 "Then, in the Spirit, he (the angel) conveyed me away to a vast and lofty mountain and exhibited to me the
holy (hallowed, consecrated) city of Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God, clothed in God's glory [in all its splendor
and radiance].
The luster of it resembled a rare and most precious jewel, like jasper, shining as clear as crystal.
It had a massive high wall with twelve [large] gates, and at the gates [there were stationed] twelve angels, and [on the gates]
the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were written: Three gates on the east side, three gates on the
north side, three gates on the south side, and three gates on the west side. And the wall of the city had twelve foundation
[stones], and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he who spoke to me had a golden measuring
reed (rod) to measure the city and its gates and its wall.
The city lies in a square, its length being the same as its
width. And he measured the city with his reed--12,000 stadia (about 1,500 miles); its length and width and height are
the same.
He measured its wall also--144 cubits (about 72 yards) by a man's measure [of a cubit from his elbow to his third
fingertip], which is [the measure] of the angel.
The wall was built of jasper, while the city [itself was of] pure gold,
clear and transparent like glass.
The foundation [stones] of the wall of the city were ornamented with all of the precious stones. The
first foundation [stone] was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony (or white agate), the fourth emerald, the fifth
onyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth,
the twelfth amethyst.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each separate gate being built
of one solid pearl. And the main street (the broadway) of the city was of gold as pure and translucent as glass.
I
saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Omnipotent [Himself] and the Lamb [Himself] are its temple.
And
the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to give light to it, for the splendor and radiance (glory) of God illuminate
it, and the Lamb is its lamp.
The nations shall walk by its light and the rulers and leaders of the earth
shall bring into it their glory.
And its gates shall never be closed by day, and there shall
be no night there.
They shall bring the glory (the splendor and majesty) and the honor of the nations into
it.
But nothing that defiles or profanes or is unwashed shall ever enter it, nor anyone who commits abominations
(unclean, detestable, morally repugnant things) or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb's
Book of Life.
(Revelation 21:10-27)
.
|
| "Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord!" |
|
