Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - No More Night

 Entry into Jerusalem-surely, there could mbe no more wondrous privilege! Just think -those once lowly, imperfect humans will follow Jesus into heaven to become part of a such a glorious arrangement. (John 14:2) John gives some idea of the blessing to be enjoyed by these saying: "And no more will there be any curse. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his slaves will render him sacred service; and they will see his face, and name will be on their foreheads." -(Revelation 22:3, 4) When the Israelite priesthood became co yourrupt, it suffered Jehovah's curse. (Malachi 2:2) Jerusalem's faithless "house" was pronounced abandoned by Jesus. (Matthew 23:38-39) But in New Jerusalem, "no more will there be any curse." (  Compare Zechariah) All its  inhabitants have been tested in the of trials here on earth, an gained the victory, they will have to 'put on incorruption and immorality," in their case, Jehovah knows just as ke knew with Jesus, that they will never fall away. (1Corinthians 15:53, 57) Further, "the throne of God and of the Lamb" will be there, making the city's position secure for all eternity.

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - No More Night - Continue

Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City-Trees

 Those trees, well watered, may additionally picture the 144,000 members of the Lamb's wife. While on earth these also drink of God's provision through Jesus Christ and are called "big trees of righteousness." (Isaiah;61:1-3; Revelation 2:1,6.

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City -No More Night

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City-Trees

 What bounteous provision Jehovah makes for responsive humans! Not only may they partake of those refreshing waters but they may pluck from those trees a continuing variety of sustaining fruits. Oh, if only our original parents had been satisfied with a similar "desirable" provision in Eden's paradise! (Genesis 2:9) But now a global paradise is here, and Jehovah even makes provision through the leaves of those symbolic trees for "the curing of the nations." Far superior to any medicine, herbal or otherwise, this dispensed today, are the soothing application of these symbolic trees will raise believing mankind to spiritually and bodily perfection.

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City -Trees of Life - Conclusion 

Front the jw.org publications

Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City -Trees of life

 In Ezekiel's vision, the river even became a torrent, and the prophet saw growing on both sides of it fruit-bearing trees. ( Ezekiel 47:12) But what does John see? "And on this side of the river and on that side were trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees were aafor the curing of the nations." (Revelation 22:2b) These "trees of life" must also picture part of Jehovah's provisions for giving eternal  for obedient mankind.

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/ The Resplendent City - Trees of Life - Conclusion 

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Forty-three/The Resplendent City - The River of Water of Life-

 The River originates at "the throne of God and of the Lamb." This is appropriate, since the basis of Jehovah's life-giving provisions is the ransom sacrifice, and this was provided because Jehovah "loved the world so much that he gave his only be-gotten Son, in order that every exercising faith in might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) The water of life also involves God's Word, which spoken of as water in the Bible. (Ephesians 5:26) However, the river of of li99

fe includes not only the truth but also every provision of Jehovah, based on Jesus'sacrifice, for recovering obedient humans from sin Jand death and granting them everlasting life.- JOHN 1:29; 1 JOHN 2:1, 2.0.

During the Thousand Year Reign, the benefits of the ransom are applied fully through the priesthood of Jesus and his 144,000 under priests. Fittingly, then, the river of water of life flow through the middle of the broad way of New Jerusalem. This is composed of spirit Israel, which along with Jesus make up the true seed of Abraham. (Galatians 3:16, 29) Therefore, when the waters of life flows through the middle of the broad way of the symbolic city, "all nations of the earth will have full opportunity to bless themselves by Abraham's seed. Jehovah promise to Abraham will be completely fulfilled. - Genesis 22:17, 18.

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City-Trees of Life

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - The River of Water of Life- Continues

 What is this "river of water of life"? Literal water is a vital element for life. Without food a man can survive for a number of weeks, but without water will die in about one week. What is also a cleansing agent and vital for health. Thus, the water of life must represent something essential for the life and health of mankind. The prophet Ezekiel was also granted vision of this vision of this "river of water of life," and in his vision, The flowed out from the temple in Jerusalem and down into the Dead Sea. Then, miracle of miracles! That lifeless, chemically saturated body of water was converted into freshwater teeming with fish! (Ezekiel 47:1-12) Yes, the visionary river was brings back to life something that was previously dead, confirming that the river of life pictures God's provision through Jesus Christ for restoring perfect human life to the "dead human race. This river is "clear as crystal," showing the purity and holiness of God's provisions. It is no like the bloodstained, death-dealing "waters" of Christendom. - REVELATION 8:10, 11.

