new jerusalem Summary and Overview

THE NEW JERUSALEM Rev 21:2, is a term employed metaphorically to represent the spiritual Church in the state of triumph and glory. The ancient Jews regarded the tabernacle, the temple, and Jerusalem itself, as descending directly from God, and they suppose that there is a spiritual tabernacle, temple, and city corresponding with them. Comp. Gal 4:26; 2 Pet 3:10-13; Rev 21. Jerusalem of old was the city of God; and Jerusalem above is called "the city of the living God," or "the heavenly Jerusalem." Heb 12:22; Rev 3:12. The sublime and most comforting description of the new Jerusalem with which the Bible closes has given rise to some of the sweetest Christian hymns of homesickness after heaven.