Revelation 21:9-14 And there came to me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying… This city is not earthly, but heavenly, and is among the heavenly things said by the apostle to be purified by the "better sacrifices"(Hebrews 9:23.). Why did such a city need " purifying:? Not because unclean, but because sinners were to dwell in it; and they would have defiled it, had it not been for the great sacrifice. for the blood does two things — it makes the unclean clean, and it keeps the clean from being defiled. 1. It is a great city. There has been no city like it. It is the city, the one city, the great metropolis of the mighty universe. 2. It is a well-built city. Its builder and maker is God. Its foundations are eternal; its walls are jasper; its gates pearls; its streets paved with gold. It is "compactly built together," lying foursquare, and perfect in all its parts, without a break or flaw, or weakness or deformity. 3. It is a well-lighted city. Something brighter than sun and moon is given to fill its heaven. The glory of God lightens it; the Lamb is its "light" or "lamp," so that it needs no candle, no sunlight. 4. It is a well-watered city. A pure river of the water of life flows through its streets, proceeding from the throne of God and the Lamb. What must its waters be! What must be the rivers of pleasure there! 5. It is a well-provisioned city. The tree of life is there, with its twelve variety of fruits and its health-giving leaves. It has more than Eden had. It is paradise restored; paradise and Jerusalem in one; Jerusalem in paradise, and paradise in Jerusalem. 6. It is a well-guarded city. Not only has it gates, and walls, and towers, which no enemy could scale or force; but at the gates are twelve angels keeping perpetual watch. 7. It is a well-governed city. No misrule is there, no disorder, no lawlessness, no rebellion. 8. It is a well-peopled city. It has gathered within its walls all generations of the redeemed. Its population is as the sands or the stars; the multitude that no man can number; the millions of the risen and glorified. 9. It is a holy city. Nothing that defileth shall enter; no spot or speck or shadow of evil. All is perfection there, Divine perfection. 10. It is a glorious city. The glory that fills it and encircles it is the glory of God. Everything resplendent is there. It shines like the sun. 11. It is a blessed city. It is truly "the joyous city." It is the throne of the blessed One, and all in it is like Him. (H. Bonar, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. |
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