COVENANT MINDED MINISTRIES

New Jerusalem Defined 

In the Holy Bible, the New Jerusalem (also called the tabernacle of God, holy city, city of God, celestial city, heavenly Jerusalem, Jerusalem above,  Zion, and Shining City on a Hill), is a literal city that is a completely new dwelling for the Saints.

The New Jerusalem is a literal holy city coming down from God out of Heaven, which will be an entirely new city of incredible dimensions.

New Jerusalem's Dimensions

The New Jerusalem seems to be laid out as a cube (an ancient symbol of perfection), since its length, breadth, and height are equal. 

The Most Holy Place in the Old Testament tabernacle and in the temple were cubic in design.

One of the more striking features of the New Jerusalem is its vast size.  In Revelation 21:16, the angel measures the city with a golden rod or reed, and records it as being 12,000 stadia by 12,000 stadia at the base, as well as 12,000 stadia high.

A stadion is usually stated as 185.4 meters, or 600 feet, so the base has dimensions of about 2225 km by 2225 km, or 1500 miles by 1500 miles.

These measurements equate to an area of 4.9 million square kilometers, which is larger than the 3,892,685 km² of the 25 states of the European Union in 2005, but smaller than the 7,617,930 km² of Australia.

The New Jerusalem constitutes 79% of the area of the Middle East which may have around 6,289,592 km².

The Middle East is composed of  the following countries: Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Gaza Strip, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, West Bank.

Canaan is an ancient term for a region encompassing modern-day Israel and Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, plus adjoining coastal lands and parts of Jordan, Syria, and northeastern Egypt.

In the Hebrew Bible, the "Land of Canaan" extends from Lebanon southward across Gaza to the "Brook of Egypt" and eastward to the Jordan Rivery Valley, thus including modern Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

The Palestinian territories are composed of two (2) discontiguous regions, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, whose final status, according to the Muslims, has yet to be determined.

The Gaza Strip is not recognized internationally as part of any sovereign country, but is claimed by the Palestinian National Authority as part of the Palestinian territories.

The West Bank and Jerusalem’s Old City are vital parts of the Jewish heritage. The first and second temples once stood in Jerusalem, where the Moslems’ Al Aqsa mosque now stands.

The Wailing Wall, which is a surviving remnant of the second temple, is the most revered site in Judaism.

The West Bank encompasses the ancient territories of Judea and Samaria, and includes such sites as Hebron, where Abraham, Isaac,

and Jacob were buried, Bethlehem, where King David was born and Rachel was buried, and Nablus (Shechem), where Joseph was buried.

The West Bank and Golan Heights are important from a security aspect. Prior to its capture by Israel, the Golan Heights were used by Syria to shell Israel.

Without the West Bank, Israel’s borders as delineated in the 1949 cease fire results in only a 12-mile wide strip of land connecting the northern part of the country, which includes the Galilee and Haifa, to the south.

In a war, Israel could be easily cut in half. In addition, with the old borders, Jerusalem, Israel’s capitol, would be surrounded on three sides by a foreign power.

A large Arab population continues to live in these "occupied territories," although many Jewish settlements have also been established in order to lay claim to the land as Israel's.  

In the ancient Greek system of measurement, the base of the New Jerusalem would have been equal to 144 million square stadia.

If rested on the Earth, the New Jerusalem's ceiling would be inside the exosphere (the uppermost layer of the atmosphere; the last layer before space).  

Even though there is no clear boundary with space and the exosphere, the exosphere is sometimes used synonymously with outer space.

If the entire flat area of the New Jerusalem's foundation was supported by the Earth, a chord of 1500 miles would generate a trench on the Earth of about 71.6 miles deep at the very center of the base.

The exosphere distance from the base of the Earth is from 500–1,000 km (310–620 mi) up to 10,000 km (6,200 mi).

The Wall of New Jerusalem

The wall of New Jerusalem is 144 cubits , which is assumed to be the width since the length is mentioned previously.

