21:1 – “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away: and there was no more sea.”

“John, in the revelation given to him by our Lord on the Isle of Patmos, was in vision carried down through this Christian Age and its changing scenes of church and state, to the end of this present evil world or epoch, and there in prophetic visions he saw Satan bound, Christ reigning, and the new heaven and the new earth established; for the former heaven and earth were passed away. (Rev. 20:1)” (A70)

“As we have seen … the new heaven and the new earth, as symbols, are forcefully descriptive of the new organization of things ordained of God to take the place of the old order after it has been swept away. The new heaven will consist of the new unseen spiritual ruling powers, composed of Christ and His glorified Church. These will take full control of earth’s affairs and will introduce entirely new conditions, social, civil, and ecclesiastical. These new conditions amongst men are called in the text a ‘new earth.’ As the ‘new heaven’ does not mean a new atmosphere containing new planetary systems or a new place for God’s throne, or a new dwelling place for angels and other heavenly beings, but new heavenly powers in control, namely the rulership of Christ and His Church in glory over the earth, so the new earth does not refer to a new planet, but rather to new conditions on this present planet. All present institutions, civil, social, and ecclesiastical, as de- scribed in other visions, will pass away in the great time of trouble with which this Age closes.

“A critical study of the Scriptures that portray the new conditions which will prevail on this earth after the new order is introduced shows that the literal sea will still exist. Therefore, the sea in the text, as is usually the case in the Revelation visions, is a symbol. The stormy sea is a symbol of the masses of people in a restless, unstable, anarchistic condition. Such a condition amongst humanity will have ceased, when the new order of things is introduced at the beginning of the Millennial reign of Christ and His Saints. The symbol, therefore, teaches that under this new government which will rule in equity and righteousness and for the benefit of all, the social order will be of such a character, and will soon after its introduction prove so satisfactory to mankind as a whole, that there will be no more dissatisfaction, discontent, and restlessness; every element of society will be contented under the control of that perfect law and order; and justice will be secured to all alike. There will be an utter obliteration of the differences between classes – caste, wealth, and poverty, etc., which now exist. Consequently, there will be no more symbolic sea.” (The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Streeter, Vol. 2, p. 550-551)

No More Sea

“As we have already seen, the sea is a symbol of the masses of people in a restless and unstable anarchistic condition, just as the land represents the social order, and as the mountains represent the kingdoms of the present time. As there is no reference to the physical earth and physical heavens being destroyed, so there is no reference to the physical sea being obliterated. The symbol signifies that under the new arrangement, under the control of the new heavens or spiritual powers, the reconstructed social order will be so satisfactory, so complete, so thorough, that there will be no more sea-class, no more restless people, no more dissatisfaction, no more anarchists; everything will be reduced to law and order; and the law and order will under the new regime secure justice to every creature, obliterating the differences of wealth and power as they now exist.” (R2832:3)

21:2 – “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

“A city is a symbol of a kingdom or dominion, and so God’s Kingdom is symbolized by the New Jerusalem, the new dominion coming from heaven to earth. At first it will consist of only the spiritual class, the Bride of Christ, which as seen by John, will gradually come down to earth; that is, it will gradually come into power as the present empires break in pieces, during the Day of the Lord.” (A295)

John, after identifying the glorified Church with the holy city, the New Jerusalem, changes the metaphor; and speaks of her next, as “a bride adorned for her husband.” Seemingly, these adornments were described by the Psalmist of old, when he declared that her clothing was of “wrought gold” (the divine nature); and her raiment of “needlework” (the graces of the Spirit). However, reference must also be to that inner beauty (character – the beauty of holiness), so much desired and appreciated by the “King” (Jesus, the heavenly bridegroom). (Psa. 45:11, 13)

“‘The King’s daughter (Jehovah’s daughter; for as such the Bride of Christ is owned) is all glorious within.’ Her beauty is the beauty of holiness. Outwardly, before the world, she is not glorious; and, like her Lord in his humiliation, she is despised and rejected of men. But she will not always be so: having followed him in his humiliation, she shall also share his glory. As a new creature, she will in due time be clothed with his divine nature – ‘Her clothing (when glorified) is of wrought gold’ – gold being a symbol of the divine nature. ‘She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework’ – in the simple white robe of her Lord’s own furnishing, the robe of his righteousness, upon which she will have wrought, with much carefulness, the beautiful adornments of the Christian graces.” (C193)

The New Jerusalem

“… the New Jerusalem … ‘coming down from heaven as a bride prepared for her husband’ – beautiful, pure, gorgeous, resplendent. The City represents the Church in glory, this being indicated by the declaration that it was like unto a bride prepared for her husband, and the further demonstration is in the fact that the angel who called to John, saying, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife,’ showed him the New Jerusalem descending, etc.” (R3570:6)

“The church at that time will be with Jesus on the spirit plane, invisible to men, and armed with all the power of God. “ (R5849:3)

The Glorified Church = the New Jerusalem

“The New Jerusalem represents the Gospel Church in glory and Kingdom power, spiritual, and invisible to men, yet all powerful. Its descent to earth (Rev. 21:2) marks the fulfillment of that petition of our Lord’s prayer which says, ‘Thy Kingdom come:’ and its ‘coming’ will be gradual, and not sudden. It is already ‘coming down,’ coming into control, and as a result we see the preliminary steps leading to the re-establishment of the old Jerusalem; and ultimately the result mentioned in our Lord’s prayer will be realized: God’s will, will be done on earth as in heaven. The New Jerusalem and the New Heavens are synonymous, signifying the new spiritual ruling power.” (C258)

The “City”

“The ‘city’ referred to is not a literal city, but the symbolical one mentioned in Rev. 21:2, 9-27. In symbol a city signifies a government, and this city which comes down from God out of heaven symbolizes the kingdom of God, This rule or government, which will be established in all the earth. This ‘city’ or government will consist of The Christ – the ‘Bridegroom’ and ‘the Bride, the Lamb’s wife.’

‘Then shall the righteous shine forth’ – the city will have the glory of God. When this kingdom is established, the nations shall walk in the light of it. (Rev. 21:24)” (R2231:1)

Isa. 33:20 – “Look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities: thine eyes shall see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed, neither shall any of the cords thereof be broken.”

Isa. 2:3 – “Out of Zion [the spiritual Kingdom] shall go forth the Law, and the Word of the Lord [the divine messages, through the ‘princes’] from Jerusalem.” (D620)

“It should be remembered, then, that though undoubtedly the literal city of Jerusalem will be rebuilt, and though probably it will become the capital of the world, yet many prophecies which mention Jerusalem and its future glories refer, under that symbol, to the Kingdom of God to be established in great splendor.” (A296)

21:3, 4 – “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. 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.”