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - The River of Water of Life - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - The River of Waters of Life - Continues

 This is not the first time that life-giving water has been offered to mankind. When he was on earth, Jesus spoke of water that imparted everlasting life. (John 4:10-14; 7:37, 38) Further, John is about to hear the loving invitation: "The spirit and the bride keep on saying: 'Come!' And let anyone hearing say: 'Come!'  And let anyone hearing say: 'Come!' And let anyone thirsting come: And let anyone that wishes to take life's water free." (Revelation 22:17) This invitation is being sounded even now, indicating that a measure of water life is already available. But in the new world, those waters will flow from God's throne and through New Jerusalem as a veritable river.

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - The River of Water of Life - Continues 

From the jw.org publications 

Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City -The River of Water of Life

 The resplendent New Jerusalem will channel grand blessings to humankind on earth. This is what John next learns: "And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its broad way." (Revelation 22:1, 2a) When does this "river" flow? Since it flows "out from the throne of God and the Lamb," it could only be after the Lord's day began in 1914. That was the time for the event heralded by the blowing of the seventh trumpet and the grand announcement: "Now have come to pass the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his." (Revelation 11:15; 12:10) Previous to that date, "the Lamb" was not enthroned as Messianic King. Additionally, since the river runs through the broad way of New Jerusalem, the time of the vision's fulfillment must be after the destruction of Satan's world, when New Jerusalem 'comes down out of heaven from God.' - REVELATION 21:2.

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - The River of Water of Life - Continues

From the jw.org publications 

Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - A Light for the Nations -Conclusion

 Who, are the "kings of the earth" who "bring their glory into it"? They are not the literal kings of the earth as a group, for they go down to destruction fighting against God's Kingdom at Armageddon. (Revelation 16:15,16; 19:17,18) Could the kings be some high-ranking ones of the nations who become a part of the great crowd, or are they resurrected kings who submit to God's Kingdom in the new world? (Matthew 12:42) Hardly, because for the most part, the glory of such kings was worldly and has long since faded. "the kings of the earth," then, who bring their glory into New Jerusalem must be the 144,000 who are "bought . . . out of every tribe and tongue and people and nations" to rule as kings with the Lamb, Jesus Christ. (Revelation 5:9, 10, 22:5) They bring their God-given glory into the city to add to its radiance.

John continues: "But anything not sacred and anyone that carries on a disgusting thing and a lie will in no way enter into it; only those written in the Lamb's scroll of life will." (Revelation 21:27) Nothing tainted by Satan's system of things can be a part of New Jerusalem. Even though its gates are permanently open, no one who " carries a disgusting thing and a lie" will be allowed to enter. There will be no apostates in that city or any members of Babylon the Great. And if any try to desecrate the city by corrupting its future members while they are on earth, their efforts will be brought to nothing. (Matthew 13:41-43) Only those "written in the Lamb's scroll of life," the 144,000 will finally enter into New Jerusalem." - REVELATION 13:8; DANIEL 12:3. 

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - The River of Water of Life

From the jw.org publications 

Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City - A Light for the Nations

This same prophecy also foretold: "And nations will go to your light, and kings to its brightness of your shining forth."  (Isaia 60:3) Revelation shows that these words would include New Jerusalem: "And the nations will walk by means of its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. And its gates will not be closed at all by day, for night will not exist there. And they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it." - REVELATION 21:24-26. 

Who are these "nations" walking by means of the light of New Jerusalem? They are people, once a part of the nations of this wicked world, who respond to the light shed through this glorious heavenly city. Foremost among them are the great crowd, who have already come out of "all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues" and who worship God day and night in company with the John class. (Revelation 7:9, 15) After New Jerusalem comes down from heaven and Jesus uses the keys of death and Hades to resurrect the dead, they will be joined millions more, originally from the "nations," who come to love Jehovah and his Son, the Lamblike Husband of New Jerusalem. -REVELATION 1:18. 

Next time: Chapter Forty-Three/The Resplendent City- A Light for the Nations - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications