Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 154

June 3;    Revelation 21:12, 14;    154/260(II);    ‘The Saints of Both Ages’  

Revelation 21:12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

Revelation 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The New Jerusalem is both a city and the bride of Christ.  This is the Old Testament saints and the New Testament Church.  The twelve gates of the city have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.  In the Old Testament, they were saved by believing that one day the Messiah would come and redeem them.  Many times, when you ask someone how people were saved in the Old Testament, they say by keeping the Law.  That is not true.  No one in the Old or New Testament could or did keep the Law.  They were saved exactly like New Testament believers are saved, by believing the Messiah would come and deliver them.  There are twelve foundations of the wall of the city with the names of the apostles of Jesus on them.  The foundations of the wall are covered with all manner of precious stones.  The New Jerusalem will be a place of breathtaking beauty.  The beauty of the stones emphasize the brilliance of the Lord’s nature and majesty.  Together, the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of Jesus make up the entire Body of Christ.  There is no temple in the New Jerusalem.  God the Father and the Lord Jesus are there, so the worship will be perfect, with no rituals.  The walls symbolize security, there will be no fear in the New Jerusalem.  There will be no sun or moon, the glory of the Lord Jesus will illuminate the city.  The gates of New Jerusalem will always be open as there will be perfect security.  What an eternity awaits.