Mysteries of the New Jerusalem, Part 2

Mysteries of the New Jerusalem

Part 2, Prequel to: New Jerusalem, A Place of Safety!

Chapter 22, Part 2 Preview: (Back to Part 1) How can New Jerusalem be adorned as a bride? What does New Jerusalem have to do with the Wedding Supper of the Lamb? Is New Jerusalem’s arrival removed by a thousand years from the most joyous event to ever take place on earth? Where is the Wedding Supper? Is it worth your trouble to consider the relative scriptures? Then also read the sequel: New Jerusalem: A Place of Safety! Where Will You Be During the Great Tribulation?

The vast majority of “Bible believing churches” teach that an immense assemblage of prophetic Scriptures deal with the establishment of the nation of “Israel” in 1948. With scores of pages of earth bound prophecy conveniently relegated to the past, they can far more easily preach about people flying off to heaven when they die! Yet when you read virtually ANY of the scriptures that they quote in context it is quite easy to see that nothing resembling these prophecies has ever remotely come to pass, tho a Jewish presence in Jerusalem was prophesied for the end of THIS age. This Jewish presence, occupying a small part of what will be a much larger Kingdom of Israel in the future, in no way fulfills any of the promises concerning the Everlasting Kingdom! A quick Google search of the terms “Israel 1948 prophecy” more than adequately demonstrates how traditional Christianity “cuts and pastes” Bible prophecy. Hundreds of verses describe a coming Utopia—not in heaven—but on earth!

Notice how the other 11 tribes of Israel are totally missing from one site’s commentary:

“In Jeremiah 31:10, the prophet said that God would one day gather the Jews back to Israel and that He would watch over them like a shepherd.” (Bold mine)

But here is the context:

Jeremiah 31:27 & 31 Behold, the days come, says [Yehovah], that I will sow the house of Israel AND the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of animal .... 31 Behold, the days come, says [Yehovah], that I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel, AND with the house of Judah: WEB

Isaiah 60-62 is actually a parallel account to the Revelation 21-22 account. Israel will be abundantly blessed. Dont be tempted to force the “Church” (off site) into this prophecy. Notice all of the “YOU” and “YOUR” references; these remain focused on all 12 tribes of Israel thruout the entire narrative!

Isaiah 60: All Arise, shine; for YOUR light is come, and the glory of [Yehovah’] is risen on you. 2 For, behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the peoples; but [Yehovah] will ARISE ON YOU, and His glory shall be SEEN ON YOU. 3 Nations shall come to YOUR light, and kings to the brightness of YOUR rising. 4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see: they all gather themselves together, they come to YOU; YOUR sons shall come from far, and YOUR daughters shall be carried in the arms. 5 Then YOU shall see and be radiant, and YOUR heart shall thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to YOU, [this does not just mean that we’ll just eat fish, but, the ocean floor might be inhabited] the wealth of the nations shall come to YOU. 6 The multitude of camels shall cover YOU, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praises of [Yehovah]. 7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to YOU, the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to YOU; they shall come up with acceptance on My altar; and I will glorify the house of My glory. 8 “Who are these who fly as a cloud, and as the doves to their windows? 9 Surely the islands shall wait for Me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring YOUR sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, for the name of [Yehovah] YOUR God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because He has glorified YOU. 10 “Foreigners shall build up YOUR walls, and their kings shall minister to YOU: for in My wrath I struck YOU, but in My favor have I had mercy on YOU. 11 YOUR gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring to YOU [who managed to survive or newly selected] led captive. 12 For that nation and kingdom that will not serve YOU. 13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to YOU, the fir tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of My sanctuary; and I will make the place of My feet glorious. 14 The sons of those who afflicted YOU shall come BENDING TO; and all those who despised YOU [Israel!] shall bow themselves down at the soles of YOUR feet; and they shall call YOU The city of [Yehovah], the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. [Compare this to “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and WORSHIP BEFORE YOUR FEET, and to know that I have loved YOU.” Revelation 3:9] 15 “Whereas YOU have been forsaken and hated, [by the whole world] so that no man ‘passed through’ [possibly “would deliver”] YOU, I will make YOU an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. 16 YOU shall also suck the milk of the nations, and shall nurse from royal breasts; and YOU shall know that I, [Yehovah], am YOUR Savior, and YOUR Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 17 For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron. I will also make YOUR officers peace, and righteousness YOUR ruler. 18 Violence shall no more be heard in YOUR land, desolation nor destruction within YOUR borders; but YOU shall call YOUR walls Salvation, and YOUR gates Praise. 19 The sun shall be no more YOUR light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light to YOU: but [Yehovah] will be to you an everlasting light, and YOUR God your glory. 20 YOUR sun shall no more go down, neither shall YOUR moon withdraw itself; for [Yehovah] will be YOUR everlasting light, and the days of YOUR mourning shall be ended. 21 YOUR people also shall be all righteous; they shall INHERIT THE LAND FOREVER, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified. 22 The little one shall become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation; I, [Yehovah], will hasten it in its time. WEB