The expression, “a great voice out of heaven” bespeaks the divine verity, assurance and universality, of the proclamation: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men.” (Rev. 21:3)

“When the work of reconciliation is complete, God will recognize the world of mankind, and place his sanctuary among men. Then will be fulfilled that which was written: ‘The Tabernacle of God [God’s dwelling, the glorified Church] is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be [become] his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. 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 [the reign of Satan, sin and death] are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.’ (Rev. 21:3-5)” (T76)

“During the Millennial age, there will be a restitution of all things lost by the fall of Adam (Acts 3:19-21), and before its close all tears shall have been wiped away. Beyond its boundary, in the ages of blessedness to follow, there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain. The former things will have passed away. (Rev. 21:4) God’s revelations particularize no further, and there we stop.” (A73)

“It is this portion that God has elected to give to the human race. And what a glorious portion! Close your eyes for a moment to the scenes of misery and woe, degradation and sorrow that yet prevail on account of sin, and picture before your mental vision the glory of the perfect earth. Not a stain of sin mars the harmony and peace of a perfect society; not a bitter thought, not an unkind look or word; love, welling up from every heart, meets a kindred response in every other heart, and benevolence marks every act. There sickness shall be no more; not an ache nor a pain, nor any evidence of decay – not even the fear of such things. Think of all the pictures of comparative health and beauty of human form and feature that you have ever seen, and know that perfect humanity will be of still surpassing loveliness. The inward purity and mental and moral perfection will stamp and glorify every radiant countenance. Such will earth’s society be; and weeping bereaved ones will have their tears all wiped away, when thus they realize the resurrection work complete. (Rev. 21:4)” (A191)

The Blessedness of the Millennium

“Rev. 21:1-8 represents the blessedness of the Millennial age, when the New Jerusalem (the glorified Church – the Bride) will be among men as their government and God’s representative: to remove their sorrows, pains and troubles by making all things new, resulting in the giving of the water of life to the obedient, and second death to the disobedient.” (R501:4)

“… the Bible promises that ‘as all in Adam die, even so all in Christ shall be made alive, every man in his own order’ – class. (1 Cor. 15:22, 23) The giving to all mankind the full opportunities of the Millennial Kingdom will fulfill God’s promise. Those who shall intelligently refuse God’s gift of everlasting life, by refusing His reasonable requirements, will die the Second Death. But those who at the conclusion of the Millennial Age shall have profited by the Messiah’s Kingdom will be received into God’s family and will be granted all the liberties proper to the sons of God. (Rev. 21:4; 22:3)” (OV388)

“What a glorious consummation is before us! What lengths and breadths of human possibility in perfection we see with the eye of faith! Man was made in the image and likeness of his Creator, and the earth was provided to be his everlasting home. The curse that has rested upon the earth and its king has brought both to angels and to men valuable lessons, which perhaps could not have been learned under any other process of instruction.

“The result will be glorious, as described by the Master himself. There shall be no more sighing, no more curse there, nor sorrow nor pain nor any more dying; for all the things of sin and death will have passed away. He who sits upon the Throne will make all things new. (Rev. 21:4, 5)” (OV351)

21:5 – “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”

The Throne

“The throne of God referred to is not a material one, but refers to his supreme authority and rulership; and the Lord Jesus has been exalted to a share in that rulership. Paul declares, ‘God hath highly exalted him [Jesus] and given him a name above every name.’ He hath given him authority above every other, next to the Father.” (A92)

“The fifth verse … comprehensively grasps the entire Millennial age; our Lord Jesus, then in the throne of earth’s dominion, declaring, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ This expression does not relate merely to rocks and trees, etc., but to the great work which our Lord undertook: viz., the regeneration of humanity – of so many of Adam’s race as would, under favorable conditions of knowledge, experience and assistance, develop characters in full accord with the divine will. The end of the Millennial age will see the work completed; – all the wicked destroyed, all who will not hear the voice of that prophet, teacher, governor, cut off from amongst the people in the second death, and all the willing and obedient made new, brought to the complete perfection contemplated in the original divine plan.

“John was to write this matter, because the testimony is true, is faithful, as is the one who has promised. This assertion of faithfulness and truthfulness implies what we see to be the case; viz., that present conditions seem so contrary to all this grand restitution outcome that it cannot be fully believed and trusted by any except those who have learned to walk with the Lord, and in their weakness to lean upon his might – to trust to his power to accomplish all the exceeding great and precious things which he has promised. To all others these things will appear untrue, and God will appear unfaithful, and the matters which we are here discussing will seem ‘idle tales,’ as fables and golden fancies: but to us who believe these promises are precious, correspondingly as we know him and trust him. (1 Pet. 2:7)” (R2833:3)

21:6 – “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”

“The one enthroned … declares at the conclusion of the Millennial age, ‘It is done’; my contract is accomplished; ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega [the A and Z], the beginning and the end.’ It was the Father’s good pleasure that the blessed One, the Only Begotten of the Father, should accomplish the entire program of redemption and restitution; and that incidentally, by his obedience in the things which he suffered that he should prove himself worthy to be forever the associate and representative of the Father, through whom and by whom all things should continue, as he was the one through whom all things were made that were made. It is this one who, during the Millennial age, will extend to all the willing and obedient the water of life, everlasting life – the privilege of perpetual existence. But they must thirst for it, and must desire it; and this desire must be manifest in obedience to the terms, the laws, upon which it will be supplied freely. Our Lord declared to Martha, ‘I am the resurrection and the life,’ and that anyone believing him, trusting him, though he were dead, yet should he live – attain to perfect life, escaping from death conditions, until at the close of the Millennium he shall have life in the full, unrestricted sense. And he who thus liveth (attains to life) and still believeth, trusteth in the Life-giver, and is obedient to his directions, shall never die.” (R2833:4)

The “Water of Life”

“… although there shall be no more death, neither sighing nor crying, it will not be because the victors of the Millennial age will be crowned with immortality, but because, having learned to judge between right and wrong and their effects, they shall have formed characters in full accord with God and righteousness; and because they will have stood tests which will demonstrate that they would not wish to sin if the way were opened and no penalties attached. They will not have life in themselves, but will still be dependent upon God’s provision of food, etc., for the sustenance of life. (Rev. 21:4, 6, 8; 7:16; Matt. 5:6)” (E402)

21:7, 8 – “He that overcometh shall inherit all things: and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

“Our Lord adds, ‘He that overcometh shall inherit these things, and I will be to him a God, and he shall be to me a son.’ Those addressed are not the bride class, selected during the Gospel age, but the sheep class of Matt. 25 – such of mankind as during the Millennial age become the Lord’s sheep and obey his voice. To these at the end of the Millennial age, in harmony with the Father’s plan, he says, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’ They are not invited to inherit the kingdom prepared for us, in joint-heirship with the Lord, the heavenly kingdom. But they shall inherit the earth, the purchased possession – they shall come back into all the good estate of father Adam, which he lost for himself and his children through disobedience, but which Jesus redeemed with his own precious blood, and will restore at the close of the Millennium to all the children of Adam who shall have accepted his gracious favors and been regenerated by him, and thus become his sons, and be their God – their ‘Father.’ (Isa. 9:6)” (R2833:5)

The Purchased Possession

“The blood poured at the base of the altar showed that through the blood of the sacrifice (life given) even the earth was purchased back from the curse. ‘Unto the redemption of the purchased possession.’ (Eph. 1:14)” (T42)

The Church and the Everlasting Father

“As the Body of the great Prophet, Priest and King, the Church will be part of the Everlasting Father, as lifegiver to the world. (Isa. 9:6)” (T102)

“The Father draws to the Son during this age a special class, and gives such a class to him to be companions, joint-heirs in his Millennial kingdom – these are sometimes called his ‘brethren,’ as when it is said that Jesus was ‘the firstborn among many brethren’ (Rom. 8:29); and again, they are designated his bride and joint-heir, in contradistinction to the saved of the world of mankind, who will be recognized as the children of Christ, and of whom he will be the ‘Everlasting Father.’ (Rev. 21:7; 22:17; Rom. 8:17; Isa. 9:6)” (R2652:3)

