Temporarily down

 Hello Friends 

I am so sorry for not posting content yesterday. However, a virus hit my PC and I was not able to. It turned out to be a frustrating day. As I write this, I am using my phone.

I was defeated yesterday from getting God's Word out, but I am not struck down. (2 Corth 4:8-9)

I took my laptop to the computer store so it can be restored. And so for now I am without it and not sure when I will get it back, although I put a rush on it.

I hope you will continue to come and go back to some of my other posts, but especially come for Scriptures that are here for you. For there is nothing comparable to the blessed, inflatable Word of our God.

I will, in the meantime keep you posted. I ask that you please pray that I will be back posting again very soon.

Thanks be to Jesus for each of you. God bless you!!!

But Jesus still sits on the throne, right.

 And I am not defeated.

What is the New Jerusalem?

 The New Jerusalem, which is also called the tabernacle of God, the Holy City, the city of God, the Celestial City, the city foursquare, and heavenly Jerusalem, is literally heaven on earth. It is referred to in the Bible in several places (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 11:10; 12:22–24; and 13:14), but it is most fully described in Revelation 21.

In Revelation 21, the recorded history of man is at its end. All the ages have come and gone. Christ has gathered His church in the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15–17). The tribulation has passed (Revelation 6—18). The battle of Armageddon has been fought and won by our Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:17–21). Satan has been chained for the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:1–3). A new, glorious temple has been established in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40—48). The final rebellion against God has been quashed, and Satan has received his just punishment, an eternity in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:7–10.) The great white throne judgment has taken place, and mankind has been judged (Revelation 20:11–15).

In Revelation 21:1 God does a complete make-over of heaven and earth (cf. Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:12–13). The new heaven and new earth are what some call the eternal state and will be “where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). After the re-creation, God reveals the New Jerusalem. John sees a glimpse of it in his vision: “The Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). This is the city that Abraham looked for in faith (Hebrews 11:10). It is the place where God will dwell with His people forever (Revelation 21:3). Inhabitants of this celestial city will have all tears wiped away (Revelation 21:4).

The New Jerusalem will be fantastically huge. John records that the city is nearly 1,400 miles long, and it is as wide and as high as it is long—the New Jerusalem being equal in length, width, and depth (Revelation 21:15–17). The city will be dazzling in every way. It is lighted by the glory of God (verse 23). Its twelve foundations, bearing the names of the twelve apostles, are “decorated with every kind of precious stone” (verse 19). It has twelve gates, each made of a single pearl, bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (verses 12 and 21). The street will be made of pure gold (verse 21).

The New Jerusalem will be a place of unimagined blessing. The curse of the old earth will be gone (Revelation 22:3). In the city are the tree of life “for the healing of the nations” and the river of life (verses 1–2). It is the place that Paul spoke of: “In the coming ages [God] might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). The New Jerusalem is the ultimate fulfillment of all God’s promises. The New Jerusalem is God’s goodness made fully manifest.

Who are the residents of the New Jerusalem? The Father and the Lamb are there (Revelation 21:22). Angels are at the gates (verse 12). But the city will be filled with God’s redeemed children. The New Jerusalem is the righteous counter to the evil Babylon (Revelation 17), destroyed by God’s judgment (Revelation 18). The wicked had their city, and God has His.

To which city do you belong? Babylon the Great or the New Jerusalem? If you believe that Jesus, the Son of God, died and rose again and have asked God to save you by His grace, then you are a citizen of the New Jerusalem. “God raised [you] up with Christ and seated [you] with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). You have “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Peter 1:4). If you have not yet trusted Christ as your Savior, then we urge you to receive Him. The invitation is extended: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).

(Source: gotquestions.org)

Revelation 21:22-27

22 I did not see any temple in it, because the Lord God Almighty and the lamb are its temple. 23 The city doesn’t need any sun or moon to give it light because the glory of God gave it light. The lamb was its lamp. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Its gates will be open all day. They will never close because there won’t be any night there. 26 They will bring the glory and wealth of the nations into the holy city. 27 Nothing unclean,[d] no one who does anything detestable, and no liars will ever enter it. Only those whose names are written in the lamb’s Book of Life will enter it.