Heaven comes to us! The closing statements, particularly in regard to the sun and the moon, should prove beyond any doubt that this is describing the same New Heaven/Earth as is described in Revelation 21:23 “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.”

Chapter 61 begins with Jesus’ mission statement of Luke 4:16-20. Everything we could ever hope for in life will eventually come to earth!

Isaiah 61: All The Spirit of the Lord [Yehovah] is on Me; because [Yehovah] has anointed Me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of [Yehovah’s] favor, [the Jubilee] and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to appoint to those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of [Yehovah], that He may be glorified. [The Jubilee significance of these verses is covered in Jubilee 2027 AD] 4 THEY shall build the old wastes, THEY shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations. 5 Strangers shall stand and feed YOUR flocks, and foreigners shall be YOUR plowmen and YOUR vinedressers. 6 But YOU shall be named the priests of [Yehovah]; men will call YOU the ministers of our God: YOU will eat the wealth of the nations, and YOU will boast in their glory. 7 Instead of YOUR shame YOU shall have double; and instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be to them. 8 “For I, [Yehovah], love justice, I hate robbery with iniquity; and I will give them their recompense in truth, and I will make an everlasting [New] Covenant with THEM. 9 Their [descendants] shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the [descendants] which [Yehovah] has blessed.” 10 I will greatly rejoice in [Yehovah], My soul shall be joyful in My God; for He has clothed Me with the garments of salvation, He has covered Me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord [Yehovah] will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. WEB

This description was not of heaven, it’s describing New Jerusalem! Compare the texts.

Isaiah, because he had so much of God’s Holy Spirit, will be preeminent in the Everlasting Kingdom. He said that he was “clothed” in righteousness comparable to the elaborate clothing worn by a “Bridegroom” and a “Bride”!

Chapter 62 compares the establishment of the Kingdom of God to a wedding ceremony—which is the figurative fulfillment! Israel, the nation that God will liberate from a death sentence, will soon be called a “Holy People”, and just as a house is not a home without people in it—so Israel “shall be called Sought out, a city not forsaken”. The people of Israel will make New Jerusalem a “City”!

Continuing into Isaiah 62: All For Zion’s sake will I not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness go forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. 2 The nations shall see YOUR righteousness, and all kings YOUR glory, and YOU shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of [Yehovah] shall name. 3 YOU shall also be a crown of beauty in the hand of [Yehovah], and a royal diadem in the hand of YOUR God. 4 YOU shall no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall YOUR land any more be termed Desolate: but YOU shall be called Hephzibah, [Literally: “My delight is in her”] and YOUR land Beulah; [Literally: “married”] for [Yehovah] delights in YOU, and YOUR land shall be married. 5 For as a young man marries a virgin, so your sons shall marry YOU; [Why doesnt anyone ever talk about this marriage?] and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so YOUR God will rejoice over YOU. 6 I have set watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day nor night: YOU who call on [Yehovah], take no rest, [pray!] 7 and give Him no rest, [Dont stop “bothering” God] until He establishes, and until He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 8 [Yehovah] has sworn by His right hand, and by the arm of His strength, “Surely I will no more give YOUR grain to be food for your enemies; and foreigners shall not drink YOUR new wine, for which YOU have labored: 9 but those who have garnered it shall eat it, and praise [Yehovah]; and those who have gathered it shall drink it in the courts of My sanctuary.” 10 Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way of the people! Cast up, cast up the highway! Gather out the stones! Lift up a banner for the peoples. 11 Behold, [Yehovah] has proclaimed to the end of the earth, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your salvation comes. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.’” 12 THEY shall call them the holy people, the redeemed of [Yehovah]: and YOU shall be called Sought out, a city not forsaken. WEB

The bride will say to the rest of the world: “Come” into the “Holy City” where “the water of life” is “freely” available.

