Well, we do thank you for coming again and rejoice together that we can look at the last chapter in the book of the Revelation, or rather I should say chapter twenty-one, beginning at verse nine and going into the last chapter as we shall complete our study. You'll find your lesson is on the last sheet of your lesson book, page number thirty-two, and we would like to particularly begin at verse nine as the lesson sheet does. going down into chapter twenty-two regarding that wonderful city that is called the Holy Jerusalem. May I read at the beginning of your lesson sheet the introduction that we have there? And may we emphasize the meaning of this introduction as we look at the scriptures together. This scripture describes the glories of the bride, the lamb's wife, the holy city and the heavenly seat of administration over the whole earth in the millennial kingdom. And it is also the eternal character and glory of the bride, which is the church. Now, we would like to give a word of explanation that I feel is very needful and profitable to realize as we come to the last section of the book of the Revelation. You that have your lesson books, you will find which we mentioned very briefly last week. At the commencement on the first page, there is somewhat of an outline of the book presented for your benefit. Within that outline, there is one section that emphasizes what are called the parenthetical portions within the book of the Revelation. Now this explanation regarding the parenthetical portions is very important in the interpretation and in the understanding of the Book of the Revelation. Some of those parents, in fact all of them, but the one we have before us today, we have studied and looked upon. But those parenthetical portions were separate from what has been preceded or even followed. but they usually touch upon something preceding and enlarging upon it in detail for the benefit of the reader. Now when we come to chapter twenty-one and verse nine, to the end of chapter twenty-two and verse five, which really concludes the prophetic division of the whole book, we need an explanation to realize, contrary to what some beloved evangelical teachers may teach contrary to their teaching regarding this holy city the new Jerusalem it is often presented as being the eternal state now your lesson of last week where we touched on chapter twenty one through one verses one through five was the eternal state now what we begin now is the parenthetical section taking us back to describe in particular the millennial glory of the bride which is the church called the Holy Jerusalem during that millennial kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ now if you put this description of the bride as being the eternal and yet frankly as you have in your paragraph we have read it not only describes the bride in the millennial glory over the world, but also it will be the fixed eternal condition of the bride throughout all the ages yet to come. But particularly, primarily, the description relates to the glory of the bride, which is the church, in the heavenlies above the world during the millennial kingdom. Now let me read with you, if I may, verses nine through eleven, as we follow the outline on the sheet. where we have number one on your sheet, telling that the city is divine in its origin, it is heavenly in its character, and it possesses the glory of God. Note the words that came unto me, one of the seven angels, which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues. Talk with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the land's wife, And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and a high mountain, showed me that great city, the Holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Having the glory of God in a light was likened to a light or a stone most precious, even as a jasper stone clear as crystal. Let's meditate very briefly, but thoroughly upon the presentation that John is given. You particularly noted, I'm sure, it was one of the seven angels who also showed him, Babylon the Great, as you go back to chapter seventeen. And he showed John the great mystical Babylon, the false church, as well as the system upon the earth following the rapture of the saints that will prevail under the Antichrist and under the power of the wicked beast. in that coming day. Could you recall, he took John on that occasion into a wilderness and showed him that woman riding the beast, the one of whom it is said she was the mother of Harliss, and that's a false church in her pretensions. Now John is taken by one of the same angels to an exceeding great and high mountain. One can recognize the vivid contrast, not a wilderness, but an exceeding high mountain. Let me give you a similarity. Back in the days of Moses, you remember Moses was not privileged. Unfortunately, due to his own reckless spirit on one occasion, he was not privileged to go into the land of Canaan. But you may recall, God took him to Mount Pisgah and showed him And he had a view of the land of Canaan from that high elevation. And what a joy it is. Now, it wasn't Mount Pisgah here. I was on Mount Pisgah many years ago with a bunch of boys. One dear little chap he said, Mr. Bramwell, is this where Moses stood? No, I'm afraid not, Sonny. No. But God gave Moses that view of the promised land. Now, John is taken by the Spirit. He gets a view. Note the end of verse nine particularly. Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. Now here we have, and may I please re-emphasize it, with joy as well as with clarity. This is the glory of the church. We haven't quoted it, but you have it on your introduction paragraph, a scripture reference in chapter five of Ephesians. And let me quote it verbatim. Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it that he might present it to himself, or that he might sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of water, by the word, and that he might present it to himself a glorious bride, a glorious church, not having blemish a spot or any such thing. Beloved, please let me say, Now listen carefully. I hope you'll take it in. You and I do not belong to the Old Testament saints. You and I will never belong to the Great Tribulation saints. You and I will not belong to the earthly saints who will be in the millennial kingdom. You and I are privileged, and may I emphasize the privilege in God's grace and matchless love, We belong to that body of believers that are comprising the church, which is to be the bride of the Lord Jesus. Now may I make a statement that is very precious. Of all the saints through all the ages of time, the saints that comprise the church will be nearer and dearer to the heart of the Lord Jesus than any other. Is it not proper? as we have the very illustration in marriage upon the earth, that the dearest and nearest relationship of life is husband and wife, in its proper perspective. And when we look at the eternal state to come, and when we read in the description of our chapter, the description of the bride, that bride will be nearer, dearer, and in a position far more intimate than all the other saints of all ages. Can I please repeat it? We little value and in humiliation and sorrow we should bow our heads with shame and our hearts confess how unworthy we are and we do not even live up to the glory of our calling. Now will you please note on your lesson sheet, I want you to note that expression again under number one. The city is divine in its origin. Second, heavenly in character. And third, possessing the glory of God. Romans five and verse two declares, having the hope, let me quote verse one and two together, and therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God. And not only so, the joy of knowing, we stand in this grace, the grace wherein we stand, having the hope of the glory of God. My fellow believer, let me bring it to your heart. You and I, and the church, will have the blessed reflection completely and perfectly of God's glory upon us. As a body of believers, Please let me say, nobody of saints throughout all the angels will have such a place of honor and glory. Let me go to Ephesians chapter two, please. Very quickly. Let me read the words of the dearly beloved Apostle Paul in that great revelation of the church in the book of Ephesians. Please let me read, if I may, begin at verse four. And may I go down, if I may, through verse four. But God, who is rich in mercy for his great love, wherewith he loved us even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us, or made us alive together with Christ, by grace ye are saved, hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come, endless ages. He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Beloved, I ask that you will heartily and solemnly, humbly, but faithfully realize the portion that will be the portion of the church. Now let's go on in our chapter in Revelation quickly. Now we come, if I may, we begin reading as we go on to the next section on your lesson sheet, and we have the presentation as we read verses twelve through fourteen. These words. It had a wall great and high. There were twelve gates, and at the gates there were twelve angels. Names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. on the east three gates on the west north three gates on the south three gates and on the west three gates and the wall of the city and the twelve foundations and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the land and he that talked with me at a golden reed to measure the city and the gates thereof and the wall thereof now may i present please note your outline very carefully We'd like to emphasize that outline in number two. It presents to us from what we have read, the governmental administrative of the city as being perfect. We have noted in the reading, and you have followed it, the word twelve. The word twelve is very symbolic of perfection in government. Now, the reference you have in Matthew, I mention it to you briefly for the sake of time. It was on the occasion when the Lord Jesus was asked by his disciples when they said, Lord, we forsaken all to follow thee. What shall we have in the kingdom? And the Lord told the twelve, ye shall be sitting on twelve thrones, judging the tribes of Israel. Let me repeat the last expression. You will be sitting on twelve thrones. judging the twelve tribes of Israel, a governmental responsibility to rule, to reign over the tribes of Israel. So the numeral twelve is significant, whether in the gates, whether in the wall, and so on, the twelve tribes being mentioned and the twelve apostles being mentioned. It's significant of the governmental administrative perfection. For there I remind you, and I want you to think of it in this way, in the millennial kingdom, the Holy Spirit of Jerusalem will be the source of the administration that will be carried on the earth. Now let me remind you of something in the study of Matthew's Gospel. We took that Gospel, took us two seasons to go through it, but do you remember the key of that Gospel? The expression, the kingdom of the heaven, the kingdom of the heavens, the kingdom of the heavens. It presents Christ as the king. It presents his constitution in Matthew five, six and seven. And then it