The New Jerusalem

"And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.' " (Revelation 21:2-4 -New American Standard)

The New Jerusalem, the Holy City, the Bride, the Lamb's wife, the city whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10), Mount Zion, the City of the Living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12:22): these names describe the place which will be our home for all eternity. We will be free to travel over the new earth, maybe we will even travel into outer space, but the home to which we will always return is the New Jerusalem. It will be as beautiful as a bride on her wedding day and will remain like that for ever.

John hears a great voice making an announcement. Like many other times in this Revelation, John does not tell us whose voice it is.

The voice announces that the tabernacle or temple of God is with men. Jesus is the temple of the New Jerusalem. God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, will live in the New Jerusalem. We are constantly be in His presence. In eternity, we will often worship the Lord.

Many things which are common on this world will not exist on the new earth. There will be no death. No one will ever die. There will be no sorrow or crying. There will be nothing to make us sad. There will be no pain, no suffering, no sickness. This world will know none of the effects of sin with which we must now daily struggle.