If, beginning in the latter days, YHVH (Yehovah) is going to stay “in Mount Zion” “forever”, (Zechariah 1:16) then how could one reconcile the theory that the Father (YHVH) will return, with the New Jerusalem in 1000 years, but in the mean time continue His “quarantine” by living “way out there” in New Jerusalem while at the same time “Yehovah” stays in Mount Zion—forever, as some teach?

There are two beautiful chapters in the Bible that describe the time when the “wolf will dwell with the lamb”, as well as mentioning the “lion” the “ox” the “viper” and “My holy mountain”.

Isaiah 11: All A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse, and a Branch out of his roots will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of [Yehovah] will rest on Him: the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of [Yehovah]. 3 His delight will be in the fear of [Yehovah]. He will not judge by the sight of His eyes, neither decide by the hearing of His ears; 4 but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with equity for the humble of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth; and with the breath of His lips He will kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be the belt of His waist, and faithfulness the belt of His waist. 6 The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat; the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together; and a little child will lead them. 7 The cow and the bear will graze. Their young ones will lie down together. The lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. 9 They will not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain; for the EARTH will be full of the knowledge of [Yehovah], as the waters cover the sea. 10 It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and His resting place will be glorious. WEB

THE CONTEXT HERE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: IT IS THE TIME OF THE SECOND EXODUS!

Continuing in Isaiah 11 It will happen in that day that the Lord will set His hand again THE SECOND TIME to recover the remnant that is left of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12 He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 The envy also of Ephraim will depart, and those who persecute Judah will be cut off. Ephraim wont envy Judah, and Judah wont persecute Ephraim. 14 They will fly down on the shoulders of the Philistines on the west. Together they will plunder the children of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon will obey them. 15 [Yehovah] will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with His scorching wind He will wave His hand over the River, and will split it into seven streams, and cause men to march over in sandals. 16 There will be a highway for the remnant [survivors] that is left of His people from Assyria, like there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt. WEB

Here is the second very inspiring account that describes the “Everlasting Kingdom” with those poetic yet realistic words about “The wolf and the lamb”. Notice here that the context definitely includes the “New Heavens and a New Earth” and the “New Jerusalem”! THE CONTEXT IS STILL DESCRIBING THE SECOND EXODUS!

Isaiah 65:17-25 For, behold, I create New Heavens [the entire universe may be renewed and made inhabitable] 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 [New] Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. [Jesus created New Jerusalem above, but humans will build the earthly city. People must also clean up some of their own mess and put away their toys and bury their own dead] 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; and there shall be heard in her no more the voice of weeping and the voice of crying. 20 “There shall be no more there an infant of days, [no infant mortality] nor an old man who has not filled his days; [no premature death] for the child shall die one hundred years old, and the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 They shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. 22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree shall be the days of My people, and My chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for calamity; for they are the [descendants] of the blessed of [Yehovah], and their offspring with them. [Children will be considered a blessing.] 24 It shall happen that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The WOLF and the LAMB shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox; and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all MY HOLY MOUNTAIN,” says [Yehovah]. WEB

There is no justification in the theory postponing this prophecy to a time after “the millennium”: This is within the next millennium! Isaiah Chapter 66: continues to describe this wonderful “age to come”. (Ignore Chapter break.)

Isaiah 66:1-24 Thus says the Lord: ‘Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. [Earth will continue to be the footstool, the throne is above.] Where is the HOUSE that you will build Me? And where is the PLACE of My rest? 2 For all those things My hand has made, and ALL THOSE THINGS [Already] EXIST,’ says the Lord. [Verses 3-6 establish that this is at the end of this age] .... 7 ‘Before she was in labor, she gave birth; before her pain came, she delivered a male child. 8 Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall the earth be made to give birth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? [The answer is yes!] For as soon as Zion was in labor, she gave birth to her children. 9 Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?’ says the Lord. ‘Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?’ says your God. 10 ‘Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her; rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn for her; 11 that you may feed and be satisfied with the consolation of her bosom, that you may drink deeply and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.’ 12 For thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream. Then you shall feed; on her sides shall you be carried, and be dandled on her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.’ 14 When you see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord shall be known to His servants, and His indignation to His enemies. 15 For behold, the Lord will come [“second coming”] with fire and with His chariots, like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire and by His sword the Lord will judge all flesh; and the slain of the Lord shall be many. [Day of the Lord] 17 ‘Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves, to go to the gardens after an idol in the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, shall be consumed together,’ says the Lord. 18 ‘For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather ALL NATIONS and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. 19 I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the [Nations]. 20 Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My Holy Mountain Jerusalem,’ says the Lord, ‘as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. [This happened in 1948, right?] 21 And I will also take some of them for priests and Levites,’ says the Lord. 22 ‘For as the New Heavens and the New Earth which I will make shall remain before Me,’ says the Lord, ‘So shall your DESCENDANTS [This is just the beginning!] and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass that from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh shall come to worship before Me,’ says the Lord. [Sabbath assembly will be a mandatory blessing.] 24 ‘And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

