What is the "New Jerusalem" In the Bible?

[JesusFan]

is it literally City, or metaphor, or?

 

[Tom Butler]

is it literally City, or metaphor, or?

It is a name given to the place where God dwells with men. It's another way of describing heaven.

The eventual location is on the earth, in my view.

 

[Iconoclast]

22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,




the freewoman was by promise.

24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

.............

 

[kyredneck]

22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,




the freewoman was by promise.

24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

.............

:thumbs::thumbs:

 

[convicted1]

New Jerusalem is the Bride of the Lamb. The new city in which we will live. New Jerusalem is made of all believers from all time.

Rev. 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

If this isn't heaven, then I don't know very much......don't say it!! :laugh:

 

[Logos1]

It is the New Covenant

The New Jerusalem is described as coming down from heaven not being in heaven and it is where God dwells with men (indwells them). The preceding verses were describing the passing of the Old Covenant. This passage is selling the Jewish audience on the New Covenant—there won’t be any tears due to the passing of the Old Covenant. It is the Tabernacle from Ezekiel just in different terms.

The New Jerusalem is the New Covenant.

 

[Logos1]

OT reference to the New Jerusalem

The trouble understanding the New Jerusalem is that people just read this verse in isolation with out any OT context. Read Isiah 65: 17 -19 and it is the same verses almost. Clearly the new heaven and new earth is the new covenant as is the New Jerusalem. Even mentions the no more weeping.


A New Creation
17 "For I will create a new heaven and a new earth;
the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.

18 Then be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy,
and its people to be a delight.

19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in My people.
The sound of weeping and crying
will no longer be heard in her.

I think I'll start a new thread on the New heavens and New Earth which is without question or doubt not a literal new earth, but the new covenant.

 

[Dr. Bob]

To make a real physical place described so carefully and completely by God's Spirit into some allegory or metaphor shows callous disregard for hermeneutics.

I am looking forward to the literal fulfillment of that location where I will spend eternity, in the city four-square, made by God, coming to planet earth. Woohoo!!

 

[Iconoclast]

The trouble understanding the New Jerusalem is that people just read this verse in isolation with out any OT context. Read Isiah 65: 17 -19 and it is the same verses almost. Clearly the new heaven and new earth is the new covenant as is the New Jerusalem. Even mentions the no more weeping.


A New Creation
17 "For I will create a new heaven and a new earth;
the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.

18 Then be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy,
and its people to be a delight.

19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in My people.
The sound of weeping and crying
will no longer be heard in her.

I think I'll start a new thread on the New heavens and New Earth which is without question or doubt not a literal new earth, but the new covenant.

John Owen took this view;

Here is what he says:


"On this foundation I affirm that the heavens and earth here intended in this prophecy of Peter, the coming of the Lord, the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men, mentioned in the destruction of that heaven and earth, do all of them relate, not to the last and final judgment of the world, but to that utter desolation and destruction that was to be made of the Judaical church and state; for which I shall offer these two reasons, of many that might be insisted on from the text:-

'(1.) Because whatever is here mentioned was to have its peculiar influence on the men of that generation. He speaks of that wherein both the profane scoffers and those scoffed at were concerned, and that as Jews, some of them believing, others opposing, the faith. Now there was no particular concernment of that generation, nor in that sin, nor in that scoffing, as to the day of judgment in general ; but there was a peculiar relief for the one and a peculiar dread for the other at hand, in the destruction of the Jewish nation ; and, besides, an ample testimony both to the one and the other of the power and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was the thing in question between them.

'(2.) Peter tells them, that after the destruction and judgment that he speaks of (vers. 7-13), " We, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth,' etc. They had this expectation. But what is that promise? Where may we find it? Why, we have it in the very words and letter, Isa. lxv. 17. Now, when shall this be that God shall create these new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness? Saith Peter, " It shall be after the coming of the Lord, after that judgment and destruction of ungodly men, who obey not the gospel, that I foretell." But now it is evident from this place of Isaiah, with chap. lxvi. 21, 22, that this is a prophecy of Gospel times only; and that the planting of these new heavens is nothing but the creation of Gospel ordinances to endure for ever. The same thing is so expressed Heb. xii. 26-28.
First, There is the foundation of the apostle's inference and exhortation, seeing that all these things, however precious they seem, or what value soever any put upon them, shall be dissolved, that is, destroyed; and that in that dreadful and fearful manner before mentioned, in a day of judgment, wrath, and vengeance, by fire and sword; let others mock at the threats of Christ's coming: He will come- He will not tarry; and then the heavens and earth that God Himself planted, -the sun, moon, and stars of the Judaical polity and church, -the whole old world of worship and worshippers, that stand out in their obstinancy against the Lord Christ, shall be sensibly dissolved and destroyed: this we know shall be the end of these things, and that shortly." (John Owen on Second Peter)From Owen Vol.9 p.134

I was surprised when i first saw this....still somewhat uncertain.

