Him that overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Rev 3:12)
As we saw in Part One, there is much confusion about New Jerusalem, as with many Bible verses when taken out of context. This is one of several in Revelation, many find difficult. But when we read on, New Jerusalem takes on a whole new shape and meaning.
And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Rev 21:2-3)
Now, a reminder that this relates to the Spirit; we are not dealing with those things, which affect our daily lives. It is essential to grasp the distinction, being pivotal to our understanding. To gain proper insight, we have to look at Scripture through God’s eyes as best we can. Paul said God is not the author of confusion; we do that to ourselves when we confuse flesh and spirit in Prophesy and Scripture. So let’s begin our journey with John’s unveiling of New Jerusalem; (Revelation 21) the final testimony of Jesus given to men pertaining to Salvation.
The first unique feature we see is that New Jerusalem has the Glory of God, and its light is bright and clear as crystal. It has a great wall with 12 Gates, and in these gates are 12 Angels and written on each Angel is a name of a Tribe of Israel. The next thing we notice is four walls facing East, North, South and West. And in each wall we find three Gates. The last thing here is that New Jerusalem “prepared as a Bride adorned for her husband” has 12 foundations. So we see the ‘Bride’ is established in the Gospel of Jesus as taught by the Apostles. As faith is not corporal or physical, neither is New Jerusalem.
Note:
On the landing page there five numbered audio clips on New Jerusalem, titled Zion’s Gates. Each is only a few minutes, and will give you an overview of what each Gate represents and the message each Angel holds. The voice you will hear is not me, but my wonderful brother in Christ, whose dictum is freely received, freely given. If you have not listened to them yet, I’m sure you will enjoy them, starting with Part 1. As they hold the background to the Gates there is no need to repeat it here, so we will spend some time with the Apostles and the simple beauty of it all.
Our starting point for New Jerusalem’s Gates is found hidden in the blessings of Leah, Rachel, and Jacob over Jacob’s twelve sons; and in the blessings over Manasseh given by Joseph, and later Jacob and Moses. In the New Testament, the Road to New Jerusalem is further revealed in the Gospels and the Letters of the Apostles and Paul.
The Angels in the Gates
We now need to look into the 12 Angels and the 12 Tribes of Israel; except there is a change in the ordering of the tribes we need to be aware of. The Genesis order and the Revelation order are not the same. When each of Jacob’s sons was born they were given a blessing by Leah, Rachel or Jacob. These blessings carried an aspect of the son, or his birth, and in the case of Leah and Rachel, something about them and their relationship with Jacob or God.
These blessings become identifying marks for the nature of each tribe.
In Revelation these blessings are the ‘voice’ of the Angel assigned to each Gate. The one exception is Manasseh, the first of two sons given Joseph by Asenath in Egypt. The younger was Ephraim who later becomes a multitude of nations spread throughout the world as promised by God.
The blessings follow the order of the Gates rather than the order of birth. The order of the Gates is set by the order of encampment and travel by Ancient Israel’s Tribal brigades, but with a few changes in the tribal arrangement in the New Jerusalem Gates. The first group to travel was the Eastern Brigade, so we will keep the same order on our path to New Jerusalem, as the order of blessings mirrors our journey to Christ and His Kingdom.
The order of the New Jerusalem Gates Rev 7:5-8 is:
East: Judah – Reuben – Gad
North: Asher – Naphtali – Manasseh
South: Simeon – Levi – Issachar
West: Zebulon – Joseph – Benjamin
The Eastern Gates
Leah’s blessing of Judah: “Now shall I praise the LORD.”
Leah’s blessing of Reuben: “The LORD has looked upon my affliction.”
Leah’s blessing of Gad, born of Zilpah: “Behold a troop comes.” Jacob’s later blessing “…but he shall overcome at the last.” (Gen 49:19)
Through the Angels at the Gates of the Eastern Wall, come those of Reuben who have lived under the affliction and debt of the Law; in Gad, those who have overcome through their lion-hearted belief, and now keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. (Rev 14:12) In Judah we see a change of heart and mind Godward, the vital step we all must take to enter the Kingdom.
The Spirit of Prophecy bound in the Angels of the Eastern Gates, triumphs over the testing we all must go through. Israel’s new Law of Faith rises above dogma and creed: they hold dear the Great Command, Hear O Israel; the LORD thy God, is One LORD. (Mark 12:29) They now see and believe JESUS is the Existing One. He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Rev 21:7) This is the Israel of God Paul mentioned in Galatians.
