Church as a foretaste of heaven:

In Revelation 21 is a description of the heavenly Jerusalem descending from heaven to earth, a city with twelve foundations containing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (vv. 10–14). Let us note two characteristics of the city and contemplate how the church today could already represent these two characteristics.

Two city characteristics

The first characteristic of the city is a high, strong wall. It is important to note that the Holy City has not only a strong wall but also very strong foundations that support the wall. In describing the foundations, John refers to the twelve apostles, and in describing the gates, he refers to the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Paul puts it very nicely together: “having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20).

Second, this city wall has three gates on each of its four sides—and the gates are never closed. John makes it very clear: “Its gates shall not be shut at all” (v. 25).²

In a sense, we have a paradox here. The holy city has a large, strong wall; however, the gates in that wall are never closed. Why does a city need a high, strong wall if the wall has twelve gates that are always open?

What do these paradoxical characteristics mean, and how can the church represent them today?

The wall

What is the purpose of a wall? The very first purpose is, of course, to provide protection and defense. The wall separates or distinguishes those who are in the city from those who are outside the city; the wall sets boundaries.

It is interesting to note that Old Testament prophets, although not directly naming the Word of God as a wall, have nonetheless indirectly mentioned the wall in a unique way when referring to the Word of God.

For example, Isaiah, states: “Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel: ‘Because you despise this word, / And trust in oppression and perversity, / And rely on them, / Therefore this iniquity shall be to you / Like a breach ready to fall, / A bulge in a high wall, / Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant’ ” (Isa. 30:12, 13). In this passage Isaiah points out that by not obeying the prophetic word, not obeying the Word of God, people are actually destroying the wall.

If prophets are not proclaiming the Word of God (found in both Testaments) but, rather, following their own ideas and delivering them as the Word of God, they are not building or repairing the wall but destroying it.

The wall is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. It is built on the Word of God, both Testaments. Thus, if the church today would like to represent the heavenly Jerusalem, the church needs to be grounded in the Word of God. If heaven is grounded in the Word of God, it is natural that any heavenly representation here on earth must also be grounded in the Bible.

The gates

Why are the gates on each side constantly open? What does an open door represent? It represents an invitation—open doors invite people in! Thus, if the church today would like to be an embassy of the heavenly Jerusalem, our doors must be constantly open—not only on the Sabbath from nine o’clock in the morning till noon. We should be focused on the mission 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Any building that has a big, high wall but no gates would immediately be recognized as a prison or detention center. No one wants to get in, and the walls do not allow the ones who are in to get out. If our church will not follow the Bible in the call to be constantly, sincerely focused on the mission, then we will not represent the heavenly Jerusalem; rather, we will represent the local prison.

Mission is the heartbeat of heaven, and so it must be with the church today. If we really want to be an authentic representation of the Holy City, there is no other way.

The only way to truly and faithfully represent the heavenly Jerusalem here on earth today is to be grounded in the Bible and focused on the mission!