HEAVEN IS A BIG PLACE!
Rev 21:10-16
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12 And had a wall great 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
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
In reading the commentators I see agreement in only one thing. Heaven is a very big place! Twelve thousand furlongs [or stadia] is equal to about 1,500 miles. The unique thing about this city is that it is said to also be 1,500 miles high. The city is a perfect cube – or, as some think, a pyramid! Adam Clarke says that among the Greeks a square man was a man of unsullied integrity, perfect in all things. So the four-square measure of the city refers to its character as well as its measure. This city was, as military men would say, “Squared away!”
John noticed that the wall was 144 cubits or about 216 feet thick and was made of jasper. However the jasper was translucent and the gold of the streets was clear. John saw no structural temple in this city and explained that the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. God Himself is the focal point of worship.
In John 14:2 Jesus said that in His Father’s house were many mansions. The word “mansion” has been disappointingly translated as “rooms” but it is the Greek word monai which means “a staying; or residence.” The word also has the idea of an enduring or durable place. I don’t expect many “cabins” dotting the countryside of a city that is built of jewels. Our abode will be durable and wonderful. The promise is as firm as the One who made it.
Young people often look at us older folks strangely as we longingly anticipate heaven. I suppose they should not be scolded for their failure to appreciate heaven with so much offered to them in earth. But we are closer to the front of the line and can see more clearly than they. Heaven is a very big and very beautiful place but it is also a very special place.
Rev 21:3-5
3 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.
4 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.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. Are YOU ready?
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