“The Scriptures teach that, in the new order of things, when Christ shall take to himself his great power and institute his Millennial Kingdom for the blessing and uplifting of mankind, he will have a Bride – the Church – ‘The Bride, the Lamb’s Wife.’ (Rev. 21:9) And the Scriptures further represent that the glorified Jesus, who is the heavenly Bridegroom, and the glorified Church, who is the heavenly Bride, will figuratively, beget children. That is to say, all through the thousand years of the reign of righteousness the glorified Jesus will be the everlasting Father, or Giver of everlasting life, on the earthly plane to Adam, and all of his children who will accept it on the terms of the Kingdom. Then the Church will be the mother or nourisher and caretaker of all mankind to uplift them, instruct them, in the ways of righteousness – to bring as many as will prove willing up to the full perfection of human nature and life everlasting.” (OV124)

The World Begotten Again

“… they will be granted the privilege of coming into relationship with the Christ as children, receiving of his life, being begotten again to restored life – to a restitution of all that was lost in the first Adam and restored in the second Adam.” (R3927:1)

“The true character of the goat class is portrayed. ‘The fearful and unbelieving [who will not trust God], the abominable, murderers [brother-haters], whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters [such as misappropriate and misuse divine favors, who give to self or any other creature or thing that service and honor which belong to God], and all liars’ – ‘whosoever loveth and maketh a lie’ (in a word, all who do not love the truth and seek it, and at any cost defend and hold it) ‘shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone [Gehenna, symbol of utter destruction], which is the Second Death.’ Such company would be repulsive to any honest, upright being. It is hard to tolerate them now, when we can sympathize with them, knowing that such dispositions are now in great measure the result of inherited weakness of the flesh. We are moved to a measure of sympathy by the remembrance that in our own cases, often, when we would do good, evil is present with us. But in the close of the Millennial judgment, when the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall have given every advantage and opportunity of knowledge and ability, this class will be an abhorrence and detestation to all who are in harmony with the King of Glory … the corrupters of the earth, and all their work and influence, shall be destroyed.” (R2609:4)

21:9, 10 – “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.”

Perhaps this “angel” is again Bro. C. T. Russell, and his pilgrim assistants, now pictured as coming to the John class (living in the end of the Gospel age – the Harvest), talking with and inviting “him” to behold the vision of the Bride, the Lamb’s wife. Accordingly, these “feet members” were carried in the spirit to a great and high mountain (an exalted viewpoint).

“This view seems to come back to our day, as its starting point. John representing the living members of the Bride company, is shown the Holy City (government) coming down to earth. But before he could see it, he had to go, in spirit, as high as possible above the earthly level. So we, the antitype, may now see the kingdom of God coming: the rule of the Highest commencing to direct and overthrow earthly things, preparatory to the full reception of the will of God on earth as in heaven.

‘We can see his coming judgments as
they circle all the earth.
The signs and groanings promised, to
precede the second birth.
We read his righteous sentence in the
crumbling thrones of earth,
Jerusalem come down!’

“But all cannot see this kingdom as already on its way to earth – ‘coming down.’ To thus recognize it, we must get away from the world and its standpoint of view; we must go in spirit (by and by in person) to the great and high mountain (kingdom of God), i.e., we must come into full sympathy and loyalty to that heavenly kingdom before sharing the King’s confidence, so as to be shown its glory and power, and our future position of the Bride of the King.” (R333:6)

Actually, to these “feet members” of the Christ, still sojourning in the earth, this is but a preview, for the New Jerusalem cannot really “come down” to the earth as such, until every member of the true Church has first himself been glorified; i.e., has been made a part of the New Jerusalem:

“The entire Gospel age has been the time for the preparation of this New Jerusalem. In one figure we are the city, in another we are the people of the city. The walls are living stones, such as the Apostle Peter describes; the foundation stones are the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The city as a whole comprises all the saints, from our Lord, the Head, down to, and including the last member of the church, which is his body. Not until all these have been chosen and found faithful and fitted and prepared for their places, will this city descend to earth in power and come into the possession or control of the earth. The coming of that city to the earth is the symbolical representation of the establishment of God’s kingdom in the earth, for a city is a symbol representing government, control.” (R3570:6)

The Bride Prepared …

“The declaration that the city is adorned as a bride for her husband implies its grandeur and beauty and perfection, as a bride’s adornment on such an occasion is particular and elaborate to the last degree.” (R2832:4)

The New Jerusalem = The Church Glorified

“… the New Jerusalem, which in the preceding context is described as ‘coming down from heaven, as a bride prepared for her husband’ – beautiful, pure, gorgeous, resplendent. The city represents the Church in glory, this being indicated by the declaration that it was like unto a bride prepared for her husband, and the further demonstration is in the fact that the angel who called to John, saying ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife,’ showed him the New Jerusalem descending, etc. (Rev. 21:9, 10)” (R3570:6)

The Ancient Worthies

“At the very beginning of the Millennium … there will be samples of perfect manhood before the world … Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the holy prophets … will be ‘princes’ among men, the exponents and representatives of the spiritual, invisible kingdom.” (B136)

“These intermediaries, while not the Kingdom in the proper sense of the word, will be so fully the representatives of it amongst men that they will be recognized as the Kingdom by men: they will represent the Kingdom before men and be the only visible representatives of it. Hence we have termed these ‘the earthly phase of the Kingdom,’ visible among men. (Luke 13:28)” (D619)

21:11 – “Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.”

The glorified Church – the New (i.e., the heavenly) Jerusalem, will have for her own light, the “glory of God” – the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4) and, therefore, she will shine forth with a resplendent glory, like that reflected in a jasper stone; i.e., a jasper stone, without a flaw – one that is “pure as crystal.”

“The jasper is supposed to mean the diamond. It is described as ‘most precious’ and ‘clear as crystal.’ Being the most brilliant of gems, it fittingly symbolizes the glory of God; the light (luminary, or source of light) of the New Jerusalem. (Rev. 21:11-23)” (R529:3, W. I. Mann)

The Church, A Vision of Glory and Beauty

“By faith we see the bride of Christ ‘having the glory of God’ – the divine nature, of which she was promised to be made partaker with her Lord. (Rev. 21:11; 2 Pet. 1:4) We see her ‘made like him,’ ‘the express image of the Father’s person.’ (1 John 3:2; Col. 1:15; 2 Cor. 4:4; Heb. 1:3) We see her shining forth as the sun in the Father’s kingdom. (Matt. 13:43) She is caught up to heaven and actually seated with Christ in the heavenly places at the Father’s right hand. (Eph.2:6; Heb. 1:3) She beholds her Father face to face, and sees her Lord ‘as he is.’ (1 John 3:2) She is endued with power and covered with glory. She is exalted far above angels. And as she followed the Lamb whithersoever he went here, so she accompanies him whithersoever he goeth there: Is he seated at the Father’s right hand – in the highest position of favor? so is she; is he at home in all the vast realm of the universe, which in ages past he was privileged of the Father to create (John 1:10, 3)? so is she.” (R1210:6, Mrs. C. T. R.)

21:12, 13 – “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: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.”

