In the city are the tree of life “for the healing of the nations” and the river of life (verses 1–2). The curse of the old earth will be gone (Revelation 22:3). The New Jerusalem will be a place of unimagined blessing. The street will be made of pure gold (verse 21). It has twelve gates, each a single pearl, bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (verses 12 and 21). Its twelve foundations, bearing the names of the twelve apostles, are “decorated with every kind of precious stone” (verse 19). It is lighted by the glory of God (verse 23). 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 in equal in length, width, and depth (Revelation 21:15–17). The New Jerusalem will be fantastically huge. Inhabitants of this celestial city will have all tears wiped away (Revelation 21:4). It is the place where God will dwell with His people forever (Revelation 21:3). This is the city that Abraham looked for in faith (Hebrews 11:10). 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). After the re-creation, God reveals the New Jerusalem. The new heaven and new earth are what some call the “ eternal state” and will be “where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13). In Revelation 21:1 God does a complete make-over of heaven and earth (Isaiah 65:17 2 Peter 3:12–13). 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). A new, glorious temple has been established in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40-48). Satan has been chained for the 1,000-year reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20:1–3). The battle of Armageddon has been fought and won by our Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 19:17–21). The Tribulation has passed (Revelation 6-18). Christ has gathered His church in the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:15–17). In Revelation 21, the recorded history of man is at its end. 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. 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.

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