And He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (11) having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. (12) Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: (13) three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south and three gates on the west.(14) now the wall of he city has twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb………(22)But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. (23) The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.

Chapter 21 and 22 of the book of Revelation contain almost all the Bible records concerning the eternal state. The judgments are past, the terrible plagues on the earth are ended and the faithful begin with a view of heaven coming down to earth following the Great White Throne judgment. John sees a whole new creation spring into being. This brings us full circle to the Bible again – we are told a new heaven and earth are coming where Jesus will continue His reign not only upon earth but throughout the entire reach if the vast universe of God. The basis of redemption was settled – redemption is complete and the redeemed are age home in glory. Not one thing is left undone. The passage suggests strongly that the new Jerusalem is to be the capital of the whole new universe.

Present universe in its farthest reaches says this present universe is running down – devolution, not evolution; decaying, losing its energy. But in the new heavens and earth apparently that law is reversed. There will be no more filth to be cleansed by salt water. Then we will live in close intimacy not only with the Lord Himself but each other as well. This will be the the dwelling place of God – the place where God lives with His people. In the new temple and earth there is no temple because Jesus himself, God in man is the temple. Light is not created but light is the glory of God and the lamp is the Lamb. Night, sin and sorrow is forever gone for the dwellers of that holy city.

Angels as gatekeepers may be the mark of dignity or an indication that the angels are in control of who enters. The gates are marked with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve foundations are inscribed with the names of the twelve apostles indicating that the city include the nation of Israel of the Old Testament as well as the universal church of the New Testament.