“They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:26-27)

The metaphors and symbols John used to depict the details of the heavenly Kingdom are human and earthly images and terms that symbolize theological truths and the ultimate reality the like of which John had never seen. The city of God, the Bride of Christ, is perfect in its dimensions, a perfect cube, unlike any human architecture. This symbolizes God’s perfection. The walls of the city are not needed for defense because all of God’s enemies have been defeated. Rather they symbolize God’s and our separation from all that is unholy and sinful. Those who reject faith in Jesus, who rebel against God by embracing their sinfulness and self-sufficiency, cannot enter that Kingdom. The wall of God’s holiness prevents them from entering.

John’s description of the Heavenly Kingdom depicts the basic building materials as those material things which we humans value most, what we consider to be most precious and beautiful: gold, pearls, and precious gems. These remind us that there is nothing in life is of more value than what we see here in John’s vision of heaven. Nothing the world values is worth the loss of the glories of heaven. God’s Kingdom is worth infinitely more than all that we strive for in life and all that we hold on to so dearly. Therefore it is worth all of our life, time, effort, sacrifice and suffering. In His kingdom we find peace, joy, solace, comfort, and healing from all the hurts we have endured in this life. We will never want for anything. We will never need to be afraid of anything. The ancients feared the darkness and the sea symbols of evil, chaos, the unknown and all that which was beyond human control. We fear that as well. Yet in the eternal Kingdom there is no darkness, no chaos, nothing to fear. The Lord Almighty is in control. And we rejoice for we are one with Him in eternal relationship.