JERUSALEM - OUR CITY OF THE FUTURE
If there is a city that plays center stage in God's plan of redemption, it is the city of Jerusalem in Israel. This controversial city is located at the `cross roads' of the world's greatest landmass, where Asia, Africa and Europe meet. When Christ finally returns to establish the kingdom of God, He will descend on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4). Resurrected Christians will join Him in ruling the world from Zion. Abraham and others looked forward to 'a better, that is, a heavenly country'. God has 'prepared a city for them' (Hebrews 11:16). In part the writer of Hebrews is referring to the millennial Zion, but primarily he is looking beyond to God's ultimate spiritual community, the new Jerusalem mentioned in Revelation 21.
God's plan of salvation revolves around Jerusalem, the `city of peace'. We will briefly consider how its role is tied up to God's scheme of saving man. We will also see how Jerusalem will be God's headquarter in the millennium. Finally, we shall speculate about the new Jerusalem that is described as a great city transferred to earth from heaven after the initial 1,000 years of God's kingdom.
God's plan of redemption was revealed to Moses particularly in Leviticus 23, the festivals of God. This seven step plan was not well understood by the ancient Israelites to whom it was first given. They did not know the real purpose for which it was to be observed, no spiritual meaning for its observance.
In these last days, God revealed that by obeying His word, He will show their meaning and purpose. Acts 5:32 and Proverbs 1:23 tell us that God will pour out His spirit of understanding and make His words known to us if we obey Him. And Mr. Armstrong had proved it. He had obeyed and observed God's feasts for many years until God opened his understanding of their meaning. Today we understand that the feasts outline God's plan of salvation. Let's have a brief overview of what this plan is as revealed by the festivals of God.
It starts with the very important feast, the Passover. Passover pictures Christ sacrifice of redemption by offering His life as ransom for all. Only the life of the Son of God is worthy to redeem all of humanity from the penalty of death. Step two, Days of Unleavened Bread, after having been washed by the blood of their Savior, man has to avoid sin [symbolized by leaven] for seven days [symbolizing his entire lifetime]. Man has to live a life of overcoming sin to abide with Christ and God the Father [John 15:4-10]. Step three, Feast of Weeks or Pentecost, this feast could mean the harvest of firstfruits after Christ's resurrection. As celebrated, this feast pictures the coming of the holy spirit promised by Christ after His ascension to heaven. For the first time thousands of people received the spirit of power and understanding, the earnest deposit of eternal life. Step four, the feast of Trumpets, this pictures the return of Jesus Christ on earth to establish God's kingdom. Step five, Day of Atonement, pictures the removal of Satan and his demons so that God and man can be at one. There can never be an 'at- one- ment' with Satan around. Step six, Feast of Tabernacles, establishment of the kingdom of God and start of Christ's millennial rule. Step seven, Last Great Day, the eight day of the feast. Pictures the physical resurrection of all dead whose names were not written in the Book of Life. These people have not had their `first chance' so they will be given the spirit of God and judged by
Christ and the firstfruits.
The seven step plan had to be observed or kept properly and precisely as instructed in Leviticus 23 and elsewhere. Note how exact and precise the instructions were as directed to Moses. Exact day, exact month and even exact hour or time in some cases. God requires proper timing in His plan not wishy washy guess work. God does not want man to miss the opportunity given him so he was given a calendar to follow. God said in Leviticus 23:4, that His feasts were to be proclaimed at their 'appointed Time'.
Because of this, God tied His plan with His calendar given at creation. All the tools necessary in
making the calendar were present at creation, the sun for the day, the moon for the night and the stars in heaven all contribute to making God's perfect calendar [Genesis 1:1-5, 14]. God had incorporated everything necessary to making His plan succeed.
