Welcome to the Messiah Beyond a Shadow of Doubt. This is part two of our exploration of the Feast of Booths. In part one of this lesson, I suggested that the Feast of Booth seems to carry the idea of taking up residence, with the ultimate fulfillment or substance being the Messiah and the redeemed taking up residence in paradise, the new Jerusalem. At the end of our previous lesson, I told you that we would follow the Apostle John on his tour of the new Jerusalem, which culminates with a glimpse of the Bride of Christ. So let's begin.
A Tour of Heaven
John's tour of the Tabernacle of God begins in Revelation 21:9. As we read his words, try to envision what he saw and experienced, and develop a crisp image in your mind. John says,
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, 'Come here, and I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.' And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear Jasper.
Now, this passage contains some strange and mysterious words. Are we to understand that the bride, the wife of the Lamb, is a city? Or is it possible that the angel is saying that the wife of Christ resides within the city and he will lead us to her on this tour? Remember how Paul on several occasions used marriage to describe the relationship between Christ and the church? So I believe we should understand that the angel will be leading John through the city to the Bride of Christ.
Beyond Extraordinary
The angel carried John away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain so he could get a good look at the new Jerusalem. And we have to ask, "Will there really be mountains in heaven?" Well, I believe so. John is describing a very real, physical planet that one day will be the new home of humanity. As we follow John and the angel on this tour, we will see many more aspects of this paradise that will help shape our understanding of heaven. As John looked on the city from the mountain, he described it as if there was an aura about her. He says her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. And as we will later see, a very real glow will emanate from her. This city is beyond extraordinary. The material of the city is pure gold, like clear glass, and the material of the wall is pure jasper.
As we continue with John on his tour, we gain a clear mental image of what he saw. As he approached the outskirts of the city, he was clearly amazed at her immensity and beauty. The heavenly Jerusalem was surrounded by a magnificent wall that apparently astounded him since he gave so much detail about it. He wrote, "The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, as wide and high as it is long."
Now, when we convert stadia to modern measures, we find that the city is a square that is approximately 1,364 miles long and 1,364 miles wide, approximately 2,200 kilometers by 2,200 kilometers. Did you get that? 1,364 miles square, it's enormous. For the purpose of comparison, it is almost half the land area of the United States or almost half the land area of China. And remember that this is a city, it's not a country or a state or a province. It's huge. But the unimaginable aspect is that the city is as high as it is wide. It extends more than 1,300 miles, 2,200 kilometers, from space down to earth, reaching from far above the earthly atmosphere. Can you picture that in your mind? How would you draw or render something like that? That's more than one six the diameter of the earth?. I tried to render it with software and it looks strange, but I think this gives the general idea.
An Enormous Tabernacle
So, what is the composition of the city? You may have seen artwork that depicts it as a huge stone cube or a pyramid or something else. So it's a valid question. What is it that extends 12,000 stadia from heaven down to earth? What did John see? Perhaps we can learn from the Lord's instructions in the Feast of Booths. Recall that the material of the booth was comprised of living materials such as foliage of beautiful trees, palm branches and bows of leafy trees and willows of the brooks, something that was made by the hand of God. Is it possible that the Tabernacle of God is also made of living celestial material, something made by the hand of God? Perhaps it is like a celestial curtain, like a booth, rather than a solid mass. Perhaps it forms a heavenly tabernacle in which the mighty cherubim and seraphim soar and dart to and fro around the throne of God. Perhaps it is describing the glowing aura of the living God that will illuminate the entire city.
They City Wall and Gates
Well, regardless of its composition, it will be the Tabernacle of God on earth and it will be magnificent to behold. At this point, it seems that John's tour is still outside the city wall, ready to enter through one of the gates. But John was apparently so captivated by the beauty of the wall that he gave a detailed description of it before entering. Try to envision what he observed.
It had a great and high wall with 12 gates, and at the gates were 12 angels, and names were written on them, which are the names of the 12 tribes of the sons of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
The walls of the city had 12 foundation stones, and on them were the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also angel's measurement.
We've already learned that the wall is enormous since it surrounds a city that is more than 1,300 miles square. The angel measured the wall at approximately 216 feet, or 65 meters, higher than a 20-story building. Now, just in case you're thinking that we have many buildings that are higher 20 stories, just remember that our modern 20-story buildings are not 5,000 miles in length, as is this wall.
