Studies in the Millennial Kingdom: Heaven on Earth – Mike Bickle
Session 9 Millennial Jerusalem: The City of the Great King (Ps. 48)Page 1
Session 9Millennial Jerusalem: The City of the Great King (Ps. 48)
I.the city of the great king:supernatural and natural elements
A.We cannot dismiss biblical ideas simply because they are new to us or they were not taught by the church or denomination we grew up in. We must be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily to see if the new ideas that Paul preached to them were biblical (Acts 17:11).
11They [Bereans] received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17:11)
B.In this session, we will look at scripturesdescribing the glory of Jerusalem in the Millennium.Jesus referred to it as the “city of the great King.” Jesus is the great King of this great city that will combine the supernatural dimensions of heaven with the natural conditions of the earth.
35“Jerusalem…is the city of the great King.” (Mt. 5:35)
C.Scripture describestwo Jerusalemsin God’s plan in the Millennium: the heavenly Jerusalem(New Jerusalem)and earthly Jerusalem(millennial Jerusalem). Just after Jesus’ coming, the New Jerusalem will descend to the earth to connect with millennial Jerusalem. As a result,the supernatural glory of heaven and natural conditions of earth will be manifestedin one city.
10He…showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven… (Rev. 21:10)
D.When the New Jerusalem comes to earth, then heaven will literally be on earth. Heaven and earth come together as the New Jerusalem descends to the millennial Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is the place where resurrected saints will live.
E.The centerpiece of God’s eternal purpose is for Jesus to come back to fully establish His kingdom-rule over all the earth, as He joins the heavenly and earthly realms together.
9Made known to us the mystery [hidden plan]of His will…10that He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth. (Eph. 1:9-10)
F.Jesus will judge all the nations on earth from His throne of glory in millennialJerusalem.
31“When the Son of Man comesin His glory…then He will sit on thethrone of His glory. 32All the nations[currently on earth] will be gathered before Him…” (Mt. 25:31-32)
17“At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the Lord, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem.” (Jer. 3:17)
G.Jesus’ throne of glory will be in the Holy of Holies of the millennial Temple in Jerusalem.
4The glory of the Lordcame into the temple [millennialtemple]…6I heard Him speaking to me from the temple…7He said, “This is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever.” (Ezek. 43:4-7)
H.JesuswillbuildthemillennialtempleandputHisthroneinit;Hewillfunctionaskingandpriest.
12Thus says the Lord…“Behold, the Man [Jesus]whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out [progressively increase], and He shall build the temple of the Lord; 13Yes, He shall build the temple of the Lord. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne; so He shall be a priest on His throne.” (Zech. 6:12-13)
I.Jesus’ throne will also be established in the heavenly New Jerusalem that descends to earth.
3The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it [New Jerusalem]. (Rev. 22:3)
J.Jesus rules in heaven as the Son of God (heavenly Jerusalem) and on the earth as the Son of David (earthly Jerusalem). He is the only Man with authority to bring both realms together (Mt. 28:18). The government of heaven and earth come together at the second coming.
18“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Mt. 28:18)
10“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt. 6:10)
K.Does Jesus have one throne or two? Is it on the millennial earth or in the New Jerusalem? Jesus’ throne is both on earth and in heaven. It is one throne with two expressions.
L.The New Jerusalem will descend to a place above millennial Jerusalem (temple on Mt. Zion). I suggest that Jesus’ throne will be avast “governmental complex” with the “north end” of it extending into the New Jerusalem and the “south end” based in the millennial Jerusalemjoined by a corridor of glory. This will be the governmental center of heaven and earth, referred to as Jesus’ throne of glory (Mt. 19:28; 25:31). Jerusalem will be the capital city of Jesus’ worldwide government (Jer. 3:17; Isa. 2:2-4; 24:23; Ezek. 43:7; Mic. 4:7; Zech. 6:12-13; 14:9-11).
II.the New Jerusalem is close to Millennial Jerusalem,but not on earth
A.There are four reasons the New Jerusalem is close to millennial Jerusalem, yet not on the earth.
B.First,millennialJerusalemisabout10squaremiles,or4,500rodsx4,500rods(arodisapprox.10.5feet;Ezek.48:30-35;45:6;48:15-19).TheNewJerusalemis1,380miles(Rev.21:16). Thus,itisfartoolargefortheareaEzekielprophesiedasthesizeofmillennialJerusalem(10miles).Ezekieldoesnottellusif theunitsofmeasurementarecubitsorrods?Ifcubits(21inches),ifrodsorreeds(10.5feetor6cubits).Mostbelievethemissingunitofmeasurementisrods,notcubits.TheNKJVaddsthewordcubitsinitalicstodesignatethatitisnotintheoriginaltextbutissuppliedbythetranslators.Therod(Ezek.40:5)andreed(Ezek.29:6)areinterchangeable.Thetemplewillbe500rods,orreeds,perside(aboutonemilesquare:Ezek.42:15-20).
