Mysteries of the New Jerusalem, Part 1

Mysteries of the New Jerusalem

Part 1, “I Will Come Again”

I’m not the only person to notice the similarities between the cubic New Jerusalem and the science fiction Borg cube. There was once a web site devoted to teaching that the coming “New Jerusalem” was a threat to humanity! Apparently the spirits which inspire some of todays’ fascinating sci-fi know what’s “going down”, and “tremble” (James 2:19).

Chapter 22 Preview: Since antiquity almost the entire ancient world has believed in “going to heaven”. The notion was so prevalent that “orthodox Christianity” rather early on adopted it from the pagan world to keep the natives happy, tho not without stirring up some heated warnings from the faithful few at the time who urged them to remain true to the Scriptural teachings. The history of the “Christian” adoption of a pagan heaven is quite well explained on this outside link. Part 1 of this chapter focuses considerable attention on the scriptures from Revelation, concerning New Jerusalem, that were—and continue to be used—to justify “going to heaven”. A simple reading of these scriptures reveals that they say NOTHING of the kind! See what the scriptures do say about “New Jerusalem”! We’ll also examine many other descriptive Scriptural references about the city that get precious little press.

Whenever you go to a funeral you’ll hear snipets of Revelation chapter 21 and 22 always taken out of context and always in the present tense. Yet the various Biblical descriptions of the “heavenly city” always describe it as a place nearby but still awaiting her first earthly guests! Casting aside the baseless fabrications about going “way up there” and reading the texts for what they actually do say we’ll need to address a whole new set of questions: How can New Jerusalem be adorned as a bride? What does New Jerusalem have to do with the Wedding Supper of the Lamb? And, where is the Wedding Supper?

The Scriptures involving the mysterious “city” that John called “New Jerusalem” are quite numerous. (I later separated this chapter into two because so many of the Scriptures deal with a future use of the city by flesh and blood human beings! The sequel: New Jerusalem: A Place of Safety! Asks: Where will you be during the Great Tribulation?) This chapter simply compares the relative Scriptures with the jaded notions now extant.

Among those who know that “heaven comes to us”, rather than the other way around, there are other serious misconceptions. Many assume that New Jerusalem’s arrival is removed by a thousand years from the most joyous event to ever take place on earth! Is it worth your trouble to consider the relative scriptures?

New Jerusalem is the hope of most of the world’s 2,076,000,000 professing Christians. And since most of them somehow equate New Jerusalem with their “going to heaven”, it is quite interestingly to read that Yeshua plainly denied that cloudy notion:

John 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven. WEB

Of course, Yeshua has promised to prepare what He termed a place for His followers—but we should ask: “Do we go to our everlasting “place” or does the “place” come to us? Here is a classic “going to heaven” passage that, upon inspection, has Yeshua doing the traveling!

John 14:2-3 In My Father’s house are many ‘homes’ [dwelling places]. If it werent so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME again, and will receive you to Myself; that WHERE I AM, you may be there also. WEB

Shortly after this quote John elaborated saying that Jesus (Yeshua, off site) wanted for His followers to be where He was going to be—on this “world”.

John 17:1, 21-26 [Yeshua] said these things, and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify You .... 21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be one in Us; that the ‘world’ [note] may believe that You sent Me .... 22 The glory which You have given Me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as We are one; 23 I in them, and you in Me, that they may be perfected into one; that the ‘world’ [note] may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You loved Me. 24 Father, I desire that they also whom You have given Me be with Me WHERE I AM, [where will He be?] that they may ‘see My glory’, [the reference is only to Isaiah 66:18—on earth] which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world hasnt known You, but I knew You; and these knew that You sent Me. 26 I made known to them Your name, and will make it known; that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them. WEB

After that perhaps surprising statement, Yeshua went on to say that when He comes He wont leave our “reward” out there somewhere!