As thick as the walls of the New Jerusalem are (200 feet plus), they are transparent as crystalline jasper.

The vast city itself, especially the street, is also like clear glass, even though they are made of pure gold, which reflects the overall effect (one of an incredibly beautiful and transparent city) symbolizing never-ending glory and purity.

144 cubits are about equal to 65 meters, or 72 yards. It is important to note that 12 is the square root of 144 (12x12).

The number 12 was very important to early Jews and Christians, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, and the number of months (12) in a year.

The four (4) sides of the New Jerusalem represented the four (4) cardinal directions (North, South, East, and West.)

In this way, New Jerusalem was thought of as an inclusive place, with gates accepting all of the 12 tribes of Israel from all corners of the earth.

The Foundations of New Jerusalem

The stones that serve as foundations of the wall of the New Jerusalem are named for the twelve (12) apostles, although there is no way to know which precious gems represents each apostle. 

The twelve (12) apostles are named in Luke 6:12-16, which are reflected as follows: 

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12)

And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: Luke 6:13)

Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; Luke 6:14)

Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; (Luke 6:15)

Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor. (Luke 6:16)

In Acts 1:18-26 the author of the Gospel of Luke records Matthias as the apostle chosen by the remaining eleven (11) apostles to replace Judas Iscariot, following Judas's betrayal of Jesus and his suicide (Acts 1:18-26).

However, Jesus Himself chose Saul of Tarus, who became the apostle Paul.  I believe that it will be Paul's name replacing Judas Iscariot rather than Matthias', who was added to the eleven (11) as the result of the apostles casting lots, which happened to have fallen on Matthias.

While the exact color of some of the precious stones are uncertain, it is probable that:

jasper is colorless, sapphire is blue, chalcedony is green or greenish-blue, emerald is bright green, sardonyx has layers of red and white, sardius is blood-red, chrysolite is yellow, beryl is blue or blue-green, topaz is golden, chrysoprase is apple-green, jacinth is blue or blue-purple, and amethyst is purple or violet.

The apostles and prophets were the foundation of the church because they pointed and witnessed to Jesus.

The early church was established on their teaching and preaching; yet, Christ Christ Himself is the Rock foundation on which the whole church rests,

The cornerstone is defined as the first large stone placed at the corner of a building.  The builders would line up the rest of the structure with the cornerstone, ensuring its stability and perfection.

Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘ The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone’? (Luke 20:17)

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, (Ephesians 2:19)

having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, (Ephesians 2:20)

in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, (Ephesians 2:21)

in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “ Behold, I lay in ZionA chief cornerstone, elect, precious,And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” (1st Peter 2:6)

So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28)

The Twelve (12) Gates of New Jerusalem

The twelve (12) gates of the New Jerusalem, representing the twelve (12) tribes of Israel are each made of one huge pearl.  The names on the gates are as follows:

Originally, the twelve tribes were identified by the names of the twelve sons of Jacob: (Joseph, Judah, Issachar, Benjamin, Levi, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Simeon, Dan, Zebulun, Reuben).

Later, Jacob told Joseph that he would treat Joseph's two sons (Manasseh and Ephraim), as his own; these two tribes replaced Joseph and Levi among the Twelve, as reflected in Revelation

Thus says the Lord GOD: “These are the borders by which you shall divide the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions. (Ezekiel

Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: (Revelation 21:12)

three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. (Revelation 21:13)

And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: (Revelation 7:4)

of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; (Revelation 7:5)

of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; (Revelation 7:6)

of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; (Revelation 7:7)

of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed. (Revelation 7:8)

Revelation's Intended Purpose

The Book of Revelation is intended to be heard and obeyed and not added to nor taken away from.

Whoever adds to and/or takes away from its contents will receive from God the srtictest punishment, a punishment carrying eternal consequences 

This terrifying warning is even stronger than the one reflected in Deutenomony 4:2 and Proverbs 30:6.