Walls, at least by the ancients, were built for the protection of those who dwelt within them. For the world of mankind, there will be about their Millennial “city” to keep out of it anything that might hurt or offend – just such a “wall” – great and high? This wall is also the glorified Church, which then, as “living stones” will serve also to protect their charges – the world of mankind, then seeking to enter, and to walk acceptably before Jehovah God!

In this “wall” there will be twelve “gates” with as many “angels.” The “gates” will be inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The “gates” themselves will be the Ancient Worthies, to whom it will be granted to act as the physical representatives of the invisible, but spiritual power of the Kingdom (the Church). We suggest that the “angels” might be the Great Company, who though also invisible, will nevertheless be privileged to serve in this capacity too.

“‘Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth (observeth or regardeth) the truth may enter in.’ (Isa. 26:2)

“From Rev. 21:12 we learn that the gates or entrances of the city, which are twelve in number, are inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. This is in harmony with what we have learned of the earthy phase of the kingdom of God … that the ancient worthies from the various tribes of Israel, selected during the Jewish age, will be the visible representatives of the heavenly kingdom in the earth, through whose instrumentality the nations may enter into the blessings of the kingdom.” (R1353:1)

The fact that there were three gates to the east, north, south and west, bespeaks the fact that no quarter of the earth will be excluded from entrance into the “city” of those who would be worthy citizens.

21:14 – “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

The wall of this great city is a sturdy one, for it has twelve foundations, bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

“In Rev. 21:9-27, the glorified Church is shown. (See also Rev. 21:2-5) The Church is here pictured as coming down out of Heaven to begin her great work for the blessing of the world of mankind. Now note particularly that this glorified Church is shown as having Twelve Foundations, and in these foundations the names of the Twelve Apostles (verse 14). There were never any more purposed by the Lord.” (OV410)

The Foundations of the New Jerusalem

“… the Bible declares that there were only ‘Twelve Apostles of the Lamb.’ (Rev. 21:14) We see clearly that the Church has their testimony in the Bible as fully today as ever; and, as St. Paul, who took the place of Judas, declares the Word of God is sufficient, that the man of God may be thoroughly furnished. (2 Tim. 3:17)” (SM550)

21:15-17 – “And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 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. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.”

The Scriptures, not only indicate that this holy city, the New Jerusalem would come “down from God out of heaven” (Rev. 21:2); but also, that as a “stone cut out without hands” it would smite the image of Gentile Power upon its feet, breaking that image into pieces, and thereupon become a great “mountain, and fill the whole earth!” (Dan. 2:34, 35; See also A255) In other words, the earthly phase of the heavenly Kingdom which is to replace the old order, will find its protective “wall” in the glorified Church, this New Jerusalem, keeping out of it, as it were, everything that might hurt or offend; for “without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Rev. 22:15; See Isa. 11:9; 65:25)

The “measurements” of this New Jerusalem, it is to be noted, were taken for the “John” class, by the “angel” – the messenger of Rev. 21:9, 15; whom, we have suggested, was Bro. C. T. Russell, and his staff of pilgrims, though, as is evident, the latter were merely the means employed by the messenger to convey the message to the “cleansed Sanctuary class,” – the saints still living in the earth in the end of the Gospel age. To this end, “he” used the golden reed – divine truth, the Scriptures; and the “measurements” are as follows:

This “city” or New Jerusalem, is also known as the Tabernacle of God, his Temple (Rev. 21:3-5; See T76); and is peculiarly “his workmanship.” It has been in the course of construction throughout the Gospel age – ever since Christ became the world’s Redeemer, and the chief corner stone … through which, when finished, God’s blessings shall come “to all people,” and they shall find access to him. (2 Cor. 3:16, 17; Eph. 2:20-22; Gen. 28:14; Gal. 3:29)

Its chiseling, shaping and polishing, of consecrated believers in Christ’s atonement for sin, progresses; and when the last of these “living stones,” “elect and precious,” shall have been made ready, the great Master Workman, will bring all together in the First Resurrection and this “Temple” will be filled with his glory, and be the meeting place between God and men throughout the Millennium. (Rev. 15:5-8)

This New Jerusalem, will consist of only 144,000, “redeemed from amongst men.” (See F179) These, also known as “the Bride of Christ, the Lamb’s Wife” (Rev. 19:7; 22:17) are “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Rev. 21:2) (The reason why in so many instances, the 144,000 are maintained as a separate entity from Jesus Christ, himself, is to show that “he” is “her” heavenly Bridegroom.)

It is interesting to note that the “city” is foursquare (Rev. 21:16), the same as were the Altar of Burnt-Offering (Exod. 27:1), and the Altar of Incense (Exod. 30:2), and the Most Holy, of Israel’s ancient Tabernacle. In the two-dimensional plane, a square is a most apt symbol of that which is perfect, for every one of its four sides is equal to that of the others. But the symbolism doesn’t end here: for it goes on to tell us that the “city’s” length, and breadth, and height, are equal too. This means that like unto the Most Holy of the ancient Tabernacle, the “city” is also a cube – every side of which (and there are six) is a square, equal in size to every one of the other sides. This, we believe, bespeaks the very ultimate, as having been attained by those here represented – every one of them, has become a partaker of the divine nature! (2 Pet. 1:4)

One of the measurements given, is that of 12,000 furlongs! The area of such a square will be 144,000,000 square furlongs; or, 1,000 for each of the 144,000 glorified! We cannot be sure as to what this may signify, though it may be intended to suggest that each of the 144,000 saints will be associated and identified with this “city-government” for the full 1,000 years of Christ’s Millennial reign. And, if the fruitage of their work with the world of mankind in that Millennium is to be like that of Jesus – who by way of his death and resurrection brought 144,000 into relationship with the Father, then for these 144,000, the after fruitage will be 144,000 x 144,000, i.e., 20,736,000,000 souls ultimately reconciled to God! (See R3626:6)

Another measurement is that of the “wall” – and is 144 cubits. Of course, the city – its walls and foundations, are really one; made up of the “living stones” gathered, chiselled and polished, during the Gospel age. The measurement given – 144 cubits, is symbolic, and when multiplied by Jehovah’s number (1,000), it yields the exact number of the glorified saints, viz., 144,000. The expression, “according to the measure of a man, that is of the angel,” seems to us, to justify the thought that Bro. C. T. Russell was the “man” here referred to, the “angel” or messenger of Rev. 21:9, 15!

The Glorified Church’s After-fruitage

“In your comments in a Tower of recent date (R3539:6) on John 12:24, you said that our Lord’s going down into death brought forth much fruit – the first-fruits – the church, the 144,000. Thinking on this it occurred to me, Will not the church as so many grains of wheat (by virtue of our heavenly Father’s blessed arrangement in Christ) going down into death, bring forth the same amount of fruit in proportion? Reasoning thus, I found that if one brought forth 144,000, that number would bring forth 144,000 times 144,000 or 20,736,000,000. Ah,

I thought, here is where Bro. Russell must get his twenty thousand millions to which he refers in his sermons as representing earth’s dead, and specially mentioned in the Tract, ‘Millennial Hopes Examined.’ Now, dear Brother, is this a mere coincidence or did you use this method in addition to the one mentioned in the Tract?” C.B.S., Ohio.

