for its natural beauty, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for its jungle-covered mountains, legendary beaches, gorgeous parks and gardens make it one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

However, Venice is considered by many a most beautiful city, and the only one that can truly be described as unique. Its magical scenery is fascinating and breathtaking. I quote, “at first sight, it evokes the feeling of entering the setting of a real-life fairy tale. Some critics say it is unfair to all other cities to call Venice a city, as it is a place unlike any other that no other can compare to, or ever be like.

That is until God creates the New Jerusalem … Today we look at this heavenly City, it’s Distinction, Dimensions, Description and Daily Life. The description of the capital city of heaven starts in chapter 21:9 and runs all the way to chapter 22:5. We will begin today looking at …

I. The Distinction of the City (21:9-14)

1. We see one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues came to John and said, “I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife, and then carried John away in the spirit to a great and high mountain. There the angel showed John the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. John saw the Bride in the form of a city coming down out of heaven from God. A city is not the buildings; it is the people. The New Jerusalem is described as the bride, the Lamb’s wife it is the home of the Church.

John used the most elegant, beautiful imagery he could think of. In John’s day and even in ours I believe the most beautiful thing a man will ever see is his bride coming down the aisle, ready to unite with him. John said that this is how beautiful the New Jerusalem will be.

These distinctions indicate its beauty, its uniqueness and its separation. We long for this our home. The Bible tells us that by faith Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God.
Three times in Hebrew chapter 11, chapter 12 & 13, there is a New Jerusalem to come. There is a city whose builder and maker is God, a city with foundations, a lasting city. And what was seen by the faith of Abraham and Sarah and those who have been a part of the redeemed throughout history is now given to us by way of a incredible description by John.

2. God knows our sense of curiosity that we want to know what heaven is all about. He has given us a glimpse of it with some very select details. John baffles the imagination as he begins to describe the New Jerusalem in the most fitting human terms available, mere words cannot even adequately portray what he saw.

We have no point of reference to compare…The glory of God radiates from the city as it descended, and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal (verse 11). In other words, a beautiful, blazing light radiated from the city. God has displayed His glory as light numerous times. Both God the Father and the Lamb are the light of it. And it is a blazing light. And that’s why there’s no need for sun or moon or any other kind of illumination because the glory of God is so distinctly and fully revealed.

3. It had a wall great and high, symbolizing the greatness of the city. This wall had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel (verse 12). This fact certainly implies that the godly people of the OT will be residents of the city and are a part of the heavenly Bride. The gates are evenly distributed, three on each side (verse 13), perhaps in remembrance of the wilderness encampment with three tribes on each side of the tabernacle (see Num. 2).

4. Not only does the city have 12 gates, but it also has twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (14). There is much speculation as to why the names of the 12 apostles are on the 12 foundations. It could be that it gives testimony to the fact those who have been redeemed by the Lamb reside in the Holy City, just as the names of the 12 tribes of Israel on the gates testify that the saved of ancient Israel are there. This should settle beyond any doubt that OT saints and NT believers will live together in the New Jerusalem. Now that we have looked at the distinction of the New Jerusalem, let’s consider next the dimensions of the city.

II. The Dimensions of the City (21:15-17)
1. John sees an angel come and measured the New Jerusalem with a golden reed, he measures the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof (21:15). The city is foursquare (v.16), meaning it is equal on all sides, this signifying its balance, symmetry and perfection. Now we need to know a little about Bible measures. A cubit is the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger so one cubit is about 18 inches. (mine is 171/4) A reed (as unit of measure is 6 cubits therefore 6×18=108inches or 9 feet. So a 9 ft. measuring rod.

Dr. C.I. Scofield has recorded in his notes that a reed is a unit of measurement employed by the Israelites during O.T. times and that the furlong is definitely a Greek unit. So we have a mixture of two cultures here.

The measurement of the city is twelve thousand furlongs, or about 1,400 miles on each side. A furlong is a space or distance of about 600 to 660 feet. This is equal to about three-fourths the size of the United States, roughly 1,960,000 square miles. Since the length and the breadth and the height of it is equal (verse 16), this city is a 1,400-mile cube that could have hundreds of tiers, each having 1,960,000 square miles. It is incredible to even image.

2. The angel measured the wall at a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is of the angel (Revelation 21:17 by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. So, 144 cubits would be approximately 216 feet. Since the height of the city has already been given, it would seem this may refer to the thickness of the wall, while the height of the wall would be the same as that of the city. Next week we will finish with the description of the City. (21:18-21).

Conclusion:

The glories that await the Christian defy our comprehension. What we can grasp about them hopefully fills us with great anticipation. Someday we shall enjoy heaven in all its fullness. 1Cr 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

I John 3:2 -beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Let me ask you, “when you die are you going to heaven or not? Pastor Tony what is the way to heaven? – John 14:6