New Jerusalem is a Living, Spiritual City

    Revelation is a book of symbols with spiritual significance. These signs are not literal or physical. For example, the woman at the beginning of chapter 12 is not a single human mother, and the beasts in chapter 13 are not four-footed animals.

    We should not think that the church is an actual lampstand with seven shining lamps. Likewise, we should not think that Christ is literally a lamb (Rev. 5:6). In the same principle, we should not consider the New Jerusalem a material city. The New Jerusalem is Christ’s wife, and He, of course, cannot marry a physical city. Since we do not take the other signs in Revelation literally, we should not interpret the New Jerusalem as a literal, physical city for us to dwell in.*

    New JerusalemIn Revelation 21:22 John tells us, “I saw no temple in it [New Jerusalem], for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” In Revelation 3:12 the Lord Jesus promises, “He who overcomes, him I will make a pillar in the temple of My God.” Both of these ae signs that New Jerusalem is a living city, not physical.

    All God’s New Testament building work is spiritual, accomplished by His rich supply to the believers and His growth in them. This is true in 1 Corinthians 3 “you are God’s cultivated land, God’s building,” Ephesians 2:21, “in whom [Christ Jesus] all the building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,” and 1 Peter 2:5, “You yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house.”

    All of these show the preparation of New Jerusalem as God’s dwelling place for eternity.


    * Life-Study of the New Testament, Conclusion Messages: The Church, the Kingdom, and the New Jerusalem, message 257, p. 2688, by Witness Lee. Published 1998 and © by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California.

    Photo courtesy of pexels.com.

      Give

      Subscribe to the Daybreak Devotions for Women

      Be inspired by God's Word every day! Delivered to your inbox.


      Editor's Picks

      • featureImage

        When Worry Steals Your Joy

        My husband, Steve, and I sat anxiously in our seats. I wondered if I was going to be able to endure the ride, especially knowing my propensity for motion sickness. But we began nonetheless. The guide strapped all passengers into the tiny boats and gave last minute instructions. Of course there were life preservers, but what good would they do in the fierce rapids that threatened to suck its prey below the surface? Read more...

        4 min read
      • featureImage

        The Harvest: Embracing the Call for Laborers

        In this Sunday's gospel reading, Jesus sends his disciples "two-by-two" before Him to find "laborers for the harvest." This is the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Please share your thoughts on the article in the "Comments" section.Peacehttps://www.patheos.com/blogs/faith4today/2025/07/the-harvest-embracing-the-call-for-laborers/

        1 min read
      • featureImage

        How we Maximize our Spiritual Potential-

        Every believer in Jesus is literally bursting with all sorts of spiritual potential. It’s true.Even those who don’t think they have it, have it. Spiritual potential is a fundamental component of th…

        5 min read