Is the holy city really big enough to hold all the saved people of all ages?

First, let’s get a little perspective on the size of New Jerusalem. The Bible says, “The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal” (Revelation 21:16). The city is perfectly square. Its perimeter is 12,000 furlongs, or 1,500 miles (a furlong is 1/8 mile). It is 375 miles long on each side. That equals more than 140,000 square miles, a little bigger than the state of New Mexico!

If the city were to be crowded and each saved person given only 100 square feet of ground space, there would be room for 39 billion people in the city, which is many times larger than the present population of the world. Many statisticians believe that if all the people who have ever lived were saved, there would be plenty of room for them in the city. The Scriptures make it clear, however, that only a few will be saved (Matthew 7:14). So there will be more than enough room in the great city.

When Jesus told His disciples that He would be leaving them, they were troubled. To comfort them, Christ explained that He would be going to His Father’s house where there are “many rooms.” In addition, He assured them that He was going “to prepare a place” for each of them. It reminds me of kids going to visit their grandparents on a big farm out in the country. The old home is large and has plenty of space for everyone.

Our heavenly Father has plenty of room in His place for each of His children. The Creator of the universe is not limited on space. His love knows no bounds!

Key Bible Texts

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:2 KJV)