The heavenly Jerusalem is the eternal home of glory for God's elect, distinct from the earthly city bound by the old covenant and slavery. It is the free, spiritual mother of believers, the center of God's Kingdom, and the capital of the heavenly nation to which Christians belong. Descending from heaven, the New Jerusalem signifies the full realization of God's promise, where He dwells with His people, eliminating sorrow and death. Illuminated by God's glory and the Lamb, it requires no temple or sun, offering eternal peace, sustenance, and fellowship under Jesus Christ, the Davidic King. Only those in the Lamb's Book of Life may enter this pure, enduring city.

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Jerusalem and the Plan of Redemption

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The heavenly Jerusalem stands as the eternal home of glory for the elect of God, distinct from any earthly city. It is the place of the New Covenant, sealed through the blood of Christ, representing freedom and the true faith of God. Unlike the present earthly Jerusalem, which is tied to the old covenant and slavery, the Jerusalem above is free and serves as the spiritual mother of God's people. This heavenly city is the center of the spiritual Kingdom, contrasting sharply with the corruption of the earthly city. The New Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from our God, signifies the full realization of God's Kingdom promise, far transcending the glory of its earthly counterpart. In this heavenly city, the people of God will enjoy unhindered worship and fellowship under the great Davidic King, Jesus Christ. All things will be made new, with no remnants of the earthly Jerusalem remaining. This eternal city is the abiding home that the faithful seek, unlike any temporary earthly city. Spiritually, the heavenly Jerusalem is the exact opposite of Babylon, symbolizing purity and truth. It represents the complete elect church, a perfect cube, where the elect saints will reign with Christ as kings and priests during the millennium over the earth, Israel, and the nations. The first foundation of the spiritual church was laid in the earthly Jerusalem, but it was never physically part of it, pointing instead to the everlasting Jerusalem that will abide permanently in the new heavens and new earth. To have a part in the New Jerusalem, the faithful must endure, live by faith, and give allegiance to this heavenly city rather than the old, dying earthly Jerusalem.

Who Deserves Our Loyalties?

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

In the discourse on spiritual preparation and the nature of God's Kingdom, the concept of the Heavenly Jerusalem emerges as a central theme, distinguishing the spiritual realm from the earthly. Jesus Christ declares in John 14:2-3 that He goes to prepare a place for His followers in His Father's house, indicating a divine process of preparation for a heavenly abode where they will ultimately reside with Him. This underscores that not all aspects of God's plan are fully arranged yet, as He continues to prepare positions for His family in a spiritual domain. Further, Galatians 4:25-26 contrasts two Jerusalems: the earthly one, bound in physical reality, and the Jerusalem above, a spiritual reality that exists as surely as its earthly counterpart, serving as the capital city of the heavenly nation to which true Christians belong. This Jerusalem above is described as free and the mother of all believers, emphasizing its spiritual significance over the physical Jerusalem in bondage. Philippians 3:20 reinforces this by stating that the citizenship of Christians is in heaven, from where they eagerly await the return of their Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. This heavenly citizenship marks a clear separation from earthly allegiances, aligning their loyalty solely with a nation not of this world, with its capital in the spiritual realm. Finally, Revelation 21 is referenced as the future moment when this Heavenly Jerusalem will descend to earth, becoming the capital city of the planet, uniting the spiritual and physical realms under God's ultimate purpose. Thus, the Heavenly Jerusalem stands as a symbol of the spiritual Kingdom to which Christians owe their allegiance, guiding their preparation and focus amidst worldly challenges.

City of Peace

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The heavenly Jerusalem represents the ultimate hope and destiny for God's people, a stark contrast to the earthly city marked by conflict and sin. It is described as the city of the living God, a place of eternal peace and completion, where the elect have no connection with any temporary earthly city but seek the enduring one to come. As depicted in Hebrews 12:22-24, believers have come to Mount Zion and to the heavenly Jerusalem, joining an innumerable company of angels, the assembly of the firstborn registered in heaven, and Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant. This city stands as a unifying place where justice is provided and peace must be pursued, reflecting the spiritual unity of all people in Christ Jesus, as noted in Galatians 3:28. The New Jerusalem, as envisioned in Revelation 21:1-5, descends from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, Jesus Christ. It signifies a new beginning where God Himself will dwell with His people, wiping away every tear, eliminating death, sorrow, and pain, and making all things new. This heavenly city transcends the earthly Jerusalem, embodying the full realization of God's Kingdom promise, far surpassing the glory of its earthly counterpart. Revelation 21:22-27 further illustrates its divine nature, with no need for a temple, sun, or moon, as the glory of God and the Lamb illuminate it, and only those written in the Lamb's Book of Life may enter. Moreover, Revelation 22:1-4 portrays the New Jerusalem with a pure river of water of life and the tree of life, symbolizing eternal sustenance and healing for the nations. There will be no curse, and God's servants will serve Him, seeing His face and bearing His name. This city is the culmination of redemption, a restoration of paradise, and the ideal of true religion realized through God's supernatural workmanship. As Revelation 3:12 promises, those who overcome will be made pillars in the temple of God, bearing the name of the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from God. Thus, while the earthly Jerusalem symbolizes a history of unfaithfulness and judgment, the heavenly Jerusalem stands as the eternal home of glory, where God's presence, protection, and fellowship with His people will be fully actualized under the reign of Jesus Christ, the great Davidic King.

Born Again or Begotten? (Part Three)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The concept of a spiritual birth has confused many. The Bible consistently compares Christians to already-born children or adults, not fetuses.

Abraham (Part Seven)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Abraham's experiences teach us not to try to force God's will. When any sin or self-will is involved, the fruits of such an endeavor will be bitter.

Guard the Truth!

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

The true church of God is an invisible, spiritual organism, of those people that have and are led by the Spirit of God, who hold fast to apostolic teaching.