New Jerusalem is Perfect and Complete
Revelation 21:16, “The city lies square, and its length is as great as the breadth. And he [an angel] measured the city with the reed to a length of twelve thousand stadia; the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
Revelation 21:16 tells us that the length, breadth, and height of the city are twelve thousand stadia….Ten is a number of completion in the Scriptures, but it is not as complete as a hundred or even one thousand. The psalmist tells us that a day in the Lord’s courts is better than a thousand (Psa. 84:10). The number one thousand is a complete unit, and in God’s eyes one thousand years are equal to one day (2 Pet. 3:8). This indicates that one thousand is the ultimate completion in God’s figuration. Since twelve signifies absolute perfection and eternal completion in God’s administration, twelve thousand signifies a thousand times this.*
Revelation is a book of spiritual signs, including these dimensions. Verse 1:1 says, “The revelation of Jesus Christ which God gave to Him…He made it known by signs, sending it by His angel to His slave John.” Many items in Revelation are not to be understood physically, such as the Lamb on the throne and the pearl gates as our entrance into New Jerusalem.
The dimensions of the city show its perfection and completeness. This matches God’s attributes and character. What God purposes and accomplishes could never be inferior to His person; rather New Jerusalem is His expression, matching Him in so many ways.
* From chapter 37, Witness Lee, God’s New Testament Economy, published by Living Stream Ministry, © Witness Lee, 1986.
Posted by Don on April 14, 2023
