The Holy City, New Jerusalem

by G. Prasher | Category: God's Ways With Men | Nov 1932

(REVELATION 21., 22.)

The last two chapters of the Bible are taken up in the main with the Holy City, New Jerusalem, which will descend from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. It is striking, to say the least, that the Holy Spirit, as He unfolds the eternal glories of the future, should pause and insert a verse in each of these chapters describing the occupants of the Lake of Fire. This description in verse 8, of chapter 21., and verse 15, of chapter 22. might be profitably considered, and it will be observed how the list of the lost ones is headed by the fearful, and unbelieving." Does not this show that the abominable, and the murderers, mentioned afterward, will be joined in that outside place of eternal woe by those who were afraid to trust the words of God in relation to the salvation which is through faith in Christ? "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2. 8, 9). How unutterably sad it is that so many cling to the filthy rags of their own righteousnesses, and thereby refuse to submit themselves to the righteousness of God which is revealed in the gospel! The divine testimony still stands- "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10. 9, 10).

ALL THINGS TO BE DISCOVERED.

The moment when the judge takes his seat in court is usually marked by a hush of reverence; but when the Lord Jesus Christ shall take His seat on the Great White Throne His presence there will be marked by the passing away of the earth and the heaven:-" From whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them"(Revelation 20. 11). "The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up" (2 Peter 3. 10). Well may we hearken to the Holy Spirit, "Seeing that these things are thus all to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living end godliness? "We should be looking for that day, and better still we should be looking for the fulfilment of His promise of new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. This is what John the beloved saw in the vision which he records in chapter 21.: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more "(verse 1). Every vestige of the old having gone, John heard Him that sitteth on the throne say, "Behold, I make all things new" (verse 5). Let us make particular note here that there is no mention of the coming down of the Holy City, new Jerusalem, until the new heaven and the new earth are present. While in a city in the western part of Canada, the writer was in conversation with an elderly gentleman who showed him a chart whereon the New Jerusalem was shown over the old earth. This was called in question, and soon together we opened the sacred page to verses 1, and 2, of Revelation 21. It was cheering to observe how willingly and readily he acknowledged the error. For him it was enough to see it in the Word, and he forthwith bowed to its authority. The Lord grant us that willing spirit increasingly

0 may the heavenly pages be

Our ever new delight!

And still new beauties may we see,

And still increasing light!

Thus shall we be saved from the sad condition of the Sadducees, to whom the Lord said, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God" (Matthew 22. 29).

No MORE SEA.

Seated on a pier, on the southern coast, as it neared the hour of sunset, the waves striking angrily against the piles beneath, an aged sister, now with the Lord, remarked, "I don't like the sea." Then by way of explaining her dislike she continued, "It seems so cruel!" How true this is! While at times it is so beautiful, so calm, and so attractive, at others its mood is changed, and terror and destruction then hold sway. Then, it speaks of partings sad and drear. Moreover, it is essential as a cleanser of the cities of men. When, however, all things are made new there will be no uncleanness, so the sea will not be needed: there will be no more paltings: terror and destruction will find no entrance there. With the passing of the old heaven and earth the sea will have served her time-the sea will be no more. But though the sea will be gone the river will remain eternally; "a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the midst of the street thereof." To this the words of the sons of Korah may be applied: "There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High" (Psalm 46. 4). The first paragraph of this Psalm presents the sea in its turbulent mood, with which the river forms a contrast.

There is a calm beyond life's fitful fever,

A deep repose, an everlasting rest,

Where white-robed angels welcome the believer,

Among the blest, among the blest.

There is a home where all thy soul's deep yearnings

And silent prayers shall be at last fulfilled,

Where strife and sorrow, murmurings and heart-burnings,

At last are stilled, at last are stilled.

THE PARADISE OF GOD.