To which Bro. Russell replied:

“I am glad to have your suggestion respecting the proportions of the fruit of our Lord’s death as represented in the church of the firstborn (144,000) and the afterfruit of these, 20,736,000,000. I had not noted this correspondency, and hence it had nothing whatever to do with my calculations of the world’s dead.” (R3626:6)

The 20,736,000,000

“As the number of the Bride of Christ is to be 144,000, it would be reasonable to think that each member of this class may have 144,000 to look after, as 144,000 x 144,000 equals 20,736,000,000 (twenty billion, seven hundred and thirty six millions). Evidently just about the right number to be cared for – couldn’t fix it better myself. Now 144,000 would be quite a host for each individual of the Bride class to look after. So we can see the necessity for the work of the Great Company and the Ancient Worthies.” (Q438)

The 20,000,000,000

“When his kingdom is set up, he will take over the world of mankind, approximately 20,000,000,000 of humanity – Adam and his children, all in their broken, fallen condition; and then the great work of refreshing and restoring will begin. The sawing, the hammering and the filing, if you please, will continue during the whole thousand years of the Millennial reign.” (R4992:1)

The Holy City

In Rev. 21:16, we read of the holy city; that it was “foursquare,” i.e., it had a square base, all of whose sides and angles were equal. A square is a most apt symbol of perfection!

But the account also tells us, that not only was it foursquare – its length and its breadth being equal, but its height was the same as its length and breadth. In other words, it was a perfect cube, whose six sides were all perfect squares. Certainly this bespeaks the utmost in perfection! It will be recalled that the ancient Tabernacle’s Most Holy was also a perfect cube, each of its sides being perfect squares measuring 10 x 10 cubits i.e., 100 square cubits. And 100, seems the figure which in the ancient types was intended to represent Christ Jesus. The gate into the Court of the Tabernacle measured just 5 x 20 cubits (Exod. 27:16; 38:18), i.e., 100 square cubits: and, as Bro. Russell says in T19, “‘Christ’ is the ‘gate’.” Then too, there were just 100 silver sockets, made from the “ransom” or “atonement” money of the children of Israel, that supported the Tabernacle Structure, (Exod. 38:25, 27), signifying, no doubt, that the “price of redemption,” is really Christ Jesus; and that all of atonement, is predicated upon the ransom price!

The Most Holy of that ancient Tabernacle, corresponds very well to the Holy City of Rev. 21:16 – as the state or condition of the 144,000 redeemed from amongst men, who were found worthy of the eventual identification with Christ Jesus in His glory – including, of course, the divine nature! Since the Most Holy was circumscribed by those six square sides, each measuring 100 sq. cubits, it suggests that the 144,000, are all IN Christ!

But, to be found worthy, means that every one of them must first have been identified with Christ Jesus in his sufferings (2 Tim. 2:12); i.e., each of them must have borne “the cross” faithfully unto death, as did also Jesus – the pattern to which they all had to be conformed. (Rom. 8:29, 30) This Church is also, in the Scriptures, called “the bride of Christ.” In fact, in the same chapter of Revelation (21), the holy city is but another representation of this “bride.” Note how that John was invited by the angel to “Come hither,” so that the angel might show him the “bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Rev. 21:9) Then John was “carried away” in the spirit to a great and high mountain, to behold the “great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,” (Rev. 21:10) – as a “bride” “adorned for her husband.” (Rev. 21:2) And, as Bro. Russell says in T76 “Then will be fulfilled that which was written, ‘The Tabernacle of God [God’s dwelling, the glorified Church] is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be [become] his people, and God himself will be their God.’” And thus it is that the Most Holy of the ancient Tabernacle, and the holy city, both refer to the glorified Church – the 144,000, the saints. However, as before stated, everyone of the glorified will have been faithful unto death as a “cross- bearer.” This, we believe, is also reflected in the “cube” which represents that “glory.”

If we were to take that cube apart in an endeavor to reflect this lesson on a two dimensional plane, we might do it like this:

We would allow the square base to remain as it already is, flat on the surface supporting it. Then we would take the four “walls” without detaching them from the base, and lay them down flat also. In this way we will have utilized five of the six squares. The remaining square (which was the top or ceiling of the cube) may then be placed alongside of one of the squares already attached to the base, but we suggest to the side of it that is opposite the side attached to the base square. The result will be something like this:

A Cross! If you will have it, we have here the testimony, that without the Cross, there will be no “crown” of life – immortality (Rev. 2:10) – the “glory of God” which is promised by God to the faithful saints – the “Bride Class.” (2 Pet 1:4; Rev. 21:11)

Note: That which is divine, is thus represented by the “cube” on a three-dimensional plane; whereas that which is human (the cross and its sufferings) by the figure in the two-dimensional plane!

The “Stone” that becomes a MOUNTAIN! (Dan. 2:34, 35)

“The stone cut out of the mountain without hands, which smites and scatters the Gentile powers, represents the true Church, the Kingdom of God. During the Gospel age this ‘stone’ kingdom is being formed, ‘cut out,’ carved and shaped for its future position and greatness – not by human hands, but by the power or spirit of the truth, the invisible power of Jehovah. When complete, when entirely cut, it will smite and destroy the kingdoms of this world. Not the people, but the governments are symbolized by the image, and these are to be destroyed that the people may be delivered. Our Lord Jesus came not to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. (John 3:17)

“The stone, during its preparation, while being cut out, might be called an embryo mountain, in view of its future destiny; so, too, the Church could be, and sometimes is, called the Kingdom of God. In fact, however, the stone does not become the mountain until it has smitten the image; and so the Church, in the full sense, will become the Kingdom to fill the whole earth when ‘the day of the Lord,’ the ‘day of wrath upon the nations’ or ‘time of trouble,’ will be over, and when it will be established and all other dominions have become subservient to it.” (A255)

Isa. 11:9 – “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

Isa. 65:25 – “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord.”

21:18-21 – “And the building of the wall of it was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald. The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl; and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”

The wall of the city, we are told, was of jasper; but this cannot be a correct rendering; for our modern jasper is opaque; and, when we remember that in Rev. 4:3, the jasper was to symbolize the glory of God (which glory should also be manifest in the “living stones” – See Rev. 21:11), we incline to the thought suggested by Bro. W. I. Mann – “A diamond – most precious and clear.” (R529:3)

The fact that the city was “pure gold” like unto clear glass, is indicative, we believe, of the fact that the glorified Church are not only partakers of the divine nature; but resplendently so!

The description of the foundation stones, and of their being “garnished with all manner of precious stones,” bespeaks the special glory of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb: Peter, James (the greater), John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (the lesser), Simon (Zelotes), Jude (Lebbaeus, Thaddaeus), and Paul. (Acts 1:13; 9:15) Unfortunately –

“The present science of mineralogy with its names and exact terminology is a young science coming later than physics, chemistry, astronomy, or mathematics. Mineralogy as a science certainly did not exist at the time the Bible was written. It is quite impossible to be certain in all cases that when a mineral name is used in the Bible, it is used with the same meaning as that attached in modern mineralogy. The gemstones or precious stones of the Bible are minerals with identities in a considerable state of uncertainty and confusion.” (Zondervan’s Pictorial Bible Dictionary; Article: Minerals of the Bible, p. 534)

We do know, however, that most gems and precious stones are the result of a process involving heat, pressure and a special cooling period, to which the chemical elements or compounds have been subjected. Translating this into the realm of the figurative, it means that the Apostles of the Lamb – the foundations of the New Jerusalem, were developed as such into glorious characters, by way of the trials of life, the pressure of circumstances, and the special cooling to which the overruling providences of God committed them. Thus were they “crystallized” into the precious foundation stones of the New Jerusalem, having a beauty, color, lustre and texture peculiarly their own!

