Disciples Digital Library

New Jerusalem will be populated in fulfillment of the promise to Abraham to bless all nations  – Revelation 21:24-22:5.  The book of  Revelation  concludes with an image of the immense and glorious city of “ New Jerusalem ”  populated  by the “ innumerable multitude ” of men redeemed from every nation. It represents the fulfillment of the covenant promises to Abraham of “ land ” and “ blessings to all the nations .” All this is accomplished by the shed “ blood of the Lamb .”

A key theme in Revelation is the contrast and conflict between the two cities - New Jerusalem and Babylon .  The book of  Revelation  often uses several terms to portray the same reality. For example, the people of God are called the “ servants of God ,” the “ saints ,” and the “ brethren .” Churches are pictured as “ lampstands ,” priests, and the “ Two Witnesses .” And the overarching cosmic conflict is presented by contrasting two very different “ cities .”

If anyone fails to keep the words of the book, he will be excluded from citizenship in the city of New Jerusalem  – Revelation 22:6-21.  The book of   concludes with an epilogue that recalls the earlier promises to “ overcoming saints ,” reiterates warnings against faithlessness, summons believers to render homage to God alone, and calls for Jesus to “ come quickly .” Testimony from uncontestable sources attests to the trustworthiness of the “ words of the book .”

New Jerusalem is populated fully in fulfillment of the covenant promise to Abraham to bless all the nations  – Revelation 21:24-22:5.  The city of “ New Jerusalem ” with its massive dimensions has been  unveiled, and it will take far more than a tiny remnant of surviving “ saints ” to populate it. John next sees the “ city ” inhabited by the “ innumerable multitude ” of men and women redeemed from every nation -and ethnic group by the “ Lamb ,” including some if not many of the “ kings of the earth .”

The physical dimensions and shape of New Jerusalem are presented demonstrating it is ready to be populated  – Revelation 21:9-23.  At the start of chapter 21, John saw a  glimpse  of “ New Jerusalem descending from heaven .” But now, he sees it unveiled in all its glory. This next section concentrates on the city’s physical dimensions and shape.  Its enormous size staggers the human imagination, but the sufficient room necessary to contain the  innumerable multitude  destined to inhabit the “ holy city .”

The next paragraph presents “ New Jerusalem ” to the book’s audience and concludes its third literary division. Having witnessed the destruction of “ Babylon ,” the “ False Prophet ,” the “ Beast from the Sea ,” and the “ Dragon ,” John receives a vision of what awaits the faithful, a portraited of the holy city, “ New Jerusalem, descending from heaven to the earth .”

Philadelphia receives no correction since she has remained faithful, and therefore, she will be kept from the hour of trial  – Revelation 3:7-13.  Philadelphia is fifty kilometers southeast of Sardis and straddles a major road into the interior, making commerce and trade with the other cities of the province vital to its economy. It was established in 189 B.C. by the king of Pergamos, coming under Roman rule later when the last Pergamene king bequeathed the kingdom to Rome in 133 B.C.

The nations and the kings of the earth are found in the city of New Jerusalem because of the redeeming work of the Lamb .  Revelation  presents images that are jarring and paradoxical, visions that do not conform to popular expectations about how God works. His plans to subjugate His enemies and judge the nations differ radically from traditional notions. Just as his contemporaries did not understand Jesus, so we also fail to comprehend the “ slain Lamb ” who reigns from God’s throne.