How then does Jerusalem fit in into the scheme of redeeming the human race? Clear enough, because God's plan of salvation [feasts] will be implemented in their 'appointed time' is spelled out in God's calendar. The time in a calendar had to start somewhere, and God had decreed that it should be in Jerusalem as this will be God's headquarter. The first day of the year then starts at sunset in Jerusalem .God had also stated in His word that the correct new moon to start the month for His feasts is the first day of the dark moon phase. God knew that there were three days in the dark moon phase, so He set the going down of the sun as precedent or example for people to follow, read Psalm 104:19 for this proof. A weekly example for us to consider is our observance of the weekly Sabbath, we start the Sabbath the instance the sun dips below the horizon [no longer visible], likewise, we should start the month the instant the moon becomes dark [first day of the dark moon phase].
The former Worldwide Church of God “churches” wait for the young crescent moon three days later for its new moon making their Passover three days late. God said that Passover is to be kept in the 14th day in the evening and not on the day 2-3 days late. We all knew the consequences for the late observance of the Passover. The role of Jerusalem in giving us the right basis or start for calculating the time of the new moon is important.
A fresh look at how Jerusalem came to be is necessary knowing that this city is our city in the future. Approximately 4,000 years ago, Abraham [formerly Abram] was called out of Babylon. He lived in the Chaldean city of Ur until his family moved to Haran. God later ordered him to leave Haran (Genesis 11:31; 12:1). Then, having settled into his new homeland, Abraham was instructed to sacrifice his only son and heir, Isaac. The location was one of the mountains of Moriah (Genesis 22:2). Scholars are agreed that the precise altar site would have been Mount Moriah itself, overlooking the tiny Jebusite stronghold that would eventually be called Jerusalem. It was there that God spared Isaac's life at the very last moment.
The priestly ruler of the ancient city-state of Jerusalem, was Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18). His name means 'My King is Just' and he was the king of Salem-or 'Peace' (Hebrews 7:1-2). Victorious in war with some of the neighboring city-states, Abraham did not hesitate to donate a tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:4).
Thus at the very beginning of that aspect of God's plan of salvation involving Abraham and his physical/spiritual descendants, Jerusalem had taken center stage. Yet it was to be another 1,000 years before the Israelites finally took control of Jerusalem. King David conquered the fortress and made it his capital (2 Samuel 5:7,9).
When God sent a death angel to punish David for his attitude of pride in taking a census, the plague-wrecking `terminator' was not halted until he had reached a certain area of bare bedrock just outside Jerusalem (2Samuel 24:15-16). The place was owned by a Jebusite who used it to beat corn. David bought the land erected an altar to offer sacrifices, and the city was saved from disaster (verse 18-25). This valuable piece of property was on Mount Moriah and became the site of Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 3:1).
The First Temple was Jerusalem's greatest landmark. Its most spectacular feature was a soaring 70 meter [230 feet] high porch (verse4). This is calculated by applying a special `cubit and a handbreath' of about 53 centimeters [21 inches] [verse 3; Ezekiel 40:5; 43:13]. Some scholars are skeptical about the accuracy of these dimensions, unable to accept that anything so grand could have been built at that time. The temple covered an extensive area with inner and outer walls. Constructed of the local creamy white limestone and looming high above the city itself, the temple would have presented a truly impressive sight.
Under Solomon the local economy boomed to unprecedented levels of prosperity and Jerusalem become the riches city in the world (1 Kings 10:23-24). Gold was lavishly used to decorate the inner chambers of the temple. Silver become as common as stone (verse 27). It was a foretaste of the kingdom of God. Solomon's wisdom based on the law of God, was known to every nation on earth (verse 24).
From its zenith under the first kings of Israel, Jerusalem declined rapidly. The nation was partitioned, and its wealth and strength eroded. Through successive enemy occupations, the tribe of Judah continued to maintain a presence of some kind in Jerusalem, even through the Babylonian exile. The temple underwent two major reconstructions, initially by Zerubbabel and, later, by Herod the Great. It was God's intention to preserve a community into which the Messiah could be born and keep the law perfectly.
