A three-dimensional City, at least! New Jerusalem, which John actually (as an eyewitness) observed “coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2
Here are the City’s width and length measurements, along with its “height!” Not “elevation” mind you … “HEIGHT!” John further learns: “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.” Revelation 21:16, today’s Bible study verse.
A “furlong” (in Greek “stadion”) equals 600 feet. That’s approximate. And twelve thousand of those equals around 1,500 miles in every direction! That’s a LARGE City, Brothers and Sisters!
The Greek for “foursquare” is “tetragonos,” a “tetragon!”
Shaped like a “cube,” equidistant in length and width and height!
A “cube” like the Holy of Holies!
In the Tabernacle (20 cubits square, 30 feet)!
In the Temple (30 cubits square, 45 feet)!
Both being … Places God lived!
Although a few Bible commentors have reminded us it could be a “pyramid.” As in Egypt? I doubt it. Yet mathematically it’s a possibility.
“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.”
The Greek adjective “equal” is spelled “isos.” So, the City can be called “isometric” as well. Sounds absolutely captivating, almost beyond description!
A “cubic” City!
One computes the “area” of most cities.
But in the Holy City … figure the “Volume!”
Does this mean its numerous (an understatement) inhabitants will live three dimensionally? Somehow in “layers?” Has the law of gravity been altered, adapted? Remember, Someone smarter then Albert Einstein is present! Our great, omniscient God!
Do be mindful, the City has but one “street!” Verse 21 has not yet been studied, but here it is in part. “And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.” Wow, again I note “the street,” singular! How does one boulevard service all that space?
What delight awaits us!
One more thing, a City that large will NOT fit into the current geography of the Holy Land, of Israel. Not even close! So the City will either miraculously remain “suspended” over earth, what a beautiful sight that would be! Or God will re-do the topological landscape of Israel. Now folks, that would be phenomenal! Then again, maybe the “new earth” God just created is bigger than we ever could have imagined! That would suffice, to make things “fit!”
Mercy, what a verse today!
“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.”
Praise the Lord!
What a Builder He is, still is!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell