Millennial Jerusalem: The City of the Great King
I. THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING: SUPERNATURAL AND NATURAL ELEMENTS
A. We cannot dismiss Biblical ideas because they are new to us and because they were not taught by the church or
denomination that we grew up in. We must be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily to see if the new ideas
that Paul preached to them were biblical (Acts 17:11).
11 They (Bereans) received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these
things were so. (Acts 17:11)
B. In this session, we will look at Scriptures describing the glory of Jerusalem in the Millennium. Jesus referred to it as
the “City of the great King”. Jesus is the great King of this great City that will combine the supernatural dimensions of
heaven with the natural conditions of the earth.
35 Jerusalem…is the City of the great King. (Mt. 5:35)
C. Scripture describes two Jerusalems in God’s plan in the Millennium: the heavenly Jerusalem (New Jerusalem) and earthly
Jerusalem (Millennial Jerusalem). Just after Jesus’ coming, the New Jerusalem will descend to the earth to connect with Millennial
Jerusalem. This will result in the supernatural glory of heaven and natural conditions of earth being manifest in one city.
10 He…showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven… (Rev. 21:10)
D. When the New Jerusalem comes to earth, then heaven is literally on earth. Heaven and earth come together as the New
Jerusalem descends to the Millennial Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is the place where resurrected saints will live.
E. The centerpiece of God’s eternal purpose is for Jesus to come back to fully establish His Kingdom rule over all the earth
as He joins the heavenly and earthly realms together.
9 Made known to us the mystery (hidden plan) of His will…10 that He might gather together in one ALL things in Christ,
both which are in heaven and which are on earth. (Eph. 1:9-10)
F. Jesus will judge all the nations on earth from His “Throne of glory” in Millennial Jerusalem.
31 When the Son of Man comes in His glory...then He will sit on the Throne of His glory. 32 All the nations (currently on
earth) will be gathered before Him... (Mt. 25:31-32)
17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name
of the LORD, to Jerusalem. (Jer. 3:17)
G. Jesus’ Throne of Glory will be in the Holy of Holies of the Millennial Temple in Jerusalem.
4 The glory of the LORD came into the Temple (Millennial Temple)...6 I heard Him speaking to me from the Temple...7 He
said, "This is the place of My Throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children
of Israel forever.” (Ezek. 43:4-7)
H. Jesus will build the Millennial Temple and put His Throne in it (functioning as king and priest).
12 Thus says the LORD..."Behold, the Man (Jesus) whose name is the BRANCH! from His place He shall branch out
(progressively increase), and He shall build the Temple of the LORD; 13 Yes, He shall build the Temple of the LORD.
He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His Throne; so He shall be a priest on His Throne.” (Zech. 6:12-13)
I. Jesus’ Throne will also be established in the heavenly New Jerusalem that descends to earth.
3 The Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (New Jerusalem). (Rev. 22:3)
J. Jesus rules in heaven as the Son of God (heavenly Jerusalem) and on the earth as the Son of David (earthly
Jerusalem). He is the only Man with authority to bring both realms together (Mt. 28:18). The government of heaven
and earth come together at the Second Coming.
18 All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Mt. 28:18)
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Mt. 6:10)
K. Does Jesus have one Throne or two? Is it on the Millennial earth or in the New Jerusalem? Jesus’ Throne is both on
earth and in Heaven. It is clearly one Throne with two expressions.
L. The New Jerusalem will descend to a place above Millennial Jerusalem (Temple on Mt. Zion). I suggest that Jesus’
Throne will be a vast “governmental complex” with the “north end” of it extending into the New Jerusalem and the “south
end” based in the Millennial Jerusalem joined by a “Corridor of Glory.” This will be the governmental center of heaven
and earth referred to as Jesus’ Throne of glory (Mt. 19:28; 25:31). Jerusalem will be the capital city for Jesus’ worldwide
government (Jer. 3:17; Isa. 2:2-4; 24:23; Ezek. 43:7; Mic. 4:7; Zech. 6:12-13; 14:9-11).