Christ, who, as the Word, had long memories of His dealing with Jerusalem over the centuries, was overcome with feeling for its people. 'Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it' (Luke 19:41). Sadly, though the Jews had meticulously preserved the 'Oracles of God,' the Hebrew scriptures (Romans 3:1-2), they almost totally failed to understand the spiritual implication of their considerable knowledge. They likewise meddled with God's calendar as revealed to Moses thinking that the giving of the oracles of God to them means they have the authority to change the parts that inconvenience them, instead of preserving and protecting as God intends.
Jesus was crucified for all His efforts. Shortly afterward Jerusalem was razed to the ground by the Romans. The house of Judah was scattered to the four winds. But the city was to remain a religious and political `hot potato'. In prophetic terms, Jerusalem would become 'a cup of drunkenness' and 'a very heavy stone for all peoples' until the day of the Messiah's return (Zechariah 12:2-3).
Jerusalem in the future will look radically different. The topography of the area will be completely transformed. The return of Christ will trigger great geological upheavals (Revelation 16:17-18). Mountains will flattened, coastlines will be redrawn (verse 20; Isaiah 11:15). The Mount of Olives is going to be split in two (Zechariah 14:4). A large plateau will be thrust up where Jerusalem now stands (verse 10). It will be the ideal platform upon which to lay out the streets of the new world capital.
At the center of this metropolis will be the temple, rebuilt in the grandest style yet. This complex, specified at length in Ezekiel 40-42, will cover a large area and is to include six gate-ways to the inner and outer courtyards. Each of these will apparently have tall porticoes associated with them. There is every reason to suppose that the design bears similarities to Solomon's own impressive project. It will be the dominant feature of the city skyline. Prophesying of the future time, the Psalmist wrote: 'walk about Zion, and go all around her. Count her towers' (Psalm 48:12). A stream will emerge from the temple and flow east and west into the oceans of the world, gradually cleansing the planet's polluted waters (Ezekiel 47:1-9; Zechariah 14:8).
Jerusalem will be shielded from extremes of heat, cold and rainfall by some kind protective covering (Isaiah 4:5-6). This seems to be akin to the column of cloud and light that guarded the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 13:21-22). In Jerusalem, the other communities, will experience for the first time 'secure dwelling and quiet resting place' (Isaiah 32:17). Citizens will be more likely to live, work, shop and have their friends and family all within walking distance.
Although God's word did not give us great detail, combined with our own practical experience and knowledge of the good and bad in cities up to modern times, we can speculate what it may be like. It is inconceivable, for example that today's problem of increasing traffic jams and all the attendant road hazzards will arise in God's model city. Everyone will be healthy. The pace of life will slow down, and the benefits of walking will be rediscovered. Jerusalem will be built on a close-knit, human scale (Psalm 122:3). Fresh produce will be sold by local farmers each day in bustling markets and shopping areas. This alone will eliminate the wasteful trucking of goods to and from centralized food processing plants and car-dependent, out-of-town superstores.
There will be a leafy pedestrian boulevards and quiet side lanes. '... Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets' (Zechariah 8:4-5). Gone will be the sprawling conurbations of the 20th century. Great Los Angeles for instance, is a staggering 150 kilometers across (almost 100 miles). Yet, it has been estimated that 25-30 percent of the total land area is given over to car use; freeways, local roads, parking lots, etc. It should not be assumed that `western' standard will be applied in tomorrow's world.. The trend in many modern cities is to surround homes with extensive lawns. This is practical on a limited scale, but usually results in monotonous suburbs that swallow up more and more of the adjacent country-side.
After the millennium new heavens and a new earth will exist (Revelation 21:1). The real Jerusalem is pictured descending from above (verse 10). What can we say about this awesome city?
It is big, very big. Any of the major cities of our world will be lost within the walls. It is a supernatural marvel and deeply symbolic of the Church, adorned as a bride for Christ (verse 2), and built on the foundation of the apostles (verse14). 'The city is laid out as a square', each side measuring '...twelve hundred furlongs [2,400 kilometers, or 1500 miles]. Its length, breadth and height are equal'(verse 16).
