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Cities in Heaven
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here to listen 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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