And this is a really interesting chapter along with chapter 22. These are the last two chapters of the book of Revelation. But this is all about a new beginning without an ending. The final judgment of Gog and Magog will bring an end to the world as we know it right now and usher in a brand new heaven and earth. The new heaven and new earth will mark the beginning of a new age in creation. It will be established in righteousness and perfection. And for that reason, it will be ageless and never ending. There will be nothing in it that can corrupt it. Because of its perfection and sinlessness, it will continue through eternity. In the seven, In seven dispensations on earth, the angelic age, the pre-flood age of man on earth, the post-flood to Babel age, the Abraham to Old Covenant age, the New Covenant age, the seven years of tribulation, and the millennial age, the presence of sin has made the permanence of those dispensations on earth impossible. Every age has ended in destruction, followed by a new beginning. However, there will be a final eighth disposition, dispensation. called the new heaven and the new earth, which will last forever. There will be no sin in the new heaven and new earth. There will be no corruption, no collapse, and there will never be need for another new beginning. The new heaven and new earth age will be the final age that will be sin free and never ending. In this context, John is shown the Lamb's Bride, New Jerusalem, adorned for her husband. She will descend from heaven onto Mount Zion as the New Jerusalem, a city shining with the glory of God. And in the city, among the myriads of glorified and joyful saints and angels, those in covenant with Christ will reside to provide administrative care throughout the city. Revelation chapter 21 is the revelation of God's promised kingdom that has been prophesied since the foundation of the world. It portrays the hope that all who trust in Jesus are looking for. In Revelation chapter 21, verses one through four, John describes seeing the new heaven and earth and the new Jerusalem saying, And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain, for the former things are passed away. The new heaven and earth will replace the old heaven and earth. The old has been corrupted by sin and polluted by evil's presence. Romans chapter 8, verses 21 and 22 say, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. The creature refers to that which is created. It too will be brand new, which is only fitting for the new born again saints. The new earth will be very different from the current one. In fact, there will be no sea. The oceans currently cover 71% of the earth's surface. Imagine how different a world would be without oceans. In the new heaven and earth, every corruption of sin and creation will be eliminated with the total obliteration of the current heaven and earth. This annihilation is described in 1 Peter 3, verses 10-13, which says, But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens, being on fire, shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless, we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." According to this verse, the obliteration of the old creation is so thorough, even the elements, the most basic building blocks of creation will melt down. Nothing will remain of it. The new heaven and new earth will be completely new, built from scratch with new elements. Nothing of the old will remain. Though all things begin anew, God is obviously accepted, He is unchanging and the same from eternity past to eternity future. There's nothing to change about God. He is the one who must change the corrupted and anything that will last for eternity must be changed and perfected by God. Hebrews 1, verses 11 and 12, compares the old creation with Christ saying, they shall perish, but thou remainest, and they all shall wax old as death of garment. And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed, but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. being completely new, the new heaven and new earth will be different from the one we know. Though the new heaven and earth will be brand new and different, God will always be the same with the same intention and promise he had from the beginning. Humanity will be placed in a new Garden of Eden with the same blessings. Namely, every need will be fulfilled and blessings will be abundant. God's plan was to create man and bless him. Genesis chapter 2 shows what God intended for man to enjoy. Genesis chapter 3 shows how man chose his way rather than God's. The rest of the Bible depicts God's gracious and patient efforts to win man back to the Garden of Paradise. Revelation chapter 21 reveals the promised restoration fulfilled. Unlike the first Garden of Eden, the new Garden is without sin, evil, and the vulnerability of human nature. The new Eden will be perfect in every way and protected from corruption. Perfected humanity, born again and brand new, will live in the perfect Kingdom of God. Isaiah chapter 65 verses 17 through 25 describes some scenes that may give an inkling of the new heaven and earth, saying, For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. but be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create. For behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem and joy in my people. And the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days. For the child shall die an hundred years old, but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses and inhabit them. And they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build and another inhabit. They shall not plant and another eat. For as the days of a tree are, the days of my people. And mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth for trouble. For they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer. And while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock, and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord. The elimination of sin leads to the