C.Second, the kings of the earth actually come into the New Jerusalem during the Millennium.
24The nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it[New Jerusalem]. 25Its gates shall not be shut[to the earth] at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. (Rev. 21:24-26)
D.Third, the leaves are for the healing of the millennial nations (Rev. 22:2); thus, people on the millennial earth must have access to these healing leaves that are in the New Jerusalem.
2The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:2)
E.Fourth, angels guard the entry to the New Jerusalem to keep sinners out, as in Genesis 3:22-24.
12She had a…high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates… (Rev. 21:12)
F.Millennial Jerusalem and the heavenly New Jerusalem are closely connected in many scriptures. The Scripture refers to Jerusalem below and Jerusalem above (Gal. 4:26), or Zion below and Zion above (also called the third heaven in 2 Cor. 12:2 and the continuing city in Heb. 13:14).
G.The New Jerusalem will descend to the earth (Rev. 3:21) in two stages. First, it descends at the time of Jesus’ coming to begin the Millennium (Rev. 21:10). Second, it will descend to the new earth after the Millennium (Rev. 21:2). Stage one of the descent of the New Jerusalem is partial yet substantial. Stage two is total and ultimate, and takes place after the Millennium.
III.The Corridor of Glory: Dynamic Convergence
A.The corridor of glory idea comes from putting together several biblical ideas. For example, the millennial kings will travel from the earth to bring their glory into the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:24-26) and to receive the leaves for the healing of the nations in the Millennium (Rev. 22:2).
B.There are at least 12 characteristics of millennial Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem that overlap. I suggest a dynamic convergence of these 12 expressions of God’s glory between the two cities: 1.Mountain of God, 2.Jerusalemwith 12 gates, 3.Houseof God, 4.Holy of Holies (temple), 5.Garden of Eden, 6.River of Life, 7.Tree of Life (12 fruits every month), 8.Highway,
9.Whirlwind (funnels of glory), 10.Cloud of glory, 11.Smoke of glory, 12.Shining fire.
C.Converge means to come together from different directions(as in, heavenly and earthly dimensions) to an intersecting point to achieve union. Each dimension has distinction, yet with a significant merging, or overlapping, to form one great unified reality.
D.Isaiah describes the millennial Jerusalem as having a cloud.I suggest that this pillar is part of the corridor of glory reaching from earth to heaven with elements of smoke and shining fire.The cloud, smoke of God’s glory, and shining fire connect God’s temple in heaven (New Jerusalem)to His temple on the millennial earth, establishing His glorious resting place on the earth
(Isa. 66:1; 11:10; Ps. 132:7-14).
2In that day the Branch of the Lord[Jesus]shall be beautiful…for those of Israel who have escaped. 3And it shall come to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy…5The Lordwill create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. 6There will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat, for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain. (Isa. 4:2-6)
E.Jacob saw a place where a supernatural ladder extended from earth to the gate of heaven. It was the place that angels ascend and descend between heavenly and earthly realms.
12A ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it…17Jacob said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” (Gen. 28:12-16)
F.Jesus spoke of angels traveling between the two realms (open heaven). This will have its ultimate fulfillment in the Millennium when angelstravel between the two realms to serve Jesus who will be reigning on His millennialthrone. The connecting point for heaven and earth is Jesus’ deity and humanity. When Nathanael saw Jesus’ divinity and humanity, then Jesus revealed this.
49Nathanael answered…“You are the Son of God [divine]! You are the King of Israel [human]!”…51He said to him, “…Hereafter you shall see heaven open[corridor of glory], and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (Jn. 1:49-51)
G.When Jesus calls the New Jerusalem to the earth, it will cause an open heaven over the earth as the veil is lifted. A tidal wave of glory will spread to all nations from millennial Jerusalem.
