New Jerusalem is Heavenly, Spiritual

Phrases in the Bible about New Jerusalem include “the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother” (Gal. 4:26), “the city which has the foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God” (Heb. 11:10), “the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Heb. 12:22), and “the holy city, New Jerusalem” (Rev. 21:2).

If we have a clear view and proper understanding of the Jerusalem above, the New Jerusalem, we will realize that such an entity cannot possibly be a material, physical city. A material city cannot be the covenant or the grace. Moreover, a material city cannot be the producing mother nor the composition of the many sons of God. With a material city there cannot be the divine dispensing or the divine mingling with humanity. Finally, with a material city there is no divine expression.*

In Hebrews 8:5 the Old Testament tabernacle and temple are designated “the example and shadow of the heavenly things.” They are merely shadows; the heavenly Jerusalem, “the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man” (8:2) is the reality.

New Jerusalem, the true tabernacle (Rev. 21:3), was built by God in resurrection with His divine life. The whole city is constituted with this life in human beings, not with our fallen natural life. Hence the whole city “has the glory of God.”

* Life-Study of the New Testament, Conclusion Messages: The Church, the Kingdom, and the New Jerusalem, message 255, p. 2677, by Witness Lee. Published 1998 and © by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California.

Bible verses quoted in these posts are from The Holy Bible, Recovery Version, published and © by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, 2003. The text of this Bible is at text.recoveryversion.bible; this too is © by LSM. A New Testament of this Bible, with 9000 footnotes, is available in multiple languages for free from Bibles for America, Bibles for Canada, Bibles for Europe.

Photo courtesy of pexels.com.

Editor's Picks

Chris Carpenter
The Crossmap Podcast's Top Episodes 0f 2024
For those who might not know, The Crossmap Podcast features inspiring heart-to-heart conversations with Christian newsmakers of the day including authors, experts, pastors, and entertainers on topics that are good for the entire family while honoring your faith-based values.Crossmap managing editor Chris Carpenter engages guests in thought-provoking but light-hearted banter...
5 min readCrossmap Podcast Top Episodes Spiritual Accountability Sharing the Gospel Overcoming Anxiety
Vaneetha Risner
The Manger is Part of the Miracle — Vaneetha Risner
The manger highlights the way God uses our deepest pain, the things we wish were different, the despised and the lowly, to bring him the greatest glory. God’s kingdom is upside down. The last shall be first, the weak shall be strong, and the foolish shall shame the wise. And God incarnate will be la
6 min read
Brenda Seefeldt
Why Teens Aren't Rebelling Anymore - Bravester
I began my writing career having been inspired by this quote back in 1990 from film director John Waters (Cry-Baby, Hairspray) from a backpage article for the special edition Newsweek issue to kick off the last decade before the Twentieth Century. "Sex, drugs and rock and roll all seem so old hat
4 min read
Chris Chu
Finding Light: A Prayer for Hope When Facing a Medical Crisis
Life can often feel like a series of highs and lows, but few moments test our faith and resolve like a medical crisis. Whether it’s a personal diagnosis or a loved one’s illness, these situations can leave us feeling vulnerable, fearful, and overwhelmed. But, even in these darkest moments, there...
4 min read