elimination of suffering, misery, and death. Establishing a perfect world establishes a peaceful and blessed world. Violence and tragedy, natural or intentional, will no longer be a part of human experience. With the statement that the child shall die a hundred years old but the sinner being a hundred years old shall be accursed, the scriptures include the millennial reign as a precursor to the new creation of heaven and earth. This inclusion is due to the millennial reign marking the new beginning of all kingdoms being united under the kingdom of Christ. Revelation chapter 11 verse 15 makes this announcement with the final judgment of Satan's kingdom saying, and the seventh angel sounded and there were great voices in heaven saying, the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign forever and ever. The final judgment of Satan's kingdom marks the beginning of a new kingdom on earth that will last forever. There's no death in the new heaven and earth, but during the millennial reign on earth, there will be death due to the presence of a sinful population. Sorrow and death will be rare with King Jesus ruling the world, but a mortal population of humanity will be subject to the experiences and frailties associated with sinful human nature. Where there's sin, there is sorrow and death. And though a world ruled by King Jesus minimizes the experience of pain and sorrow, it cannot be avoided where there is sin. Nonetheless, the millennial reign is vastly different from now. And under the rule of Christ and with the presence of angels and glorified saints, righteousness and peace will be the norm. There will be safety and security. The millennial reign will be a new experience and a foreshadowing of the perfect new heaven and earth to follow. The similarities between the millennial reign and the new heaven and earth are due to Jesus ruling as king. Their differences are due to the presence of sin in the world during the millennial years. During the millennial reign, Christ will give the current heaven and earth a new beginning with him on the throne in Mount Zion. Thus the statement in Isaiah 65 verse 17 that God is creating a new heaven and new earth must be understood as beginning with Him gaining personal control and oversight over the current heaven and earth, after which He will obliterate it and create a new heaven and a new earth. Unlike the millennial years, a new heaven and new earth will be free of sin, and therefore there will be no sorrow, pain, or death. The new heaven and new earth will be the fulfillment of the plan God has always intended for man in the Garden of Eden. There will be no sin. There will only be peace and tranquility. With the removal of sin, there will be no tears, no sorrows, and no death. Revelation chapter 21, verses 5 through 8 say, And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write, for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But the fearful and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars shall have their part. in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. With the creation of the new heaven and earth, the long-awaited promise of eternal peace will begin. It is done, is the divine proclamation that there is nothing more to do and wait for. While on the cross, Jesus was separated from his father and paid for our sins. John 19 verse 30 explains, when Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, it is finished. And he bowed his head and gave up the ghost. When he paid for the debt of sins in full, there was nothing more to do. He said, it is finished. When the final judgment of trumpets and vials takes place, Revelation chapter 16 verse 17 reveals, and the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air. And there came a voice out of the temple, a great voice out of the temple of heaven from the throne saying, it is done. This judgment will bring a conclusion to Satan's kingdom on earth. when referring to the battle with Gog and Magog, God said in Ezekiel 39 verse 8, Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord God. This is the day whereof I have spoken. This judgment will be the last of all battles between good and evil. From this point forward into eternity, sin and evil will no longer be present in God's kingdom. Righteousness and peace will continue forever. After this point, things needing to change and to be completed will have occurred. There will be nothing left to do. and it will be the end of corruption and the beginning of permanent perfection." Astoundingly, the grace of God does not end with His gracious gift of salvation. He adds to this gift an inheritance. And this inheritance is of all things. God's magnanimous love is shown by His grace in salvation, and by His grace to give those who are saved possession of everything, everything He has created. For an infinite God, there's no limit to His grace and His gifts. Inheritance begins with being born again into the family of God. In John 3, verse 3, Jesus told a Pharisee named Nicodemus, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. To enter the new heaven and new earth, we must also be made new. perfectly new. 1 Peter 1 verse 23 explains, being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever. Being born of incorruptible seed requires two essential things. First, being born of God who is perfect and incorruptible, and second, being born to be incorruptible. When we're born for the first time, we're born with the sin nature of Adam. This is what Peter refers to as being born of corruptible seed. When we're born again, we're born of God's incorruptible seed. He's the only one who can provide the incorruptible seed. To enter the new heaven and earth, we must be perfect and sinless. This is impossible for us to do. Or I ought to put it this way. This is impossible for us to do. We cannot make ourselves perfect and sinless. So God must do this for us. 2 Corinthians 5.17 states, Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new. Verse 21, explains that the Father made Christ sin for us, but despite this He did not sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. If God doesn't make us righteous, if God doesn't make us as righteous as He is, He would never qualify. We would never qualify to enter the perfect and sinless new heaven and earth. Being born again is miraculous and gracious. When we're born of God, we become children of God with His righteousness, which means being sinless. 