One of our biggest challenges faced when studying Scripture is to rightly determine whether a particular verse or passage should be interpreted literally, figuratively, or both. In order to rightly divide the Word of God, we need to spend much time in Bible Study, and we must be sensitive to the Spirit. When reading apocalyptic literature, like language found in the Book of Revelation, we should be even more sensitive to a possible spiritual interpretation, as opposed to a literal interpretation.
A lack of faith can result in both under-literalization and over-literalization of Scripture. For example, many do not have the faith to believe in things like miracles or the divinity of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, some are too fearful and lack the necessary faith to see a figurative or spiritual interpretation. The exercise of making a distinction between a literal or figurative interpretation is one of the ways that God teaches us to think spiritually. At John 4:24, we read, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Often, the spiritual must take precedence over the concrete and material world around us. However, we are predisposed to place a greater weight on the concrete and material world, even though the ultimate reality behind everything is spiritual.
After the destruction of Jerusalem in BC 586, Ezekiel was a Priest and Prophet, who lived in exile in Babylon. Of significance, in the destruction of Jerusalem, Solomon’s Temple was completely destroyed by the Babylonians. While in Babylon, Ezekiel was given a vision by God, which he recorded. In the Book of Ezekiel, Chapters 40-48, we read an elaborate description of a new Temple that was provided by Ezekiel with exceptional detail. However, when the Israelites returned from exile, they never sought to build Ezekiel’s Temple. Instead, they built Zerubbabel’s Temple. In my opinion, Ezekiel’s Temple was an idealized spiritual Temple, which served as a substitute for Solomon’s Temple destroyed by the Babylonians. There are a number of hints that alert the reader or listener to a probable spiritual interpretation. For example, unlike the original Tabernacle and all of the other Jewish Temples, Ezekiel’s Temple had no furniture or even a veil between the Holy Place and Most Holy Place. Further, Ezekiel’s Temple featured a stream of water that came out from beneath the Temple, and then divided into two streams that ultimately became rivers which flowed into the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea. The streams brought a supernatural life to the lands or waters contacted by their waters (Ezek. 47: 1-12). Of course, it would be impossible for the Israelites to construct such life-giving streams.
Some Christians have tried to argue that Ezekiel’s Temple must be some type of future, Millennial Temple. At one time, I also held this over-literalized viewpoint. However, there is one obvious spiritual incongruity. Ezekiel’s Temple contemplated the continuation of animal sacrifices. The reinstitution of animal sacrifices would be an insult to the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:11-12).
With all of this in mind, let us look at John, the Elder’s vision of the New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation, Chapters 21 and 22. In my opinion, John’s vision of the New Jerusalem has a lot of similarities with Ezekiel’s vision of a new Temple. Both should be understood as new, spiritual realities. In my opinion, neither will have a concrete and material existence. Similar to Ezekiel’s Temple, the New Jerusalem served as the substitute of a superior spiritual reality for the Old Jerusalem and Herod’s Temple destroyed by the Romans. Further, because of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, we now have unprecedented access to God. In all of the Old Jewish Temples, there was a cloth barrier between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place where God resided. At Matthew 27:50-51, we read that at the moment Jesus “gave up His spirit [on the Cross]”…, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.”
At Revelation 21: 1-3, we read,
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away; and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.”
These verses signify and describe a new spiritual reality. There is a new relationship between Earth and Heaven. A change has occurred to both Earth and Heaven. Because of Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, we have unprecedented access to God and Heaven. Now, there is a God-man (Jesus Christ) sitting at the right hand of the Father. Additionally, there are millions of other humans now living in Heaven after their death. Further, millions of believers on Earth have God residing in them. The New Jerusalem is holy and represents both a people and a habitation of God. The idea of “new” should be understood as being something superior and better than what came before it.
Additionally, the above verses describe the New Jerusalem as being the bride of Christ. Being a bride is an image of devotion. The New Jerusalem is comprised of devoted believers (a/k/a, the faithful servants of God). There being “no longer any sea” should be understood figuratively and symbolically. The sea is an image of instability and chaos. The “sea” is not a place suitable for human habitation. At one moment, the sea can be beautiful and calm. In next moment, the sea can be a raging storm, which threatens the adjacent land. With the Holy Spirit and God’s Word in us, we are no longer inevitably inclined to instability and chaos. We can now live in Christ, and God lives in us believers.
At Revelation 21:4-6, we read,
“[A]nd He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give water to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life, without cost.
Ultimately, all of the curses associated with the Fall of Mankind will come to an end. However, even now, our relationship with God is the answer for things like death, psychological pain, and sorrow. We now have unprecedented access to God, and the opportunity to live in fellowship with our Creator. Jesus Christ is the eternal God, and He wants to share His life (eternal life) with us, but many have no interest or thirst for eternal life.
Finally, at Revelation 21:7-8, we read,
“The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. But for the cowardly, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral persons, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
The faithful servants of God are the “overcomers.” Such believers will inherit the blessings and privileges associated with the New Jerusalem. God wants to share His life, glory, and rule with us, but many are not interested. Unfortunately, there are many (including many apostate believers) who will not inherit the New Jerusalem. Listed above are some examples of disobedience and the failure to function as faithful servants. Verses with exclusionary language are featured at Revelation 21: 8, 27, and 22:15.
As previously discussed, the Lake of Fire is an apocalyptic (other worldly) image of the wrath of God. It is not a literal lake. Both believers and unbelievers can experience the wrath of God. The “second death” is a synonym for apostasy. When we first believe, we find authentic living in Christ. However, if we fall away from our walk of faith, we will experience spiritual death or an insensitivity to the Holy Spirit. If we are insensitive to God, we will experience the “second death,” and ultimately, the wrath of God.
A Bible Class discussing “The New Jerusalem, Part 1” can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw51Psjbhwc.
