The more I study (Revelation 21), the more I love this chapter!

Today’s verse is amazing. “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.”

I do realize that the “new heavens” have been (recently) created. (John the Apostle is experiencing these events “in the future,” as it were. Via the miracle of “Bible Prophecy!”) I refer you to verse 1 of our chapter: “And I saw a NEW HEAVEN and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”

Think of it!

A new “Heaven” (but do note the word is “singular” now) … but without any need for a massive star 93,000,000 miles away called the “sun!” The Text further says no moonlight was required either! Because the City John saw, the “New Jerusalem,” needs no such created light!

Why?

“For the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

The word “glory” is “doxa,” no doubt here referring to the “Brilliance” of God’s Presence! The “Aura” He emanates. The “Reflection” of His Essence!

But even the “Lamb” Himself is Source to this light. The noun “Lamb” is still “arnion,” a diminutive form of “aren,” actually meaning a “Little Lamb!” God’s Little Lamb, Jesus!

Our Lord’s prayer was answered! “And now, O Father, GLORIFT THOU ME with thine own self with the GLORY which I had with thee before the world was.” John 17:5

Then further in His prayer, this petition will be answered as well. “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me (born again Believers), be with me where I am; that they may behold my GLORY, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24

I am telling you, HIS GLORY GLOWS!

A Lamb lightened City!

No sunspots then!

No cancer threats from radiation either!

Perfect Light forever!

And those who rejected Jesus?

In “outer darkness,” also eternally “apart” from God!

What a City!

Now under construction, as of February, 2016 anyway.

I close today with the prayer of Revelation 22:20. “He which testifieth these things (Jesus) saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.” (Then John immediately prays) “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

I concur.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

It just is a simple sentence. But it is also a God ordained, Spirit inspired fact about the Holy City we shall inhabit for all eternity! Yes, in Revelation 21:22 John the Disciple/Apostle tells us about Heaven: “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of.”

The present Heaven DOES have such a Temple. All the way through the Book of Revelation so far we have seen proof of this fact, altars and the like. Maybe Revelation 11:19 is the best example: “And the TEMPLE OF GOD was opened in heaven, and there was seen IN HIS TEMPLE the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”

The “ark,” meaning the Ark of the Covenant!

In fact, the earthly “tabernacle,” the exact plans of which were given to Moses on Mount Sinai (given him by the Lord God Almighty, personally) is clearly build on a “pattern,” being modeled after the Tabernacle/Temple in Heaven right now!

But …

The New Heaven, the New Jerusalem, has NO SUCH Building!

What a surprise, in a way.

Then what a natural thing, upon further reflection.

Our Verse today is almost self-explanatory: ““And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of.” No Temple … because Jesus (the Lord God) IS the Temple!

The Living Temple!

As in John 1:14, where we are taught: “And the Word (Jesus) was made flesh, and dwelt (the Greek verb “skenoo,” meaning “to tabernacle,” to “pitch a tent” literally) among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” Remember, the Tabernacle was, virtually, a Holy Tent!

I contend this morning, JESUS IS THE BRAZEN ALTAR (where the Blood was shed)!

JESUS IS THE LAVER (where cleansing for service is found)!

JESUS IS THE LAMPSTAND (the Light of the world)!

JESUS IS THE TABLE OF BREAD (the nourishing Bread of life)!

JESUS IS THE GOLDEN ALTAR (our Mediator, Intercessor this very minute, praying for you and me)!

AND JESUS IS THE MERCY SEAT (the Propitiator for our sins)!

BECAUSE JESUS IS GOD!

No Temple build there, because the Temple lives there!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Each new day (studying Revelation 21) has brought me further delight, particularly on the subject of our eternal Home! This single chapter of Scripture has made me a possessor of more love for Heaven (the New Heaven) and that City called Glory (New Jerusalem) than I have ever experienced, in all my Christian life!

Today’s verse poses no exception, either!

“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.” Word for word, King James Version, Revelation 21:21, with only 6 more verses remaining in the chapter. In fact, I’ve just decided we might add the first five verses of chapter 22, still about the City!

Each “gate” is a whole “pearl.” The adjective “several” is spelled “eis,” pronounced “heiss,” and meaning “one.” A single unit, not two or three.

Big pearls, I’d say!

The original for “pearl” is “margarites.” This word is only used 9 times in the whole Bible, each time translated exactly as here, “pearl.” Two times in one of Jesus’ Parables, once in His Preaching, once by Paul (teaching ladies how to adorn themselves), and then five more times by John in the Revelation.

Why a “pearl,” the gates? Maybe because it is produced by suffering, in the side of a little oyster! Maybe because of its sheer beauty, luminescence! Maybe because of its priceless value! Beauty out of pain, sounds like Calvary, doesn’t it?  And oh yes, a pearl requires the death of its little host oyster!

Wow!

Surely, we will never enter one of those gates (12 of them, recall) without pondering the Death of the One Who loved us so! Matthew 13:45-46, Jesus teaching, read both verses! “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.”

What a cost, our redemption!

Next … our verse tell us another fact about the Street of the City. It’s made of “pure gold.” Do note the word is singular, “street!” Watch: “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.” One long street!

And the noun “street” is “plateia,” derived from an adjective, “platus,” meaning “broad,” wide! In turn “platus” is related to the verb “plasso,” meaning “to form, to mold” something. A street that has been intricately designed by a Creator! This is amazing!

Then verse 21 shares a final clause telling us of the general appearance of the (only) street in the City. “Transparent” glass, “diaphanes,” anything with the property of “letting light shine through it!” Actually, ”translucent” is the English word. Not opaque. Radiant!

This Place sounds more and more beautiful with each passing fact!

I can hardly wait until our next Lesson, the next verse!

