GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

"THE HOLY CITY, NEW JERUSALEM"
The Church, The City of God
Revelation 21:9 - 22:5

Don Fortner

Throughout the Book of Revelation we have seen vision after vision of the Lord Jesus Christ in his redemptive, saving, preserving grace. Every vision seen and recorded by John sets forth the whole history of redemption, from the incarnation of Christ until the final consummation of all things, at his glorious second advent. Each vision is historical, current, and prophetic. And, as you read through the Book, you get a sense of anticipation. Everything appears to be moving in one direction with steady pace, toward a particular end. Really, history is not circular, but linear. All of history moves in a direct line to one, glorious end, to accomplish one object and that object is the complete revelation of God's glory in the salvation of his elect by Christ Jesus. This is the vision which John describes in Revelation 21:9 - 22:5.

In this passage of Scripture, we have a beautiful, symbolic picture of the Church of God, the Bride of Christ, as God views it. It is the holy city, the new Jerusalem. Remember, the picture is altogether symbolical. It is a picture of the Church of God in her eternal, heavenly glory. But this vision of the Church's triumphant glory is also a vision of the Church's present glory in Christ.

In Christ by virtue of our union with him, the Church of God and every member of it is perfectly and eternally complete (Col. 2:10).

In the passage before us, John tells us twelve things about the Church of the living God, "The Holy City, The New Jerusalem." Let us now stand upon the high mountain of faith and see things as they really are.

I. The Church of God Is Described As A City, The Holy City, The New Jerusalem (21:10, 16, 18).

The Church is a community of men and women who have fellowship with God in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1400 Miles High 1400 Miles Long } Symbolically - A Square
1400 Miles Wide (See Ps. 48:12-14)

II. This Holy City, The Church, Is The Bride of Christ.

• The Object of His Eternal Love.


• The Choice of His Heart.


• The One To Whom He Is Betrothed.       } (Eph. 5:25-27)


• The One For Whom Dowry Has Been Paid.


• The One He Is Coming To Wed.

III. This City, The New Jerusalem, is A Well Lit City (21:11, 23).

The Lord God himself, as he is revealed and known in the sin-atoning Lamb, is the light of the city. Christ the Light drives out the darkness of ignorance and the night of sorrow.

A. It is only in Christ that the Glory of God is seen here.
B. It is only in Christ that the Glory of God can be seen in everlasting glory – (Isa. 60:1,3,5,19-20).

IV. The Church Is The Temple of God, But Here John Tells Us That God Is The Temple of His Church (Rev. 21:22).

It is true that God dwells in us. But understand this - We dwell in God! And in eternity, we shall have the full manifestation and enjoyment of the atmosphere of God's Being. The radiance of God's Being shall fill the entire city of God. It shall be fully manifest everywhere, to everyone. There shall be no back settlements in the heavenly, Canaan, no dark corners in the New Jerusalem. All of God's elect shall forever dwell in the immediate, direct, presence of God. Can you begin now to realize this – We dwell in God!

• What an Honor! What Security!

V. The New Jerusalem Is A Divinely Secured Fortress of Grace. (Rev. 21:12, 17, 18).

Round about this city is a great high wall, a wall with four sides. It is an unseen wall. But it is a very secure wall. The wall of our salvation is our great God (Zech. 2:5).

• The Purpose of God!


• The Purchase of God!


• The Power of God!


• The Promise of God!

VI. The Foundation Upon Which This City Is Built Are the Twelve Apostles of Christ (Rev. 21:14, 19, 20).

Men and women come into this city, come into the Church of God, and enter into glory at last by the preaching of the apostles, by the message they delivered – The Gospel of Christ.

A. They are the apostles, the messengers of the Lamb.
B. Their foundations are really one – Jesus Christ himself (Eph. 2:20; I Cor. 3:9).
C. In this great foundation, all the glorious attributes of God are set forth by the many precious stones, are revealed.

VII. This Great City Has Twelve Gates Of Pearl (Rev. 21:12, 13, 21, 25, 27, 22:14-15).

A. There Are Plenty of Open Gates, on Every Side, For All Who Will To Enter.
B. The Gates Are Made and Opened For A Specific People – The gates have the names of the children of Israel, God's elect.
C. At Every Gate There Is An Angel, A Messenger, Calling For Men To Enter Into the City – (Gospel Preachers!).
D. The Gates are Pearls, One Pearl, even the Pearl of Great Price, Jesus Christ.

• No matter who enters.


• No matter where they enter from.


• No matter when they enter.

VIII. The Street of The City Is Pure God, Transparent As Glass.

There is but one street running through the city. It leads from every gate right up to the throne of God, the river of the waters of life and the tree of life. And that street is the pure, transparent, golden gospel of Christ.

• The gospel is the only way to God.


• The gospel has nothing to hide.


• The gospel is the most highly valued thing in the world.

IX. This Great City Is Supplied With Life By "The River of The Water of Life, Proceeding From The Throne of God (Rev. 22:1).

• The Source of Life – The Throne of God.


• The River of Life – Jesus Christ.

X. In The Midst of The City Is The Tree of Life (Rev. 22:1-3).

• It bears Regular, Appointed Fruit.


• It bears Abundant Fruit.


• It's leaves, (doctrines) are for the Healing of The Nations.

• His Sovereignty is Acknowledged.


• His Will is Obeyed.


• His Face is Seen.

• All whose Names Are Written in The Book of Life.


• All who Are Redeemed by the Blood of Christ.


• All who Are Saved by the Grace of God.


• They shall reign forever and ever!

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