Revelation 22:12 Behold, I come quickly. My ‘reward’ [literally: wage] is with Me, to repay to each man according to his work. WEB

The following detailed description that most people consider to be the “pearly gates” of Heaven is actually describing an earth bound city which comes from “deep space heaven” to the earth’s atmosphere. If you are planning on going here when you die you may pass it on its way down!

Revelation 21:10-27 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13 On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 15 He who spoke with me had for a measure, a golden reed, to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits [an apparent tie to the 144,000], by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. 19 The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls [Imagine the size of the oysters!]. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 I saw no temple in it, [as opposed to the earthly temple of Ezekiel 40-47] for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. 23 The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 25 Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there), 26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the NATIONS into it so that they may enter. 27 There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. WEB

Notice that whole nations will be saved and walk in the light of New Jerusalem (v.24). Also note that the kings of the earth will bring people there, probably indicating the Feast Days. These nations will not be aspiring to go to a far off city deep in outer space!

Revelation 21:9-12 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb’s bride.” 10 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. WEB

Contrast that to the first time when the kings see New Jerusalem overhead.

Psalms 48:1-6 Great is [Yehovah’], and greatly to be praised, in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion, on the north sides, the city of the great King. 3 God has shown Himself in her citadels as a refuge. 4 For, behold, the kings assembled themselves, they passed by together. They saw it, then they were amazed. They were dismayed. They hurried away. 6 Trembling took hold of them there, pain, as of a woman in travail.

There are other descriptions of the city in Revelation. In two accounts the place which houses the “throne” room of God is described as a “sea of glass”.

Revelation 4:1-6 After these things I looked and saw a door opened in heaven, and the first voice that I heard, like a trumpet speaking with me, was one saying, “Come up here, and I will show you the things which must happen after this.” 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit. Behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and One sitting on the throne 3 that looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones. On the thrones were twenty-four elders sitting, dressed in white garments, with crowns of gold on their heads. 5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, and thunders. There were seven lamps of fire burning before His throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6 Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the

throne

were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. WEB

Revelation 15:1-4 I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God’s wrath is finished. 2 I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who overcame the beast, his image, and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. 3 They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God, the Almighty! Righteous and true are Your ways, You King of the nations. 4 Who wouldnt fear You, Lord, and glorify Your name? For You only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before You. For Your righteous acts have been revealed.” WEB

Dont assume that “the nations” are dead people. Zechariah also described this time when “the nations” would come and worship before God:

Zechariah 14:16 It will happen that everyone who is left [the survivors] of all the nations that came against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, [Yehovah] of Armies, and to keep the Feast of [Tabernacles]. WEB

Virtually every Sabbatarian that I talk to believes that the arrival of the New Jerusalem will be postponed until after the thousand year reign. Those who feel that New Jerusalem is in the distant future have to assume that the “sea of glass” is some strange thing that God just happens to be occupying in the mean time.

I like to think of the sea of glass as sort of like the watery window on Stargate SG1 in which people travel into other realms. Perhaps that resembles what the bottom side of New Jerusalem will look like.

Some would rather believe that the Apostle John’s description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21-22, are allegorical references to a rehabilitated earthly city, not unlike other cities that will be rebuilt:

Isaiah 61:4 They shall [re]‘build’ [01129: build or rebuild] the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. WEB

Isaiah 65:17-18 For, behold, I create New Heavens and a New Earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18 But be you glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for, behold, I CREATE Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. WEB

The word “create” is not used loosely in the Bible. It is almost always associated with the activities of God.

But John provided far too many details concerning New Jerusalem for it to simply be flowery speech about a rebuilt old ruin. Figurative words may be the spice of a spiritual meal, but they should not become the main course.

As a break from tradition, I am going to state my conclusions and suppositions concerning the many scriptures listed up front—that way you wont have to rush thru the chapter to see where it is leading.

Conclusions:

1) The New Jerusalem will be the home of God the Father, Yeshua, the Sons of God, and human visitors.

2) The New Jerusalem will arrive just prior to the Great Tribulation, engulfed by black clouds, and become visible during the Day of the Lord.