presents the mystery form of the kingdom while he's absent. But it tells us before the end that he's coming again. And when that kingdom is set up upon the earth, The character of that earthly kingdom must and will be like the character of the heavenly. The kingdom of the heavens. Wouldn't it be wonderful for people to live on earth that will be some heavenly character? Right now is hellish. I don't know how you feel about the character of this earth. But as it becomes worse and worse, it makes my heart grievous. And my soul is gratified that I'm saved. When that kingdom comes, please let me say, though the church will not be on the earth, over it, shining down upon the millennia, and may I say, the world is going to look up and see the glory of that city. Having the glory of God. Now let's read on. Note your lesson sheet. Let me read that. as we mentioned the wall and so on its security is symbolized by the wall around it that wall not only secures those that are in but may I also add the authority keeps those that should stay out from getting in but now let's go to verses let's go then as we go to it and we and read verse fifteen through eighteen where we have the shape and the size of the city reading verse fifteen again He that had taught with me at a golden reed to measure the city, the gates thereof and the walls thereof. Now, let me pause for just a moment. If you reflect and remember in chapter eleven, John was told to measure the temple. And a man with a reed measured the temple. It wasn't a golden reed. Now, this is a golden measuring stick. And one can recognize why. This is the city of gold, and this is the glory of God, and the righteousness of God in that city. And so he measures the city, and the gates, and the walls. Now the city lies four square. The length is as large as the breadth. And he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs, which is fifteen hundred miles approximately. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. Now when it comes to the measurement of the city, please note, the measurement of the city certainly reveals a perfect cube. It is just as long and wide and high in the same measurement, a perfect symmetry of a cube in its measurement. And one can, now let me point out the fact, fifteen hundred miles long, fifteen hundred miles wide, fifteen hundred miles high, according if this is a literal measurement. And what we can recognize is unquestionably the greatness and the vastness of such a city. Well, I'll tell you, makes the cities of the world look puny, does it not? To realize the greatness of this city. You remember the words that Paul wrote in the Hebrew Epistle, chapter eleven? Abraham looked for a city whose builder and maker is God. And what a joy to know. Having the glory of God. You know it's the beginning of the study. Divine in its origin. God is the architect and the builder. Then what joy to recognize. Symbolized by the perfect symmetry of a cube. It indicates its divine perfection. Hallelujah. When you think, you know, God put man in the garden. But it wasn't long before he got out of there and he started building what? Cities. Mayan, it hasn't prospered the world spiritually by building cities as it. One can recognize that they become the center of much crime and much wickedness we do well know on the earth. But all the joy of this city. Please note in verse seventeen again is a reference to the wall. He measured the wall. and hundred and forty and four cubits according to the measure of the man that is of the angel and the building of the wall of it was a jasper and the city was pure gold and like under clear glass. Note your lesson sheet for just a moment. The composition of that city, how great to realize, we look at it in the next section, but as we find the, we've just mentioned the shape of it, But we'll go to the next portion, but I would like you to remember, first of all, the wall for just a few moments. Not as high as the city, no. Typical of its protection as the secure. But may I point out, if the wall is clear as crystal, like jasper, typical of the glory of God, and without question of doubt, the wall of the city is the glory of the city, shines over upon the millennial earth. reflects the glory more brilliantly through that jasper wall as it will be viewed in that coming day in the millennial kingdom but now note as we go to the beauty of the foundation of the wall too note the composition of it verse nineteen we'd like to read verse nineteen and twenty the foundation of the wall of the city foundations were garnished with all manner of precious stones And you have the name. The first foundation was Jasper. The second, Sapphire. The third, Chalcedonix. The fourth, an emerald. The fifth, Sardonic. The sixth, Sardius. The seventh, Crystal Light. The eighth, Burl. The ninth, a Topaz. The tenth, a Crystal, Praises. The eleventh, Jason. The twelfth, and Amethyst. Now, beloved, let me just pause for a moment or two to meditate with you. These are descriptions of precious gems. Very precious gems. They all differ. Some of them have similar colors, but in different hues. But what John recognizes and sees in the wall of the city and the foundations of the city, it's started with these precious gems. I was reading very interesting the comment of the fact that one man who is a very great connoisseur and acquainted with the value of gems marveled at what John writes regarding the jewels in the foundations of the city and he comments How he could write such words and put the jewels in their specific order that they are named as he looks at them in the wall of the city. He said, it is a