Revelation 21:22-27 depicts the New Jerusalem as a holy city illuminated by God and the Lamb, with no need for a physical temple, open gates for the redeemed, and exclusive entry for those written in the Lamb’s book of life.

God and the Lamb as the Temple

In this passage, John observes that there is no physical temple in the city, because “its temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb” (v. 22). This signifies that God’s presence fully permeates the city, making any man-made temple unnecessary. The Lamb, representing Jesus Christ, is included to emphasize His divine-human nature and His role in salvation, fulfilling the promise that God dwells with His people (v. 22) and echoing Jesus’ statement in John 2:19-21 that His body is the true temple pastorjasonelder.com+2. The absence of a temple also symbolizes the completion of God’s plan, where access to Him is direct and unmediated.

Light of the City

The city “has no need of sun or moon” because the glory of God and the Lamb provide all light (v. 23). This imagery conveys eternal illumination, purity, and divine presence, contrasting with earthly cities that rely on natural light. The Lamb as the lamp fulfills Jesus’ claim, “I am the Light of the world,” and represents the perpetual guidance and righteousness available to the redeemed (v. 23), thebiblesays.com+1.

Open Gates and the Nations

The gates of the city “will never be shut” (v. 25), symbolizing continuous access and security for those who are saved. The passage also notes that the glory and honor of the nations are brought into the city (v. 24-26), indicating that the redeemed from all nations participate in the eternal fellowship with God. This reflects the unity of God’s people across both Old and New Testament eras and the inclusivity of salvation for all who are faithful godsbless.ing+1.

Purity and the Book of Life

Verse 27 emphasizes that nothing unclean or deceitful can enter the city, and only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life are admitted. This underscores the holiness and sanctity of the New Jerusalem, highlighting that eternal life is reserved for those who have been redeemed through Christ. The imagery of exclusion also conveys the transformative power of God’s presence, as the unredeemed cannot endure the unveiled glory of God and the Lamb thebiblesays.com+1.

Spiritual Implications

Revelation 21:22-27 encourages believers to persevere in faith, trusting in the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises. It portrays a future of eternal light, security, and communion with God, where His presence is fully revealed and His glory is experienced by all the redeemed. The passage also invites reflection on cultivating God’s presence in one’s life through obedience, worship, and alignment with His will, preparing believers for the eternal fellowship described in the New Jerusalem godsbless.ing+1.
In summary, this passage presents a vision of the heavenly city as a place of divine presence, eternal light, open access for the redeemed, and absolute holiness, offering hope and assurance of God’s ultimate plan for His people.

As always, thanks for coming by this morning, Friends. Have a wonderful and blessed day with our Savior Jesus, Christ. 

Bucket List Legacy (Part 7 conclusion)

 

7. Start collecting the right stuff.

Jesus told His followers, “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:20-21 ESV). To store up “treasures in heaven” is to invest eternally rather than collecting earthly things that are temporal and won’t outlive your time on this earth. Here are some examples of “collections” that will leave a lasting impact on others:

- All nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

- Scripture verses you have memorized (Psalm 119:11)

- People with whom you’ve shared the gospel (Mark 16:15)

- Children you’ve loved and cared for, or widows you’ve “adopted” as grandmothers or great-grandmothers (James 1:27)

- Leaders you’ve trained for ministry (2 Timothy 2:2)

- New believers you’ve helped usher into the kingdom and disciples who’ve learned to walk with God from your instruction and example (Matthew 28:19-20)

- Lives that have been touched by your encouragement (Ephesians 4:29)

- Worn-out, read-through, marked-up Bibles, full of your own study notes (2 Timothy 2:15)

These “treasures in heaven” will greet us someday when we arrive; and our trinkets – or time wasted on earth – will not. Seek to know God more fully and leave a lasting impact on others and a legacy of who you were, spiritually, and where your heart was invested.