The visions of the book of Revelation are meant to inform the servants of God (true believers), who will serve and reign with the LORD eternally, as to what will take place very soon.

The Beattitudes of Revelation

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Revelation 1:3)

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, "Write, 'Blessed are the dead who die in the LORD from now on..'" "Yes," says the Spirit, "that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." Revelation 14:13)

Behold, I am coming as a thief.  Blessed to he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15)

Then he said to me, "Write.  'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!  "And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God." (Revelation 19:9)

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.  Over such the second death has no part, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)

"Behold, I am coming quickly!  Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." (Revelation 22:7)

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14)

The Knowledge of Jesus Christ

The knowledge of Jesus Christ as revealed in the book of Revelation is very vital to every believer and a sincere warning for corrective action to be taken by every non-believer. 

There is no logical reason that can be possibly imagined in the human mind for disregarding this warning and not acknowledging Jesus as LORD and Savior.

The grace of our LORD Jesus Christ begins and concludes the book of Revelation. 

The message of judgment upon unbelievers is not the only message that can be found in this book, but grace and the free gift of eternal in Christ Jesus is profoundly given and emphasized as well.  

All who have an ear to hear, let them hear what the Holy Spirit is saying that they might escape the wrath of God to come.

Revelation to be Praised not Feared

All who fear the book of Revelation with a spirit of fear rather than of awe toward God have a lack of knowledge of the Son of God.

These are they who seeks to find others who support their destructive and deadly beliefs, that they might be supported and provide support for the same.

These are the non-believers, who are  commiting the unpardonable sin (the stubborn refusal to heed to the Holy Spirit's conviction and accept the forgiveness that Christ offers).

Because they, in particular leaders, reject all proofs regarding Jesus the Messiah through the Holy Spirit, nothing else will be given.

He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad. (Matthew 12:30)

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. (Matthew 12:31)

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:32)

The book of Revelation seems dreadful to those who are not in Christ, that is, the disobedient and the rebellious, as well as some immature Christians. 

However, to those who are in Christ Jesus, Jesus Christ is their hope and their declaration of praying come, LORD Jesus, which is the confirmation of their excitement and expectation.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (Hosea 4:6)

Wisdom is the principle thing; Therefore get wisdom.  And in all your getting; get understanding. (Proverbs 4:7)

Reservations to the New Jerusalem

As it is appointed to all of us once to die and after that the judgment, that is to stand before the judgment seat of Christ:

to give an account of all the things done in the body, whether good or evil; you might want to consider making preparations for citizenship in the New Jerusalem.

It would be wise to make reservations now for the New Jerusalem why you have opportunity and understand the seriousness of your choice. 

Delaying and procrastinating this reservation could be eternally deadly and regretted forever, in that hell and the lake of fire will be your eternal abode (home);

how foolish is it not to avoid such a fatal and eternal destiny, and not make reservations for the New Jerusalem.

People plan and go on many, many, trips.  Make sure and very sure that New Jerusalem is on your trip plan;

there is no other trip that should be more important and conceivable to the human mind than that of making reservation's for New Jerusalem.

Itinerary Trip Plan

If your itinerary (travel from place to place; itinerant) trip plan excludes New Jerusalem, I very strongly suggest you changing your flight plans before it's too late and all opportunity is lost.

You can't even get scheduled for this flight unless you've been born-again of the Holy Spirit, whose message of Jesus Christ you must hear, receive, believe, and confess.

All who have tickets for this flight to New Jerusalem have been washed in the blood of Jesus, cleansing them from all sin and unrighteousness,

These ticket holders have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of their inheritance until the redemption of Christ's purchased possession.

Christians! and the Lord knows those who are His; are the Lord's own possession, bought with the blood of His own Son, Jesus Christ.

Only the blood of Jesus qualifies one to enter into New Jerusalem; without this prized possession, one is disqualified and denied entrance into the city of God.