masterpiece of a man who undoubtedly knows this, James. Well, John didn't know anything about James anymore about fish. Where did he get his information? Ah, beloved, let me just say this. John the disciple wrote by divine inspiration through the Holy Spirit. Holy men of all stake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. But these gems, they are reflections of the beauty and the glories that will indeed be within that city the glories of Christ, the glories of the Father, the glories of God, and to recognize. These precious gems will stub the wall of that city from one end of it to the other, and with what joy we can realize. Let me read what we have on our lesson sheet. These precious stones, they may represent the very display of God's character and the character of His redeemed saint. Now let me give you the thought to illustrate the meaning of that expression. Some of you may be, and I hope all of you are, familiar with the Old Testament priesthood. And the high priest in the days of Israel, when he put on his garments of glory and beauty, when he would thus in representation go into the presence of God, and over his robe he would have the ephod. And upon that ephod was a breastplate. There were twelve stones. Twelve precious gems in their breastplate. Some of them are similar. Named in Revelation twenty-one. But he went into the presence of God with those stones upon his breastplate. And the oryx stones upon his shoulder. Upon the stones were written on the shoulder of the twelve names of the twelve tribes of Israel. And then those breasts, the breastplate with the precious gems. May I point out? In the presence of God, those blessed place would reflect their beauty and shine in their glory. Those precious gems and beloved, symbolically, it speaks as we have stated of the character of God. How can you reflect the character of God? Oh, beloved, character is a beautiful thing when it's what it ought to be. Now much depth of character the day in human life. But oh, may I state this. God grant that all of us would value and appreciate character as it should be. What shall we say of God? In the book of Job long ago it was written and spoken there. Can't thou by searching find out God? And no beloved me, I said, Believe me, I said, Look, don't forget. You and I will be the city, not only literally, not only physically, but in the glory of the church spiritually, reflecting what? The glories of God. Beloved, may I pause for just a moment? I feel very much humbled and ashamed to realize that I'm a saint. You are a saint belonging to the dearest company of saints. that will be nearer to the heart of the Father and to the heart of the Lord Jesus for all eternity. But are you and am I searching these precious scriptures to see more of the glory of God? For may I say very frankly, those glories, they should be reflected in our conduct, in our character. And in that glorious city they'll be perfectly reflected. Thank God. Oh, the joy of realizing the privilege and the holy opportunity of manifesting the glory of God. Remember one time Paul wrote, whatsoever ye drink, whatsoever ye eat, do it to the glory of God. Whatsoever you do, do it to the glory of God, he said to the Colossians. Ah, Pilate, please. The old Presbyterian Catechism, man's chief end is what? The glory of God. And oh, beloved saint, to realize all that we see in the beauty of this city, describing the bride, the land's wife, she is reflecting the glory of God. But go on further, please. Now let's look at the gates of the city as you go to verse, as we go to the next section. And we see down at the gates, verse twenty-one. The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Every several gate was the one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold as it were transparent glass. Again, you've got the numeral twelve. You've got twelve gates. But, oh, the precious reference. Every gate, one massive pearl. Why a pearl? You have a reference. We won't turn to it. But I quote the words from Matthew thirteen. Jesus said in verse forty-five and forty-six, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a merchantman seeking a goodly pearl, who when he has found it, sell it all that he hath and purchases it. That pearl, now it's not the Lord Jesus, he's the one that's looking for the pearl. He's the one that bites the pearl. The pearl is the church. The pearl is the church. He is Isaac. Don't you ever think, and some do teach it, that you buy the Lord, you never could buy the Lord Jesus. What could you give the Lord Jesus? All you can do is bring your sins to him and beg him in his grace and love to forgive you. Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to thy cross I cling. He buys the pearl, the pearl of great price. the beauty of it, the unity of it. One, Jesus said, one pearl, when he has found one pearl of great price, one, the unity of it, pearl, the beauty of it, great price, price, the costliness of it. He poured it with his own precious blood. Oh, beloved, please let me say, the Lord Jesus paid a lot more for his bride than any human being ever paid for his. or ever could. He bought it with his own life, with his own precious blood, and oh, to recognize every gaseous of one massive pearl, telling that by grace and natural love he bought his bride. And the street in the city, you know, I don't say streets, I don't know, maybe just one street. We're all going to live on Gold Street. But the street is a pure gold, divine righteousness. Look, you go out and walk in the... Well, it's all defiled by sin. But in that city, pure righteousness. Pure righteousness. That street