A Great Wall

It’s one of the most impressive architectural feats in history. The 2,300-year-old Great Wall of China is actually a series of walls built across the borders of ancient Chinese states for protection from different nomadic groups. Over 13,000 miles of wall were built, but only about eight percent remains standing today.

An impressive feature of the New Jerusalem is that “she had a great and high wall with twelve gates.” Why would the holy city need a wall? Aren’t they intended to keep enemies out? If anything that “defiles” “shall by no means enter it” (Revelation 21:27), perhaps the walls symbolize God’s protection of His people. But since all God’s enemies will be destroyed, what is the purpose of a wall? It is true that when the city descends to the earth, the final destruction of the wicked will not yet have taken place.

The imagery of the city comes from a description of the rebuilt Jerusalem seen by Ezekiel in vision (Ezekiel 48). They are strikingly similar. Ezekiel’s vision was of what could have been, whereas John’s vision was of what will be. For the remnant coming out of Babylon and Persia, Ezekiel’s vision inspired hope of being established back in Judah forever. However, that never fully happened since the Jews rejected the Messiah.

Though we like to focus on the physical characteristics of the New Jerusalem, it is the spiritual message that should most capture our attention. Thus, a wall around the city reminds us that we will be forever secure from the scourge of sin.

The twelve gates guarded by twelve angels with the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel show the inclusiveness of all God’s people from “every nation, tribe, tongue, and people” (Revelation 14:6), for “if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). God’s church is made up of spiritual Israel; its members are citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

Thank You, Lord, for surrounding me with Your loving protection. I long to stand inside the walls of the New Jerusalem and sing praises to Your name.

For Further Study: Isaiah 60:19; Ezekiel 48:30–35; Revelation 7:4

Key Bible Texts

And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: (Revelation 21:12 KJV)