What’s the difference between heaven and the New Jerusalem?
THREE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS:
1. Are heaven and the New Jerusalem the same thing?
- Answer: “No.”
- Revelation 21:2 indicates that they are different, since it speaks of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. The New Jerusalem apparently currently exists in heaven.
2. Will we be in heaven forever?
- Answer: “No.”
- Revelation 21:1-4.
- Notice how quickly this passage transitions from talk of heaven to focusing on the New Jerusalem (v. 1 and v. 2). In fact, the vast majority of chapters 21 and 22 are about the New Jerusalem, not heaven.
3. Will the New Jerusalem be our eternal home?
- Answer: “Yes.”
- There are several reasons to believe that the New Jerusalem is going to be our primary eternal dwelling place.
a. Christ dwells there.
- Revelation 21:2, 22-23.
- Also see John 14:3; Ezekiel 48:35; Isaiah 60:19-20; Genesis 2-3.
b. The Bible speaks of a city prepared for us.
- Look up: Revelation 21:2 (note use of the word “prepared”).
- Look up: Hebrews 11:16 (note use of the word “prepared”).
- Look up: John 14:3 (note use of the word “prepared”).
- Also see Hebrews 12:22-24; Galatians 4:25-26.
c. The church and the New Jerusalem are linked together by both being called a bride.
- Revelation 21:2, 9; Revelation 19:7-9; Revelation 22:17.
- Also see: Isaiah 62:5; 2 Corinthians 11:2; John 3:29; Isaiah 61:10.
d. Only those written in the Book of Life can enter the city.
- Revelation 21:27.
