Who has this city been prepared for and what is this city?
Hebrews 11:16
"But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."
In Romans 11:8-16 we read that Abraham was called to go to a place where he would receive an inheritance, The Land of Promise. He lived in tents roaming the countryside with no permanent dwelling, as did his seeds, Isaac and Jacob. They all claimed they were sojourners in The Land of Promise, looking for a city "Whose Builder and Maker was God."
We read that they all died in faith, not having received the Promise, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them. Then we read that this country they desired is a Heavenly Abode, and that God has prepared for them a city.
Notice that this was written almost 2000 years ago and at that time God had already prepared that city, it is written in past tense. "For he has prepared for them a city."
We can plainly see that this city was built for Abraham and his seed, who all died in faith seeing this city from afar off. So I ask the question, who is the the seed of Abraham that will inherit this city with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who all died in faith?
Galatians 3:29
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
So we see that this city was built for all who are in the faith with faithful Abraham. That includes ALL who are in the faith, Jew and Gentile alike. We can see from this that contrary to the belief of some in the Church, Israel has not been cut off from the promise and given solely to the Church. In fact, through faith the believing Jews will inherit the promise made to Abraham with the Gentiles being grafted in, as Paul told us in his illustration of the olive tree.
What is this city that awaits us in the future? The city that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob could see from afar off through faith.
Revelation 21:2-3
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
There is something very unusual about this city, the New Jerusalem. Nothing on earth can be compared to it, the mortal mind cannot even imagine how this can be. But as the faith of Abraham believed God for what he could not understand, we too must have that same faith.
John said in Revelation 21:16,
"And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal."
The length and width and also the height of this city is 12,000 furlongs, which translates to approximately 1500 miles. That means that this city is 1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide, and 1500 miles high. It's almost half the size of the United States, just this one city, not mention the height of it.
I don't know how many square feet are in this city, but I believe that there will be enough room for all of us in Christ to have our mansion that Christ said He would prepare for us.
John 14:2-3
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
Hebrews 11:16
"But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city."
In Romans 11:8-16 we read that Abraham was called to go to a place where he would receive an inheritance, The Land of Promise. He lived in tents roaming the countryside with no permanent dwelling, as did his seeds, Isaac and Jacob. They all claimed they were sojourners in The Land of Promise, looking for a city "Whose Builder and Maker was God."
We read that they all died in faith, not having received the Promise, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them. Then we read that this country they desired is a Heavenly Abode, and that God has prepared for them a city.
Notice that this was written almost 2000 years ago and at that time God had already prepared that city, it is written in past tense. "For he has prepared for them a city."
We can plainly see that this city was built for Abraham and his seed, who all died in faith seeing this city from afar off. So I ask the question, who is the the seed of Abraham that will inherit this city with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who all died in faith?
Galatians 3:29
"And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."
So we see that this city was built for all who are in the faith with faithful Abraham. That includes ALL who are in the faith, Jew and Gentile alike. We can see from this that contrary to the belief of some in the Church, Israel has not been cut off from the promise and given solely to the Church. In fact, through faith the believing Jews will inherit the promise made to Abraham with the Gentiles being grafted in, as Paul told us in his illustration of the olive tree.
What is this city that awaits us in the future? The city that Abraham, Isaac and Jacob could see from afar off through faith.
Revelation 21:2-3
"And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
There is something very unusual about this city, the New Jerusalem. Nothing on earth can be compared to it, the mortal mind cannot even imagine how this can be. But as the faith of Abraham believed God for what he could not understand, we too must have that same faith.
John said in Revelation 21:16,
"And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal."
The length and width and also the height of this city is 12,000 furlongs, which translates to approximately 1500 miles. That means that this city is 1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide, and 1500 miles high. It's almost half the size of the United States, just this one city, not mention the height of it.
I don't know how many square feet are in this city, but I believe that there will be enough room for all of us in Christ to have our mansion that Christ said He would prepare for us.
John 14:2-3
"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