Most commentators view this city as a colossal cube. They draw a parallel with the Holy-of-Holies in Solomon's temple that was a cube in form. However, if this was the case, then the walls of the city must be 2,400 kilometers high. In fact, we are given a dimension for the walls. They are 144 cubits (approximately 76 meters or 240 feet high (verse 7). 'The construction of its wall was of jasper,' that is, transparent and diamond like, whilst the city itself is made of 'pure gold' (verse 18). Twelve pearl gates are set in the walls: three on each side of the city, showing that salvation is entered through spiritual Israel (verse 12-13). A river flows from God's throne (Revelation 22:1). There is at least one 'street' and the fruit-bearing tree of life stands on the street by the river (verse 2).
But what accounts for the extraordinary height of the city? Clearly, at least one structure within the city's walls rises to an astonishing altitude. God is certainly not fettered by the constraints of earthly architectural engineering.
We need to take a closer look at the original Greek to understand what John is really describing. The grammar allows for only one street, one river and one tree (apparently on two separate parts, each side of the river). A clue as to what we are looking at is found in the correct definition of 'street' (Greek plateia). It can in fact refer to any wide space. It could be a broad avenue. It could be an open square (See Strong's #4113, street, plateia). Another clue might be the fact that, as we have already seen, the most prominent feature of Solomon's temple was a high tower that probably reached the limit of building technology at that time. Solomon's temple was constructed according to an inspired pattern (1 Chronicles 28:11-12), undoubtedly based on God's heavenly dwelling. Ezekiel's millennial version is apparently to be square and has the addition of a life-giving river flowing from the temple entrance, across the courtyard and out beyond the enclosing
walls. This definitely echoes the plan of the New Jerusalem. Perhaps there is one great shining tower from which the river springs. Interestingly, King David associated God with just such a towering fortress: 'Blessed be the Lord my Rock... my fortress... my high tower and my deliverer' (Psalm 144:1-2).
The heavenly city, it turns out, is not so much a celestial Manhattan but a temple where God is enthroned (Revelation 4:1-3; 11:19). In this sense, God and His place of residence are synonymous. John tells us '...I saw no temple in it [the city], for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple' (Revelation 21:22). The whole edifice glows from within: 'The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. And the Lamb is its light' (verse23). Unlike so any contemporary cities, there are no dark, windswept concrete canyons to tread.. Indeed, it resembles a great glistening jewel (verse 11). In the crystalline hub of God's spiritual empire, the vast courtyard will be paved with translucent gold (verse 21).
John's mind boggling description of our future habitat leaves many questions to our mind. For instance, will the new earth be made much larger to accommodate the huge new Jerusalem? Also, a river flows out of the city, but where does it go? There will be no sea for to drain into (Revelation 21:1). The significance of the life-giving stream may lie in the existence of other 'nations' outside of God's Own abode (verse24-26). Perhaps this hints that the process of creation and salvation will continue beyond the millennium. Isaiah says there will be no end to the expansion of God's kingdom (Isaiah 9:7).
In connection with this, we can see that God's plan of salvation has revolved around the physical Jerusalem since the time of Abraham. But Abraham anticipated taking his place in a spiritual community. It consists of 'citizens... and members of the household of God... the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord' (Ephesians 2:19, 21). Construction is continuing right now within the Church, according to a model that already exists in heaven.
An exciting role awaits God's people in this ultimate Jerusalem. Perhaps God will delegate to His new sons the process of transforming the entire universe, star by star, planet by planet. Romans 8: 18-19 says, 'For... the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.' Why? 'Because creation itself will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (verse 21).
Like Abraham, we must keep our eyes on the vision. Christ promises, 'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God... I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem...'(Revelation 3:12).
As God's people our destiny is inextricably bound up with the city of Jerusalem. Our city of the future.
Sotero Sonza