So too, is it with the character-development of those “pearls” – the Ancient Worthies, “formed” during the Ages which preceded the Gospel age, viz., the Ante- diluvian, the Patriarchal, and the Jewish Ages, respectively. But the “process” was slightly different. The trials endured by them, came about by virtue of the presence in their times, of gross unrighteousness, with which, of course, their own hearts were never in sympathy. Yet, they were able to relieve their sufferings in part, by becoming “preachers” of righteousness, through the testimony of their own lives. Nor was this easy. Therefore, did Jehovah account this to them “for righteousness” (Heb. 11:39), considering them worthy also, of a “better resurrection”! (Heb. 11:35) Thus were these Ancient Worthies prepared in advance for their future work:

“We find that the Ancient Worthies as a class have been prepared of God in advance to serve this very purpose; that they, rewarded with human perfection, might serve as the intermediaries between the spirit kingdom and the world of mankind. As it is written, ‘The law shall go forth from Mount Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.’ The instruction will go from the spiritual kingdom to the earthly princes, its representatives, and be communicated from these princes to all the families of the earth, with full power and authority in the name of the kingdom to enforce every regulation, to reward the well-doers and to punish all who fail of obedience.” (R3462:5)

Pearls are generally of a satiny lustre, and in color, creamy or silvery white. Perhaps this is intended to reflect the fact that the actual justification of the Ancient Worthies could not take place until after Jesus’ death, and their redemption from the curse. (See R4574:5)

In this connection, it might be well to note that Abraham of old was literally the progenitor of Israel: the twelve tribes were the descendants of the sons of Jacob (known also as Israel); which Jacob was the son of Isaac, who in turn was the son of Abraham. (John 8:39) But Abraham had a faith such as did not the children of Israel. In this sense Abraham was not their father! (John 8:39, 40; Rom. 2:28, 29) for he is the father of the faithful. (Rom. 5:16) And, in this sense fleshly Israel will

one day have to become the seed of Abraham according to faith: and not only Israel, but the whole world of mankind also; thus, as Bro. Russell once said, “The nations shall bless themselves in Abraham’s seed by becoming through faith and consecration to God, members thereof.” (See SM596) This means that one day, and that through the special ministry of the Ancient Worthies – the “princes in all the earth” – the whole world of mankind, Jews and Gentiles will constitute the Israel of God (as was once typified by the twelve tribes of natural Israel); all of whom will be blessed under the terms of Israel’s New Covenant!

The Nations Becoming Abraham’s Seed!

“… note the critical translation of my text which I have given. According to the Hebrew, the nations are to bless themselves in the Seed of Abraham. In other words, after the establishment of Messiah’s Kingdom, when your nation shall have been reorganized and brought into favor with God under the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34), and when the princes of all the earth under Messiah’s direction shall be Israelitish – Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the holy Prophets then the door of opportunity, first to the Jew, will stand open to all nations, that they may come in, under the gracious terms of that New Covenant, as servants of God, become in this adopted sense the children of Abraham. This is the significance of the words of our text. The nations shall bless themselves in Abraham’s seed – by becoming through faith and consecration to God, members thereof.” (SM596)

The Twelve “Gates”

The figure 12 is symbolic, even as are the 12 stones of the breastplate of the ancient High Priest of Israel. And as far as ancient Israel was concerned, those 12 stones represented their 12 tribes; for weren’t their very names upon them? (Exod. 28:21)

However, in Rev. 21:21, where reference is made to the 12 “gates” to the New Jerusalem’s earthly phase of the Millennial Kingdom, it is the ancient worthies that are represented by these 12 gates, because they will be the earthly representatives of the antitypical Israel, consisting of 12 tribes also – thus, of the glorified Church. (See Rev. 7:4-8)

“We find the ancient worthies as a class have been prepared of God in advance to serve this very purpose; that they, rewarded with human perfection, might serve as the intermediaries between the spirit kingdom and the world of mankind. As it is written, ‘The law shall go forth from Mount Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.’ The instruction will go from the spiritual kingdom to the earthly princes, its representatives, and be communicated from these princes to all the families of the earth with full power and authority in the name of the kingdom to enforce every regulation, to reward the well-doers and to punish all who fail of obedience.” (R3462:5)

Heb. 11:34-38 – “… out of weakness … made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of aliens … were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection; had trial … of mockings and scourgings, bonds and imprisonment; were stoned, sawn asunder … tempted, slain with the sword, wandered in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented (of whom the world was unworthy) wandered in deserts … mountains … dens and caves of the earth.”

The Pearl!

“Most of the shells of the oyster are pearly in the interior; and as the true pearls are merely morbid growths, they may all produce pearls of various qualities. The formation of pearls is caused by the introduction of irritating substances, such as grains of sand, between the mantle and the shell. The irritation causes the animal to cover the obnoxious object with layers of pearl, which generally attach the foreign body to the interior of the shell.

“When we look at a pearl, we look at an annoyance which has been ennobled. The oyster by itself is of merely nominal value. But the result of the oyster’s own treatment of its irritation – the pearl – is some- thing ‘of great price.’ Apart from its pecuniary worth this gem has a moral significance. It suggests that troubles may be made beautiful, and reminds us that amongst mankind some martyrs are more remembered for the glory with which they invested their sorrows than for any other portion of their lives. Biography has its moral pearls, which are treasures long after the creators of them have perished, just as material pearls are valued long years after the oysters have been discarded.” (R1756:2)

Surely, the “pearl of great price” (character) was evidenced in the lives of those Ancient Worthies, who when passing through “the valley of Baca” (weeping and sorrow)¹ made it a well of refreshment for others.

Psa. 84:5, 6 – “Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.”

The “Better Resurrection” of the Ancient Worthies

“The ‘better resurrection’ for which the Apostle tells us the ancient worthies hoped, will not be the First Resurrection, which is limited to those called during the Gospel age – Christ the Head and the Church his body. The ‘better resurrection’ which these ancient worthies will receive, superior to that of their fellow creatures, will consist in its being an instantaneous resurrection to human perfection, at the beginning of the Millennial age, instead of a gradual resurrection ‘by judgments’ during that age. This will permit them to be the honored servants of the Christ, the servants of the Kingdom, during the Millennium, and, as perfect men, to be made ‘princes (chiefs) in all the earth.’ (Psa. 45:16) It will be the privilege of these worthies to administer the laws of the Kingdom, as the agents and representatives of the spiritual Christ, unseen of men.” (F707)

The Justification of the Ancient Worthies

“Not until Abraham had shown his absolute heart-loyalty could he be counted of God as worthy of a ‘better resurrection’ than the remainder of mankind – resurrection to human perfection – actual justification, actual rightness or righteousness. Even when Abraham’s tests were all passed satisfactorily he could not still be actually justified or made actually perfect; because he needed to be redeemed with the precious blood of Christ. As a member of Adam’s family, he was under a death sentence which must be annulled before he could be actually justified to perfection of human life.” (R4574:2)

21:22, 23 – “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

Normally, a temple is a place of worship; yet, only if the God of worship be present in that place. Without the Presence, the place is in no sense a temple! On the other hand, wherever God is, that place is a temple. Let it be recalled that the burning bush in the backside of the desert in Midian, became for Moses, because of the presence of Jehovah, “holy ground” – a virtual temple!

