Grace Fellowship Church Pastor/Teacher Jim Rickard Thursday, Sept. 22,

Doxology Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.— Amen.

New Memory Verse New Memory Verse John 17:4, “I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do.”

John 17 The Great High Priestly Prayer of our Lord!

John 17:2 Doctrine of Eternal Life! Part 14

John 3:36, “He that believes on the Son has eternal life, but he who does not believe on the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

M. The New Jerusalem Rev 21:2-22:5

The fact that the New Jerusalem is not said to be created but, “comes down out of heaven from God”, vs. 2, may imply that it was in existence in the previous period, the Millennial kingdom.

If it be in existence prior to the creation of the New Heavens and the New Earth, the 3rd heaven is the most probable location at that time.

Three reasons why it is called the bride: 1. A bride is generally considered beautiful and therefore we have the emphasis on the beauty of the city.

2. It emphasizes the light of the city, and this is analogous to the animation of the bride.

3. It emphasizes the relationship of the city. Bride always connotes the concept of relationship. Our Lord and this city will have a close and intimate relationship.

Vs. 12, The “12 angels at the gates,” are an honor guard from the angelic order of battle. They are a memorial to our Lord’s victory in the Angelic Conflict.

Vs. 13, There are three gates on each side. Noting the order in Numbers 2 combined with the order of Rev 21:13 we have a code or message.

1) “East side” Judah, Issachar, Zebulun. 2) “North side” Dan, Asher, Naphtali. 3) “South side,” Reuben, Simeon, Gad. 4) “West side,” Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin.

East Side Gates: “Praise Yahweh (the Lord Jesus Christ), a man for hire (worked to purchase our sins), He is our exalted dwelling place.”

North Side Gates: “The Judge, who brings happiness, as a result of the wrestling (the righteousness and justice of God).

South Side Gates: “Behold a Son, who hears (our advocate in prayers and petitions), and of good fortune (answers our prayers).”

West Side Gates: “He is of Double fruitfulness (the God / Man), causing to forget (our sins and pains, Rev 21:4), He is the Son of My right hand.”

Using the order of the gates of the Millennium in Ezek 48:30-34 we have:

1) East gates of Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan. 2) North gates of Reuben, Judah, and Levi. 3) South gates of Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun. 4) West gates of Gad, Asher, and Naphtali

East Side Gates: “Adding (a son - humanity), He is the Son of My right hand, the Judge.”

North Side Gates: “Behold My Son, Praise Yahweh, in a joining (in Hypostatic Union).”

South Side Gates: “I Heard, (as in our prayers), (and sent) a man for hire/recompense, (i.e., worked to purchase our sins), therefore He is the exalted dwelling place.”

West Side Gates: “Good fortune, (as in blessings), He is the happy one, My Wrestler (righteous one).”

Vs. 14 the wall of the city has twelve foundation stones. On these stones would be the names of the Apostles. See our study of the 12 Apostles for the various code potentials.

Vs , Symbolically the wall indicates exclusion of those who are not worthy to enter the city, of which are noted in vs. 8, 27 and 22:15 as unbelievers.

12 is prominent in the N.J. 12 in scripture means, perfection of government, and the N.J. is the headquarters of the eternal perfect government of our Lord.

Grace Fellowship Church Thursday, September 22, 2011 Tape # Doctrine of Eternal Life The New Jerusalem Great High Priestly Prayer, Part 19 John 17:2; Rev 21:9-16 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2011