‘… Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.’ Ephesians 5:25b-27. NIV
‘One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man's measurement, which the angel was using. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.’ Revelation 21:9-27 NIV
Wall - Sanctified/Set apart unto the Lord, our heavenly husband. Built of Jasper - Transparent - all is visible, nothing is hidden from His view.
12 Foundations - Names of the Apostles in them.
City/Bride was formed of pure gold - Without any impurities or imperfections. Transparent - all is visible, nothing is hidden from His view. All have been refined as with fire, as pure gold in the refiner’s kettles after the slag has been scraped off of its surface.
The foundations were decorated with all kinds of precious jewels, like as of a crown. These Precious stones were a symbol of the Twelve Tribes of Israel [more precisely The Law and The Prophets]. For these are the way those of ancient times were taught about Jesus.
These jewels are also symbolic of the many crowns that are mentioned throughout the Bible that will be rewarded to us at His final coming, when He rewards all for the things we have done and the things the things we have not done. These crowns are: The Incorruptible Crown, the Crown of Rejoicing, the Crown of Righteousness, the Crown of Life, Crown of Glory and Honor, the Crowns of Gold, the Beautiful Crown, the Crown of Loving Kindness, the Crown of His Tender Mercies, the Crown of Knowledge, the Holy Crown, and the Royal Crown.
So the Foundations of the Heavenly Bride shall be the teachings of the Apostles, sprinkled with the teachings of the Law and the Prophets and decorated with the jewels of the many precious crowns that are waiting for us when we meet Jesus at His final return. They are yet to come, but here with us in effigy in the symbolism of our likeness as his bride in His final revelation to the apostle John while he was on the Isle of Papmos.
12 Gates – Had the names of the 12 tribes of Israel on them.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: - Bought with a great price, like the Pearl of Great Price that a man gave all that he owned to possess - Jesus is this / these Pearls. He paid the greatest price. One Pearl for all the gates.
Each gate in the Old city of Jerusalem had a specific purpose and symbolic meaning, these meanings were all fulfilled in Jesus life, death and resurrection - he paid it all and fulfilled it all, once and for ALL.
The Twelve Gates of the ancient city of Jerusalem were the Sheep Gate, The Fish Gate, The Old Gate, The Valley Gate, The Dung Gate, The Fountain Gate, The Water Gate, The Horse Gate/King’s Gate, The East Gate/Beautiful Gate/Golden Gate, The Ephraim Gate, and The Prison Gate. Here I will share how Jesus, our ‘Pearl of Greatest Price’ fills [or fulfills] all of these gates in us.
The Sheep Gate - the Gate through which the temple sacrifices were brought into the city. Jesus is the perfect lamb that was slain for the sins of the world.
‘He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.’ Isaiah 53:7
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' John 1:29, 30 NIV
The Fish Gate - the fish were brought into the market place through this gate.
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. Matthew 4:18-20 KJV
Jesus called fishermen to become ‘fishers of men.’ They were the first of many that He called to this purpose. And we as His followers today He has also given this compulsion of fishing for the souls of men to; in order to draw others into His kingdom.
The Old Gate - is said to be representative of the Old Covenant; which is the Law of Moses. Jesus fulfilled every aspect of the law in His life, death, burial and resurrection.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17, 18
The Valley Gate - Led to the Valley of Hinnom, and the place called Gehenna - it was a place dedicated to thee worship of Molech & burning human sacrifices. It was later a place where the fires never went out from all of the defiled things that were burnt there. As David implied in His most known Psalm Valleys in our life are dark places in our lives.
