Cities in Heaven

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Will there be cities in Heaven? Of course there will. We know from reading in Matthew 24, and Mark 13, that the city of Jerusalem and surrounding area are going to be pulverized. Can one assume that same thing will happen to all dwelling places? At the Coming of Christ, not one stone on top another. A vivid description of this is in Zechariah chapter fourteen. Does God like cities? It appears He doesn't have too much use for the ones man has built. But the ones there, will really be something.

The best description and probably the only description of what they will be like, is in the book of Revelation. Let's take a look at the description of that city.

New Jerusalem

Remember, this is the description of where God Himself will dwell. It will be on this earth. I believe there will be other cities, and people all over this earth.

(Rev 21:9) And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

(Rev 21:10) And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

(Rev 21:11) Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

(Rev 21:12) And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

(Rev 21:13) On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

(Rev 21:14) And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

This is after the great white throne judgment, and we have all settled into the peace that is there. Look at who's names are on the twelve foundations. Is Judas in Heaven or Hell? He repented. If his repentance was worthless, what about ours? You know, I plan on being there, and I guess if I can make it, Judas could to.

(Rev 21:15) And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

(Rev 21:16) 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.

A fifteen hundred mile cube. With the center of the foundation at Jerusalem. Spreading out 750 miles to the north, 750 miles to the South, 750 miles to the east, 750 miles to the West, and  1,500 miles into the air, (space). Wow! What a city.

(Rev 21:17) And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

This must be an outside wall around the city. You can tell this by it's measurements. Rather small, compared to the city itself.

(Rev 21:18) And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

(Rev 21:19) And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

(Rev 21:20) The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

(Rev 21:21) And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

(Rev 21:22) And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

(Rev 21:23) And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

(Rev 21:24) And the nations[1] of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

1 "NATIONS": 1484. ethnos, eth'-nos; prob. from G1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; spec. a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by impl. pagan):--Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

People will be coming from all over the earth to worship the Lord. - - Kings?

(Rev 21:25) And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

(Rev 21:26) And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

(Rev 21:27) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

(Rev 22:1) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Jacob's pillar? Will it be under that throne as it has been in England. God allowed water to flow from it in the wilderness when Israel came out of Egypt. There is a good documentary on this stone, by E. Raymond Capt.

(Rev 22:2) In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

(Rev 22:3) And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

(Rev 22:4) And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

(Rev 22:5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Where will the other cities be, and what will they look like?

(Isa 61:2) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

(Isa 61:3) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

(Isa 61:4) And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former[1] desolations, and they shall repair[2] the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

[1] 7223. ri'shown, ree-shone'; or ri'shon, ree-shone'; from H7221; first, in place, time or rank (as adj. or noun):--ancestor, (that were) before (-time), beginning, eldest, first, fore [-father] (-most), former (thing), of old time, past.

[2] 2318. chadash, khaw-dash'; a prim. root; to be new; caus. to rebuild:--renew, repair.

All this really makes more sense, when one understands about the three world ages. The apostle Paul wrote about going to the third heaven. You know one and two comes before three.

What former desolations and what waste cities? Certainly not the ones made by flesh man. They're too perishable. Actually God is going to destroy all of them and that system. Never to be anymore. Read 2 Pet 3:10 where it describes that. You may have to use the Strong's dictionary, but you will see. Are we going to rebuild this earth? I think so. Why not, we messed it up. Just like a parent telling their kids to clean their room. The Holy city Jerusalem described in Revelation is just one city. Read of it's splendor and characteristics. A fifteen hundred mile cube. There will be more cities.

Where are these former things written of in God's word? The desolate places and wasted cities. Let's go to Jeremiah chapter 4.

(Jer 4:19) My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war.

(Jer 4:20) Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment.

(Jer 4:21) How long shall I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?

(Jer 4:22) For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.

(Jer 4:23) I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light.

See Geneses 1:2 for this destruction.

(Jer 4:24) I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

(Jer 4:25) I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled.

