New Jerusalem Includes God’s OT and NT People
New Jerusalem is “the wife of the Lamb,” Jesus Christ. He is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) and the Lamb who sits on the throne in New Jerusalem (Rev. 22:1). He is also the reality of all the Old Testament lambs, which were only shadows of Him.
As the wife of the Lamb, New Jerusalem includes both God’s OT people and His NT people.
The twelve gates of the New Jerusalem are inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel [Rev. 21:12]. This indicates that the New Jerusalem is composed of all the redeemed saints of the Old Testament. Also, “the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (v. 14). Apostles here indicates that the New Jerusalem is composed not only of the Old Testament saints, represented by Israel, but also of the New Testament saints, represented by the apostles.*
The joining of God’s OT and NT people is seen in the presentation in Romans 11. There is also the Lord’s word about both participating in the kingdom feast (Matt. 8:11, Luke 13:28-29). All who share in this kingdom feast in the coming millennium will be part of New Jerusalem in eternity.
* From chapter 28, Witness Lee, God’s New Testament Economy, published by Living Stream Ministry, © Witness Lee, 1986.
Photo courtesy of pixabay.com.
Posted by Don on December 5, 2022
