A City with Pearly Gates
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.
Revelation 21:12
Read Revelation 21:8-21
The New Jerusalem is called the bride of the Lamb. The church triumphant
is called the Bride of Christ. The city where she dwells is the place where
God lives with His people, and they with Him. There is nothing more beautiful
than this! Don’t you think so? How glorious it must be to live there!
Who has access to this city? Certainly not everyone indiscriminately, for it
is a walled city. The walls prevent enemies from entering it. However, John
saw that the walls had multiple gates, which gave access into the city. There
were twelve of these gates. This is a large number for any city. There were
three gates facing each direction. Numerology plays a significant role in the
Book of Revelation. The number twelve makes us think of the tribes of Israel,
which formed the Old Testament Church, as well as the twelve apostles
of the New Testament. The names of the twelve tribes were written along
the tops of the gates, while the names of the apostles were written on their
foundations, indicating that the whole Church, people from both the Old and
the New Testament eras, will inhabit the city. The inhabitants will come
from every direction. The three gates on each side allow many people access
into the city. This is an important fact, for it reveals God’s willingness to
demonstrate His love. Every sinner deserves to be denied access to the city,
yet God opens its gates wide to receive sinners. This has only been made
possible for Jesus’ sake. Angels stand at each gate to verify who may be lawfully
admitted into the city. To enter this city, you need a passport, a passport
which has been verified and sealed with the blood of Christ. That is
the one and only way to enter into the City of Light through the pearly gates.
Thought: Do you think there are barriers in the gates?
Psalter 31:1,7 (based on Psalm 17)
Lord, hear the right, regard my cry, My prayer from lips sincere;
Send Thy approval from on high, My righteousness make clear.
Thou in the night my heart hath tried, Nor found it turned from Thee aside.
When I in righteousness at last Thy glorious face shall see,
When all the weary night is past, And I awake with Thee
To view the glories that abide, Then, then I shall be satisfied.