of pure gold has transparent glass. Somebody once said, that in that city there won't be any gold in your pocket. It's going to be on your head and under your feet, if you have any on your head. But one can recognize it's a symbol of divine righteousness. No, beloved to realize. What a joy to have all the saints living on the same street and getting along together. Getting along together. Don't you wish the saints got along together now? Once you think, you know, sometimes I think I wish the Lord would come and knock our heads together, make us behave. Well, sometimes he does give you a good spanking. But one realizes when it comes to that glory, all together, and in that glory shining, and in divine righteousness, walking in fellowship. My. You know, I tell you, frankly, sometimes I hate to leave this meeting. I really do. Here we are. Enjoying spiritual, heavenly things. And we have to go out in this kind of a world. Well, praise God, it won't be forever. It won't be forever. But it will be up there forever. Now go further, if you please. And now we look at the thoroughfare of it as we read verse... Well, we read that in verse twenty-one. But let's look at verse twenty-two. As we look at verse twenty-two, we see the inhabitants of it. I saw no temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And oh, what does this mean? Beloved, our precious to realize, a temple, you've got them in the Old Testament again and again. You have them in pagan, idolatrous countries. We know they have their own idol temples. And even temples may be in Christendom. And what are they for? Supposedly they are the way of approach to God. But in that city there's no temple. There's no medium of approach. There's no medium of having to come near to God and draw near to him in a particular way. You remember James says, draw an eye to God. He will draw an eye to you. That's right now. But James won't be able to preach that in that city. Why? Why? There's no temple. We're in the proximity of God's presence forever and in the presence of the Lamb. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, there's a temple. Oh, the joy of knowing it. The temple indeed. And one can recognize the eternal sanctification will be in the immediate presence of God. Beloved Lord, Blessed of the pure in heart, they shall what? See God. Oh, may I say, the Israelite of all, and the priests of all, who was the only one, the high priest who could go into God's holy presence in the tabernacle or the temple. He could only go once a year into the immediate presence of God, and that he had to be careful how he did it. But in that city, the saints of God will be together with God the Father, with God the Son, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Oh, the sanctification of that city. And what joy it will be. But now go further, if you please. Verse twenty-four. Let me read. As we look at verse twenty-four, we'd like to read through verse twenty-six. Now here you have the direct reference regarding the millennial character of the city. As you read, the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it, for the glory of God did light in it, and the lamb is the light thereof. Now let's stop for just a moment, for we go right into the next section, which shows that the nations walk in the light of the city. But when you look at the city itself, no need of the sun, no need of the moon to shine in it. Now, let me give you a contrast. You'll find in the prophecy of Isaiah, I believe. I think it's Isaiah. That in the millennial kingdom, the sun, the sun in our solar system on the earth today, over the earth, is going to be shining greater. And the moon will be shining brighter. I think sevenfold. Hot enough today, isn't it? Well, don't worry, the temperature will be controlled when the Lord comes down here and takes over. The brightness of the sun and the brilliancy of the moon. The moon, the Prophet, will be as bright as the sun during the millennial reign of our Lord. But up in the city, they don't even need the sun. They don't even need the moon. The Lamb. Oh, please note those words again. The glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Now, what is light? You know what light does? It does dispel darkness, does it not? But what is light when you think of the meaning of it? God is light. We are told as Christians to walk in the light, and in that glorious city will be forever in the light. And may I emphasize, rather than physical light, which is true, spiritual. Divine illumination. Light spiritually is divine illumination. When we're told to walk in the light, it means we're to walk in the light of God's truth, the illumination of his word. And oh, in that city, everyone be walking according to the word of God. Everyone enjoying the spiritual and divine illumination of the Godhead forevermore. Oh, beloved, let me say this. Goodbye to all the problems of the earth. When you realize we're going to... May I put it this way? I don't know how much you enjoy the study, but you're going to enjoy it a lot better up there. The spiritual illumination. Let me quote John seventeen three again, paraphrase it. I've often done it. Let me do it again. This is life eternal. that they might go on and on and on and on forever, knowing thee, the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent. Oh, we need no other light. He's the light and the joy of knowing, the glory of that light. Now please, get the emphasis in the right direction. Why the glory of such life for the benefit of the world below? Read the next two verses. The nations of them which are saved, and I believe if I'm not mistaken, you