The ultimate climax of the Lord’s Return is not merely the end of the current age, but the establishment of an eternal dwelling place where God and the redeemed dwell together forever. The prophetic destiny of the saints culminates in the arrival of the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.
Understanding the Holy City gives believers the blessed hope of a tangible, everlasting future with Christ.
The Holy City: A Clear Definition
The Holy City is the glorious, perfect, and celestial city that descends from God out of heaven after the thousand-year Millennial reign has concluded. It is the final, eternal home for the redeemed and the seat of God’s eternal throne. The Apostle John describes this vision with overwhelming clarity:
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2, KJV)
The city’s holiness signifies its complete separation from the sin and corruption of the former world. It is the tangible manifestation of God’s presence among men.
The Structure and Significance of the Holy City
The Holy City is described in geometrical perfection, emphasizing its divinity and immutability. Its key features reveal the completeness of God’s redemptive work:
- Its Foundation and Walls: The wall is described as having twelve foundations, representing the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed on its gates, signifying the unity of God’s people from all ages.
- Its Light: The city has no need of the sun or moon, “for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:23, KJV). This shows that in the Holy City, God Himself is the source of all illumination.
- The River of Life: Flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb is “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,” (Revelation 22:1, KJV). This represents the eternal supply of life and blessing, reversing the curse introduced in Eden.
The Holy City is the full and final answer to the Return Question. It confirms that the Lord does not merely visit Earth but dwells eternally with His people, fulfilling the ultimate promise of scripture.