New Jerusalem to be Expressed on Planet Earth
In the last couple of chapters of the Bible we’re given the revelation of New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, with John being shown the city from the outside first, and them being taken into the inside to see that which was internal to the city.
On the outside we see a city of gold, including the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. We’re shown gates, pearls, a wall and precious stones. The implication is that which is seen on the outside of the city is the result of that which is existing within the city.
As John is taken into the city he sees the central aspect of the city, which is the throne of God, as well as the tree of life, the river of the water of life, a golden street, and light illuminating it all.
The purpose of this article is to focus on the fact that that which is within the city is to be externalized in the world; that’s what, in part, is expressed in the river of God flowing out from the throne of God. That’s confirmed when in verse 24 of Revelation chapter 21 it states that the “nations of them that are saved will walk in light of it.” That can only happen by it being internalized by those that are saved, and then externalized by the saints working that which is within the city to without.
It is also reinforced by what we call the Great Commission, where we are to share the gospel and teach the nations to obey everything Jesus has commanded us in the scriptures.
In Galatians 4:26 Paul says, “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
It also states this in Hebrews 12:22, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,…”
Many Christians think New Jerusalem is some future event that occurs after the resurrection. As the scriptures say above, it has been here since the time of Pentecost when the Spirit of God fell upon the believers. It will of course reach its final fulfillment at the coming of the Lord, but it is progressively being worked out in this age through the followers of Jesus Christ.
The point is, what is revealed within the city is to be expressed externally into this world by Christians from generation to generation, until the final moment of history is over, in accordance with the will of God.
In our lives we are to be faithful in whatever it is God has given us to put our hands to. That is based upon the assumption we are walking in obedience to God’s laws and commands, as reflected by the throne. That’s what the river of God is taking from the throne and flowing out through the gates of the city into the nations.
The throne is centered within us in the person of the Holy Spirit. So out of our innermost being will flow rivers of living water, and that water represents the throne of God itself.
If you ever wonder what a Christian culture is meant to look like, it’s sourced from the very throne of God in heaven and takes up residence within us by the Spirit of God, He works on conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ, and that which is worked within is to be expressed without into the visible, physical world.
That which is worked within us is to be externalized. That externalization is what Christian culture is. The revelation of Jesus Christ in the Holy Scriptures is the source we draw from with the help of the Holy Spirit, and we are to apply that to all areas of life, obeying the original call of God given to Adam to have dominion over all the earth.
This is the answer to the prayer Jesus taught us to pray, when He told us to pray that His kingdom will come and will be done on earth as it is in heaven. New Jerusalem coming down from heaven to the earth is what Jesus had in mind when teaching us how to pray in that manner.
Christians have the privilege and responsibility to build the kingdom of God on the earth. New Jerusalem is the framework we are to work from when building the kingdom.
If you want to do a deeper dive on this subject, do a search using New Civilization as the category; there are numerous articles on New Creation Civilization that talk about this in a lot more detail.