 

[thomas15]

Thus sayest the most esteemed Logos1...

The trouble understanding the New Jerusalem is that people just read this verse in isolation with out any OT context.

Kids do say the funniest things.

 

[JesusFan]

The New Jerusalem is described as coming down from heaven not being in heaven and it is where God dwells with men (indwells them). The preceding verses were describing the passing of the Old Covenant. This passage is selling the Jewish audience on the New Covenant—there won’t be any tears due to the passing of the Old Covenant. It is the Tabernacle from Ezekiel just in different terms.

The New Jerusalem is the New Covenant.

What ever happened to interpreting the Bible based upon its 'plain and literal" meaning though?

What did NO author of sacred NT text record this 'revelation" none ascribing New Jerusalem as code word for New Covenant?

 

[kyredneck]

What ever happened to interpreting the Bible based upon its 'plain and literal" meaning though?

What did NO author of sacred NT text record this 'revelation" none ascribing New Jerusalem as code word for New Covenant?

You dispies are the ultimate hypocrites preaching your method of 'literal interpretation'. Your system is seriously defective right from it's very foundation due to your manmade distinction between the Church and Israel and your crass rejection of the plain lteral rendering of scripture contraiwise:

14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,
15 having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; Eph 2

And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction...Acts 11:12

and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; Ro 3:22

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 9:12

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 10:12

where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Col 3:11

There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13

 

[JesusFan]

You dispies are the ultimate hypocrites preaching your method of 'literal interpretation'. Your system is seriously defective right from it's very foundation due to your manmade distinction between the Church and Israel and your crass rejection of the plain lteral rendering of scripture contraiwise:

14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,
15 having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; Eph 2

And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction...Acts 11:12

and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; Ro 3:22

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 9:12

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 10:12

where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Col 3:11

There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13

plain and literal sense of the terms being used in the Text would be that isreal means isreal, both old and new, while Church means the Church!

 

[kyredneck]

plain and literal sense of the terms being used in the Text would be that isreal means isreal, both old and new, while Church means the Church!

...and you persist with your crass rejection of the plain lteral rendering of scripture. So don't even mention your bedrock of 'literal interpretation'. Inconsistent is the word for the day for you dispies.

The scriptures I quoted (which incidentally you never do) you have not addressed. It's plain God makes no distinction (now) between circumcision and uncircumcision, but your whole theology is built upon that premise. Dispensationalism is a house built on sand. Period.

 

[JesusFan]

...and you persist with your crass rejection of the plain lteral rendering of scripture. So don't even mention your bedrock of 'literal interpretation'. Inconsistent is the word for the day for you dispies.

The scriptures I quoted (which incidentally you never do) you have not addressed. It's plain God makes no distinction (now) between circumcision and uncircumcision, but your whole theology is built upon that premise. Dispensationalism is a house of cards. Period.

No, its rather that we have a more powerful view on the greatness of the plans of God for this earth and his redeemed!

God has 2 peoples, those who inhabit the earth during Jesus return and His ruling directly upon earth, and has a heavenly call for those who are part of the body of Christ, the Church!

Jewish peoples at time of jesus returning see promises of God fulfilled here on earth, whiel the Church rewards in the heavelies!

 

[kyredneck]

....God has 2 peoples....

14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,
15 having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; Eph 2

And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction...Acts 11:12

and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; Ro 3:22

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 9:12

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 10:12

where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Col 3:11

There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13[/QUOTE]

 

[J.D.]

is it literally City, or metaphor, or?

It is a metaphor for the Church/New Covenant.

 

[JesusFan]

14 For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition,
15 having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; Eph 2

And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction...Acts 11:12

and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9

even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ unto all them that believe; for there is no distinction; Ro 3:22

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 9:12

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: Ro 10:12

where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. Col 3:11

There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13

[/QUOTE]


You are describing those of us in the Age of Grace who have been accpeted in jesus, part of Body of Christ, the Church

We just see that the Church did NOT replace nor fulfill all promises made by God to the Jewish peoples, and that for now in Age of grace , Both jews/Gentiles comr thru jesus into the Church..

Once He returns, than Church age over, go into age of isreal upon earth...

 

[thomas15]

plain and literal sense of the terms being used in the Text would be that isreal means isreal, both old and new, while Church means the Church!

You would not be having this problem if only you would send in two box-tops, a SASE along with $5.00 for your free Hank Hanegraaff Bible code de-coder ring.

 

[thomas15]

....The scriptures I quoted (which incidentally you never do) you have not addressed. It's plain God makes no distinction (now) between circumcision and uncircumcision, but your whole theology is built upon that premise. Dispensationalism is a house built on sand. Period.

Question: Do you even have the slightest idea what you are talking about? You being the guy that thinks because the Roman Army sacked the Temple in Jerusalem AD 70 that Jesus has already returned and we are now in the promised Kingdom.