could omit the words which are saved. They've been added by translators, not in the original text. But the nations of them which are on the earth shall walk in the line of it. And the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor unto it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day. For there shall be no night there, and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nation into it. Oh, beloved, please let me say, I hope I can visualize it with you. We need it. Oh, every time I should not. Sometimes I repute myself of even listening to the news. They never make me feel better. The news of today never makes one feel happy. Contrary, but all the difference when the millennial glory shines from above upon the millennial earth and the nation, they'll walk in the light of that city. They'll bring their glory and honor to it unquestionably to the earthly city Jerusalem below in representation. that they must walk in the light of that heavenly glory. Let me go back again, repeat it. No apology for the repetition. It's the kingdom of the heavens on the earth. But that heavenly character of it begins in the glory of that heavenly city and comes down shining upon the millennial earth. Now, beloved, I'm just as stupid and dumb enough and simple enough in my mind to believe it, literally, that the men of the earth in that millennial day will see that glorious city. I want to tell you something. They'll throw away their telescopes. Their mighty telescopes will buy their first heavens. We'll be ruthless. For the glory of God will lighten that city, and it will shine down with its blessings upon the millennial earth. What a day that will be. And they will, and they must, and they will walk in the light of it. The blessed Lord Jesus upon the earth, the messiah-ranked king of Israel, and the king of kings, and lord of lords with a run of iron. will compel obedience. Disobedience will immediately be cut off. Ah, beloved, what a day that will be. May the Lord Jesus soon come. And now let's go to verse twenty-seven, please. And let's see something regarding the protection of the city. How precious to realize it. There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles neither nor whatsoever worketh abomination which is idolatry, or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the land's book of life, are the protection of the sick. Please note, nothing that can defile it, nothing that can make an abomination, nothing that can bring in a lie. All that is the record of past history of human life from Adam down to the end of human humanity's time. Nothing can enter into that city. Tejifail it. Praise God. I remember him reading a story one time that really was quite remarkable. A little chap came into the house and jumped on his mother's lap and said, Mother, tell me a story. He couldn't talk very plain. He lived. And he said, Tell me a story, Mother. And she said, Well, what would you want me to tell? She said, The story of the beautiful city. He loved to hear about this city. And his mother often told him the story. And she looked at him and he was, Sonny, you've been playing outside. You go and wash your hands first and then I'll do it. So he did, came back. And as he jumped in the lap, he said, Tell me the story, Mother. She said, Now, did you take the soap out of the water? She knew a little boy. Yes, Mother. So she told him the story. And she comes to the end of it and tells that nothing that makes an abomination... Nothing that can defile us, spoil us, nor tell us a lie. We'll get into the city. Wait a minute, Muff. I better go take the soap out of the water, said the little chap. So his conscience would be. Great. Lord, beloved, the joy of realizing nothing can defile us. The protection of the city. Oh, the joy of knowing it. Forever protected. Only they whose names are written in the land's book of life can enter the city. I'm too glad your name's written there. Yes, my name's written there on the page white and fair in the book of thy kingdom. Yes, my name's written there. Go to chapter twenty-two now. You know, it's a lesson she tells you. The interior of the city is more chiefly described in these next verses one through five. Let me read them through. He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal proceeding out of the throne of God and of the land. In the midst of the street of Eden on either side of the city of the street was there the tree of life, which bared for a manner of fruit, and yielded a fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations, and there shall be no more curse But the throne of God and of the land shall be in it, and its servants shall serve him. They shall see his face, and his name shall be in their forehead. There shall be no night there. They need no candle, neither light of the sun. For the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign forever and ever through the ages of ages. Now here you have very briefly the very precious. The interior description of the interior of that city. You know it on your lesson sheet first. There is spoken first of all the river of life. In verse one. You have a reference in Psalm forty-six regarding a river. It's well worth reading and comparing with this scripture. And it relates particularly to the earthly Jerusalem. Same with Ezekiel chapter forty-seven. Verse one through nine. They're in the earthly Jerusalem. They're alongside the south side of the altar from the city of Jerusalem, from the temple. There flows a river. The prophet notes it. He walks in it. He comes to his ankles. He gets deeper to his knees and then to the loins. Then he