3) Its shape will be cubic, 1379 miles in diameter (12,000 X approximately 606 feet and 9 inches to a stadium) as indicated in Revelation 20:16 (or possibly pyramidal.) The immense size of the city would obliterate the Mediterranean or “Great” sea were it to “land”, but the sea will remain just as it is—except for the salt! (Ezekiel 47:10-20)

4) First visibility of New Jerusalem will astound the human kings of the earth: “As soon as THEY SAW IT, they were ASTOUNDED”. (Psalms 48:1-6)

5) The foundations of the city will perhaps literally rest on the mountain tops. It will hover over the land but not occupy the surface:

Isaiah 2:2 ... the mountain of [Yehovah’s] house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. WEB

6) There will be access from the mountains; people will literally “go up” to Zion:

Isaiah 2:3 Many peoples shall go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of [Yehovah], to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in his paths. WEB

7) There will be cities beneath the New Jerusalem; a new Earthly Jerusalem will be rebuilt, complete with States or Provinces for each of the twelve tribes of Israel at the beginning of the Everlasting Kingdom. (Ezekiel 36, especially v.33)

8) Both the Father and the Son presently live in “Jerusalem above”, the one Yeshua went to prepare. They will both continue to occupy New Jerusalem when it is relocated here.

9) Earthly Jerusalem will have a temple. Ezekiel 40-47—eight whole chapters—describe it! Yet there is no temple in New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:22-23)!

Perhaps you have heard that the happy ending part of the book of Revelation is that “we win”. Where does it talk about us winning in that “Final Chapter” of the book? Do “we win” at the end of “this present evil age” or 1000 years afterward? Revelation 1 thru 19 starts with seven mostly disappointing Assemblies (not really Churches (off site) and ends with the Beast and his armies being defeated. Chapter 20:1-3 deals with Satan. IF we were to assign Revelation 20:7 thru the end of the book to the time after the millennium, as some do, then only the three remaining verses in between, as well as Revelation 22:12-15, deals with us winning during the millennium! Even in “our first three verses”, we have to share the limelight with “the Beast”, “his image”, “his mark”, “the second death” and also “the rest of the dead” (who live after the millennium)! Here are the three left over verses, where “we win”.

Revelation 20:4-6 I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of [Yeshua], and for the word of God, and such as didnt worship THE BEAST NOR HIS IMAGE, and didnt receive THE MARK on their forehead and on their hand. They lived, and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The THE REST OF THE DEAD didnt live until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over these, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and will reign with him one thousand years. WEB

Here are the remaining verses that deal with us winning right away. But notice that the very context of this verse ties entering the gates of New Jerusalem to the time of Yeshua’s return!

Revelation 22:12-15 Behold, I come quickly. MY ‘REWARD’ [wage] IS WITH ME, to repay to each man according to his ‘work’ [or works: same word as in Revelation 20:13]. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may ENTER IN BY THE GATES INTO THE CITY. 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. WEB

New Jerusalem has its foundation in the clouds. It protects and illuminates the earthly Jerusalem and the surrounding 1,901,641 square miles (1379 X 1379).

1 Thessalonians 4:17 ... then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. WEB

Again, this location is not a temporary staging point:

John 14:3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to Myself; that where I am, you may be there also. WEB

Where will Yeshua be when He comes here? He is going to bring His very “HOUSE” or “home” or “place” and those “mansions” with Him! Continuing:

John 14:23 [Yeshua] answered him, “If a man loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and WE WILL COME TO HIM, [both Father AND Son!] and make OUR ‘HOME’ with him. WEB

The Greek word translated as both “mansions” and “home” is only found in this chapter of the Bible, both English words describe the same “place” and refer to the same time and event!