The exchange of merchandise, and the din of traffic have made the cities of men most restless and undesirable places, and this despite the mitigative efforts so assiduously applied. The brighter suburbs are followed by the bewildering city centres, where the problems of dirt and din leave Utopia still an idea. We cannot think too highly of the noble efforts of many to improve the conditions of the masses, but it remains for God to provide the perfect city-" the city which hath the foundations, whose Builder (tech nites) and Maker (demiourgos) is God" (Hebrews 11. 10). This word for Builder means an artist, or artificer; and the word translated Maker, from demos, the people, and ergon, a work, means one who labours for the public good. For such then as be of the faith of Abraham, the great Artificer God, is labouring for the people's good, is preparing, or hath prepared a city, the street whereof is pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Is it not significant that streets are not mentioned ? The river of water of life proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the midst of the street thereof. Then as now, the Way of God will be one (compare Acts 9. 2). "And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve manner of fruits, yielding its fruit every month." The city therefore is closely associated with the Paradise of God, for the tree of life is in the Paradise of God (Revelation 2. 7).

THE TREE OF LIFE.

Xulon zoes, tree of life, is deeply interesting seeing that the usual word for tree is not used here. Dendron (familiar to most in the word rhododendron) is the generally employed word for tree; whereas xulon means timber, or a beam. Each time the cross of Christ is referred to as a tree it is xulon -that is used, as in Acts 5. 30 ; 10. 39 ; 13. 29 ; Galatians 3. 13 ; I Peter 2. 24. One has asked, " Who then can doubt that its use here instead of dendron is for the purpose of connecting it with the cross on which the Prince of Life died, which has yielded the fruit of eternal life to all the redeemed ; and it is the source and supply to all the nations living on the new earth?" "And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations." Therapeia, translated healing, means, service. When sin entered the paradise of old a barrier was placed between the sinners, our first parents, and the tree of life, so that the tree of life could not be of service to them. Another had to bear the sorrows of the rugged tree ere it was possible to open up the way whereby the tree of life could be at the service of man.

Though He knew what it meant, yet He turned not back,

Bearing His cross

And He patiently tred all the weary track,

Bearing His cross

Though the tree was so heavy, 'twould not compare

With the burden of sin which He bore while there,

Bound to the cress.

"Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city."

THE GATES AND THE FOUNDATIONS.

The wall of the city has an important place in the description of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, and reminds us of how the city wherein God dwelt in Israel had a wall with its gates and bars. The work of the remnant in rebuilding the city wall is recounted in Nehemiah chapters 3., 4., and 6., and contains much of helpful teaching for the small remnant of to-day which is seeking in much weakness to give effect to divine rule and government. This is chiefly what the wall speaks concerning. It makes the distinction between the within and the without and when its gates and doors are shut it both keeps in, and keeps out, those to whom these respective places are assigned by the revealed will of God. The actual opening and shutting of the doors and gates belong to the administrative side of things; and both knowledge, and willingness to administer, are necessary if the walls are to serve their purpose. Where these are lacking, we may use the words of the wise preacher: "Woe to thee, 0 land, when thy king is a child, and thy princes eat in the morning " (Ecelesiastes 10. 16). The wall, then, with its gates and foundations is an integral part of the city (compare 1 Kings 16. 34); it is a part of the whole. The three gates on each of the four sides of the city, New Jerusalem, are like in arrangement to the three tribes on each side of Jehovah's dwelling in the desert; and as the names of the tribes would mark each encampment, so the gates of the city wall will have the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. To the writer this suggests more than merely the right of entrance to the city, seeing that the right of entrance is clearly indicated in the verse quoted above, and belongs to all who have washed their robes. The writer's individual mind is that the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel on these portals signify that the Old Testament saints will form part of the Holy City, New Jerusalem. In the same way it would seem that the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb on the twelve foundations signify the portion which the saints of the New Testament will have in that holy city. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah "all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." "But now they desire a better country, that is a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God: for He hath prepared for them a city" (Hebrews 11. 13, 16). The list of worthies is carried on through the patriarchs to David and Samuel and the prophets-men and women of mighty faith in the living God, of whom the world was not worthy. "And these all, having had witness borne to them through their faith, received not the promise, God having provided some better thing concerning us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect" (Hebrews 11. 39, 40). Who can doubt that "some better thing" refers to the city of verse 16; and that the city of verse 16, is the New Jerusalem?

THE BRIDE, THE WIFE OF THE LAMB.