1 John 3, verse 9 explains, Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, for his seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. The part of us that is born again cannot sin. This means inwardly, spiritually, we cannot sin. It is our inward spirit that is born again. Our outward body of flesh is not born again and continues in sin. Having a sinless spirit and a sinful body creates a conflict that confuses people. Paul describes this conflict between the outward and inward natures in Romans chapter 7, verses 16 through 18. If then I do that which I would not, I consent under the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. For the will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I find not. Paul described the conflict between his physical body and his inward spirit that he and all Christians experience. Then in verses 21 and 22, he wrote, I find then a law that when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man. Because of the body, Paul said evil would always be present with him, regardless of the good he did. Similarly, and more importantly, the inward spirit would always do good, regardless of what the body did. For this reason, once you are saved, you will always be saved. If your spirit cannot sin, your spirit cannot die. And being made righteous, it's qualified to enter the new heaven and earth. The body, on the other hand, will not go to heaven. It will die and decompose into the dust of the earth. Nonetheless, Romans 8, verse 23 states, we are waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Just as we are born again and changed spiritually, we will be changed physically. 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verses 35 through 38 explains the resurrection of the physical body. Verse 42 says, so also is the resurrection of the body. It is sown in corruption. It is raised in incorruption. The body must be made brand new. with incorruptible righteousness in order to qualify to enter into heaven. Verse 50 emphasizes this point, saying, Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. And, verse 52 states, this miraculous change will occur In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed. Being born of God makes a person an heir of God. Romans 8, 16 through 17 states, the spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. If so be that we suffer with him, that we may also, that we may be also glorified together. It's astonishing that God would make us heirs. We don't deserve the gift of salvation and much less an inheritance. And if this were not astounding enough, God not only makes us heirs, but he makes us joint heirs with Jesus. It's being made joint heirs with Jesus that makes us heirs to all things. To be joined heirs with Christ literally means we are heirs of all things created. Colossians chapter 1 verse 16 explains how all things were made for Christ. It says, for by Him were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible. visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers, all things were created by him and for him. So then, being a joint heir with Christ entitles us, by birthright, to inherit all things he possesses. That's amazing grace. Salvation, new birth, and inheritance are undeserved miracles and gifts from God. Sadly, many prefer their own way. They don't want the righteousness and the way of God. They prefer their sins and God will oblige them. However, he warns of the consequences of their choices. He warns them, but they still will not heed his invitation. Why is that? They simply do not like His way, and their end will be in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone. This will be the existence of misery forever. In Ezekiel 33, verse 11, God expresses His feelings about those who reject Him and His gift. It says, say unto them, as I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye die, O house of Israel? God is saddened, infinitely saddened by the choices and the end of the unrepentant. Will he be pleased with your choice? The crucial question we must all answer is whether we will overcome sin or be overcome by it. To overcome sin, 1 John 2, verse 14 explains, I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him, that is, from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. What makes it possible for us to overcome the wicked one? Well, 1 John chapter 4, 4 declares, Because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world. Because of the work God does in us to perfect us with a new birth experience, Satan is unable to rob us of our salvation and our inheritance. 1 John 5, verse 4 explains, And this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Being born of God protects us from being overcome and condemned by sin. By being born again of God, we receive eternal life, which means we establish a never-ending relationship with God. How does one experience being born again? Revelation 12, verse 11 declares, and they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death." In other words, those who trust in Christ's work, His life, and His death, and His resurrection, and His promise will be saved. Romans chapter 10, verses nine through 10, explain that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has 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. Those who believe in Christ trust Him to save them. They confess their devotion to Him as their Lord, God, and Savior. They believe that He truly loves them without reservation and has done everything necessary to save their