First thing Monday morning.

I no longer write a lesson on Sunday mornings. I always preached 2 or 3 times on the Lord’s Day. And I need the early morning rest. Plus, I am meditating on the Day’s Text as well.

Pray for us.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

We look at two verses today, linked beautifully. Under consideration is the “foundation” of the Holy City. Or to be more precise, the “foundations.”

“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.” Revelation 21:19-20

One would need to be a gemologist to fully explain these beautiful stones. Twelve “precious” jewels!

I have scoured several commentaries looking for sound information on these two verses. As a result, I’ve personally reached a couple of conclusions I’d like to share with you today.

First, we are not specifically told the “manner” in which these stones are “laid.” Is the foundation a “stack” of these twelve types of rock, one on top of another? Or do they run along the foundation one after another? A section of jasper then a section of sapphire, maybe a hundred miles of each … and so on? Either way, the beauty would be overwhelming! I think the “on top of each other” scenario would be the most breathtaking!

Second, the exact types of stones there are, even down to their exact colors … is hard to determine. Generally speaking, we know “amethysts” are purple. And “sapphires” tend to be blue. Emeralds, green. But other members of this set are not as dramatic in color. I believe the Holy Spirit here is illustrating for us the variety and diversity and aesthetic brilliance the City will project, radiate!

Third, I am reminded of Abraham, many years ago. “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise. For HE LOOKED FOR A CITY WHICH HATH FOUNDATIONS, whose builder and maker is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10) Well, I think that City is being described, its foundations, in our very text this morning! Abraham will see it, as will we.

Then last, one Bible teacher mentioned that the “stones” in the New Jerusalem’s foundation roughly paralleled (matched) the “stones” in the Jewish High Priest’s Breastplate! And they do indeed, mostly. Could then, the gems here depicted be (as were the High Priest’s Garments, especially the Breastplate) a picture of the corporate people of God? Saved people, “whosoever wills,” from every corner of the globe? Remember, each Tribe of Israel was symbolized by a “stone.” Or so it is thought.

If so, this City is built especially in honor of its future inhabitants!  As in John 11:1 where a city is named as: “Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.” Jesus remembered the Town according to the saints who lived there! These 12 foundations may imply a similar truth!

Some of these foundation stones were found near the sea, others near the mountains. Some from the desert, others from fertile rain drenched farmlands! Some from caves, others from sunlit valleys! Again, what variation! Now made into one City!

All I can say is, “Wow!”

No wonder we sing as much about Heaven as we do!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Several thoughts flooded my mind, my heart, as I first read this morning’s verse. Still describing the future Heavenly City, the Holy City, New Jerusalem, which we who are saved will occupy eternally! So Revelation 21:18 is now our focus. “And the building of the wall of it (that City) was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.”

One more fact about the wall (really with more data to follow as the chapter unfolds), it is constructed of “jasper!” By the way, the noun “building” is “endomesis,” used only here in all the Bible. Thus, teachers call the term a “hapax legomenon,” something “written only once” in a whole body of literature. The compound (blended) word means “in (or of) the people.” I think we’re being told that no matter how gorgeous and lavish the City is … without its citizens (born again Believers in Jesus) … it would lose its meaning, to Almighty God! (We all sing “JESUS WILL BE WHAT MAKES IT HEAVEN FOR ME” … while Jesus/God is singing “MY PEOPLE, THE VERY BRIDE OF CHRIST, WILL BE WHAT MAKES IT HEAVEN FOR ME!”)

Wow!

Oh yes, as I said, the wall consists of “jasper,” a precious stone back when John wrote these words, and still one today. Its substance is beautiful, being both hard (durable) and colorful (pleasant to the eyes). To me here’s more proof God is the Creator! Where are you going to find that much jasper? To build a wall 1,500 miles all the way around a city, it (the wall) being well over 200 feet high. If you’re Almighty, you just “make” it! Create some more! On the spot! Jesus might be doing that right now, today! “I go to prepare a place for you,” He promised in John 14:2. The color of jasper varies … according to all the textbooks. But the older commentators mostly believe it is “diamond” hued, “clear as crystal,” according to Revelation 21:11. That’s what I believe, anyway.

What assorted shades of color, New Jerusalem.

God is indeed an Artist!

And the City itself, it’s “tint?” Our verse again: “And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the CITY was pure gold, like unto clear glass.”

Gold!

The adjectives “pure” and “clear” both derive from the same word, “katharos.” It means “clean, washed, without blemish!” This is a sinless City! (Cities today are not known for cleanliness, rather for squalor.) No wonder the Jews are to this hour such a clean, hygienic people! Knowing the Torah, the Law, as they do. God gives dozens of admonitions about general cleanliness and sanitation in the Genesis through Deuteronomy Corpus of Scripture! Literally folks,  He does.

But “gold,” what monetary value, the whole City! The Greek noun “gold” is “chrusion,” likely from a root verb that means “to be useful!” This is not only an aesthetically lovely place, but a practical, utilitarian One as well! The verb also means “to buy or sell.” Or “to take out a loan!” Business language, banking and finance! None of us would ever be in that unique City (living with God) apart from a Transaction (“gold,” remember) that occurred one day over 2,000 years ago. When Jesus died on the Cross! Made possible human redemption (a “buying” term again) by the shed Blood of God Himself!

Mercy, the doctrine build into a little short descriptive verse of Scripture!

Piled on top of all the previous facts we’ve considered, verses 1-17 … and all those yet to come, verses 19-27. This is truly one of the epoch Chapters of the Bible! A “fulcrum” Chapter, I recently heard a theologian call such Passages, critical even too our understanding of God’s Will, God’s ultimate plan.

More to come tomorrow.

I stand amazed!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell