Day and Night on Earth; No Night in New Jerusalem
The nations living around New Jerusalem “will walk by its light” (Rev. 21:24a). These are the nations of people who lived during the millennium and were not deceived by Satan (20:7-9).
The fact that the nations will “walk” by the light of the city means that the nations on earth will come to the New Jerusalem, and their walk to the New Jerusalem will be guided by the light of the city.*
Also, “the kings of the earth bring their glory into it” (Rev. 21:24b). These are the kings of the nations around New Jerusalem. They will not be constituents built into New Jerusalem but they will be able to enter into it.
The “glory” which the kings shall bring refers to that glory which belongs to the kings of the earth. They will give the city the glory of their domain. “Glory” here has the same meaning as “glory” in Genesis 31:1. It means the best produce of the land.*
Revelation 21:25 continues, “And its gates shall by no means be shut by day, for there will be no night there.” This verse indicates that day and night will still exist in the new heaven and new earth. However, in New Jerusalem “night will be no more” (22:5).
The nations can come to the city in their day time. But “there will be no night there”—in the city there will be no night. Since all those who dwell in the city will have resurrected bodies, they will never feel tired; they can serve God constantly day and night.*
Ephesians 1:4-5 tells us that “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…chose us in Him before the foundation of the world …predestinating us unto sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself.” Our sonship. our rebirth with the divine life, was determined in eternity past.
In contrast, Revelation 17:8 speaks of names in the book of life “from the foundation of the world,” not from eternity. This time difference is a distinction between New Jerusalem and the nations. May many more people believe into the Lord Jesus, live and grow in Him now, and advance unto New Jerusalem!
* From chapter 5 of The Glorious Church by Watchman Nee, published and © by Living Stream Ministry, available at www.ministrybooks.org/ and www.livingstream.com/en/the-church/8012401-glorious-church-the.html.
Posted by Don on August 10, 2022