Zechariah 1:14-17 So the angel who talked with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says [Yehovah] of Armies: “I am jealous for Jerusalem AND FOR Zion with a great jealousy. 15 I am very angry with the nations that are at ease; for I was but a little displeased, but they added to the calamity.” 16 Therefore thus says [Yehovah]: “I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy. My ‘house’ [the third temple] shall be built in it,” says [Yehovah] of Armies, “and a line shall be stretched forth over Jerusalem.”’ [This correlates with Revelation 21:15-16—measuring New Jerusalem.] 17 “Proclaim further, saying, ‘Thus says [Yehovah] of Armies: “My cities will again overflow with prosperity, and [Yehovah] will again comfort Zion, AND will again choose Jerusalem.” WEB

Zechariah 2 ALL I lifted up my eyes, and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 Then I asked, “Where are you going?” He said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its breadth and what is its length.” [This also parallels Revelation 21:15-16.] 3 Behold, the angel who talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him, 4 and said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying, ‘Jerusalem will be inhabited as villages without walls, [but New Jerusalem has walls—this parallels Ezekiel 38:11] because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. 5 For I,’ says [Yehovah], ‘will be to her a wall of fire around it, and I will be the glory in the midst of her. [The Father will be here too.] 6 Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,’ says [Yehovah]; ‘for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the sky,’ says [Yehovah]. 7 ‘Come, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.’ [the Second Exodus] 8 For thus says [Yehovah] of Armies: ‘For honor He has sent Me to the nations which plundered you; for He who touches you touches the apple of His eye. 9 For, behold, I will shake My hand over them, and they will be a spoil to those who served them; and you will know that [YEHOVAH] of Armies has sent ME [“Jesus” was speaking to Zechariah]. 10 Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion; for, behold, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of you,’ says [Yehovah]. 11 Many nations shall join themselves to [Yehovah] in that day, [many other nations as in Hosea 2:23] and shall be My people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that [Yehovah] of Armies has sent Me to you. 12 [Yehovah] will inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land, and will again choose Jerusalem. 13 Be silent, all flesh, before [Yehovah]; for He has roused Himself from His holy habitation! WEB

Will You Be Caught Sleeping?

1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 For you yourselves know well that the Day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. 3 For when they are saying, “Peace and safety,” then sudden destruction will come on them, like birth pains on a pregnant woman; and they will in no way escape. 4 But you, brothers, arent in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief .... 6 Therefore, let us not SLEEP, as others do .... WEB

I do not believe that this awesome sight described below, which all of humanity will be able to see, is a vision of the third heaven, rather I believe that it has to do with being able to actually see what is taking place in the heaven above the earth, in our “sky”. This text concerns the sixth seal.

Revelation 6:12-17 I saw when He opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth made of hair, and the whole moon became as blood. 13 The stars of the sky fell to the earth, like a fig tree dropping its unripe figs when it is shaken by a great wind. 14 The SKY was removed like a scroll when it is rolled up. Every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 The kings of the earth, the princes, the commanding officers, the rich, the strong, and every slave and free person, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains. 16 They told the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of His wrath has come; and who is able to stand? WEB

The very next paragraph (Revelation 7:1-8) concerns the sealing of the 144,000. How much of this can the people on earth see? John’s perspective of this event is from the vantage point of being able to view both the “earth” and the “sky”!

1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God [the Father: Strong’s 2316 theos (theh’-os)] will bring with Him [when They come] those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the‘coming’* of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord [Jesus—Strong’s 2962, kurios] Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, 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. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

There are many accounts from Genesis to Revelation of the one who became known as Jesus visiting the earth but the focal “coming” is when Jesus comes to make a permanent presence here with His Father.

