A dear friend asked me to sing a song at church after his sermon a couple of months ago. It is an old song, one I remember being sung in church when I was a very small girl…“Last night as I lay sleeping, there came a dream so fair, I stood in old Jerusalem, beside the temple there…”
The Song is called The Holy City, and it was written in 1892. You don’t hear it sung much anymore but it describes a dream in which the singer envisions different scenes related to Jerusalem.
In the first part, the dreamer stands in old Jerusalem beside the temple, hearing children singing and imagining the voices of angels responding from heaven. The refrain encourages the lifting of gates and singing praises to the king.
The dream then shifts, and the joyous atmosphere changes. The streets become silent, and the joyful hosannas of the children fade away. A shadow of a cross arises on a lonely hill, indicating a somber and mysterious turn of events.
Finally, the scene changes once more, presenting a new earth with the Holy City beside a tideless sea. The city is illuminated by the light of God, and its gates are open wide to all who wish to enter. There is a sense of eternal permanence and a vision of the new Jerusalem that will not pass away. The song ends with a call to sing, as the night is over, and eternal hosannas are raised in praise.
And that got me to thinking about the Holy City. We are told “…no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him'" 1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV Oh how I long for that time.
Let me back up. I don’t like to be wrong. I mean, who does, really? About 2 ½ years ago, a lifelong belief got corrected, and not by just one person – there were three or more individuals setting me straight. Naturally, I turned to my Bible for answers, reading and re-reading, yet the conviction eluded me.
I then did what all reasonable people do, I ventured online, only to encounter a plethora of conflicting views. Some aligned with my long-held belief, others supported the correction I received in that group setting, and some outright rejected the entire notion.
I then did what I do in times of confusion, I resort to a trusted source, my mom.
I called her. "Mom, I don't like being wrong, but if I am, I want to correct my belief. I am just really confused on this matter."
I truly expected some reassurance, but to my surprise, she affirmed that I was indeed mistaken.
Now, what is the fuss about? It might seem trivial because, either way, the outcome is fantastic. But I am on a quest for truth, a clear understanding of the topic.
I must admit, I'm still not 100% convinced, but I'm working on it with a positive spirit.
So, what's the topic at hand? The size of the New Jerusalem, the celestial city where the saved, those who have accepted the grace of Jesus' sacrifice, will reside. Not only in heaven but also on the new earth after the thousand years.
Let's start with the verse in question.
“And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.” Revelation 21:16 King James Version
If we calculate using a furlong as about 660 feet, we get 7,920,000 feet, or about 1,500 miles when converted.
Interestingly, even Bible translators cannot seem to agree on the size, but for the sake of discussion, let's go with the King James Version.
Here's where it gets tricky for me.
I initially interpreted Revelation 21:16 to mean that the city's length, width, and height are each 1,500 miles. However, I was told a couple of years ago, that number represents the total area around the city. In other words, one side is 375 miles, not 1,500 miles.
Browsing biblegateway.com, I stumbled upon an eloquent summary:
"If the New Jerusalem were to be crowded and each saved person given only 100 square feet of ground space, there would be room for 39 billion people in the city."
That is way more than the current world population. Even if all who ever lived were saved (which Scriptures indicate will not happen), there would still be enough room.
But here is the twist, believers will not simply reside in the city. Scripture teaches that we will also have homes outside the city and populate the entire new earth.
Isaiah 65:21-22 tells us that we will build houses and inhabit them.
Regardless of the size or proportions of the city, the assurance is that its heavenly glories will surpass our wildest imaginations. There is no need for concern; there will be ample room for all who desire residence.
A resounding "Amen!" should echo as we reflect on the promise of John 14:1-3:
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." KJV
by Jeanette Stark – Wednesday, January 17, 2024
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