Even the heavens were destroyed. This was not Noah's flood. The next verse is why we came here.

(Jer 4:26) I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger.

See Isa 14: 13 thru 17 where it states who caused this. Satan. At Noah's flood God did not seem to be mad just disappointed. See Isa 61:4 where we shall rebuild this earth and it's cities.

(Jer 4:27) For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end.

God did lay the whole earth desolate. See Gen 1:2.

(Jer 4:28) For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it.

The cities at this time, and this time had to be before this flesh age, they really had to be something. Read in Revelation about the New city Jerusalem. I think that would give a good representation.

We all know the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, and what happened at Gibeah. I think these are some reasons for the next verse, where God is describing what I think to be cities. It doesn't appear that He likes the ones we build in the flesh.

Isa 5:8 Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

Just look at our major cities today. We all know what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. There is another city, that God is going to destroy, in the end time. Let's read about it.

Rev 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.

Rev 16:19 And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Rev 18:5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Rev 18:6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

Rev 18:7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Rev 18:8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Rev 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

Rev 18:10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.

Rev 18:11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:

Rev 18:12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

Rev 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.

Rev 18:14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

Rev 18:15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing,

Rev 18:16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!

Rev 18:17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off,

Rev 18:18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city!

Rev 18:19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.

Rev 18:20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

Rev 18:21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

Rev 18:22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

Rev 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Rev 18:24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

Maybe this is a good place to insert the next verse.

2 Pet 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works[1] that are therein shall be burned up.

2041. ergon, er'-gon; from a prim. (but obsol.) ergo (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation); by impl. an act:--deed, doing, labour, work.

You know the apostle Paul was taken to the third heaven, (heavenly age). There he heard things unlawful for him to talk about. What all did he hear and what all did he see? Well I guess we'll just have to wait. Sounds exciting to me.

2 Cor 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

If there is a third Heaven, (Heavenly age), then there must be or have been a one and two.

2 Cor 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

2 Cor 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

2 Cor 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

2 Cor 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Paul had an abundance of revelations while there. One can assume that he saw as much or more than he heard. Probably unexplainable. He couldn't even talk about the things he had heard. Any way God was going to make sure that Paul didn't tell anyone. How would you like to have, an angel of Satan, hanging around you all the time? This had to be done in order to keep Paul from thinking he was really something. Just imagine yourself going there and witnessing all that he did.

2 Cor 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

2 Cor 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

For Paul to be able to take pleasure in all he had to contend with, he must have really witnessed something.

The next few verses I believe describes the United States.

Isa 18:1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:

Isa 18:2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the rivers have spoiled!

Isa 18:3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.

Isa 18:4 For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.

Isa 18:5 For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.

Isa 18:6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.

Isa 18:7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.

Where is the Lord going to be in the eternity? Mount Zion. That's where we go, to take our present to Him. What present? Are we going to giving Him something? Well, What does God want? Love. That's what we will be taking to Mount Zion. Our Love.

We're going to be somewhere in Heaven. And Heaven is going to be here on earth. God is going to dwell in the New City Jerusalem. WOW! the city of all cities. But the earth to us is a big place. I believe there will be cities as well as open country for people to dwell. I want to insert a verse from Ezekiel where it describes suburbs. Chapter forty eight of Ezekiel is in the thousand year reign of Christ and before the Great White Throne Judgment. We are all in spiritual bodies at this time.

Ezek 48:17 And the suburbs[1] of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and fifty.

[1] 4054. migrash, mig-rawsh'; also (in plur.) fem. (Ezek. 27 : 28) migrashah, mig-raw-shaw'; from H1644; a suburb (i.e. open country whither flocks are driven for pasture); hence the area around a building, or the margin of the sea:--cast out, suburb.

Cities in Heaven? Like I said at the first. Of course. But for those of us who enjoy country living, I'm sure it's available also.

Thanks, for allowing me, to share this with you. Remember, to always, study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

In His Word,
Art Porter

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