New Jerusalem, Designed by God’s Infinite Wisdom to Express God

Hebrews 11:10 tells us that Abraham “eagerly waited for the city which has the foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.” This city is New Jerusalem.

This city was designed and built by God (11:10). Hebrews 11:10 tells us that the Architect and Builder of this city is God. The Greek word for architect in this verse can also be translated as either “builder” or “artificer.” This means that God is a skillful designer and a top craftsman.

Ephesians 2:10 tells us that the church is God’s masterpiece. The Greek word for masterpiece is poiema, which means something that has been written or composed as a poem. The church is a poem written by God. Poetry expresses the writer’s wisdom. God makes known through the church His multifarious wisdom (3:10).*

Genesis 1:26 declares that God wanted to make man in His own image. This hints at God’s eternal purpose, which is to express Himself through man.

Ephesians 3:9-11 is very definite. God created all things (v. 9) so that now “the multifarious wisdom of God might be made known through the church” (v. 10). This is according to His eternal purpose (v. 11).

The church today and New Jerusalem in eternity is God’s expression. God is the Wisdom, the Architect, the Poet, of this masterpiece. In conceiving New Jerusalem the Triune God acted alone. We had no part in this.

But in building up the church today to grow unto New Jerusalem, God is the Chief Craftsman of New Jerusalem but we cooperate with Him in the building work.

* From chapter 27, Witness Lee, God’s New Testament Economy, published by Living Stream Ministry, © Witness Lee, 1986.

Posted by Don on November 14, 2022

New Jerusalem, Designed by God’s Infinite Wisdom to Express God