For more on living carefully and intentionally, see Cindi’s books, Letting God Meet Your Emotional Needs, and Women on the Edge.

Cindi McMenamin

Published Nov 11, 2025

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Revelation 21:15-21

15 The angel who was talking to me had a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city was square. It was as wide as it was long. He measured the city with the stick. It was 12,000 stadia [b] long. Its length, width, and height were the same. 17 He measured its wall. According to human measurement, which the angel was using, it was 144 cubits.[c] 18 Its wall was made of gray quartz. The city was made of pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the city wall were beautifully decorated with all kinds of gems: The first foundation was gray quartz, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth red quartz, the seventh yellow quartz, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth green quartz, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The 12 gates were 12 pearls. Each gate was made of one pearl. The street of the city was made of pure gold, as clear as glass.

Revelation 21:15–21 describes the New Jerusalem’s perfect proportions, precious materials, and symbolic foundations, portraying the completeness, beauty, and holiness of God’s eternal kingdom.

Overview

These verses continue John’s vision of the New Jerusalem, focusing on its measurement, structure, and adornment. The imagery is symbolic yet presented as real features of the renewed creation, expressing God’s glory, order, and the unity of His people. Enduring Word

The Golden Measuring Rod (v. 15)

• The angel uses a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.
• Gold signifies the city’s glory and divine perfection.
• Measuring symbolizes order, intentional design, and the readiness of the city for its inhabitants. Bible Hub

The City’s Dimensions (v. 16)

• The city is a perfect cube: 12,000 stadia in length, width, and height.
• A cube recalls the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament—God’s dwelling place—now expanded to encompass the entire city.
• The vast size symbolizes completeness, abundance, and the inclusion of God’s people. Bible Hub+1

The Wall’s Measurement (v. 17)

• The wall measures 144 cubits, a number echoing the 12 tribes × 12 apostles.
• This reinforces the unity of God’s people across covenants.
• The measurement is “by human and angelic measurement,” emphasizing its reality and divine-human connection. godsbless.ing

Materials of the City (vv. 18–21)

Walls and City

• Wall: jasper
• City: pure gold, clear as glass
  These materials symbolize purity, transparency, and divine glory. John uses earthly language to describe heavenly realities beyond full human comprehension. Enduring Word

Foundations

Twelve foundations adorned with precious stones:

• Jasper
• Sapphire
• Agate
• Emerald
• Onyx
• Carnelian
• Chrysolite
• Beryl
• Topaz
• Chrysoprase
• Jacinth
• Amethyst

These represent beauty, stability, and the apostolic foundation of the church. Each stone conveys richness and divine craftsmanship. godsbless.ing

Gates and Streets

• Twelve gates, each a single pearl, symbolizing access through God’s grace.
• Streets of pure, transparent gold, reflecting God’s glory throughout the city. godsbless.ing

Theological Significance

• Perfection and completeness: The symmetry and numbers (12, 144, 12,000) emphasize divine order.
• Unity of God’s people: Gates (tribes of Israel) and foundations (apostles) show continuity between Old and New Covenants.
• God’s presence: The city’s beauty reflects the glory of God dwelling with His people.
• Eternal security and joy: The precious materials and perfect design symbolize the unending peace and holiness of the eternal kingdom. Enduring Word

Summary

Revelation 21:15–21 uses rich, symbolic imagery to portray the New Jerusalem as a perfectly ordered, gloriously adorned, and divinely founded city. Its measurements and materials communicate God’s holiness, the unity of His redeemed people, and the beauty of the eternal dwelling prepared for them.

Hello, Friends! Today's scripture tells us what the New Jerusalem will be like! What a day that will be when we will be there to actually see it for ourselves! 

War will be no more. There will be no more death. Our tears will be dried by Jesus Himself. Life will be so different and exciting then we could ever imagine. 

Just this scripture prompts me to want to know more about it. And so, tomorrow, perhaps we will do that. 

I hope you will come back to see what I find on the New Jerusalem. Have a wonderful and blessed day!