The Government in the Gates
Notice the layout of the city wall. There will be three gates on each wall, probably spaced hundreds of miles apart, with an angel stationed at each gate. In ancient times, the term gate often implied much more than a fortified entryway. It was in the city gates that leaders conducted governmental business and elders, courts, judges, and even kings assembled. In some cases, the Scriptures mentioned that a square was by the gate, which provides a place for the people to congregate and be involved in the governing process.
Do you remember how Jesus told the apostles, "Truly I say to you that you who have followed Me in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel?" In light of this, the reason becomes apparent for having the name of each tribe of Israel on a gate and the name of each apostle on the foundation stone of the wall. Imagine, for example, a tall and glorious gate with the name of Judah inscribed on it and the name of Peter inscribed on the foundation stone that is adjacent to the gate. Thus, the apostle Peter would be seated on his throne in a city gate judging the people of the tribe of Judah. And so the people of the heavenly Jerusalem will have their business and legal matters decided by an apostolic judge at the gate for their tribe.
A Wall of Gigantic Gemstone
The material for the wall was jasper. As you picture this enormous wall in your mind, you should know that it is not made of common stones or clay or concrete. The material of the entire wall is out of a translucent gemstone, the color of jasper. Can you imagine that? The foundation stones of the wall are also astounding. Now, most modern architects and designers try to hide foundations with various landscaping techniques, covering them with flowers, bushes, lattice, and walls. But the foundation stones of the heavenly wall are the complete opposite. Each stone is a gigantic precious gemstone, objects of immense beauty that will actually be showcased rather than hidden.
The first foundation stone was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprase, jacinth, and amethyst. When you do the math, you find that each foundation stone is approximately 450 miles long, over 700 kilometers, probably at least as thick as the wall. Can you imagine a pure emerald foundation stone of that length, possibly 200 feet or 60 meters thick? How high would it rise above the ground? It must be at least as high enough for the people to see the name of the apostle that is inscribed on it.
Even more, we're told that in addition to its innate beauty each foundation stone will be ornamented with every kind of precious stone. Imagine an enormous emerald foundation stone that is arrayed with diamond, ruby, sapphire, topaz, turquoise, and every imaginable gemstone. Walking through the gates of the city would dazzle all who enter as they stroll through the corridor of the gate, walking on streets of pure gold that are as transparent as glass. The radiance from the throne of the Father of lights reflecting from the street and flashing through the crystalline adornments will create a dreamlike wonder, but it'll not be a dream.
The Pearly Gates
John continues, "And the 12 gates were 12 pearls, each one of the gates was a single pearl." What is the material of the gates? Well, you may have heard someone refer to the pearly gates of heaven, which conjures mental images of a gate that is made of pearls that are bonded together in some way. But as you've probably guessed, the gates of the heavenly Jerusalem will be of far more grandeur than a handmade craft project. Each gate will be carved from a single pearl. They will be beyond magnificent. Do you think there might be some giant oysters somewhere in the universe cultivating those pearls right now?
You may know that the walls that surround ancient cities were much more than a simple barrier that separated and protected the city from the outside world. Obviously, ancient walls were large enough for guards to take their positions to monitor and defend the city. But in addition to having guard houses, they were large enough to host residences, shops, and cafes. The walls of the ancient city of Babylon were so large that Herodotus, an ancient historian, described them as having buildings on top that faced each other. And the width of the wall that was between the buildings was wide enough to turn a four horse chariot.
Now, the wall of the new Jerusalem will certainly have such grandeur, but whether it will sport a street on its upper level with scenic outlooks and host gardens, cafes, shops like the streets of Paris is something that I don't know, but it's fun to dream and imagine what our new home in heaven will be. So let's continue reading. "... and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass."
Streets of Gold
And now we enter through the gates and find both the city and its streets are pure gold, like transparent glass. Can city streets really be made of pure gold? It is certainly going to be brilliant, reflecting the glories of God. What would you expect to see as you walk through the streets of the dwelling place of God? Will we find that it is home to the things that we already know and enjoy? Will we find that it gives joy, pleasure, and life to humans? Well, let's read carefully as John and the angel describe our home to be.
