1. Who is the architect and builder of this incredible city?
“God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16).
Answer: The Bible says that God is building an awesome and huge city for His people—and it’s as real as any other city in the world!
2. Where is this amazing city?
“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (Revelation 21:2).
“O Lord my God … hear in heaven Your dwelling place” (1 Kings 8:28, 30).
Answer: At this moment, the holy city is now under construction in heaven.
3. How does the Bible describe this amazing city?
Answer: A. NAME
The city is called by the name “New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2).
B. SIZE
“The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs” (Revelation 21:16). The city is perfectly square. Its perimeter is 12,000 furlongs—equivalent to 1,500 miles. It is 375 miles long on each side!
C. WALLS
“The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. The wall was made of jasper” (Revelation 21:17, 18 NIV). A wall standing at 144 cubits—that’s 216 feet high!—surrounds the city. The wall is made of solid jasper, with a radiance and beauty beyond description. Think of it: nearly 20 stories high and solid jasper!
D. GATES
“It had a great, high wall with twelve gates. … There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. … The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl” (Revelation 21:12, 13, 21 NIV).
E. FOUNDATIONS
“The wall of the city had twelve foundations … decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst” (Revelation 21:14, 19, 20 NIV). The city has 12 full, complete foundations—each one made of precious stone. Every color of the rainbow is represented, so at a distance the city will appear to be resting upon a rainbow.
F. STREETS
“The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass” (Revelation 21:21).
G. APPEARANCE
“The Holy City … prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband … shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. … The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide” (Revelation 21:2, 11, 16 NIV). The city, with all of its precious stones, gold, and shimmering beauty, will be lighted with the glory of God. Its breathtaking majesty and purity is compared to “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”
4. What phenomenal feature of this majestic city assures every citizen eternal youth and health?
“In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2).
“Take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever” (Genesis 3:22).
Answer: The tree of life bears 12 kinds of fruit, is in the middle of the city (Revelation 2:7), and brings unending life and youth to all who eat from it. Even its leaves contain wonderful sustaining qualities. This tree will yield a new crop of fruit each month.
5. Is it true that this amazing city will descend to this earth?
“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2).
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).
“The righteous will be recompensed on the earth” (Proverbs 11:31).
Answer: Yes! The majestic holy city will come down to this planet to become the capital of the earth made new. All the saved will have a home in this city.
6. What will happen to sin and the unsaved?
“All the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up” (Malachi 4:1).
“The elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).
“You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet” (Malachi 4:3).
“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
Answer: God will cleanse the earth from sin; He will also, in deep sadness, cleanse the earth from those who would continue in sin. Then God will make a perfect new earth. The holy city will be earth’s capital. Here the saved will live in joy, peace, and holiness throughout eternity. God has promised that sin will not rise up again. See Nahum 1:9. (For more information on hell, see Study Guide 11.)
7. What thrilling promises has God made to the people who enter His new kingdom?
Answer: A. The Lord, in person, will live with them (Revelation 21:3).
B. They will never become bored. There will be pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11).
C. There will be no more death, pain, tears, sorrow, sickness, hospitals, operations, tragedy, disappointment, trouble, hunger, or thirst (Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 33:24; Isaiah 65:23; Revelation 7:16).
D. They will not get tired (Isaiah 40:31).
E. Every person will be physically whole in every way. The deaf will hear, the blind will see, and the paralyzed will run (Isaiah 35:5, 6; Philippians 3:21).
F. Jealousy, fear, hatred, falsehood, envy, impurity, cynicism, filth, worry, and all evil will not exist in God’s kingdom (Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15). People will no longer be burdened with the worries and cares that distract and damage them. There will be no more anxiety. Time will become eternity, and the pressures and deadlines of earth today will be gone forever.
8. How will the new earth differ from our earth today?
Answer: A. Vast oceans as we know them today will be gone (Revelation 21:1). Today, oceans cover about 70 percent of the earth’s surface. This will not be the case in God’s new kingdom. The whole world will be one huge garden of unsurpassed beauty, interspersed with lakes, rivers, and mountains (Revelation 22:1; Acts 3:20, 21).
B. Deserts will be replaced with gardens (Isaiah 35:1, 2).
C. Every animal will be tame. No creature—wolves, lions, bears, etc.—will prey upon others, and little children will lead them (Isaiah 11:6–9; Isaiah 65:25).
D. There will be no more curse (Revelation 22:3). The curse of sin, as detailed in Genesis 3:17–19, will be no more.
E. There will be no more violence of any kind (Isaiah 60:18). This includes no more crime, storms, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, injury, etc.
F. Nothing defiling will be found (Revelation 21:27). There will be no drunkenness, taverns, alcoholic beverages, brothels, pornography, or any other impurity of any kind in the new kingdom.
9. Will there be young children in God’s kingdom? If so, will they grow up?
“The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets” (Zechariah 8:5).