Repentance and belief is the first part of our journey. Our LORD hears our supplication and looks upon our thirst for truth in kindness. He has promised, when we stay the course we will be justified in Him. And we ‘hear’ and believe Peter that
Jesus is both LORD and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
Apostolic Foundation:
The overarching statements are from Jesus directly:
I am the Gate: if anyone enters in by me he shall be saved, and will come in, and go out and find pasture. (John 10:9: ISV)
He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16:16)
Be not afraid, only believe. (Mark 5:36)
Paul made his definitive statement about salvation and conviction in Romans. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom 10:9)
Statements about affliction; trial, tribulation and overcoming also abound: here are a few.
Peter: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your soul. (1Peter 1:7-9)
Paul: For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. (1Cor 4:17)
James: Take, my brethren, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the LORD, as an example of suffering affliction and of patience. (James 5:10)
Jesus: These things I have spoken to you that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer as I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
John: I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. (1John 2:13)
As we see, this witness from the foundation builders speaks directly to New Jerusalem’s Eastern Gate. It is the gate of entry, the first on our journey to perfection in Faith. Jesus said; I am the Gate: if anyone enters in by me he shall be saved. New Jerusalem belongs to Jesus; it is His heavenly possession and resides with Him. It is His gift to us when we believe and ‘comes down’ to live in our spirit so that we may dwell in Him, and He in us.
We can now begin to see the purpose in the blessings given to the sons of Israel. They point to reunion and salvation through the LORD Jesus Christ; and to the Covenants through which the LORD’s Israel comes.
The Northern Gates
Leah’s blessing of Asher, born of Zilpah: “Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed.”
Rachel’s blessing of Naphtali, born of Bilhah: “I have wrestled my sister and have prevailed.”
Manasseh’s blessing is bound in Josephs. Born of Rachael, Joseph’s name means “The LORD shall add.” Manasseh’s name means “to forget or overlook.”
Manasseh is named in the 144,000; the tribes of First Fruits. (Rev 7:6) His banner is an olive branch, the symbol of peace, reconciliation, of settlement. The Angel in Manasseh’s Gate keeps the promise that our sins are blotted out and remembered no more. And in Manasseh, we see the abundance of the LORD’s Grace revealed in the nations throughout the ages.
Through the Northern Gates are those drawn by the Heavenly Gospel of Jesus renewed; they have cleansed His Word in their heart and mind. Not by men, Scripture now interprets itself. Out of Asher comes the Fruits of the Spirit born of JESUS Faith, and in Naphtali; the Law of Faith that prevails over sin in the flesh.
And from this, comes the pure fruit of forgiveness setting our neighbours free of obligation. We see in Manasseh Grace endowed enacted by the Lamb; our debt purchased by His sacrificial Blood. Grace throughout the generations, which has brought forth a multitude; Grace also that allows us to believe.
Apostolic Foundation:
The fundamentals in the second part of our journey are blessing, addition and remission. They are the natural progression that follows belief. When we resolve to do something positive benefits accrue. So it is with the road of faith. When we have entered by the Gate of Belief the LORD will begin to bless our lives, to add and remove.
We see this order set out by Peter at Pentecost in repentance, baptism, and then the adding of the Holy Spirit. They are reliant upon each other in sequence.
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost: For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2:38-9)
We see in the beatitudes how the LORD blesses every heart and mind according to their needs. Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now for ye shall be filled. Blessed are those that weep for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye when men shall hate you for my Name’s sake. Blessed is he who shall not be offended in me.
Jesus: For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28)
Paul: Blessed is the man to whom the LORD will not impute sin. (Romans 4:8)
James: But whoever looks into the perfect Law of Liberty, and continues, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work; this man shall be blessed in his deed. (James 1:25)
Luke: To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins… (Luke 1:77)
When Job spoke of the LORD giving and taking he was referring to life; that God is the arbiter of our soul and spirit. So it is with the blessings, additions and remission. When He blesses our faith he removes our doubt. When He adds to our understanding, He removes our lack of knowledge. When He forgets our sin, He adds eternal life.
Paul: I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities I will remember no more. (Hebrews 8:12)
The Southern Gates
Leah’s blessing of Simeon: “The LORD has heard that I was hated and so has given me this son also.”
Leah’s blessing of Levi: “Now will my husband be joined to me.”
Leah’s blessing of Issachar: “God has given me my hire, because I have given my maid to my husband.”
From the Angels of the Southern Gates comes the substance of Gods Commandments on earth. In Simeon, we come to rest in the righteous judgement of Christ Jesus that separates His Faith from Sinai’s censure and debt. In Levi, the Commandments of Jesus become as living stones in us, and we are joined to the Father of Lights in the Covenant of an Endless Life, as we now begin to see them through His eyes. And in Issachar, the meek and the poor, the great fruits of charity that we do unto others, as we would have them do unto us.