But I have another thought on these dark places. I take it from topography. Mountaintops have nice, scenic views. And they are symbolic of the high times we have in the Spirit, but there is little growth going on there. A valley is where most of the growth takes place. It is also where the mountain streams flow down to and through on their way to the ocean. The living waters of the Holy Spirit water us in our valleys and bring the growth in our spirits. And when we pass the test he leads us to the mountaintops once again.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace. Ephesians 2:13-15
The Dung Gate - The way to the trash dump. This is figurative of what our righteousness is in the eyes of God and how He imputed the righteousness of Jesus to us when we came to Him answering His call unto salvation.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Philippians 3:9
The Fountain Gate - Was near the pool of Siloam. This gate was said to be representative of the Holy Spirit. Jesus spoke of giving ‘living water’ to the Samaritan woman at the well: Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not … John 4:9-15a
The Water Gate - The Gibeonites [water bearers] brought in the water to be used in the city through this gate.
This gate was said to be symbolic of the word of God, of which Paul said in Ephesians 5:25-27; Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
The Horse Gate - This was the King's gate and the gate through which His horsemen rode when going to or from battle/war. Jesus is our King, and the Battle belongs to the Lord:
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands. Samuel 17:47
I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. Revelation 19:11-15 NIV
The East Gate - Also call the Beautiful or Golden Gate, Gate that is said to be where Messiah will enter the city when he Returns. It is the gate that He enters when we make Him King and Lord of our life. It is also symbolic of the gate into our heavenly home.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Revelation 3:19-21
The Miphkad Gate - This is the gate of Inspection and is said to be symbolic of the judgment of all men, saints and sinners alike.
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27
So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:9, 10
The Ephraim Gate - A Northern Gate looking out over the land of Ephraim [which means doubly fruitful - Jew & Gentile / Earthly & Heavenly]
That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Genesis 22:17, 18
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith. Romans 1:15-17
The Prison Gate - This is where they held prisoners [the jail]. Peter is seen in Acts 12 being led out of this gate by an angel. Each of us, before we came to Jesus, were in prison to our various sins and vices and he came to set the captives free. He also sets actual prisoners free from their jail cells. I know this personally. I was in a California jail facing a year in prison and a large fine, but Jesus gave me a second chance [or possibly my 100th]. He saw my heart and showed it to the judge who in the Mercy of the Lord set me free after serving only seven days.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:1-3
And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:14-21
And the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. The streets were all of pure gold, transparent and clear as glass - the way through the city was clothed with the righteousness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy of Holies is now with in the heart of every believer, no longer hidden behind the veil of the temple, or the dark recesses of our finite minds. But living and breathing and in full view of all who would behold it.
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. As His Bride, we are the true abode of Jesus. He is our Lord God Almighty. With Him living inside of us, we live and move and have our being truly in Him and Him alone. He is our Life, our very reason for existence.
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. This abode of God has no need of any light but that which comes directly from Him. The lesser lights of sun, moon, and stars would pale in comparison to that true illumination which comes for Jesus alone and shines through the lives of each of His true followers. For they have found True Light and no longer doew darkness dwell in them of around them in any way. They have truely been given to the Light in every aspect of their being. They have learned the truth of 'dio a luz' . . . 'given to light!' Birthed into everlasting Life and Light.
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. This new life in His light CAN'T be shut up behind any gate or wall, it shines forth and will make itself known wherever it may be - it can't be hidden under a bushel, or any other barrier. It knows no boundaries.
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. In this verse He fulfilled His promise to Abraham that all the nations of the earth shall be blessed through his descendant, his seed.
Galatians 3:13-16; Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. One who is a true part of Christ's Bride will have no room within them to allow anything in that is not of Him. He is Truth, no lie can enter in. He is Light, no darkness can exist in His presence. He is Holy and Righteous; hatred, deceit, wickedness and/or evil cannot come near to Him or His. Only those found written in the Lamb's book of Life - the True Believers / Followers - will be a part of His everlasting Kingdom, His Holy and Perfect Bride
… And as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. Isaiah 62:5b
And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17
Yes we, His Bride, are the heavenly New Jerusalem, the Great and Coming City of Peace, Ruled by the Prince of Peace; Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and our Heavenly Husband; Amen. Even so, Lord Jesus, Come!