Having been asked to accompany the angel to see the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb, John was carried to a mountain great and high and was shown "the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God; her light was like unto a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal." Earlier we have noted how professing Christendom is likened unto an impure woman, and to a city with its long list of merchandise here we seem to have the figures of a woman and of a city employed to represent those who will form that redeemed host. The Bride speaking of the eternal companion for the Son of God; and the city the place where God shall dwell with men, "and they shall be His peoples, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." The use of the plural in peoples, may be contrasted with the dispensational references to the people of God; for during the dispensations past and present God has had ONE people only, so far as earthly testimony is concerned. Being satisfied in his own mind that the treasure hid in the field, and the "one pearl of great price" (Matthew 13. 44, 45), which the Lord sold all that He had to buy, embrace more than the saints from the day of Pentecost until the rapture of the Church, the writer awaits further light in connection with the bringing together of these peoples that seem to form the Holy City, New Jerusalem. This especially in view of the language of the Ephesian epistle, for example, where the Church the Body is spoken of in ternis that answer closely to the Church the Body being the Bride, though the actual term, Bride, is not employed.

THE MARITAL RELATION A FREQUENT SIMILE.

Undoubtedly many minds are digging round this important phase of truth, and endeavouring to establish the true perspective, which requires as complete a view of all the facts revealed

as the heart and mind can acquire. We should consider, too, that in using these similitudes the blessed Holy Spirit may be doing so more in the relative sense than in the absolute. This may be clearer when we view some of the uses of the marital simile in the New Testament.

First of all there is the sense in which an individual saint is joined to Christ : "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ: that ye should be joined to another, even to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bring forth fruit unto God" (Romans 7. 4). Then we have the assembly in Corinth seen joined in this espoused relationship with Christ: "I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11. 2). Further, of the Church which is Christ's Body we read that He "gave Himself up for it; that He might sanctify it... That He might present the church to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish" (Ephesians 5. 25-27). Then, finally, we have the Holy City, New Jerusa1cm, spoken of as the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb.

The similitude, therefore, is of quite frequent use, and embracive of a variety of conditions-the individual; the local church of God; the dispensational church, the Body; and the s-till larger thing, the holy city Jerusalem, where saints from more than one dispensation are seen represented. It would seem from the words of Revelation 19. 7 that the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb, is complete at the time of the coming of the Lord as Son of Man.

THE CITY FOURSQUARE.

This wonderful foursquare City, fifteen hundred miles long, broad and high, about half the distance from Glasgow to New York, will have the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb for the Temple, and for its light and lamp. There they live and shine amidst the happy servants and worshippers who have been purchased and cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. It has been said, "This is not one of the many royal residences of the King. It is the only Capital City. There is no other place where He will have another palace after the manner of earthly kings, to which He may withdraw at times so that His servants cannot see His face as they serve." "The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be therein: and His servants shall do Him service; and they shall see His face; and His name shall be on their foreheads" (Revelation 22. 3, 4). They shall not only live with Him, but they shall reign with Him unto the ages of the ages. The Lord God and the Lamb being the Sun and Centre of the whole will take the place of eternal preeminence.

In the land of fadeless day

Lies "the city foursquare";

It shall never pass away,

And there is "no night there.

All the gates of pearl are made,

In "the city foursquare";

All the street with gold is laid,

And there is "no night there."

And the gates shall never close

To "the city foursquare,"

There life's crystal river flows,

And there is "no night there."

There they need no sunshine bright

In "the city foursquare,"

God and the Lamb are all the light,

And there is "no night there."

God shall "wipe away all tears";

There's no death, no pain, nor fears

And they count not time by years,

For there is "no night there."

Editorial Note-This article brings to a conclusion the series embraced under the title "God's Ways with Men," and, if we are not mistaken, readers of this last article will be ready, like the ruler of the feast in John 2. to say to the Lord, "Thou hast kept the good wine until now." We think it a fitting conclusion to an excellent and instructive series of articles, and we bespeak a hearty and liberal response to the publication of these articles in one volume (particulars to be announced in due time).

We may add, that in reading this last article, which deals with much that may give rise to varied thought in various readers; we were happy to note the absence of an over-confident dogmatism, and the presence of a guarded care as expressed in such sentences as "to the writer this suggests," and, "the writer's individual mind is that," and so on. It is necessary to remember always, that now "we know in part," and in reading anything which has appeared, or which may yet appear in "Needed Truth," each reader is commended to God, and to the Word of His grace, in Whom, and wherein, infallibility alone exists:-" To the law and to the testimony" must be our ever-abiding principle.

G. Prasher | Nov 1932
God's Ways With Men