II. THE NEW JERUSALEM IS CLOSE TO MILLENNIAL JERUSALEM BUT NOT ON EARTH
A. There are four reasons the New Jerusalem is close to Millennial Jerusalem yet not on the earth.
B. First, Millennial Jerusalem is about 10 square miles or 4,500 rods X 4,500 rods (a rod is approx. 10.5 feet;
Ezek. 48:30-35; 45:6; 48:15-19). The New Jerusalem is 1,380 miles (Rev. 21:16) thus, it is far too large for the area
Ezekiel prophesied as the size of Millennial Jerusalem (10 miles). Ezekiel does not tell us if the units of measure are
cubits or rods? If cubits (21 inches), if rods or reeds (10.5 feet or 6 cubits). Most believe the missing unit of measure
is rods not cubits. The NKJV adds the word cubits in italics to designate it is not in the original text but is supplied by
the translators. The rod (Ezek 40:5) and reed (Ezek 29:6) are interchangeable. The Temple will be 500 rods or reeds
per side (about one mile square: Ezek. 42:15-20).
C. Second, the kings of the earth actually come into the New Jerusalem during the Millennium.
24 The nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it (New
Jerusalem). 25 Its gates shall not be shut (to the earth) at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the
glory and the honor of the nations into it. (Rev. 21:24-26)
D. Third, the leaves are for the healing of the Millennial nations (Rev. 22:2), therefore, people on the Millennial earth
must have access to these healing leaves that are in the New Jerusalem.
2 The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:2)
E. Fourth, angels guard the entry to the New Jerusalem to keep sinners out as in Gen. 3:22-24.
12 She had a…high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates… (Rev. 21:12)
F. Millennial Jerusalem and the Heavenly New Jerusalem are closely connected in many Scriptures. The Scripture
refers to Jerusalem below and Jerusalem above (Gal. 4:26) or Zion below and Zion above (also called the third heaven
in 2 Cor. 12:2 and the continuing city in Heb. 13:14).
G. The New Jerusalem will descend to the earth (Rev. 3:21) in two stages. First, it descends at the time of Jesus’
Coming to begin the Millennium (Rev. 21:10). Second, it will descend to the New Earth after the Millennium (Rev. 21:2).
Stage one of the descent of the New Jerusalem is partial yet substantial. Stage two is total and ultimate after the
Millennium.
III. THE CORRIDOR OF GLORY: DYNAMIC CONVERGENCE
A. The “Corridor of Glory” idea comes from putting together several biblical ideas. For example, the Millennial kings
will travel from the earth to bring their glory into the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:24-26) and to receive the leaves for the
healing of the Millennial nations (Rev. 22:2).
B. There are at least 12 characteristics of Millennial Jerusalem and the New Jerusalem that overlap. I suggest a
dynamic convergence of these 12 expressions of God’s glory between the two cities: 1) Mountain of God, 2) Jerusalem
with 12 gates, 3) House of God, 4) Holy of Holies (Temple), 5) garden of Eden, 6) River of Life, 7) Tree of Life
(12 fruits every month), 8) Highway, 9) whirlwind (funnels of glory), 10) cloud of glory, 11) smoke of glory 12) shining
fire.
C. To converge means to come together from different directions (heavenly and earthly dimensions) to an
intersecting point to achieve union. Each dimension has distinction, yet with a significant merging or overlapping to
form one great unified reality.
D. Isaiah describes the Millennial Jerusalem as having a cloud. I suggest that this pillar is part of the “Corridor of Glory”
reaching from earth to heaven with elements of smoke and shining fire. The cloud and smoke of God’s glory and the
shining fire connect God’s Temple in heaven (New Jerusalem) to His Temple on the Millennial earth establishing His
glorious resting place on the earth (Isa. 66:1; 11:10; Ps. 132:7-14).
2 In that day the Branch of the Lord (Jesus) shall be beautiful…for those of Israel who have escaped. 3 And it shall come
to pass that he who is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy…5 The LORD will create above every
dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by
night. For over all the glory there will be a covering. 6 There will be a tabernacle for shade in the daytime from the heat,
for a place of refuge, and for a shelter from storm and rain. (Isa. 4:2-6)
E. Jacob saw a place in which a supernatural ladder extended from earth to the gate of heaven. It was the place that
angels ascend and descend between the heavenly and earthly realms.