If you have believed in “going to heaven”, the best place to start reading about the “happily ever after” part of the Bible that will begin in the near future, is to carefully read Revelation Chapters 21 and 22 (in their entirety below). The other prophetic references that follow will also confirm when these things will happen by establishing the time order of these events in relation to the other end time events. The references in Ezekiel, concerning their near future timing, are seemingly not in dispute. Is God’s current home, the “old heaven” just going to “pass away”? The term “parerchomai” that is translated as “pass away” has some more interesting alternative meanings. The second renderings for “pass away” are literally: “to come near, come forward, arrive” as shown below. Interestingly, as the the old ways of doing everything ‘pass away’ (parerchomai #1), that is when the New Heaven and New Earth ‘arrive’ (parerchomai #2),

New Jerusalem will be “near ... it shall not be far off”.

Isaiah 46:12-13 Listen to Me, you stout-hearted, who are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near My righteousness, it shall not be far off, and My salvation shall not wait; and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel My glory. WEB

Revelation 21:1-9 I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth: for the First Heaven and the First Earth had “passed away” [or “arrived” or “approached” and “come near”], and the sea is no more. 2 I saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready like a bride adorned for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling [Literally: “Tabernacle”] is with people, [the near future context of this verse can be established by comparing this statement to Ezekiel 37:28 and Ezekiel 43:7 &amp 9] and he will dwell [Literally: “live in a Tabernacle”] with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. DEATH WILL BE NO MORE; [for the Saints only—Timing: First Resurrection & Restoration of Israel: 1 Corinthians 15:54-56, Isaiah 25:6-9, Hosea 13:14, Revelation 7:17] neither will there be mourning, nor crying, [Same timing—Isaiah 30:19-20] nor pain, any more. The first things have ‘passed away’” [from Strong’s 575 and 2064: has to do with both arriving and departing—Timing: Isaiah 42:9,14-16]. 5 He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making ‘all things new’.” [See The Restoration of All Things] He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.” 6 He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life. [More on this is found in Ezekiel 47:1-5] 7 He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be My son. 8 But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” [The second death is also in the near future: John 5:28-29] 9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb’s bride. WEB

Names are never added to The Book of Life, but many names are removed! The unrepentant sinner will “by no means enter” New Jerusalem. Ezekiel explained the entrance requirements to God’s sanctuary city. These gates, along with the names of the tribes, are all listed in Ezekiel 48:31-35, the context is specifically when Israel is assigned its land at the beginning of the Everlasting Kingdom.

Ezekiel 44:6-9 You shall tell the rebellious, even to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: you house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, 7 in that you have brought in foreigners, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in My sanctuary, to profane it, even My house, when you offer My bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken My covenant, to add to all your abominations. 8 You have not performed the duty of My holy things; but you have set performers of My duty in My sanctuary for yourselves. 9 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah], No foreigner, uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into My sanctuary, of any foreigners who are among the children of Israel. WEB

Actually, even today, the Father and Son live in Jerusalem!

Galatians 4:25-26 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the [physical] Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is ABOVE is free, which IS the mother of us all.

Yeshua will have had precisely 2000 years, since Passover 31 AD to prepare “a place” for “His own”. Just as God will “renew the face of the earth”, He will have renewed Jerusalem. The word “place” literally means strictly a “limited space” but figuratively it can also imply an “opportunity” or even a “room”.

Revelation 22 All: He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street [of New Jerusalem]. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. [This is expanded on in Ezekiel 47:11-12.] The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. [Compare to Ezekiel 47:12] 3 There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him. 4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. [Compare to the end time fulfillment in Isaiah 60:1-2,19-20.] They will reign forever and ever. 6 He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.” 7 “Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” 8 Now I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. When I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who had shown me these things. 9 He said to me, “See you dont do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers, the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.” 10 He said to me, “Dont seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11 He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “Behold, I come quickly. My ‘reward’ [wage] is with Me, to repay to each man according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who do His Commandments, that they may have the right to the TREE OF LIFE, and may enter in by the gates into the city. [This is where the “throne of God” [v.1] is, as well as the “tree of life”.] 15 Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 I, Yeshua, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the Assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely. [Opportunity for salvation is now being offered to all.] 18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book. [These end time plagues are not just for those who just happen to be alive at the end!]19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the HOLY CITY, which are written in this book. 20 He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Yeshua. 21 The grace of the Lord [Yeshua the Messiah] be with all the Saints (off site). Amen. WEB

