Echoes of Scripture in the Pearly Gates

10 May 2014 by Dr Yeo Teck Thiam –

I suppose most of us will like to know what Jesus told the disciples about Heaven when He proclaimed the Kingdom of God in His time on earth. Certainly, the disciples would know much more because they had the opportunity to ask Jesus.

However, we do not have another book titled Heaven that records everything that Jesus said to the disciples. I reckon God wants us to ask Him, just as we might expect that the disciples also asked the Lord.

Thus what we have are many references placed in the Gospels and letters. The closest details are in Revelation, of course, in John’s visions given for the City of God.

I imagine also, the disciples would have asked the Lord about Old Testament references on Heaven. I wonder because there are many prophecies about the Messiah in the Old Testament, in regard to our Lord’s birth and redemptive work.

So then, I think about the visions in Revelation that John gave for the City of God, and I wonder where I may find Scriptural references that echo the Apocalypse. I think about the pearly gates, and I wonder how these visions relate to God’s Word given in time past to the prophets of old.

The Prophets in Old Testament

We know Elijah, Elisha, and John the Baptist were proclaiming prophets, for they spoke to the people when they brought God’s word. They did not write down prophecies given to them.

On the other hand, there were writing prophets who did leave us with God’s word in Scripture. We can count Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel amongst these writing prophets.

However, prophetic writings differ in purpose also, for Moses wrote down a history of mankind and the law, while latter prophets devoted much time on God’s warnings, and promises also, particularly for the hope for life through redeeming us from sins.

In particular, I think of Isaiah’s messianic prophecies and redemptive hope in his writings. Many Christians are, of course, familiar with Isaiah, and know there are unique features in this book.

By some coincidence, Isaiah is divided into 66 chapters for easier reading. It has two sections, consisting of judgment and warnings against many nations in chapters 1-39, and promises of divine deliverance, new heaven and new earth in chapters 40-66.

The Christian can easily see the parallel with the Bible in 39 Old Testament books, and 27 New Testament books. Significantly also, the second section of 27 books has many promises and prophecies to be fulfilled, for the New Heaven and New Earth is in our future and hope in Jesus.

Arise and Shine

The proclamation here begins with the call to rise and shine, “for the glory of the LORD rises upon you”. The text declares God’s glory has appeared, and “nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Isaiah 60:1,3.

We know this was fulfilled initially in the Star of Bethlehem when Jesus was born. The visit of the Magi to Jesus is seen in verse 6, when those who had come, “bearing gold and frankincense, and proclaiming the praise of the LORD.”

The City of the LORD

Thus the Christian finds great joy to read the promises and glory for Zion beginning in Isaiah 60:1-22. The prophecies highlight in verse 14 that it will be called “the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel”.

So the writer of Hebrews also proclaimed, “You have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands and thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. ” Hebrews 12:24

To this end, we do not expect the City of the LORD will be a rebuilt Jerusalem on earth. It will be different because it will be as an assembly with angels. So it will holy, for nations shall see her righteousness and all the kings her glory. Isaiah 62:1

Besides, these promises are associated with the new heaven and new earth. So the city “will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow”. Isaiah 62:2, 65:17.

We can see that John saw this similar picture in his visions in Revelation 21:1,2. John “saw a new heaven and a new earth. He saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.”

The Gates are never shut

The New Jerusalem will also be a city where the gates are always open, and never shut. Isaiah 60:11

The sun will no more be its light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on her. This is because the LORD will be its everlasting light and God will be its glory. Isaiah 60:19

These glorious pictures were also seen by John in Revelation 21:23-25.

Besides, we are also told, “the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.” Isaiah 60:20

For God will make peace to govern, and righteousness to rule. There would no longer be violence, ruin, or destruction within its borders. Instead its walls shall be called Salvation and its gates Praise. Isaiah 60:17, 18

These visions were also seen by John. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful. Revelation 21:27

Hephzibah and Beulah Land

Scripture declares that the land will be called Beulah, and that the people will be called Hephzibah.

“For the LORD will take delight in you,

and your land will be married.

As a young man marries a maiden,

so will your sons marry you;

as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride,

so will your God rejoice over you.”

Isaiah 62:4,5.

The Hebrew words, Beulah means “married”, and Hephzibah means “my delight is in her”. These promises also mean God will live with the people because He is the Bridegroom of the people. God confirms this in Revelation 21:3, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them.”

Therefore there is a wedding banquet prepared for those whom God calls His chosen ones for this City. To this end, Scripture speaks of the wedding banquet and the Bridegroom in many parables and occasions, for the church is the bride of Christ.

God’s banner over us is love. It is in the Song of Songs, for it is the Lord who is calling us.