Altho there are few details given here about the gathering “in the air”, we do know, from these verses, that a very fantastic gathering takes place for the best resurrection and that it takes place in the earth’s atmosphere! It wont take place in thin air tho. I believe that this is where New Jerusalem will be—a permanent “spaceport”!

When Jesus and the Father arrive, dont be among those who will say: “Jesus, I’m so glad that You are here, but who is that other shiny guy and what is this enormous cube?”

David’s New House in the New Promised Land! (map link from Brit-Am)

Here is a prophecy given to Nathan the prophet to relay to King David. David was considering building a house for God, but on the contrary, God said that He would make David a house to occupy after his death! David was somewhat perplexed at this prophecy because Israel was in its heyday. Israel was already occupying the Promised Land and God had already “cut off all your enemies”, yet this prophecy says that 1) “I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them”. This place would be Israel’s final destination. 2) Israel was already at peace, but God promised that: “I will cause you to rest from all your enemies”. And 3) God said that He “will make you [David] “a house” for him to live in some time after his death:

2 Samuel 7:4-17 It happened the same night, that the word of [Yehovah] came to Nathan, saying, 5 “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says [Yehovah], “Shall you build Me a house for Me to dwell in? 6 For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?’”’ 8 Now therefore you shall tell My servant David this, ‘Thus says [Yehovah] of Armies, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over My people, over Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 10 I will appoint a PLACE for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as at the first, 11 and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover [Yehovah] tells you that [Yehovah] will make you a HOUSE. 12 When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your [descendants] after you, who shall proceed out of your bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He [Solomon] shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His ‘kingdom’ [dynasty] forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; 15 but My loving kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”’” 17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. WEB

This should sound very reminiscent to what Jesus said. There will be a New Heavens, a New Earth, a New Jerusalem, and also a New “House” in the New “Place”!

John 14:2-3 In My Father’s House are many homes. 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

*Strongs 2064 1a2) to appear, make one’s appearance, come before the public

This is no secret rapture!

It is apparent that David has still not received his “house” but he will get it in the resurrection of the just.

Acts 2:29, 34-35 Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day ... 34 For David didnt ascend into the heavens, but he says himself, ‘The Lord said to My Lord, “Sit by My right hand, 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. WEB

Jacob’s Awesome Ladder (off site)

Is the account of Jacob’s Ladder only a cute little story that you tell children about or is there something far more intriguing about it? Why is it that Jacob’s dream is viewed as a second rate dream? Let’s read this short account of the dream:

Genesis 28:10-19 Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. 11 He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep. 12 He dreamed. Behold, a‘stairway’ [most other versions use the traditional but poor rendering “ladder”{1}] set upon the earth, and its top reached to heaven. Behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 13 Behold, [Yehovah] stood above it, and said, “I am [Yehovah], the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land whereon you lie, to you will I give it, and to your [descendants]. 14 Your [descendants] will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your [descendants] will all the families of the earth be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you, until I have done that which I have spoken of to you.” 16 Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, “Surely [Yehovah] is in this place, and I didnt know it.” 17 He was afraid, and said, “How [awesome {2}] is this place! This is none other than GOD’S HOUSE, and this is the GATE of heaven.” 18 Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on its top. 19 He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first. WEB

{1}The word “ladder” only occurs once in the Bible. The root word that it is taken from literally means: A “highway” or “way”. Notice that when Jacob was awake he said: “This is none other than the HOUSE OF GOD, and this is the GATE of heaven!” Could it be that Jacob actually saw, in a vision, a “highway” to New Jerusalem, “established on the TOP of the mountains?” Perhaps Bethel, being about 10 miles from Jerusalem would be a great place to begin an incline that would reach “the TOP of the mountains” above Jerusalem.

{2}Strongs 3372 using the Niphal verb stem: 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe.

Micah 4:1-2 But in the latter days, it will happen that the mountain of [Yehovah’s] [house{1}] will be established on the TOP of the mountains, and it will be exalted above the hills; and peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will go and say, “Come, and let us go go up to the mountain of [Yehovah], and to the HOUSE OF the GOD of JACOB; [as mentioned in Jacob’s dream!] and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths. For out of Zion will go forth ‘the law’, [the Torah] and the word of [Yehovah] from Jerusalem .... WEB [For emphasis, God inspired Isaiah to repeat these exact words in Isaiah 2:2-3!]