Consider the following scriptures concerning the New Heavens:

Isaiah 65:17 For behold, I create New Heavens and a New Earth; and the former things shall not be remembered nor come to ‘mind’ [Strongs 03820: Possibly meaning be your “inclination”.] WEB

Isaiah 66:22 For as the New Heavens and the New Earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me,” says [Yehovah], “so your ‘seed’ [descendants] and your name shall remain”. WEB

Revelation 21:1 I saw a New ‘Heaven’ [3772: “the vaulted expanse of the sky with all things visible in it”] and a New Earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have ‘passed away’, and the sea is no more. WEB

The time frame of the New Heavens and the New Earth’s restoration is associated with the timing of the Day of the Lord:

2 Peter 3:10-13 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will ‘pass away’ with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore since all these things will ‘be destroyed’, [same word as ‘melt’] like this, what kind of people ought you to be in holy living and godliness, 12 looking for and earnestly desiring the coming of the day of God, which will cause the burning heavens to be ‘dissolved’, [also same word as ‘melt’: to loose what is compacted or built together, to break up, demolish, destroy] and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 But, according to His promise, we look for New Heavens and a New Earth, in which righteousness dwells. WEB

Elements melting is probably volcanic activity. That would account for the “great earthquake” and it would explain why “the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light”.

While the Hebrew references to “New Heavens” are plural they all refer to the same sky. This is a one time event. Isaiah Chapters 65 &amp 66 describes the seventh thousand years and probably the time beyond that. The earth will not be entirely destroyed during the Day of the Lord as some teach and there is no indication that it will be destroyed a thousand years after that. If there are to literally be “a thousand generations” then there is far more time for humankind. That phrase is always associated with the word “covenant”—but perhaps God is just kidding us.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that [Yehovah] your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations ... WEB

[Also repeated in 1 Chronicles 16:15 and Psalms 105:8]

At the time of the “New Heaven” and the “New Earth”, “ALL FLESH” will “worship before Me” (Isaiah 66:22-23). There are, of course, three heavens (Deuteronomy 10:14). The term “first” is “protos” in Greek, it means: “foremost in time, place, order of importance, best, chief”. The protos heaven—the sky—has always been a part of the earth. The second heaven is the heaven of the night sky; the stars, the planets, comets etc. The “third heaven” is God’s home. Paul called it “paradise” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) I believe it to also be the New Jerusalem. It is the “foremost heaven” that is being renovated, just as the “Earth” will be “New”; literally meaning “refreshed” or “renewed”. Earth’s atmosphere, the first heaven will be purified, and the gaseous ratios corrected, and the breath of fresh air will be great. Perhaps few would argue that earth’s heaven will be our primary immediate concern. The New heaven will replace the one that “rolled up like a scroll”.

Revelation 6:14 The sky was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places. WEB [As in Isaiah 34:4]

A cosmic catastrophe appears to accompany the Day of the Lord, and God likely has a rearrangement in mind for the heavens (Revelation 12:7-11). I strongly expect for mankind to need to colonize space in a few centuries. See: Population Bomb takes out Millennium!

It is the singular “New Heaven” that John “saw” that is of paramount concern to us. Just as the earth will be renewed so will earth’s “heaven” be renewed. However, the great news is that the third heaven, probably beyond the physical universe, will not be abandoned as space junk, it will become our new home. God has spent 2000 years preparing it for His people! It will be presented to us, along with our “New Earth”. HEAVEN COMES TO US!

Does the term New Heaven mean that God just pulled it out of a box and discarded the Styrofoam peanuts? The Greek term “kainos” (Strong’s # 2537) does mean “New” but “freshness” is the implied meaning. Strong’s indicates that another word, # 3501, is the word that has to do with newness in strict terms of age. Acts 3:19 indicates that there “may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord”. Indeed they will.