The Comforts of Home
In addition to the mountain that we already mentioned, you'll see rivers, trees with rich foliage, fruit, good kings, nations, wealth, and especially the throne of God and the Lamb. As we walk through the streets of the heavenly Jerusalem, we will be walking among angels and those who are redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, immortals living in the dwellings that Jesus prepared for them, nestled in the beauty of the city of God.
I sometimes wonder if these redeemed will be living in mountains or hills while others live in snowy wooded lands and others live in rich tropical environments. It's certainly possible. The city will be large enough to cover different climates and terrains. And just as our current earth enjoys a variety of cultures, races, and lands, I suspect that the new earth in heaven will be spiced with variety but immersed in a universal bond of love. Everyone will have the law of God, the law of love imprinted on their hearts with no inclination to deviate from it.
The Throne of God and the Lamb
John continues, "I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." So we come directly before the awesome throne of God and the Lamb, face to face with a divine Messiah, not concealed in a fortress with walls and guards, but in the middle of the street as if to welcome everyone, inviting them to come and behold His glory.
John also tells us that two life-giving elements will thrive in this paradise. He writes, "Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing 12 kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
The Water of Life
The first of the life-giving elements is the water of life. It's not in a small vial, locked in a vault in an inner chamber guarded by angels, but a river freely flowing with the life-giving potion. What is this water of life? I believe it is none other than the elixir of immortality, the fountain that restores and revitalizes the human frame, giving youthful vigor to the mind and body.
At 10,000 years old, the citizens of the new earth will have the vitality and energy of a 25-year-old and the wisdom and beauty of immortality. No wrinkles, no aches and pains, no dementia, perfection in the flesh. Full access to the river of the water of life is available to all who belong to the Messiah. Jesus promised to give to the one who thirsts from the spring of water without cost. O, to lay down in that river and that life-giving flow!
The Tree of Life
The second life-giving element is the tree of life that is growing on both banks of the river that flows from the throne. Is it the same tree of life that was guarded by the cherub with a flaming sword so that man would not eat of it and subsequently live forever? I believe it is, or some form of it that will have the ability to revitalize our heavenly bodies. Notice that the benefits of the tree of life will be available to the nations. Did you know that other nations will exist and thrive on the new earth, the same earth on which the heavenly Jerusalem resides? The trees will produce a harvest every month of the year so that the nations will not have to wait to receive the healing balm.
No Longer Any Curse
John made a statement in the following passage that could go easily unnoticed. He says, "There will no longer be any curse, and the throne of God in the Lamb will be in it, and His bondservants will serve Him, and they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Now, do you recall Adam's punishment for eating the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? The Lord cursed the ground with thorns and thistles so that growing crops would become hard labor for mankind. But in the new earth, there will no longer be any curse, no more thorns and no more thistles.
Can you imagine a place where the ground is not cursed but is fertile for growing life-giving crops, a land with no weeds or thorns or thistles that would choke the growth before the harvest? I'm guessing that hunger and starvation will not exist on the new earth because nutritious food will grow wild. Everywhere we turn, we might find wild melons, grapes, bananas, apples, and oranges. We may even find unknown delicacies that have not survived the perils of our current planet. Wild fruits, vegetables, grains, herbs, and treats of all sorts might be freely available to everyone in the paradise that the Lord is creating for those who love Him.
The Bride of Christ
As John looked around the dwelling place of God and observed His throne, the river of the water of life, and the trees of life, he saw the bondservants of God and those who were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Is this the bride, the wife of the Lamb that the angel mentioned at the beginning of John's tour? These people will serve God and have the privilege of seeing His face, gazing into the eyes of their Creator. They will bear His name on their foreheads for they are highly esteemed and honored by God.
Now, the thought of being a bondservant to God for eternity may not immediately appeal to you. Images of peeling grapes and fanning a sovereign with palm branches or possibly dusting furniture or serving meals might come to mind. Although these things may be possible, it is more likely that being in the service of the Lord would involve the idea of reigning or ruling in some way.
In the same context, we're told that these bondservants will reign forever and ever, which implies much more than humble labor. So rather than envisioning a servant of menial tasks, consider that this role might be like a servant or a minister in a government, such as the Minister of Foreign Affairs or a Minister of Commerce or perhaps an ambassador to another nation on earth. In a similar way, in Jesus' parable of the nobleman in Luke 19, the faithful were granted authority over cities. They were elevated to being rulers, a very special type of service to God.