becomes greater still, more just to swim in. They are typical of the millennial blessings of the earth. As Ezekiel writes of it. And he also mentions a tree. on the river that and now here you have the counterpart in the heavenly side of it in the city of the new Jerusalem that blessed river of the water of life and then also you've got the tree of life mentioned in verse two as you may have noticed it bears twelve manner of fruit fruit every month boy I'm telling you you can't pick strawberries every month or do anything of such nature like that can you but the fruit of the tree for the enjoyment of the beloved inhabitants. And may I say, take it spiritually more than physically. Though one time a dear brother said, Brother Bambo, shall we eat when we get to heaven? I said, sure, of course we will, brother. Look, there's a tree with fruit on it. Great, he says. I like fruit. Well, think of it more spiritually. The fruit of it. Oh, the fruit. Oh, beloved, look. Let me quote the words of the Song of Solomon. I think it's in chapter two where the writer says, I sat under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my taste. And beloved, we're sure going to enjoy divine fruit forevermore. And believe, we don't need believe. They've got a ministry to heal the nation. Now here you can recognize again. It's the millennial glory of the city, though it's of an eternal character in its duration. But it's the millennial glory particularly where it shines down upon and over the earth in the millennial kingdom. And even the nations are blessed as the result of the fruit of the tree of life. You well know the story of the Garden of Eden. And there, lest Adam should eat the fruit of the tree of life, he was driven out. And the Lord, remember that the flaming cherubim stood at the entrance of the garden with a flaming sword, keeping anyone away from that tree of life? That the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, he bore that judgment of the sword at Calvary to make you and me have the privilege of enjoying the tree of life forever. What a symbol. forever to enjoy that life which is ours symbolized by the tree of life. And then if you please note, I've got it written on your lesson sheet. I'd like to follow it very carefully. You've got certain perfect conditions that are described. Please let me please note them with you. As you've got it in verse three. First of all, there shall be no more curse. There shall be no more curse. Again you think of the Garden of Eden. Cursed is the ground for thy sake, said God to Adam. Because of your sins. There shall be no more curse. Praise God. Sinless in that eternal state. No more curse, a perfect condition. And then there will be perfect government if you please. As you note the end of the verse. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. There's the symbolic representation of the divine government. Now, please let me say, I would like to do this very briefly. We saw it somewhat in our study of last week in chapter twenty-one, verse one through five. Then when the tabernacle of God is in the center of that new creation, God himself shall be their God. and they shall be his people. That will be the center of eternal government. Now we have the same blessed city, the center of the government of the millennial kingdom. The throne of God and of the land shall be in it. And what joy to recognize perfect government. And then you follow on, please, at the end of the verse. And it is written, how lovely, his servant shall serve him. Oh, beloved, let me say, my service here in this world is not perfect at all. Even did not the Lord Jesus say, after you've done the will of God, even say, we're unprofitable servants. And my beloved, let me say, no man, no brother nor sisters should ever boast of their service. God forbid. There's only one perfect servant. And God through Isaiah said, Behold, my servant. In whom is all my delight? But, oh, beloved, let me state as we have here, in that city of beauty and glory above, every one of us will be a perfect servant. Hallelujah. His servant shall serve him. But then go further. Precious it is to realize not only perfect service, but perfect worship. They shall see his face. Why should they see his face to adore it? Adoration. Adoration. Adoration. Oh, beloved, Lord. Can I say something? The face can be a great reflection of your character and of your personality. God shows in your faith. That is not how you live. It reflects in your faith, whether good or bad. But oh, when you realize, when there's a faith so beautiful that was once so marred more than the sons of men, but now radiating with eternal glory the face of your Savior, they shall see in faith. We'll worship. will worship it. Dear friend of mine, his wife one time asked him, said, Gordon, when we were in heaven, will you look at me? He looked at me and said, May, maybe after I've looked at the Lord Jesus ten thousand years, I'll turn around and look at you. Well, he may not have to wait that long, she may not. No, that one can recognize. That's the appreciation of Christ. Now, may I state this? Let me do it carefully. We long to see our loved ones who were there. We shall. We long to have them with us. And those that are saying they won't be with us. But I want to tell you, please, the one person that will be altogether lovely will not be your wife or your husband or anybody in your family. It's going to be the Lord Jesus. We shall see his face. Face to face with Christ my Savior. face to face to see and know, with what joy I shall behold him, Jesus Christ, who loved me so. Oh, beloved, what a joy. And please