“You shall go out and grow … like stall-fed calves” (Malachi 4:2).
Answer: There will be many young children in the holy city (Isaiah 11:6–9) and these young ones will grow up. Ever since the fall of man, we have degenerated much in stature, intellect, and vitality—but all of this will be restored! (Acts 3:20, 21).
10. When loved ones are reunited in heaven, will they recognize one another?
“Then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Answer: The Bible clearly teaches that the saved who have died will be raised to life, join the saved who are living, and enter God’s new kingdom together (Isaiah 26:19; Jeremiah 31:15–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18). It also teaches that loved ones in God’s new kingdom will know one another, just as people recognize each other on the earth today.
11. Will people in heaven be made of flesh and bone?
“Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.’ But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.’ … But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, ‘Have you any food here?’ So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their presence. … And He led them out as far as Bethany, and … while He blessed them … He was parted from them and carried up into heaven” (Luke 24:36–39, 41–43, 50, 51).
“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
“The Lord Jesus Christ … will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Philippians 3:20, 21).
Answer: After His resurrection, Jesus proved to the disciples that He was flesh and bone by having them touch Him and by eating food. This same Jesus ascended to His Father and will come again to the earth. The saved will be given bodies like the body of Christ and will be physical people with flesh and bone throughout eternity. The difference will be that our heavenly bodies will not be subject to deterioration and death. The teaching that the saved in heaven will be merely spirits who float around on clouds and do nothing but play harps has no foundation in the Bible. Jesus did not die on the cross to provide any such trivial future for those who accept His love and follow His way. Most people have no interest in such an existence and, therefore, have no desire to enter God’s heavenly kingdom—sometimes preferring it only because they fear hell. If every person could learn the truth about God’s holy city and the new earth, millions more might begin to understand His love and would turn to Him and enjoy the peace, joy, and purpose that He designed them to experience.
12. How will people spend their time in the new kingdom?
“They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat … and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands” (Isaiah 65:21, 22).
Answer: The saved will build their own homes in the new earth. (Each person will also have a city home built by Christ—see John 14:1–3.) They will plant vineyards and eat the fruit from them. The Bible is plain about this: Real people do real things in heaven, and they will thoroughly enjoy it all.
13. What else will the saved do in this paradise?
Answer: A. Sing and play heavenly music (Isaiah 35:10; 51:11; Psalm 87:7; Revelation 14:2, 3).
B. Worship before God’s throne every week (Isaiah 66:22, 23).
C. Enjoy never-fading flowers and trees (Ezekiel 47:12; Isaiah 35:1, 2).
D. Visit with loved ones, ancestors, Bible characters, etc. (Matthew 8:11; Revelation 7:9–17).
E. Study the animals of paradise (Isaiah 11:6–9; 65:25).
F. Travel and explore without ever becoming weary (Isaiah 40:31).
G. Listen to God sing (Zephaniah 3:17).
H. Experience their deepest desires (Psalm 37:3, 4; Isaiah 65:24).
I. And the greatest joy of all—enjoy the privilege of being like Jesus, traveling with Him, and seeing Him face to face! (Revelation 14:4; 22:4; 21:3; 1 John 3:2).
14. Can human language fully describe the glories of our home in paradise?
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Answer: Not even in its wildest dreams can the heart of mankind begin to comprehend the wonders of God’s eternal kingdom. The paradise that Adam lost will be restored (Acts 3:20, 21).
15. Is this kingdom being prepared for you personally?
“Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).
“To an inheritance incorruptible … reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4).
“I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
Answer: Yes! It is being prepared for you personally—right now. And the invitation from the Lord is to you personally. Please do not reject His offer!
16. How can you be assured of a place in this great and glorious kingdom?
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20).
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
“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).
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Answer: Give your life to Christ and abide in Him so that He can cleanse you from sin and the desire to sin. It’s that simple! When you abide in Him, Jesus gives you the power to do His will and to keep His commandments out of loving obedience. This means that you will begin to live as Christ lived and that He will help you overcome all sin. “He who overcomes shall inherit all things” (Revelation 21:7).
A person is prepared for heaven when heaven is in the heart.
17. Have you accepted Jesus’ glorious invitation to live with Him forever in His heavenly kingdom?
1. The New Jerusalem is massive
The New Jerusalem is laid out in the form of a massive cube–it’s length, width and height are all equal distance. New Jerusalem is at least 1,500 miles around at its base, while some believe that each side of the city is 1,500 miles in length. (See Revelation 21:16).
The size of New Jerusalem means there is plenty of room for everyone who wants to live in the city. The city is so large that there is enough room for those alive today and all those who have lived in the past.
2. The gates
The city has twelve gates, three per side. Each gate is fashioned from a single pearl with an angel next to it. The pearls have the names of the twelve tribes of Israel written upon them. Best of all, these gates will never be shut–day or night. (See Revelation 21:12, 25).