souls from death to resurrection. They understand that there is nothing they need to do or could do but allow Him to save their souls. The feature attraction in the new heaven and earth presented in Revelation chapter 21 is the New Jerusalem, which is called the Lamb's Wife. John describes the bride, the city, in Revelation chapter 21, verses 9 through 21. And it says, And there came unto me one of the seven angels, which had the seven vials, full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, and I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. having the glory of God, and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal, and had a great wall and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof and the wall thereof. In the city lieth four square, the length is as large as the breadth, and he measured the city with the reed, 12,000 furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, 140 and four cubits, according to the measure of a man. that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper, and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. and the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second, sapphire, the third, chalcedony, the fourth, an emerald, the fifth, sardonyx, the sixth, sardius, the seventh, chrysolite, the eighth, beryl, the ninth, topaz, the 10th, a chryso... The 10th, a chryso... Chrysopressus, the 11th adjacent, the 12th an amethyst. And the 12 gates were 12 pearls. Every several gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. The spectacular appearance of the city is the highlight of Revelation chapter 21. The city boundaries measure approximately 1,500 miles wide, 1,500 miles long, and 1,500 miles high. All three lengths are equal, which is a perfect representation of the equality of the Trinity. 1,500 miles is the distance from Los Angeles to Dallas, Texas. This is about half the distance from Los Angeles to New York City. The New Jerusalem is a big city. 780 miles to the west of Jerusalem, Israel, is the distance to Athens, Greece. To the northeast, 546 miles away, is Babylon in Iraq. And Tehran Iran is 968 miles. To the north, Moscow, Russia is about 1,600 miles. To put the 1,500 mile height of the city in perspective, the highest mountain in the world is Mount Everest. Whereas New Jerusalem will be 1,500 miles high, Mount Everest rises above the sea 29,000 feet, which is about five and a half miles. The tallest mountain in the world is Mount Akia in Hawaii, measuring a little over 33,000 feet from its base under the ocean up to the highest peak, which is about 6.3 miles tall. These mountains, as impressive as they are in our world, are barely bumps compared to the New Jerusalem. From the center of the earth to the north pole, the radius of the earth is about 3,900 miles. The height of the mountain of God would be an additional 1,500 miles on the current earth for a total of 5,450 miles from the center of the earth. The earth exosphere, the outermost atmosphere of the earth, is a mere 250 to 435 miles from the surface of the Earth. Some low-orbiting satellites are flown at 1,500 miles above the Earth. As for the shape of the city, some have proposed that it's a big cube. Others think it's a pyramid. But the simpler explanation described in the Bible is that of a mountain. Currently, Jerusalem sits on Mount Zion, and the prophets have written that the Lord will return and establish his throne in Jerusalem in Mount Zion. Micah 4, verses 1-7 says, But in the last days it shall come to pass that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills, and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of God of Jacob. And he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. For the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. And they shall sit every man under his own, under his vine and under his fig tree, and none shall make them afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken it. For all people will walk, every one in the name of his God, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. In that day, saith the Lord, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out. and her that I have afflicted, and I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation, and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth even forever. Isaiah chapter two, verses one through five say, the word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem, and it shall come to pass in the last days that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains. And he shall be exalted above the hills and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, come ye and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Israel. to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. and ye shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people, and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye and let us walk in the light of the Lord. In the light of the Lord. Zechariah chapter 8 verse 3 says, Thus saith the Lord God, I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. It's clear from the prophet's writings that the Lord will establish His throne in Jerusalem on Mount Zion. Micah chapter 4 verse 7 declares that the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from henceforth even forever. In Revelation chapter 21 verse 10, John says of the angel showing him the new Jerusalem in the new heaven and earth, and he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain. and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. In light of these scriptural descriptions, it's reasonable to think of New Jerusalem settled on a new Mount Zion. God's throne will be at the top of the mountain from which the river of life will flow down the mountain and throughout the world. The new heaven and new earth will be very different in shape and size than we know it today. The wall surrounding all four sides of the new Jerusalem city is 216 feet tall. This is two-thirds the distance of a football