Context No. 4107 of 4322 · Revelation

Revelation 21:9-14: in context

9One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls which were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10He 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, 11having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12having a great and high wall with 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. 13On the east were three gates, and on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

An angel invites John to see the Bride, the wife of the Lamb, and shows him the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. And its glory is described: it shone with the glory of God, its radiance like a precious jewel, clear as crystal. This dazzling city is the final destiny of God's people, pictured both as a city and as a Bride, the church made perfect and radiant, presented to Christ.

Notice how the city is built. It has twelve gates bearing the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The whole people of God, from both the old covenant and the new, are woven into this one glorious city. There is hope here that lifts the eyes beyond present struggles. The destiny of God's people is not vague or dim, but a radiant city shining with the glory of God, a Bride prepared for her Lamb, where all the redeemed of every age dwell together with God. Whatever we endure now, this is where the story is going.

Do I lift my eyes beyond present struggles to the radiant destiny of God's people, the New Jerusalem shining with the glory of God, and live in hope of that eternal home where all the redeemed dwell with him?

Sources

Revelation 21:9-10: "I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife... and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God."
Revelation 21:11: "Having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal."
Revelation 21:14: "The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb."