What is the New Jerusalem in this passage?

The New Jerusalem is shown as a great, holy city coming down out of heaven from God. It is a picture of God’s people in their final, perfected state, called the bride, the Lamb’s wife. The city shines with God’s glory, is safe behind great walls, and has space for all the redeemed. It shows God living closely with His people forever, with no more distance, no temple building needed, and no night or sin. It is the final home of those written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Why does the city have twelve gates and twelve foundations?

The twelve gates have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve foundations have the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Together this points to all of God’s people, from both Israel and the church, being included in one city. The gates on every side show that people come from all directions. The foundations remind us that God’s people are built on the message first preached by the apostles, with Christ Himself as the Lamb who made this city possible.

Why is there no temple in the New Jerusalem?

John says he saw no temple in the city because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. In this present world, a temple separates holy space from ordinary space, and people meet God through places and symbols. In the New Jerusalem, that separation is gone. God’s presence fills everything, and His people are always before Him. There is no need for a special building, sacrifice, or ritual, because God and the Lamb are with their people openly and forever.

What does it mean that the city needs no sun or moon?

The passage says the city has no need of the sun or moon because the glory of God lights it, and the Lamb is its light. This shows that God’s presence will give all the light, joy, and understanding His people need. There is no darkness, fear, or uncertainty there. It does not deny that God made the sun and moon good, but it shows that, in the world to come, His own glory is more than enough to guide and warm His people at all times.

Who can enter the New Jerusalem, and who is kept out?

Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life may enter this city. These are the people saved by Christ and made holy by Him. The passage is very clear that nothing unclean will enter, and no one who practices things God calls abomination or who lives by lies. This shows the city is completely pure, safe, and joyful. Sin, deceit, and rebellion cannot get in. It is a strong warning to turn from sin now and trust the Lamb.

What is the meaning of the nations and kings bringing glory into the city?

John says the nations who are saved will walk in the city’s light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. This picture shows people from all nations gathered into one people of God, not erased but brought into harmony under Christ. Whatever is good and honorable in their life and work is brought into God’s city and offered to Him. It stresses both the wide reach of salvation and that all true honor belongs to God.

Why are the gates of the New Jerusalem never shut?

The gates are never shut by day, and there is no night there at all. Open gates mean there is no more threat, fear, or danger for God’s people. In this life, city gates close to keep out enemies. In the New Jerusalem there are no enemies left, no sin, no death, and no darkness. The always-open gates also picture the constant welcome God gives to all who belong to Him, who freely come and enjoy His presence without any barrier.

What is the significance of the city being made of gold and precious stones?

The city is described as pure gold like clear glass, with walls of jasper and foundations decorated with many precious stones, and gates of single pearls. This language points to beauty, purity, and great worth. It shows that the final state of God’s people is not dull or plain but rich with God’s glory. The clear, shining quality hints that nothing is hidden or dirty there. Everything about the city reflects the greatness of the God who lives in it with His people.

How should believers today respond to this picture of the New Jerusalem?

This vision invites believers to fix their hope on their future home with God and to live in a way that fits that holy city. Knowing that nothing unclean will enter, we are called to turn from sin and walk in the light of Christ now. The picture of open gates and shared glory encourages us to see ourselves as part of a worldwide people God is gathering. It comforts us that present suffering is not the end, because God has prepared a pure, safe, joyful home.

Rev.21.10

Revelation 21:10

KJV Holy Spirit

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

The New Jerusalem

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

And had a wall great and high, and 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:

On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

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.

And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.