Since Jehovah, and his blessed Son Christ Jesus – the Lamb of God, are both identified with the holy city, the New Jerusalem, it needs no other temple – the place itself, by virtue of their presence is holy – a temple! In a sense, they are the Temple, other than which none is needed! In another sense, the glorified Church, by virtue of the presence of Jehovah and the Lamb, are become the temple – the Tabernacle of God, which is in due time to take its place among men.

1 See “Specials Treasures” Book – The Valley of Baca

“… the city, the glorified, the kingdom class, who during the Millennial age, will be ‘kings and priests unto God, and reign upon the earth,’ ‘a thousand years.’ (Rev. 5:10; 20:4) This city, class, the glorified church, it is declared will have no need of the sun or the moon. Nothing in this statement indicates that the world will not have and need both sunlight and moonlight during the Millennial age, and subsequently, ‘as long as the sun and moon endure.’ (Psa. 72:5) And while it will be true that the church, as spirit beings, will not have need of literal sunlight and literal moonlight, nevertheless, this is not the thought. The sun and the moon here are symbolical, as in Rev. 12:1; the sun signifies the light of this Gospel age; the moon signifies the typically reflected light of the Gospel in the law and the prophets of the previous dispensation. The glorified church will have no need of the light which in the present time she so much enjoys through the Word and spirit, and the law and the prophets. She will have, instead of these, a much more excellent glory to which the Apostle refers when he says, ‘Now (with all the light, privileges and opportunities which we enjoy, both as respects the representations of God through the law and the prophets, and through the instructions and leadings of the Spirit in the present) we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face; now we know in part; then we shall know even as we are known.’ (1 Cor. 13:12)

“The church, the temple of God, will be so filled with all the fullness of God, when made like unto the glorious Lord, that nothing could add to their blessing of knowledge and divine favor; will be so filled with the glory of God that from her, as from the Sun of Righteousness, shall proceed the light of the glory of God, which shall heal and bless the world during the Millennial age. This is the Sun of Righteousness to which our Lord referred in Matt. 13:43, ‘Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father’ – our Lord Jesus, the Head of the church, of course, being included. The same Sun of Righteousness is mentioned by the Prophet, saying, ‘The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in his beams.’ (Mal. 4:2) Nevertheless, while so filled with the Lord’s glory we are not to lose sight of the fact which the Apostle impresses upon us saying that Christ is the Head of the church, even as the Father is the Head of Christ Jesus. Hence the Lord Almighty and the Lamb will always be an inner Temple in this great Temple, which God has pro- vided for the world’s blessing during restitution times. (Rev. 21:22)” (R2833:6)

21:24 – “And the nations shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory into it.”

“When this Sun of Righteousness shall shine forth, its blessings of healing, refreshment and life, mental, moral and physical, upon the world of mankind, the nations shall walk in the light of it. (The words ‘of them that are saved’ are not in old MSS. Indeed it is because they are not saved that they need this special light during the Millennial age, in order to their enlightenment, their salvation, their restitution.) ‘And the kings of the earth do bring their glory into it.’ (The words, ‘and honor’ are not found in old MSS.) The expressions ‘nations’ and ‘kings’ are not to be understood as signifying that the world of mankind during the Millennial age will be divided into nationalities and kingdoms as at present: the word ‘nations’ here signifies peoples and is intended to show that all peoples, and not merely the people of Israel, will be thus favored under God’s kingdom. The word ‘kings’ represents those princes or chief ones of the earth who, during the Millennial age, will be the chief representatives of the heavenly, spiritual, invisible kingdom of Christ. These princes, as we have already seen, will be Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the faithful prophets of the previous dispensation, who, loving God before the call to the kingdom and to the bride class, cannot be of it, but because of their faithfulness will be the princes whom the Lord will establish in all the earth – first making them perfect individuals, and qualifying them for the office, as a reward for their faithfulness to God in the dark time in which they lived – their manifestation of love for righteousness and trust in the Omnipotent One.” (R2834:1)

The Earthly Phase of the Kingdom

“When mankind reaches perfection at the close of the Millennial age … they will be admitted into membership in the Kingdom of God and given the entire control of earth as at first designed – each man a sovereign, a king. This is clearly shown in the symbolic prophecy of John (Rev. 21:24-26), for in vision he not only saw the people walk in the light of it, but he saw the kings enter it in glory; yet none could enter who would defile it. None can become identified with that city (kingdom) who has not first been thoroughly tested; none who would work, or love to work, deceit and unrighteousness; only those whom the Lamb will write as worthy of life everlasting, and to whom he will say, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you’.” (A296)

“Kings” Subsequent to the Millennium

“Its reign will be for a thousand years, after which a new dispensation will open, under new conditions, in which mankind (perfected) will be granted the privilege of ruling themselves in harmony with the divine law.” (R2231:2)

“That kingdom, in which all will be kings, will be one grand, universal republic, whose stability and blessed influence will be assured by the perfection of its every citizen, a result now much desired, but an impossibility because of sin. The Kingdom of Christ during the Millennium will be, on the contrary, a theocracy, which will rule the world (during the period of its imperfection and restoration) without regard to its consent or approval.” (What Say The Scriptures About Hell, p. 50)

21:25 – “And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.”

The Gates … Not Shut By Day

“The thought in these words is that access to the Kingdom and its blessings on the part of earth’s people will continue throughout the entire period of the Millennial Age of restitution.” (The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Streeter, Vol. 2, p. 588)

The Dark Night and the Morning

“The period in which sin is permitted has been a dark night to humanity, never to be forgotten; but the glorious day of righteousness and divine favor, to be ushered in by Messiah, who, as the Sun of Righteousness, shall arise and shine fully and clearly into and upon all, bringing healing and blessing, will more than counterbalance the dreadful night of weeping, sighing, pain, sickness and death, in which the groaning creation has been so long. ‘Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.’ (Psa. 30:5)” (A9)

The Kingdom Class

“… the poor in spirit; for only the poor in spirit – the humble, teachable ones – can submit to the discipline and training necessary to fit them for it. The heady, the high-minded, the proud, the self-conscious and self-righteous have no promise of the kingdom, and cannot inherit it, nor enter into it; for ‘there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth.’ (Rev. 21:27) So, although in the present age many of these are esteemed of men as the aristocracy of the earth, they will not be the aristocracy of the new dispensation; but the poor in spirit will reign with Christ for the blessing of all the families of the earth. And even now, in God’s estimation, these constitute the embryo kingdom, and God is in the midst of them, and his law is established in their hearts. ‘The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.’ Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; but the proud he knoweth afar off.’ For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’ ‘Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; where is the house [the temple] that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? … but upon such a one will I look, upon the poor, and him who is of a contrite spirit, and who trembleth at my word.’ (Psa. 34:18; 138:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:1, 2)

“This is the kingdom class, the temple class, the beloved of the Lord with whom he is pleased to dwell. Like their Master, they are often lightly esteemed among men of the world, and perhaps despised among the multitudes who professedly are the Lord’s people, but whose hearts and minds are still engrossed with worldly things; but they are the prospective kings and priests of the new dispensation, and their lowly estate in the present life is only their necessary discipline to fit them for the glory and service of the time to come. These are the living stones now being shaped, chiseled and polished for their places in the glorious temple of God, the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Blessed indeed are the poor in spirit with such a heritage!” (R2139:4)

For those, who during the Millennial age are desirous of coming into fullest accord with the laws of the Kingdom (the will of God), the “gates” will “not be shut at all by day.” As antitypical Israelites travelling toward their “Canaan,” they will be feeding upon a heavenly manna (redemptive truth), and advancing more and more into the “day” which knows no night – “there shall be no night there.”

