Now from Revelation 21:2 to 22:5, John is going to describe the holy city New Jerusalem that comes down from God out of heaven. This is a somewhat unique subject in that it is not revealed directly in the Old Testament. The first mention of it comes from Christ in John 14. So, before we look at what John has to say about it in Revelation 21 and 22, let’s look at some other New Testament references for a little perspective.
This is John 14:2-3, “In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would tell you. I’m going there to prepare a place for you. And when I go and make a place ready for you, I will come back again and take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.”
There is no symbolic meaning here. This is a statement of literal fact. Jesus is telling the disciples He is going to a physical, material place to prepare physical, material dwellings. For a more complete explanation of the planet heaven where the Father currently resides, look at the article on the website “The Shape of God”. By His own testimony we know Christ is the One preparing the eternal city that will become the permanent habitation of all the redeemed.
Then Paul makes mention of the New Jerusalem; first in his letter to the Galatians, then in Hebrews. “But the Jerusalem which is above is free; and it is the mother of us all.” (Galatians 4:26) If you read the context, Paul is comparing Old Testament law to New Testament grace. The Jerusalem that then existed on earth was held enslaved by the law, but the Jerusalem in heaven was a free city. The phrase “mother of us all” is Paul’s way of saying the heavenly city is where God is and He adopts us into His family and gives us a place to live with Him.
The heavenly city is a prominent subject in Hebrews. First mentioned in 11:10, “But he was looking forward to a city that has firm foundations; and it’s builder and maker is God”. Here, “builder” is technites, an architect, the one who designs, plans and builds a structure. The word teknon comes from this word. It was Jesus’ chosen profession while on the earth. He was a teknon (translated “carpenter” in Matthew 13:55). He was the great architect Who designed and created the material universe (the “all things” in Ephesians 3:9) and the arranger of the ages of time (Hebrews 1:2, 11:3). The word “maker” is from demiourgos, a combination of demios, public or, for the people and ergon, to work. This word is used to describe someone who does public works. In other words, Christ is building a city for His people.
In the verse above Paul is talking about Abraham’s faith and the fact he was looking forward to that city. This is our link to the Old Testament. When you read further down in Hebrews 11:13-16 Paul tells us faithful believers from Abel to Abraham and Sarah all understood they were “strangers” (zenos, a foreigner, someone dwelling in a country not their own), and “sojourners” (parepidemos, temporary residents). There is a similar reference made by David in Psalm 39:12. When you look at what Paul says here, these Old Testament saints were looking forward to a permanent dwelling from heaven, a city prepared for them by God (verse 16). He then makes two more references to this heavenly city that is to come, making the point that it is also promised to believers of his day in Hebrews 12:22 and 13:14.
This brings us to John’s revelation and his first mention of the new Jerusalem in Revelation 3:12. “He who is victorious, I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God and he will never be put out of it. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends from My God out of heaven, and My own new name.”
This is a great verse; let’s break it down. Here, Christ promises those who overcome (are victorious) three things. First, they will be made “pillars” in the sanctuary of His God. This is from stulos, used figuratively here to illustrate a position of spiritual authority given to believers (remember Revelation 2:26-27). The second is that this will be a permanent position that cannot be lost or changed.
Then, the third has to do with the three names that will be written on those who are victorious. The first is the name of His God. The second is the name of the city of His God, the new Jerusalem. And the third is His new name. This is Christ’s new name, not a new name given to the victorious ones, as some mistakenly take this to mean.
There is a new name given to the saints as referenced in Revelation 2:17b. “To him who is victorious I will give some of the hidden manna to eat and I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” The “hidden manna” is curious. What is promised is clear, manna. But what kind of manna is not revealed (kruptos, hidden or secret). Another reference that proves redeemed saints in spiritual bodies will eat in eternity.
The significance of the white stone can be found in some ancient cultures. White stones with the names of the recipient written on it were given to those who had been pardoned of crimes they had committed. And, those who had been victorious in public games were given white stones with their names on it, which entitled them to be supported at the public expense for the rest of their lives. In a purely spiritual sense, both of these make sense.
There is one more reference to new names in Isaiah 62:2. But this has to do with Israel and a promise that in eternity God will forever remove the reproach they have suffered through the ages. In Isaiah 62:4 the new name is revealed. When Israel is elevated to it’s rightful place of spiritual leadership on the earth, they will be known as “Hephzibah”, meaning, delight. Their land, which has by this time been fully restored to them, will be known as “Beulah”, which means, married (in this case, married to the Lord).