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What is the New Jerusalem?

Amy Pollick
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Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 9,201
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Sometimes a term for Heaven or eternity, the term “New Jerusalem” is a concept found largely in Judaism and Christianity. It is called the city of God, the tabernacle, Zion and many other names. Mostly, it refers to the dwelling place of the Jewish and/or Christian God, which believers will see at the end of time or when they die.

The New Jerusalem may be a figurative or literal place, depending upon one’s interpretation of Scripture. The Hebrew prophets spoke of Zion being established and a return of the rule of King David’s line -- a time when God will re-establish His reign on earth. This is often referred to as “The Day of the Lord.”

In the book of Revelation in the Christian New Testament, the Apostle John refers to the New Jerusalem in his writings. He says, “And I John saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven” (Revelation 21:2a, KJV). This occurs after John’s visions of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, after Christ has defeated Satan once and for all. Once Satan has been defeated, God will create a new Heaven and a new Earth, of which the New Jerusalem is a part.

Whether the New Jerusalem is a literal city or a figurative one, the concept, for both Jews and Christians, is that it will be where God rules. As such it will be a place of no sorrow, no death, pain or suffering. Every person will be whole and happy. The taint of sin will be removed from the earth, and humankind will be fully restored to fellowship with God, as in the time of the Garden of Eden -- only without a serpent waiting in the wings to destroy it.

In all likelihood, the use of Jerusalem as the pinnacle of the reign of God is because this was a concept familiar to Jews and early Christians alike. Jerusalem has always been the holiest city for both faiths and was indeed, the very center of worship for Jews, since their Temple rested there, by the order of God. Jerusalem was the “official” place of worship for Jews, the only place they could offer sacrifice and receive atonement for their sins. Restoring a perfect new Jerusalem makes sense when viewed in this light. Since Christians revere Jerusalem as the place of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is also a likely spot for Him to return, in their view.

No short article can cover the complexity of the New Jerusalem concept. It has been studied and analyzed by biblical scholars and rabbis for centuries. It is however, safe to say that the New Jerusalem, whether literal or figurative, is a place of peace, happiness and blessing.

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Amy Pollick
By Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at Language & Humanities. With experience in various roles and numerous articles under her belt, she crafts compelling content that informs and engages readers across various platforms on topics of all levels of complexity.
Discussion Comments
By anon249462 — On Feb 21, 2012

New Jerusalem is a trick. John of Patmos is using the word "God" to describe the sun. New Jerusalem is a massive sphere of burning magnesium. The twelve "pearls" are the twelve electrons of Magnesium. The 144,000 will be the first-fruits of God: they will be harvested first. They will become pillars in the temple literally, as Lot's wife did. They will become Magnesium Carbide. The tree of life with the twelve fruits is the nucleus with twelve protons and twelve neutrons.

Check the atomic structure: it has three gates north, south, east and west, and is four square. Twelve electrons, 12 protons, 12 neutrons makes its breadth, height and width the same.

New Jerusalem will come as a solar flare. Those who decipher Revelation will know where to go, thinking that they are to be taken away to a new place. Typically, they will be gifted, intelligent, etc. In the same way man was thrown from the garden of Eden for having knowledge, so they will be removed from Earth during the apocalypse which is a recurring event every 5,000 years or so. Somebody doesn't want us to advance and by stripping us of the academic elite, they will succeed.

If you know of anyone planning to "follow the lamb", tell them to ignore Revelation as it is dangerous and the work of Satan.

By anon177519 — On May 18, 2011

The "holy city", New Jerusalem" is identified clearly right in the text of Rev 21. In v 2, it comes down from heaven "adorned as a bride for her husband." (First hint). Then, in vs 9-10, the angel says he's going to show John "the bride, the wife of the Lamb" and shows him the very same "heavenly city, New Jerusalem."

I'm not sure how much clearer it could be that the vision of the "city" is the Body of Christ--the entire company of the redeemed. We are precious to Him, like all the valuables He speaks of--pearls, gold, jasper, etc. To try to make it a literal city misses the point of the vision.

And the whole book of Revelation is one vision after the next.

There's not going to be an actual dragon sweeping away a third of the stars, right? He'd have to be the size of the Milky Way with a tail a hundred trillion miles long. It's a vision, folks. All visions. Each thing stands for something else, just like the candle stands of ch 2 and the "seven heads and ten horns."

Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick
Amy Pollick, a talented content writer and editor, brings her diverse writing background to her work at Language &...
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