remember, well, that comes next. And his name shall be on their forehead, perfect likeness. Remember what John wrote in verse John three two, Beloved, now are we the sons of God? He does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know when he shall appear. We shall be like him. For we shall see him as he is. What a joy. I remember reading many years ago, Jitsi Smith. God used him as an evangelist. Jitsi boy, though he had been, saved him, used him for his glory. Haringer, a great campaign down in the south here. This goes back very many years ago, maybe the early part of this century. And he had a question given to him to ask. On one side of the auditorium, the great auditorium they had together, they had the black people, and then the white ones segregated, as was the custom. And he received a question. And is that any from a black person? What color will we be in heaven? Well, you know, to answer a question like that publicly, He needed divine grace. Well, he lifted his heart to the Lord, and the Lord gave him help. And he quoted, We shall all be like him. Well, that answers it all. Well, it answers it all, beloved Lord. And best of all, color of grace matters nothing. We shall be like him. Glorify. Please let me say there's no question of doubt. Every glorified body of every sin will be in likeness to Christ. A spiritual body! Not a physical body, but we will have the physical. We shall be raised physically. For what the Spirit of God emphasizes in First Corinthians, it's the spiritual body. And the element of the physical is secondary. But thank God the spiritual. will be operable in that coming day. And when we see his face, we shall all be like him. We shall reflect his glory upon our faces. Hallelujah. Holy, we could do it more here. What a joy and blessing it would be. But now let's finish to go on and see. There's perfect light in that city as you revert by it. There shall be no night there. They need no candle, neither light of the sun. For the Lord God give us them light. Perfect light. No candle. No need, not even of the sun. Oh, beloved, oh, my. I couldn't look at the sun with my eyes. In fact, it gives me more trouble than I do get the sun shining in my eyes. It may you too. But I tell you, when you see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, And we'll be in that glory with him and like him. What light there will be. Filling, flooding that old city. Ah, nuclear. We don't need the nuclear problems, do we? We won't have them. So that's the divine light of God. And last of all, you go to verse five at the end of it. And here you've got perfect glory. They shall reign how long? Forever and ever. Through the ages of ages. Oh. Let me go back with you, please, to Ephesians chapter three for just one moment. I want you to note the end of that chapter, the first chapter in the book of Ephesians. And I want you to read with me the words of the Apostle Paul regarding the great truth that he presents relative to the church. And as he gives the subscription of praise to the Lord in verse twenty and twenty-one, now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, Above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory. Now know where? In the church. Please take it in. It's in relation to the church. To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus. How long? Throughout all ages. Well without ends. Amen. But thank God the church I belong to is going to last forever. Praise his name throughout all the ages. I'm too glad you're saved. And what a joy it will be when all the troubles, the denominations are gone. And we'll all be one in Christ. And join him forever and ever. Now this is the glory of the bride. Now the rest of your chapter, you can follow your lesson sheet. I've got some brief comments. I won't follow them. that there are only warnings of admonition relative to what we must do and should be and warnings that are needed. But let me please note one verse with you. Let me read verse seventeen. That spirit and the bride say come. Let him that hear us say come. Let him that is the first come. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely. The coming of the Lord Jesus has been the great theme of the book. But may I raise the question and suggest the thought. Are you and I saying, Lord, come. Oh, may I say, never a day goes by that I say, come, Lord Jesus. Even so come, Lord Jesus, even so come today. Even so come, Lord Jesus, taking thy bride away. Oh, how my heart is yearning. longing for thy returning. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Even so, come today. Now, beloved, I hope that after we've studied what we have today, even, we're all of the same mind and opinion and of heart. Come, Lord Jesus. Come, Lord Jesus. Shall we pray? Beloved and blessed Father, what else can we say? Even John at the end of the book says, Even so, come, Lord Jesus. We thank you, Lord Jesus, for your coming. We long to see this. We long to be delivered from this scene of earth, with its trials and temptations and troubles and sorrows, his evil and all of its wickedness, and all that we see around and know around us. This we know will not be better until the Lord Jesus comes, cleanses the earth, sets up his kingdom of glory. But we who are thy bride, the church, what a portion is ours. And we would ask thee to teach us in our hearts and in our daily walk to so live that we're looking for thy coming, looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. dismiss us with thy blessing. We would ask thy blessing upon our fellowship, as we may repast together, others indeed, to eat and drink to thy glory. We pray.