Psalms 132:13-16 For [Yehovah] has chosen Zion. He has desired it for His ‘habitation’ [house]. 14 “This is My resting place forever. Here I will live, for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 Her priests I will also clothe with salvation. Her Saints will shout aloud for joy. WEB

Isaiah 2:2-5 It shall happen in the latter days, that the mountain [“mountain” indicates the enormity] of [Yehovah’s] house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many peoples shall go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of [Yehovah], to the house of the God of Jacob; [the “house” will be accessible!] and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For out of Zion the law, shall go forth, and the word of [Yehovah] from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations, and will ‘decide’ [Hebrew implies both judging and vindicating] concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 5 House of Jacob, come, and let us walk in the light of [Yehovah]. WEB

This “Tabernacle” in the sky blocks out the light of the sun, storms and rain!

Isaiah 4:3-6 And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy—everyone who is recorded among the living in Jerusalem. 4 When the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and purged the blood of Jerusalem from her midst, by the spirit of judgment and by the spirit of burning, 5 then the Lord will create ABOVE every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and ABOVE her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For OVER all the glory there will be a COVERING. 6 And there will be a TABERNACLE for SHADE in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain. NKJV

During the Day of the Lord, the “firstborn” of Israel will “take refuge in” “Zion”. Zion will be a “refuge”, a place of “safety”, at the same time that “slaying” and “killing” is going on for her enemies. “Founded” is used here in the same way that it is used in Proverbs 3:19: “By wisdom [Yehovah] founded the earth ...”

Isaiah 14:25, 30-32 ... that I will break the Assyrian in My land, and tread him under foot on My mountains. Then his yoke will leave them, and his burden leave their shoulders ... 30 The firstborn of the poor will eat, and the needy will lie down in SAFETY; and I will kill your [Philistia’s] root with famine, and your remnant will be killed. 31 Howl, gate! Cry, city! You are melted away, Philistia, all of you; for smoke comes out of the north, and there is no straggler in his ranks. 32 What will they answer the messengers of the nation? That [Yehovah] has founded Zion, and in her the afflicted of His people WILL TAKE REFUGE. WEB

This Zion, or Jerusalem is the “house”, not the “home”.

Isaiah 33:20-21,24 Look upon ZION, the city of our appointed feasts; your eyes will see JERUSALEM, a quiet home, a TABERNACLE that will not be taken down; not one of its ‘stakes’ [or nails or pegs] will EVER be removed, nor will any of its “cords” [Literally: “a measuring line; by implication a district or inheritance: as measured”] be broken. 21 But there the majestic Lord will be for us a place [As in “I go to prepare a place”] of broad rivers and streams.” ... [As in John 7:38: “rivers of living waters”] “The people who dwell in it will be forgiven their iniquity. NKJV

Yeshua will “reward” [give compensation to] everyone—both the righteous and the wicked, at His return:

Revelation 22:11-12 He who acts unjustly, let him act unjustly still. He who is filthy, let him be filthy still. He who is righteous, let him do righteousness still. He who is holy, let him be holy still.” 12 “Behold, I come quickly. My ‘reward’ [wage] is with Me, to repay to each man [not just “good” people] according to his work. WEB

New Jerusalem will outshine the sun and the moon so that the Holy Land will not need their light. Like the stars in the daylight, they are still there, but not easily discernable. Yet there will still be New Moons visible from above the city.

Isaiah 66:23 It shall happen, that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me,” says [Yehovah]. WEB

Ezekiel 46:1 Thus says the Lord [Yehovah]: The gate of the inner court that looks toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath day it shall be opened, and on the day of the New Moon it shall be opened. WEB

In part 2 we’ll consider Isaiah’s three chapter discourse about the future of Jerusalem and God’s people Israel.

Seems to me that Isaiah 60-62 is earthly Jerusalem and Revelation 21-22 is “Jerusalem above” ... “in the clouds”!

Psalm 68:33-34 To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old! Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice. 34 Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is OVER Israel, and His strength is IN THE CLOUDS. NKJV

Now for Part 2

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