field standing up. The Great Wall of China measures an average height of 46 feet. the Harkness Tower located at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, rises to a comparable height of 216 feet. John describes the materials, the gates, and the foundation of the wall. According to Revelation 21, verse 11, the wall will be made with jasper stone, clear as crystal. There will be 12 gates in total in the walls, three on each side. At each gate, there will be an angel posted to welcome travelers. Each of the 12 gates will be made from a single pearl. Each gate will have a name of one of the 12 tribes of Israel. Twelve angels stand at each of the twelve pearly gates to greet all those entering the city, shining with the light of God's glory. These twelve angels are not guarding the gates because there's nothing to guard. There's no sin in heaven. These angels are welcoming and greeting people into the city. Ezekiel chapter 48 verses 31 through 34 described a vision of the arrangement of the named gates saying, and the gates of the city shall be after the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. Three gates northward, one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, and one gate of Levi. And at the east side, 4,503 gates, and at the east side 4,500, and three gates, and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan. And at the south side 4,500 measures, and three gates, one gate of Simeon, one gate of Iscar, one gate of Zebulon. At the west side, 4,500 with their three gates, one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali. The wall will also be resting on 12 foundations. Each of the foundations will be associated with one of the 12 apostles and will be made of a different precious stone. The first foundation was Jasper. The second, Sapphire. The third, Chalcedony. The fourth, an Emerald. The fifth, Sardonyx. The sixth, Sardius. The seventh, Chrysolite. The eighth, Beryl. The ninth, a Topaz. The 10th, a Chrysopisus. The 11th, a Jason. And 12th, an Amethyst. Just as the 12 tribes of Israel symbolize the Old Testament of God's law of righteousness, the 12 apostles symbolize the New Testament of God fulfilling the law of righteousness. The way to enter heaven and approach God's throne requires righteousness, perfection, and sinlessness. No one can enter the pearly gates unless they are perfectly fulfilling God's law of righteousness. No one but God can fulfill the law of righteousness. So the gates of entrance and the wall surrounding the city of New Jerusalem rest on the foundations named after the 12 apostles of the New Testament. The New Testament reflects how God imputes his righteousness to those who believe in him. The New Testament is the means by which entering the gates of heaven is made possible. Thus, the foundation of righteousness is the promise and work of God. The law of righteousness rests upon the creator of righteousness. The law of righteousness is fulfilled only because of the promise of God's righteousness. Entering the pearly gates to appear before God's throne is possible only because of what Christ did to save us. The old covenant law could not be fulfilled by men. Israel's history is a testimony to that fact. But Christ fulfilled the law. And in him, through the new covenant of promised grace, it's possible to be blessed with all that God promised to be righteous. Thus, the gates and the foundation show that God must make the entrance into new Jerusalem possible. The great city of New Jerusalem will be an impressive dwelling place for God, where anyone in heaven can meet with him. As John described in Revelation chapter 21, verses 22 and 23. And I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. In heaven, there will be no temple to find God. Instead, Christ will move throughout the city and all of heaven, blessing and fellowshipping with everyone around Him. His glory will make Him easily accessible. To find Him, one needs only to follow the light of His glory, which fills all of creation. Because of this divine light, there will be no need for the sun, stars, or moon. There will be no night or darkness, as sin will not exist in heaven. The glorious light of God will shine everywhere, as He is present everywhere. To emphasize the light of God's glory, the city of New Jerusalem is built with materials to reflect and transmit light Its walls will be made of jasper, clear as crystal. And the city itself will be pure gold, resembling clear glass. The golden streets will be so smooth and so shiny that they will appear transparent, reflecting the divine light. God's glorious light will illuminate both heaven and earth. Revelation chapter 21, verse 24 states, and the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it. And the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. In heaven, only those who are born again with God's righteousness will be present, allowing the gates of the city to remain open at all times. Revelation 21, 25 affirms and the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there. At each gate an angel will greet those entering the city, as noted in Revelation 21-26, and they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. Importantly, Nothing that defiles or commits abominations will enter. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be allowed. The glory of God shines from his throne and is also manifested in the lives of those who have been born again. In the new heaven and new earth, the saints will walk in glorified bodies, radiating God's glory. The gathering of saints around the throne intensifies this divine glory. The more saints present in the city, the brighter it will glow with the glory of God. As kings come into the New Jerusalem, they will bring additional glory to offer to God, enhancing the collective glory around the throne. What a magnificent scene to behold, not only in sound, but in sight. The city of Jerusalem will be charged with the praises to God and radiating the glory of God.