14The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord… (Hab. 2:14)
IV.the city of the great King: MillennialJerusalem and New Jerusalem
34“Do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.” (Mt. 5:34-35)
2In the latter days the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills…3Many shall say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the House of the God of Jacob…”…from Jerusalem. (Isa. 2:2-3)
1Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. 2Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.3God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge. 4For behold, the kings [millennial kings] assembled, they passed by together. 5They saw it [New Jerusalem connected to the millennial Jerusalem], and so they marveled; they were troubled, they hastened away. 6Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in birth pangs, 7as when You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.8As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the Lordof hosts, in the city of our God: God will establish it forever. 9We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple. 10According to Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. (Ps. 48:1-10)
96I have seen the consummation of all perfection…Your commandment is broad. (Ps. 119:96)
1The Mighty One…has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down. 2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. 3Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. (Ps. 50:1-3)
7Give Him no rest till…He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isa. 62:7)
V.the Mountain of God
A.Jesus’ throne of glory is one reality with heavenly and earthly dynamic dimensions that are expressed in 12 different ways. Picture a sparkling 1,500-mile diamond in the sky over Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is approximately 1,500 miles high. Compare this to outer space being 800 miles away, the highest mountain on the earth (Mt. Everest) being only five miles above sea level, and the ocean being eight miles deep.
B.The New Jerusalem (heavenly temple) descends to a place just above millennial Jerusalem (the temple on Mt. Zion). Jesus’ throne of glory is His “mountain-city-house,” His vast governmental complex, that includes the millennialtemple and the New Jerusalem. This is the place of God’s temple,Hisgloriousresting placeon the earth,theplaceof thesolesof Hisfeet(Isa.66:1,11:10).
VI.Mountain of Zion: includes Millennial Jerusalem And New Jerusalem
A.The New Jerusalem is approximately 1,380 miles high. Ezekiel describes the millennial Jerusalem as on a mountain (Ezek. 40:2; 17:22; 20:40). God’s mountain is raised up as the highest mountain on earth (Isa. 2:2; Mic. 4:1). This description cannot fit the hills on which Jerusalem is currently built (only 2,500 feet above sea level). The mountain of the Lord’s house in millennial Jerusalem connects with the New Jerusalem.
2In the latter days the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills…3Many shall say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways…” For out of Zion shall go forth the law…the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isa. 2:2-3)
1The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be…on the top of the mountains… (Mic. 4:1)
68[The Lord]chose Mount Zion…69He built His sanctuary like the heights… (Ps. 78:68-69)
12They shall…sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord… (Jer. 31:12)
2The Lordis great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. (Ps. 99:2)
17The Lord…dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy… (Joel 3:17)
B.The psalmist saw into the vastness of God’s purpose related to the New Jerusalem. He testified that his insight into God’s Word (commandment) grew exceedingly broad.
96I have seen the consummation of all perfection…Your commandment is broad. (Ps. 119:96)
2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. (Ps. 50:2)
1Great is the Lord…in the City of our God, in His holy mountain. 2Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion…the City of the great King. 3God is in her palaces…4Behold, the kings assembled, they passed by together. 5They saw it and marveled; they were troubled, they hastened away. 6Fear took hold of them there… (Ps. 48:1-6)
7Give Him no rest till…He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isa. 62:7)
VII.The “Corridor of Glory” includes divine cloud, smoke, and shining fire
A.The glory over the millennial Jerusalem is highlighted by Isaiah as having three distinct dimensions: cloud, smoke, and fire. The New Jerusalem is the covering that is over Mt. Zion.
5The Lordwill create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Over all the glory will be a covering. (Isa. 4:5)
B.Isaiah described a cloud (pillar of glory reaching from earth to heaven) with elements of smoke and shining fire.I think of this corridor as being filled with the brightness of God’s presence, connecting the millennial Jerusalem and New Jerusalem. It is probably comprised of the glory cloud, smoke, and fire forming a whirlwind of glory around Jesus’ throne.
C.This corridor may be described by Ezekiel as a whirlwind (the vast glorious tornado funnel that engulfs Jesus’ chariot-throne, Ezek. 1).
D.The glory-smoke manifested when Solomon dedicated the temple. Zechariah prophesied that fire would surround millennial Jerusalem. I think of this wall of fire as both vertical (cylinder) and horizontal (circular), as both above the Jerusalem temple and around the city.
5“I…will be a wall of fire all around her [Jerusalem], and I will be the glory in her midst… 10for behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. (Zech. 2:5, 10)
4The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God… (Rev. 8:4)
8The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power… (Rev. 15:8)
34The cloud covered the tabernacle…35the cloud rested above it and the glory of the Lordfilled the tabernacle. 38For the cloud of the Lordwas above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all Israel, throughout all their journeys. (Ex. 40:34-38)
VIII.Garden of Eden with the River of Life and Tree of Life
A.The garden of Eden will be established on the millennial earth as well as in the New Jerusalem (Ezek. 34:26-29; 36:8-11, 30-35; 47:6-12; Isa. 35:1-8; Gen. 3:22; Mal. 4:2; Rev. 22:1-3).
1He showed me a pure river of water of life…proceeding from the throne…2On either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:1-2)