3. A transparent city
The New Jerusalem is brilliant, shining with the glory of God. The city’s light is like that of precious jasper as clear as crystal. New Jerusalem itself is likened to pure gold, as clear as glass. John also writes that the streets are made of pure and transparent gold. (See Revelation 21:11, 18, 21).
4. The foundations
New Jerusalem has twelve foundations made of precious stones with the names of the twelve apostles written on them. (See Revelation 21:14).
Click to view the 12 foundations infographic
| # | Image | Gemstone | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 |  | Amethyst | A variety of quartz, ranging from light pink-violet to a deep purple color. |
| 11 |  | Jacinth | Jacinth or hyacinth is a precious stone of the same color as the hyacinth flower–a dark blue verging on black |
| 10 |  | Chrysoprasus | The word chrysoprase comes from the Greek word (χρυσός) chrysos meaning 'gold' and (πράσινον) prasinon, meaning 'green'. |
| 9 |  | Topaz | The ancient topaz (topazion) stone is probably our modern-day peridot and is most likely golden-green in color. |
| 8 |  | Beryl | According to Bible commentaries, beryl was a pale-green precious stone. It is of the same species as the emerald. |
| 7 |  | Chrysolyte | The chrysolite of Bible times is the equivalent of modern-day topaz and is a precious stone of golden color. |
| 6 |  | Sardius | Related to the chalcedony with two possible varieties: carnelian and sard. |
| 5 |  | Sardonyx | Sardonyx is a combination of onyx and sard in alternating layers. Sardonyx is also related to chalcedony. |
| 4 |  | Emerald | The name emerald comes from the Greek word smaragdos, which means green gem. Emeralds are a variety of beryl. |
| 3 |  | Chalcedony | Chalcedony is a precious stone primarily having a blue grey color. It can also have yellow, blue or purple pigments. |
| 2 |  | Sapphire | The sapphire is a blue and translucent variety of corundum. Commentaries also note that the sapphire of the Bible may be the modern-day lapis lazuli. |
| 1 |  | Jasper | The jasper mentioned as the first foundation may have been clear and almost transparent. Revelation 21:11, states that the city would be like jasper, as clear as crystal. |
5. The walls
The city has a great and high wall of pure jasper (Revelation 21:12, 18). Revelation 21:17 adds, “Then he [an angel] measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.” So the wall was measured at 216 feet or 144 cubits, which many assume to be the wall’s width.
6. The temple
Revelation 21:22, says that God and the Lamb are New Jerusalem’s temple. There is no need for an actual temple to house God and veil His glory from sinful mankind because the saved people in New Jerusalem will be able to see God face-to-face.
7. No sun or moon
New Jerusalem is fully illuminated by the glory of God and the light of the Lamb brightens the city (Revelation 21:23). There is no need for the Sun or Moon. Revelation 21:25, even says “there shall be no night there.”
8. The River & Tree of Life
Revelation 22:1, speaks of a river flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb. This pure river of water of life is clear as crystal and the tree of life is on each side of the river. This tree produces fruit every month and its leaves are for the “healing of the nations.” Ezekiel 47:12, adds that the trees “will bear fruit every month because their water flows from the sanctuary.”
Size of New Jerusalem
How large is the city? That varies slightly depending on the version of the Bible. The ESV and NIV versions say it is 12,000 stadia in length and width(Rev. 21:16), where a stadia is 607 feet. This translates to 1,400 miles, which is what the NLT Bible says. However, the KJV and other versions say 12,000 furlongs, which translates to 1,500 miles.
Regardless of whether the city is 1,400 miles or 1,500 miles in length and width, it is shaped like a square at the base. This means New Jerusalem is larger than India with nearly 2 million square miles. These measurements are meant to be literal since they are described as man's measurements(Rev. 21:17).
Even more astounding than the size at the base is the height that is also at least 1,400 miles(Rev. 21:16). This goes well beyond Earth's atmosphere and into space. If a building in the city is this high and has a generous 12 feet per story, the building would be over 600,000 stories!
To give you a better idea just how big New Jerusalem is, here are some representations of what it would look like on Earth if the city is shaped like a cube.
Over North America:
Over the Middle East:
If you are 1 mile away from the city, you would not see the top2 but might if you are 10 miles away3. At 5,000 miles away, it would appear more than 130 times larger than the moon4. To appear the size of the moon, you would have to be 160,427 miles away.
Because the city is at least 1,400 miles in length, width and height, it could be shaped like a cube or pyramid. Does the height refer to the wall that surrounds the city or the tallest building? Rev. 21:17 says the wall around the city is about 200 feet, but ESV, NASB and KJV bibles don't specify whether this is the thickness or height. The NIV bible says this is about 200 feet thick, but the footnote says "or high". A cube-shaped city would make sense in the sense the Most Holy place in Solomon's temple(1 Kings 6:20) was shaped like a cube. However, scripture does not provide a definitive answer as to whether the city is cube or pyramid-shaped.
Last updated 2/20/2014
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