Apostolic Foundation:
We now move away from the idea instilled that everything centre on dogma, creed and analysis. Our faith becomes cleaner, as we now comprehend anew that Jesus is the centre of our lives and all things: that as the Spirit in the Prophets and Apostles, it is His Will, which drives our desire and thinking. The Comforter gives us understanding and knowledge. His Spirit in us further reveals He is life and truth, and His ways are now shaped in us by how we live and act; putting aside works, as we now rest in Him in righteousness.
Paul: For he that is entered into His rest, he has also ceased from his own works as God did from His. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of unbelief. (Hebrews 4:10-11)
John: He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him. (1John 2:10)
James: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)
Paul: Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, unto to the glory and praise of God. (Php 1:11)
Peter: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Peter 1-8)
The Western Gates
Leah’s blessing of Zebulon: “God has provided me with good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me.”
Rachel’s blessing of Joseph: “God has removed my reproach and shall add to me another son.”
But, Rachel died giving birth to her second son, and as she departed she called his name Benoni meaning “son of my sorrow.” But Jacob named him Benjamin being; “son of the right hand.”
Moses said of Benjamin: “The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.”
From the Western Gates comes the Gospel of Salvation cleansed and glorified in Zebulon. And in Joseph, we are marked with the Everlasting Covenant of Peace; for every knee shall bend and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD. And from Benjamin, the Bond of Perfection restored in the poor, the blind and the naked. As Judah and Joseph become one in the LORD’s hand,
the Spirit and Bride are now also joined.
As the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, so the Gates follow the same pattern from birth to death; not death in the physical sense but the putting to death those things, which corrupt our faith. It is our journey to perfection, the joining of the Bride and the Husband; now one in the Spirit, inside the walls of the City of Completion with the name of JESUS written upon us.
Apostolic Foundation:
In Hebrews, Paul wrote these remarkable words: let us go on to perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (Hebrews 6:1-2)
He was expressing a fundamental truth that while these things are important, they are not the entirety of salvation. They are our ways; they are not God’s ways. Our LORD is perfection and desires the same in us, as He said to Abraham; walk before me and be thou perfect. (Genesis 17:1) By His Grace, our faith is justified and cleansed when we stay in His word.
Jesus: Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. (John 15:3)
John: If we love one another, God dwells in us, and his love is perfected in us. (1John 4:12)
Paul: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes: (Romans 1:16)
Peter: But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1Peter 1:25)
Paul: For by one offering he has perfected forever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
John: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him … In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4)
Paul: That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; and in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, predetermined according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, “you were sealed” with that Holy Spirit of promise: (Eph 1:10-13)
Zion’s Gates
And it shall come to pass, whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance … and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. (Joel 2:32)
There is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
Isaiah made it very clear that Jesus is God. (Isaiah 9:6) Many Prophets referred to the Almighty God as our “Deliverance” our “Sanctuary” and “Zion.” The Gates of New Jerusalem are Zion’s Gates. Peter told us emphatically there is no other name in Heaven or Earth by which we are saved, and that name is JESUS, the LORD. It was to Peter He gave the Keys to the Kingdom, each reflected in the Angel messengers residing in the twelve Gates of New Jerusalem. Zion is the Salvation of Christ Jesus restored and made perfect in us.
The LORD’s Jerusalem we attain through faith. It comes down out of Heaven with His Spirit to live in us when we have met the requirements laid down by the foundation teachings of the Apostles and Paul chosen by God. It is our completion in righteousness when we are numbered among the first fruits of the Israel of God, the Promise we spring from.
So we can see, New Jerusalem is not a material city, which comes down from Heaven as many people think. It never was and never can be. I urge you then to consider what you have read; open your heart to the Gospel truth of the Prophets and Apostles. More important still, is to be open to Jesus; the Word of God (Rev 19:10) and the Spirit of Prophesy (Rev 19:10).
He said many false teachers would come in His name that we should not listen to them but turn and walk away. Paul said that even an angel of light can deceive. He also said “having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3) The answer of course, is No. When it comes to Church teaching on New Jerusalem you must now put it aside.
Our Road to New Jerusalem is our journey of the Spirit, and the Covenants of God through which we came. We are made clean by His Word restored free of corruption and grime, when we keep the lessons of Christ and the Apostles, not the fallacies and fantasies of men and their teaching.
In love and peace as always,
James