But, and while it is not so definitely stated, there nevertheless will be some, who despite all of the gracious opportunities afforded them, will still prefer to be out of harmony with the Kingdom, and will seek to do wickedly! For these, the “gates” to the city (its earthly counterpart) will be closed; “without” there will be “dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” (Rev. 21:15) These, as unworthy ones, feeding as it were, upon the flesh (lusting), will not be of the day, but will accordingly be going deeper and deeper into the night, and ultimate destruction with Satan, into the “lake of fire” – the Second Death! (See Rev. 20:10; 21:8)

An Additional Note (Rev. 21:24-26)

The Most Holy of the ancient Tabernacle, represented the abode of Jehovah-God: for, He was manifested therein by the Shekinah (glory-light), which appeared atop the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant, between the two cherubim. (Exod. 25:22; Num. 7:89)

But, it also represented the spirit-born condition of the glorified Christ (the Church, Head and body) as partakers of the divine nature. (T120)

During the Gospel age, the Tabernacle has represented a progressive development of the “class” that is to be identified with Jesus, as the “seed” of Abraham, in due time to bless all the families of the earth. (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:29) The original “seed” was the Israelitish nation, which might have become the “royal priesthood” of God. (Exod. 19:5, 6) That they would fail, was attested by the prophet who declared for Jehovah, “… because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the Law of God, I will also forget thy children” (Hos. 4:6); and that they did fail, is evidenced by the words of Jesus unto them, “… your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matt. 23:38)

Thus, with the ending of the Jewish age, another Israel was privileged to enter into covenant-relationship with God – to become, as it were, the “royal priesthood.” (1 Pet. 2:5, 9) It is this latter “Israel” that is pictured in the Tabernacle types and shadows, as making progress in the direction of becoming this “anointed priesthood” of God. It is their justification, that is represented in the Court; their sanctification, that is represented in the Holy; their glorification, that is represented in the Most Holy!

When the last member of this “priesthood” has passed beyond the “Veil,” making his “calling and election” sure (2 Pet. 1:10), the Tabernacle will no longer represent a progressive development. Unlike the curtains – the gate, the door, and the veil – the west end of the Tabernacle was a wall, bespeaking finality – the end of all progress, because the ultimate has been attained! And, the “door” to the “Most Holy” and the “high-calling,” will forever be closed! Those having entered in, will constitute the true Zion (Isa. 2:3) – the New Jerusalem – the Holy City, which John was privileged to “see” in his vision (Rev. 21:2, 10, 11, 16, etc.), coming down from heaven to the earth, as the Tabernacle of God. (Rev. 21:3; T76)

This does not mean that there will be an actual transplanting of that “Tabernacle”; but rather, that its influence, its government, its rule, and the corresponding blessings, will be visited upon the world of mankind. (The sun does not have to leave the sky itself, for its warmth and light to be felt upon the earth.) This is undoubtedly what was intended by God, to be reflected in the glorious Curtain – the Tabernacle, itself (Exod. 26:1) – which covered the structure, coming down only nine cubits on the south and north sides; but down to the earth itself, by way of its being draped over the west (rear) wall. It, of course, represented something heavenly; and this is the reason why it did not touch the earth, until first of all, all of the Holy, and the Most Holy, including its rear (west) wall had been covered. Not until the Church – the anti-typical “priesthood” has first completed its consecration unto death, and been glorified, can it become the blesser of the world of mankind!

Changing the metaphor, the saints of God, when their number is complete, will become that “stone” cut out of the mountain without hands (Dan. 2:34), which on smiting the image of Gentile domination – breaking them in pieces, itself becomes a great mountain, and fills the earth. (Dan. 2:35)

Thus, by the end of the Millennial age, the Church, the “royal-priesthood,” will have accomplished its work of blessing the world of mankind, with a full reconciliation unto God. And so:

“When mankind reaches perfection at the close of the Millennial age … they will be admitted into member- ship in this Kingdom of God, and given the entire control of earth as at first designed – each man a sovereign, a king. This is clearly shown in the symbolic prophecy of John (Rev. 21:24-26), for in vision he not only saw the people walk in the light of it, but he saw the kings enter it in glory; yet none could enter who would defile it. None can become identified with that city (kingdom) who has not first been thoroughly tested; none who would work, or love to work, deceit and unrighteousness; only those whom the Lamb will write as worthy of life everlasting, and to whom he will say, ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you’.” (A296)

“Its reign will be for a thousand years, after which a new dispensation will open, under new conditions, in which mankind (perfected) will be granted the privilege of ruling themselves in harmony with the divine law.” (R2231:2)

“That kingdom in which all will be kings, will be one grand, universal republic, whose stability and blessed influence will be assured by the perfection of its every citizen, a result now much desired, but an impossibility because of sin. The kingdom of Christ during the Millennium will be, on the contrary, a theocracy, which will rule the world (during the period of its imperfection and restoration) without regard to its consent or approval.” (What Say the Scriptures About Hell, p. 50; R2607:2)

21:26, 27 – “And they shall bring the glory of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie; but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

“The bringing of their glory into the city, the kingdom, signifies their acknowledgement of the heavenly kingdom, their rendering of tribute of praise, thanks, worship and obedience to it as God’s agency. And this rendering of glory to the kingdom will continue throughout the entire Millennial age, as the princes throughout the earth will make known to the people that not in their own names or authority do they rule and execute judgment and establish righteousness, but in the name and as the ministers and representatives of the glorified Christ. The result will be that all the people will ascribe honor and praise and majesty and glory to the Lord’s Anointed, through whom their redemption and restitution was and is being accomplished; and this is indicated in verse 26.

“Then, in consideration of the fact that this book of symbols, while relating to the future, is addressed to God’s consecrated elect church in the present time, and in view of the fact that this message would be communicated to and more or less understood by those who would seek to make their calling and election sure to a part in the glorious city, the 27th verse is added, declaring that ‘In nowise shall there enter into it anything common, or he that doeth abomination and falsehood – but only they who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.’ The Lamb’s book of life we must understand to include those, and only those, who attain to position of joint-heirship with Christ, whose names are written in heaven during this age, and who are faithful to their covenant. What a glorious incentive we have here to faithfulness! What a warning against the slightest sympathy with anything unclean, untrue, or in anywise contrary to the divine standard of holiness! If we appreciate the glorious things of the divine provision for the church and for the world, these promises and offers will have their influence upon us, and under their influence we are expected to keep our garments unspotted from the world; to be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing; to hate every contamination of the flesh upon our robe of righteousness; and to seek immediately in prayer for the removal of any spot or wrinkle or any such thing from our wedding garment – that thus we may abide in the Lord’s love, and in the due time be ‘meet for the inheritance of the saints in light’.” (R2834:4)