Revelation - What It Means for Your Future - A GLORIOUS CITY AND YOUR FUTURE

  Next, Revelation chapter 21 compares the 144,000 to an extremely beautiful city called "New Jerusalem." (Revelation 21:2, 9) This city is based on 12 foundation stones that have written on them "the 12  names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb."  Why would this fact capture John's interest? Because he sas his name written on one of those stones. What a grand privilege! - REVELATION 21:10-14; EPHESIANS 2:20. 

This symbolic city looks like no other. It has  a main street of pure gold, 12 gates of pearl, walls and foundations adorned with precious stones-and with perfectly balanced measurements.  (Revelation 21:15-21)  Still, something seems to be missing! Notice what John next tells us:  "I did not see a temple in it, for Jehovah Godthe Almighty is the temple, also the Lamb is. And the city has not need of the sun or the mpon to shine on it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp was the Lamb." (Revelation 21:22, 23)  Those who make up the New Jerusalem will have direct access to Jehovah.  (Hebrews 7:27; Revelation 22:3, 4)  Thus, Jehovah and Jesus are the temple in that city.

It is thrilling for the anointed to comtemplate this city.  But those who cherish the earthly hope also have reason to be interested in it.  During the Thousand Year Reign of God's Kingdom, the New Jerusalem will bring countless  blessings.  John sees these blessings flowing forth as "a river of water of life."  And on both sides of the river are "the trees of life" that produce leaves "for the healing of the nations."  (Revelation 22:1, 2) All humans then living will have an opportunity to benefit from those provisions. Gradually, all obedient humankind will be brought to perfection.  There will no more sickness, no more pain, and no more tears of sorrow. - REVELATION 21:3-5.

Who will benefit  from these wonderful provisions? First of all, the great crowd of Armadeddpm survivors. along with any children who may be born  in the new world. But Revelation chapter 20 Also promises  that the dead will be resurrected.  (Read Revelation 20:11-13.)  Faithful "righteous" ones who died in the past  along with the "unrighteous" ones-who did not receive an adequate opportunity to learn about Jehovah-will all come back to life here on earth.  (Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29)  Does this mean that everyone will be resurrected to life on earth during the Thousand Year Reign?  No.  Those who wickedly rejected the opportunity to serve Jehovah before their death will not be raised to life. They had their chance and proved they were not worthy of life on the Paradise earth. - MATTHEW 25:46; 2 THESSALONIANS 1:9; REVELATION 17:8; 20:15. 

Next time: Revelation-What It Means for Your Future - THE FINAL OUTCOME

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