12 A ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and
descending on it…17 Jacob said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the House of God, and this is the
gate of heaven!" (Gen. 28:12-16)
F. Jesus spoke of angels traveling between the two realms (open heaven). This will have its ultimate fulfillment in the
Millennium when angels travel between the two realms to serve Jesus who will be reigning on His Millennial Throne. The
connecting point for heaven and earth is Jesus’ deity and humanity. When Nathaniel saw both Jesus’ divinity and
humanity, then Jesus revealed this.
49 Nathanael answered..., "You are the Son of God (Divine)! You are the King of Israel (human)!"... 51 He said to him, "…
Hereafter you shall see heaven open (Corridor of Glory), and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the
Son of Man." (Jn. 1:49-51)
G. When Jesus calls the New Jerusalem to the earth, it will cause an open heaven over the earth as the veil is lifted.
A tidal wave of glory will spread to all nations from Millennial Jerusalem.
14 The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD… (Hab. 2:14)
IV. THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING: MILLENNIAL JERUSALEM AND NEW JERUSALEM
34 Do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God's Throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by
Jerusalem, for it is the City of the great King. (Mt. 5:34-35)
2 In the latter days the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be
exalted above the hills…3 Many shall say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the House of the
God of Jacob... from Jerusalem. (Isa. 2:2-3)
1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation,
the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. 3 God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge. 4 For behold, the kings (Millennial kings) assembled, they passed by together. 5 They saw it
(New Jerusalem connected to the Millennial Jerusalem), and so they marveled; they were troubled, they hastened away.
6 Fear took hold of them there, and pain, as of a woman in birth pangs, 7 as when You break the ships of Tarshish with
an east wind. 8 As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God: God will
establish it forever. 9 We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple. 10 According to
Your name, O God, so is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. (Ps. 48:1-10)
96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection…Your commandment is broad. (Ps. 119:96)
1 The Mighty One…has spoken and called the earth from the rising of the sun to its going down. 2 Out of Zion, the perfection
of beauty, God will shine forth. 3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall
be very tempestuous all around Him. (Ps. 50:1-3)
7 Give Him no rest till...He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isa. 62:7)
APPENDIX
V. THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD
A. Jesus’ Throne of glory is one reality with heavenly and earthly dynamic dimensions that are expressed in 12
different ways. Picture a sparkling 1500-mile diamond in the sky over Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is approximately
1500 miles high. Compare this to outer space being 800 miles away, the highest mountain on the earth (Mt. Everest)
being only 5 miles above sea level and the ocean being 8 miles deep.
B. The New Jerusalem (heavenly Temple) descends to a place just above Millennial Jerusalem (the Temple on
Mt. Zion). Jesus’ Throne of glory is His “Mountain-City-House” or His vast governmental complex that includes the
Millennial Temple and the New Jerusalem. This is the place of God’s Temple or His glorious Resting Place on the earth
or the place of the soles of His feet (Isa. 66:1; 11:10).
VI. MOUNTAIN OF ZION: INCLUDES MILLENNIAL JERUSALEM & NEW JERUSALEM
A. The New Jerusalem is approximately 1,380 miles high. Ezekiel describes the Millennial Jerusalem as on a mountain
(Ezek. 40:2; 17:22; 20:40). God’s mountain is raised up as the highest mountain on earth (Isa. 2:2; Mic. 4:1). This
description cannot fit the hills on which Jerusalem is currently built (only 2,500 feet above sea level). The Mountain of
the Lord’s House in the Millennial Jerusalem connects with the New Jerusalem.
2 In the latter days the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be
exalted above the hills…3 Many shall say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the House of the
God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways...for out of Zion shall go forth the law…the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
(Isa. 2:2-3)
1 The mountain of the Lord’s House shall be…on the top of the mountains… (Mic. 4:1)
68 The Lord...chose Mount Zion…69 He built His sanctuary like the heights… (Ps. 78:68-69)
12 They shall…sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord… (Jer. 31:12)
2 The LORD is great in Zion, and He is high above all the peoples. (Ps. 99:2)
17 The Lord...dwelling in Zion My holy mountain. Then Jerusalem shall be holy... (Joel 3:17)
B. The psalmist saw into the vastness of God’s purpose related to the New Jerusalem. He testified that his insight
into God’s Word (commandment) grew exceedingly broad.
96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection…Your commandment is broad. (Ps. 119:96)
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. (Ps. 50:2)
1 Great is the LORD…in the City of our God, in His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount
Zion…the City of the great King. 3 God is in her palaces…4 Behold, the kings assembled, they passed by together.
5 They saw it and marveled; they were troubled, they hastened away. 6 Fear took hold of them there… (Ps. 48:1-6)
7 Give Him no rest till...He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. (Isa. 62:7)
VII. THE “CORRIDOR OF GLORY” INCLUDES DIVINE CLOUD, SMOKE AND SHINING FIRE
A. Three distinct dimensions of the glory over the Millennial Jerusalem are highlighted by Isaiah as glory like a cloud,
smoke and fire. The New Jerusalem is the covering that is over Mt. Zion.
5 The LORD will create above every dwelling place of Mount Zion, and above her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day
and the shining of a flaming fire by night. Over all the glory will be a covering. (Isa. 4:5)
B. Isaiah described a cloud (pillar of glory reaching from earth to heaven) with elements of smoke and shining fire. I think
of this “Corridor” as being filled with the brightness of God’s Presence connecting the Millennial Jerusalem and New
Jerusalem. It is probably comprised of the glory cloud, smoke and fire forming a whirlwind of glory around Jesus’ Throne.
C. This “Corridor” may be described by Ezekiel as a whirlwind (the vast glorious tornado funnel that engulfs Jesus’
Chariot-Throne, Ezek. 1).
D. The glory-smoke was manifest when Solomon dedicated the temple. Zechariah prophesied that fire would
surround Millennial Jerusalem. I think of this wall of fire as both vertical (cylinder) and horizontal (circular) as both above
the Jerusalem Temple and around the City.
5 “I...will be a wall of fire all around her (Jerusalem), and I will be the glory in her midst....10 for behold, I am coming and
I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD. (Zech. 2:5, 10)
4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God... (Rev. 8:4)
8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from His power... (Rev. 15:8)
34 The cloud covered the tabernacle... 35 the cloud rested above it and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
38 For the cloud of the LORD was above the tabernacle by day, and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all Israel,
throughout all their journeys. (Ex. 40:34-38)
VIII. GARDEN OF EDEN WITH THE RIVER OF LIFE AND TREE OF LIFE
A. The garden of Eden will be established on the Millennial earth as well as in the New Jerusalem (Ezek. 34:26-29;
36:8-11, 30-35; 47:6-12; Isa. 35:1-8; Gen 3:22; Mal. 4:2; Rev. 22:1-3).
1 He showed me a pure River of water of Life…proceeding from the Throne…2 On either side of the River, was the Tree
of Life, which bore 12 fruits, each Tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the
nations. (Rev. 22:1-2)
B. The River of Life will flow through the Millennial Temple with the qualities (possibly lesser measure) of the River
of Life flowing from the New Jerusalem. The River and the Tree in both realms are two manifestations of one reality.
1 He (angel) brought me back to the (Millennial) Temple; there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple…
5 It was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep...8 This water…enters the sea (Dead Sea). When it
reaches the sea, its waters are healed. 9…Everything will live wherever the river goes....12 Along the bank of the river…
will grow all kinds of trees…their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine. (Ezek. 47:1-12)
35 They will say, “This land…has become like the garden of Eden." (Ezek. 36:35)
26 I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing...27 Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit....
29 I will raise up for them a garden of renown... (Ezek. 34:26–29)
IX. THE NEW JERUSALEM WILL DESCEND TO THE EARTH IN TWO STAGES
A. The spirit realm and the material realm come together as the New Jerusalem will descend to the earth (Rev. 3:21). This
happens in two stages. First, the New Jerusalem will descend to earth just after Jesus’ Coming to begin the Millennium
(Rev. 21:10). Second, the New Jerusalem will descend to the New Earth after the Millennium (Rev. 21:2). Stage one of
the descent of the New Jerusalem is partial yet substantial. Stage two is total and ultimate after the Millennium.