{1}Strong’s 01004: same as in verse 2 where they used the correct word

Jesus also mentioned a “gate” and a “way which leads to life”. Why could this not be both a literal and a figurative reference to Jacob’s “Gate of Heaven”?

Matthew 7:13-14 Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. 14 How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.

So,“Seek and you will find it!”

The following verse makes perfect sense only if an absurd but very common mistranslation is corrected. The primary meaning of the Greek word “epi” is translated in this verse as “upon”. Yet it also can mean “before” or “by” which makes sense here. I cant really see Jesus saying: “Who wants the next piggy back ride to heaven?”

John 1:51 He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending [before] the Son of Man. WEB

Even the footnotes in my Nelson Study Bible comes close to being literal about this verse where it says:

“Jacob had a vision of angels ascending and descending a ladder from heaven (Gen.28:12). The thought here is similar, namely that there will be communication between heaven and earth.”

There will be far more than “communication”!

(As a side note—why would there not be literal “gates of hell” [Matthew 16:18 KJV] leading to the lake of fire?)

Look at the significance of the word “gate” in Greek—it is not a barnyard gate; rather it is a very impressive gate. Also the word “enter” in Greek denotes a passageway, both entering and exiting a house or a city. It is not a one way street. Furthermore “way” is primarily a literal reference to a road but it also is used figuratively of a course of action leading to a spiritual destination. Have it both ways!

Jacob named the place of his dream Bethel, which means: the “House of God”. The things that Jacob said about this place were not soon forgotten. Notice what Easton’s Revised Bible dictionary has to say about Bethel:

“A place in Central Palestine, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem, at the head of the pass of Michmash and Ai. It was originally the royal Canaanite city of Luz #Ge 28:19 The name Bethel was at first apparently given to the sanctuary in the neighbourhood of Luz, and was not given to the city itself till after its conquest by the tribe of Ephraim. When Abram entered Canaan he formed his second encampment between Bethel and Hai #Ge 12:8 and on his return from Egypt he came back to it, and again “called upon the name of the Lord“ #Ge 13:4 Here Jacob, on his way from Beersheba to Haran, had a vision of the angels of God ascending and descending on the ladder whose top reached unto heaven #Ge 28:10-19 and on his return he again visited this place, “where God talked with him” #Ge 35:1-15 and there he “built an altar, and called the place El-beth-el“ (q.v.). To this second occasion of God’s speaking with Jacob at Bethel, #Ho 12:4,5 makes reference. In troublous times the people went to Bethel to ask counsel of God #Jud 20:18,31 21:2 Here the ark of the covenant was kept for a long time under the care of Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron #Jud 20:26-28 Here also Samuel held in rotation his court of justice #1Sa 7:16 It was included in Israel after the kingdom was divided, and it became one of the seats of the worship of the golden calf #1 Ki 12:28-33 13:1 Hence the prophet Hosea #Ho 4:15 5:8 10:5,8 calls it in contempt Beth-aven, i.e., “house of idols.” Bethel remained an abode of priests even after the kingdom of Israel was desolated by the king of Assyria #2 Ki 17:28,29 At length all traces of the idolatries were extirpated by Josiah, king of Judah #2 Ki 23:15-18 and the place was still in existence after the Captivity #Ezr 2:28 Ne 7:32 It has been identified with the ruins of Beitin, a small village amid extensive ruins some 9 miles south of Shiloh.”

To add even more credibility to this “children’s story”, compare what God told Abraham with what He told to Jacob:

Genesis 13:14-16 [Yehovah] said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land which you see, I will give to you, and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then your [descendants] may also be numbered. WEB

Genesis 28:12-14 He [Jacob] dreamed. Behold, a stairway ... “I am [Yehovah], the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land whereon you lie, to you will I give it, and to your [descendants]. 14 Your [descendants] will be as the dust of the earth, and you will spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. In you and in your [descendants] will all the families of the earth be blessed. WEB

These declarations both took place at Bethel! Abraham visited Bethel on more than one occasion. (Genesis 12:8, 13:4). He journeyed there while traveling to Mesopotamia and Egypt. The promise “In you and in your [descendants] will all the families of the earth be blessed”—was given to both Abraham (Genesis 12:3) and Isaac (Genesis 26:4), and now to Jacob!