The Lord God Will Illumine Them
John continues to describe the environment of the holy city and its effect on the bondservants of God and the Lamb. He says, "And there will no longer be any night, and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor of the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them, and they will reign forever and ever."
In the previous chapter, John told us that the city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it for the glory of God has illumined it and its lamp is the Lamb. It's difficult to imagine that this city will not have nighttime because the Lord God will illuminate with the lamp of the Lamb. Will it be a blinding brightness since it will illuminate such an enormous city? I don't know, but I imagine it will be pleasant, gently glowing throughout the translucent city, and the clear streets of gold, and even through the great and high wall that surrounds her. It will be a light that makes us constantly mindful of the loving presence of God and the Lamb.
The people of the city will not have need of lamps or the sun or the moon. But John did not say that there will not be a sun or moon. It is quite likely that the nations who inhabit the other parts of the planet will not have the benefit from the illumination of the holy city so they might need a sun and possibly a moon. Their days and nights might be similar to those on our current earth.
Nations in Heaven
Now what about the nations on earth? John tells us, "The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, in the daytime, for there will be no night there, its gates will never be closed, and they will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life."
It's fascinating to think that other nations will exist on the new earth, probably with their own cities, cultures, and civilizations, but without corruption and sin. You've probably heard how kings and queens honored each other with lavish gifts when visiting other nations. That is what John is describing in this passage. The greatest honor that anyone could ever obtain is to have an audience with the King of Kings, the King of the Universe. When the kings of the earth visit, they'll be dressed in splendor, accompanied by their servants and royal courts, bringing gifts and treasures to the great King. In doing so, they will bring the honor and glory of their nations into the new Jerusalem before the Lord Himself.
Blessings and Warnings
I would be remiss if I did not emphasize the words from the throne about the eternal wellbeing and words of warning.
Then he said to me, 'It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of water of life without cost.' He who overcomes will inherit these things,
and I will be His God and he will be My son.
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars,
their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone,
which is the second death.[1]
There are many more things that we could discuss about this future phase of the Kingdom of God, our new heavenly home, and the new Jerusalem. But I'll have to refer you to the Messiah book for a more thorough treatment of the subject. But for now, I want to bring things together regarding the shadows and a substance of the Feast of Booths.
The Shadow of the Feast of Booths
Think about the shadow that is cast by the people of God taking up residence and celebrating in temporary dwelling places. It whispers of a future event of Messianic magnitude. It is refined even more as we see the Lord God taking up residence in Solomon's temple during the Feast of Booths in the days of Solomon. According to the Lord's instructions, the people were required to observe a Sabbath rest after the seven-day festival ended. Is it possible that this Sabbath rest is a shadow of how our ultimate rest in paradise will begin after the activities of this earth end?
These three components, the people taking up residence, the Lord God taking up residence, and a crowning Sabbath rest, form the shadows of the Feast of Booths. We gain a glimpse of the substance of this Appointed Time through Jesus' promise to prepare places for His followers in His Father's house and He will return to receive them to Himself and be together forever.
The Messianic Substance of the Feast of Booths (Jesus in the Feast of Booths)
In the Book of Revelation, we are given a detailed look at the magnificent dwelling place of God, the heavenly Jerusalem on the newly created planet earth. Near the beginning of John's vision, he heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe every tear from their eyes. And there will no longer be any death, there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain, the first things have passed away." I believe that it is in this description of the heavenly kingdom that we find the Messianic substance, the fulfillment of the Feast of Booths.
This is the great hope of all who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and this is His final call. He says,
I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches.
I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.
The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.'
And let the one who hear say, 'Come.'
And let the one who is thirsty come,
and the one who wishes to take the water of life without cost.
This is heaven, the paradise of God. And if I may echo the words of Jesus, I also say come! Do you want to be there? I assure you, you want to be there.
It's been exhilarating to bring the message of the Messiah in the Appointed Times to you, and I hope to meet you in heaven someday. I'm Don McCluskey signing off. May the Lord richly bless you.
[1] Revelation 21:6-8