B. During the first stage, the New Jerusalem will not “rest on” the Millennial earth but will be above it. It will be close
enough to the earth to be vitally connected to Millennial Jerusalem.
C. Jesus is both God and man; therefore, He has authority on both heaven and earth. His authority in heaven is
based on the fact that He is God. His authority on earth is based on the fact that He is a man. He has a dual nature
with dual authority.
18 All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Mt. 28:18)
D. Jesus will have authority as a man to use the keys of the Kingdom to release an open heaven and call down
the New Jerusalem as well as to lock the prison door on Satan.
7 He…has the key of David…opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. (Rev. 3:7)
18 I have the keys of Hades and of Death. (Rev. 1:18)
2 He (angel under Jesus’ authority) laid hold of…Satan and bound him for 1000-years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless
pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him… (Rev. 20:2-3)
X. DEFINING EARTH AND HEAVEN
A. Earth in Scripture is used to describe our planet in four different time frames. First, the original earth which God
called “very good” (Gen. 1:31) before Adam sinned. Second, this present earth which is under the curse of sin
(Gen. 3:16-19; Rom. 8:20-22). Third, the Millennial earth will be established in substantial righteousness by Jesus'
coming to establish a 1000-year period of unprecedented blessing (Isa. 2:1-4; 9:6-9; 11:6-9; 65:20-25). Fourth, the New
Earth which is established in perfect righteousness after the Millennial Kingdom is completed (2 Pet. 3:13). This is the
time when the Father will dwell on earth with His people.
B. The earth will continue forever (Ps. 37:29; 78:69; 104:5; 105:10-11; 125:1-2; 1 Chr. 23:25; 28:8; Isa. 60:21;
Ezek. 37:25; Joel 3:20). Theologians debate on whether this present earth will be renovated (renewed) or annihilated
after the Millennium. I believe it will be renovated. God put all the ingredients in the earth that are necessary to multiply
its resources forever.
1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…2 I saw… the New
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven…3 Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them…
God will be with them... (Rev. 21:1-3)
C. John saw a glorified heaven (sky and solar system) and earth. He saw the present heaven and earth “passing
away.” This is the same word used in describing believers in Christ whose old person and life passed away (2 Cor. 5:17).
17 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)
D. In Scripture, heaven refers to four different realities. The first heavens refers to the sky, which includes the solar system.
The mid-heavens (heavenly places) refers to the place high ranking demonic powers rule (Eph. 2:2; 6:12; Rev. 12:7-8).
The Third Heaven (also, heavenly places) is the place of God’s Throne and where angels and disembodied saints
currently live (2 Cor. 12:2; Heb 8:1-2). The Third Heaven is the New Jerusalem. This is the place of our heavenly
rewards (Mt. 6:20; 19:21; Mk. 10:21; Lk. 12:21, 33; 18:22). I refer to it as the “present heaven”. The fourth usage
refers to Heaven on earth. This only occurs when the New Jerusalem descends to earth (Rev. 21:2, 10; 3:12). I refer
to it as the “eternal heaven”. Heaven is wherever God openly dwells and manifests His presence.
XI. JERUSALEM LASTS FOREVER
A. Jerusalem will be Jesus’ capital city for His worldwide government (Jer. 3:17; Isa. 2:2-4; 24:23; Ezek. 43:7;
Mic. 4:7; Zech. 14:9-11) and the center of the world (Ezek. 38:12).
B. Jerusalem will last forever (Ps. 37:29; 78:68-69; 104:5; 105:10-11; 125:1-2;.1 Kgs. 8:13; 9:1-3; 2 Kgs. 21:7;
1 Chr. 15:2; 23:25; 28:8; 2 Chr. 7:16; 20:7; 30:8; 33:4, 7; Isa. 60:20-21; Ezek. 37:25).
25 They shall dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and they shall dwell
there, they, their children, and their children's children, forever; and My servant David shall be their prince forever.
26 I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them…I will set My sanctuary
in their midst forevermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them; I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
28 The nations also will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore."
(Ezek. 37:25-28)
25 Lord...has given rest to His people that they may dwell in Jerusalem forever. (1 Chr. 23:25)