I tried to see if anyone on the net had considered that this dream might have some literal fulfillment, and I didnt find anything, but I did find similar information to the following quotation from several sources:

“The Jacob’s ladder is one of the most ancient and famous of folk toys. Legend has it that one was found in King Tut’s tomb, which means these fascinating toys were played with in Egypt before 1352 BC, when the young king died (at about 18 years old). It’s amazing to me that this humble folk toy would have been included among Tutankhamen’s most significant effects, along with brilliant jewelry, amulets, masks of pure gold, prized objects d’art, a solid gold coffin, statues, furniture, and even a full-sized chariot.”

“Jacob’s ladders, named for the biblical Jacob who saw a ladder leading from earth to heaven in a vision, have shown up all over the world. Like the spinning top, the Jacob’s ladder seems to be universal, appearing at widely divergent world locations with no apparent historical connectedness.”

The following personified reference to “Zion” and “Jerusalem” being promised “her” “reward”, when it is compared to the above reference, further establishes the timing of the end time events of the last two chapters of the Bible, concerning the New Jerusalem.

Isaiah 40:2, 9-11 Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of [Yehovah’s] hand double for all her sins” .... 9 You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up. Dont be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your God!” 10 Behold, the Lord [Yehovah] will COME as a mighty one, and His arm will rule for Him. Behold, His ‘reward’ [Strong’s 07939: wages] is with Him, and His ‘recompense’ [Strong’s 06468 money or wages] before Him. 11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in His arm, and carry them in His bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young. WEB

Here is another reference to Jerusalem being compared to a woman, perchance a bride, in “beautiful garments”. Similar to Revelation 21:2, the context is just as the “captive daughter” is departing from her captors. I believe that the “watchmen”, in this context, are the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11.

Isaiah 52:1-2, 7-12 Awake, awake, put on your strength, Zion; put on your beautiful garments, Jerusalem, the holy city [Compares to Revelation 22:2]: for henceforth there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. 2 Shake yourself from the dust; arise, sit on your throne, Jerusalem: loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, captive daughter of Zion. [Compares to Revelation 21:27 “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”] .... 7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” 8 The voice of your watchmen! [possibly the Two Witnesses] they lift up the voice, together do they sing; for they shall see eye to eye [they previously had disagreements], when [Yehovah] returns to Zion. 9 Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for [Yehovah] has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. 10 [Yehovah] has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 11 Depart, depart, go out from there, touch no unclean thing! Go out of the midst of her! Cleanse yourselves, you who bear the vessels of [Yehovah]* .12 For you shall not go out in haste, neither shall you go by flight: for [Yehovah] will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. WEB

[*The vessels of Yehovah are those hidden by Jeremiah just prior to the destruction of the second temple which I believe will be found and used in the third temple.]

Revelation 14 describes the 144,000 “firstfruits” “standing on Mount Zion” (v.1-5) while the “beast” is on his last legs (v.9-11)

Yet other “Saints” will be martyred:

Revelation 14:12-14 Here is the patience of the Saints, those who keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” 13 I heard the voice from heaven saying, “Write, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.” 14 I looked, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud One sitting like [the] Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. WEB

[Note that John, who had known Jesus quite well in the flesh, did not want to commit to calling the one on the cloud “Son of Man”. His glorified form had changed since he saw Him even after His resurrection. John did not want to chance calling an angel Jesus so he said “like” as a precaution. John used the word “like” 54 times in Revelation because he was frequently uncertain about what he was witnessing—it was so astonishing. Ironically by 19:8 he messed up and bowed to an angel!]

We have hope in the dawn of the age to come:

Psalm 46:2-5 Therefore we wont be afraid, though the earth ‘changes’ [Strong’s 04171: change or exchange (not “be removed” as in other versions)] though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas; 3 though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah. 4 There is a river, the streams of which make the City of God glad, the holy place of the tents of the Most High. 5 God is in her midst. She shall not be moved. God will help her at dawn. WEB

The Sequel is: New Jerusalem, a Place of Safety!—Where Will You Be During the Great Tribulation?

Unmarked scriptures are from the “New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.” “Bible text from the New King James Version® is not to be reproduced in copies or otherwise by any means except as permitted in writing by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Attn: Bible Rights and Permissions, P.O. Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214-1000.”

Part 3 (Will be): Is New Jerusalem a Borg Cube?