Revelation 21 - part 2

The jewels in the City of God are the people of God and their works, which cannot be separated from each other.  The City of God, His Wife, is measured with a rod of gold; faith.  Gold is representative of purified faith (1 Peter 1:7). The walls and gates are a spiritual house, built from “living stones” for the purpose of being a holy priesthood (1 Pet 2:4-5).

The City is measured to be 12 by 12 by 12. The number 12 represents authority.  The measurement of the city symbolizes the perfection of the authority of God’s people which has multiplied itself until the perfect City is finished.  144 is the number of measuring 12 times 12: the Jewish forefathers, which knew the nature of God (one single pearl for each gate), multiplied by the Apostles who knew God’s nature as it was expressed through His people (every kind of precious stone).  It was the Jewish nation that held the truth that there is only one God.  It was the Holy Spirit through the Apostles that brought the teaching of the nature of God into His people.

The angel measured the City with a “man’s measurement.”  This term signifies that the Lord is measuring men and their works.  The City is pure gold “as pure as glass,” which symbolizes the transparency that takes place amongst men that are holy.  There is no shame, and no reason to hide the motives of the heart.  Men on the earth who have walked in the light with their fellow believers are purified from sin and there is “nothing in him to make (his brother) stumble” (1 Jn 1:7 & 2:10). The great street in the City was also of pure gold, “like transparent glass.”  This is the highway of holiness, the ways of God in the lives and hearts of men.

The glory of God gives His people light, and Jesus, the Word of God, is their guiding lamp.  By their light the nations walk and bring their individual God-appointed glories into His City.  There is no more night, and the gates remain open, signifying the removal of that which defiles, and that which is to be feared.  Jesus’ work of removing all enemies has been accomplished.