The Holy Spirit's scheduling office is open 24/7, and He's calling, receiving, and sealing all who desire to make Jesus Savior and LORD and take the trip to the New Jerusalem.

You don't have to be left out as some of your friends, family members, and associates have in exercising their stubborn refusal of not heeding to the Holy Spirit's conviction and accepting the forgiveness that Christ offers.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. (Luke 16:19)

But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, (Luke 16:20)

desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (Luke 16:21)

So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. (Luke 16:22)

And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:23)

“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ (Luke 16:24)

But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. (Luke 16:25)

And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ (Luke 16:26)

“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, (Luke 16:27)

for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ (Luke 16:28)

Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ (Luke 16:29)

And he said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ (Luke 16:30)

But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” (Luke 16:31)

Hell Enlarging Itself

Therefore Sheol has enlarged itself 
And opened its mouth beyond measure;  Their glory and their multitude and their pomp, And he who is jubilant, shall descend into it. (Isaiah 5:14)

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. (Matthew 7:13)

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matthew 7:14)

Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! (Philippians 3:2)

But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. (Revelation 22:15)

Mid-East Countries and Religions

Afghanistan (Islam (Sunni 80%, Shiite 19%), other 1%)

Algeria (Islam (Sunni) 99% (state religion), Christian and Jewish 1%)

Armenia (Armenian Apostolic 95%, other Christian 4%, Yezidi 1%)

Azerbaijan (Islam 93%, Russian Orthodox 3%, Armenian Orthodox 2%, other 2% (1995 est.)

Bahrain (Islam (Shiite and Sunni) 81%, Christian 9%)

Cyprus (Greek Orthodox 78%, Islam 18%, Maronite, Armenian Apostolic, and other 4%)

Egypt (Islam (mostly Sunni) 90%, Coptic 9%, Christian 1%, other 6%)

Gaza Strip (Islam predominantly Sunni) 98.7%, Christian 0.7%, Jewish 0.6%)

Georgia (Orthodox 84%, Islam 10%, Armenian-Gregorian 4%, Catholic 1% (2002)

Iran (Islam 98% (Shi'a 89%, Sunni 9%); Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i 2%)

Iraq (Islam 97% (Shiite 60%–65%, Sunni 32%–37%), Christian or other 3%)

Israel (Judaism 77%, Islam 16%, Christian 2%, Druze 2% (2003)

Jordan (Islam (Sunni) 92%, Christian 6% (mostly Greek Orthodox), other 2%)

Kuwait (Islam 85% (Sunni 70%, Shiite 30%); Christian, Hindu, Parsi, and other 15%)

Lebanon (Islam 60% (Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite/Nusayri), Christian 39% (Maronite, Melkite, Syrian, Armenian, and Roman Catholic; Greek, Armenian, and Syrian Orthodox; Chaldean; Assyrian; Copt; Protestant), other 1%)

Libya (Islam (Sunni) 97%)

Morocco (Islam 99%, Christian 1%)

Oman (Islam: Ibadhi 75%, Sunni, Shi'a; Hindu)

Pakistan (Islam 97% (Sunni 77%, Shiite 20%); Christian, Hindu, and other 3%)

Qatar (Islam 95%)

Saudi Arabia (Islam 100%)

Syria (Islam (Sunni) 74%; Alawite, Druze, and other Islamic sects 16%; Christian (various sects) 10%; Jewish (tiny communities in Damascus, Al Qamishli, and Aleppo)

Tunisia (Islam (Sunni) 98%, Christian 1%, Jewish and other 1%)

Turkey (Islam (mostly Sunni) 99.8%, other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

United Arab Emirates (Islam 96% (Sunni 80%, Shiite 16%), Christian, Hindu, and other 4%)

West Bank. (Muslim 75% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 17%, Christian and other 8%)

From the statistical data reflected above, it is very clear and cogent that the Muslim's religion (Islam) dominates the Middle-East Countries, whose God is Allah and not the God of Israel.