A Portrait of the Heavenly City

A Portrait of the Heavenly City

Sermon by Pastor Brent Snook / Nov 2, 2025

Series: The Hope of Heaven

Bible text: Revelation 21

Introduction

• Earthly cities—no matter how great—cannot compare with the city God is preparing for His children.

• The “New Jerusalem” is a real, physical city where God and His people will dwell forever

• Read Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:2

• During the Millennium, the city will hover above the earth; in the eternal state, it will rest on the renewed earth as the center of eternal life.

I. The Dimensions of the City – Revelation 21:15–16

• The city is a perfect cube, measuring 1,500 miles in length, width, and height — large enough for all believers of all time.

• Estimated to hold billions of people comfortably.

• The design reflects the Holy of Holies, also a cube (1 Kings 6:20), emphasizing God’s eternal presence with His people (Revelation 21:3).

II. The Description of the City

A. The Holy City – Revelation 21:2

• A city entirely without sin, corruption, or deceit — holy because everyone in it will be holy.

• Only those cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ will enter

“A holy city will be one in which no lie will be uttered in 100 million years, no evil word will ever be spoken. No shady business deals will ever be discussed, no unclean picture will ever be seen, no corruption of life will ever be manifest. It will be holy because everyone in it will be holy.”​ Wycliffe Bible Commentary

B. The Freedom from Pain – Revelation 21:4

• “God shall wipe away all tears.”

• No more sorrow, pain, regret, or death; even painful memories will be gone.

C. The Pearly Gates – Revelation 21:12, 17–18, 21

• Twelve gates inscribed with the names of Israel’s tribes.

• Each gate is made of a single pearl, reminding us that entry into heaven was bought through Christ’s suffering.

D. The Foundations of Precious Stones – Revelation 21:19–20

• Twelve foundation layers of dazzling gemstones (jasper, sapphire, emerald, amethyst, etc.), symbolizing eternal beauty and glory.

E. The Streets of Gold – Revelation 21:21

• Transparent golden streets reflect the glory of God.

• In heaven, believers will walk forever in perfect fellowship and obedience with Him.

F. The Lamb Is the Light – Revelation 21:23; Isaiah 60:19

• No sun or moon—the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is its light.

• The entire city radiates with the glory of God (1 Corinthians 2:9).

G. The River of Life – Revelation 22:1–2

• A River in Scripture symbolizes 2 things: 

  1. Pleasure – Psalm 36:8

  2. Prosperity – Psalm 1:3

• Life in God’s city will be full of purity, pleasure, and abundance.

III. The Denial to the City – Revelation 21:8, 27

• Not everyone will enter heaven.

• Those who live unrepentantly in sin will be cast into the lake of fire.

• Entry is reserved for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

• Our mission: to be Christ’s ambassadors, pointing others toward heaven (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Conclusion

• Heaven is real — a prepared place for a prepared people.

• As Adrian Rogers said, believers are not on “death row,” but “life row” (John 11:26).

• If you want to be glory-bound, you must first be glory-born through faith in Jesus Christ.