Entering and Leaving- Sha’ar Yerushalyim

Gates of Jerusalem

sha’ar yerushalyim

ירושלים שערי

Strong’s Hebrew: 8179.

שַׁ֫עַר  shaar

— a gate

How many gates were there?

How many gates are there today?

How many gates will there be?

Is the gospel message hidden in the gates?

The prophet Ezekiel says that a day will come when there will be 12 gates in the city walls, one for each of Israel’s tribes. (Ezekiel 48:31-34).

There can be some confusion as to which gate is called what because, over the generations they have been given different names depending on who was in control of the city.

A GATE

שַׁ֫עַר  shaar

gives access to the City; it is a seat of power, authority and influence; 1 Chronicles 9:22-23

Cities were walled with gates to protect those inside, it was a security defense; they were very thick. See pictures below.

The walls around the Old City of Jerusalem were built in the early 16th century by Turkish Sultan, Suleiman the Magnificent. 

There are many stories connected to

Sha’ar Yerushalyim

the walls of Jerusalem.

Via the gates people entered and left the city, by them, Jerusalem was conquered numerous times, and here trading has taken place for thousands of years.  Although the gates of Jerusalem were in a slightly different place in Biblical times, the city gates were a place to learn Torah and to teach the laws in scripture. Today, officially there are 8 gates in the walls of the Old City, although there are a few extra “unofficial” gates. 7 of the official gates are still in use, while one has been blocked off for hundreds of years.

If we count 12 the list would be:

  1. The Valley Gate (2:13; 3:13). Also 2Chronicles 26:9.

  2. The Gate of the Fountain (2:14; 3:15; 12:37), on Ophel at the Gihon spring that is mentioned in 2Kings 25:4. Jeremiah 39:4.

  3. The Sheep Gate (3:1; 12:39). North of the Temple.

  4. The Fish Gate (3:3; 12:39). Also 2Chronicles 33:14. Zephaniah 1:10.

  5. The Old Gate (3:6; 12:39). Also 2Chronicles 33:14, and 2Kings 22:14, college. Also called the First Gate. Zechariah 14:10.

  6. The Dung Gate (2:14; 3:14; 12:31). Probably same as Harsith Gate (Jeremiah 19:2); sometimes rendered the Gate of Potsherds/Pottery Gate. Leading to Hinnom. .

  7. The Water Gate (3:25, 26).

  8. The Horse Gate (3:28). Also 2Kings 11:16. 2Chronicles 23:15. Jeremiah 31:40. South-east of the Temple, and close to the city and house of David.

  9. The East Gate (3:29). East of the Temple, and connected with it.

  10. The Gate of Miphkad (3:31). Probably north-east of Temple. Also called The Registry Gate.

  11. The Gate of Ephraim (8:16; 12:39). Also 2Chronicles 25:23.

  12. The Prison Gate (12:39), or Gate of the Guard 2Kings 11:6, 19

 In Nehemiah 3, the first sixteen verses refer to Jerusalem, and the latter sixteen verses to Zion (or the city of David), south of Moriah. Those who wish to study these, and a comparison with chapter 12, will find it explains most of the difficulties connected with the layout of the city. 

Four of the gates of Jerusalem face the cardinal directions; the Damascus Gate to the north, the Golden Gate to the east, the Zion Gate to the south, and the Jaffa Gate to the west.

The remaining gates are:

the Flower, or Herods Gate,

the Lion Gate,

the Dung Gate,

and the New Gate.

The Old City of Jerusalem had eight gates in its walls.

Suleiman’s original walls had six gates:

Damascus Gate,

Herod’s Gate,

Stephen’s Gate,

Dung Gate,

Zion Gate and

Jappa Gate.

The gates were all designed and built to have an L-shaped entry instead of a straight line of entry. Taking this sharp ninety degree turn would have slowed down an invading army in the final moments of a siege. The “L” turns have been removed from Stephen’s Gate and the Dung Gate to better facilitate modern traffic but can still be seen in the other four gates.


The Gates Of Jerusalem in Nehemiah’s Day.

Nehemiah chapter 3 describes the building of the walls and gates of the city, giving the names of the individuals and families who performed the work and the portion of the wall or gates on which they were employed.

After the Babylonian Captivity, when the Jewish people returned to their homeland, Jerusalem lay in ruins. The Temple, the city walls, and the gates had been destroyed as a result of the three invasions of Nebuchadnezzar and his forces in 606 BC, 597 BC, and 586 BC.

Much work needed to be done, and Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah each led groups of the returned remnant in the task of rebuilding the city of Jerusalem.

Restoring the gates was a necessary element in rebuilding the walls and securing the city. The dictionary defines a gate as a movable structure controlling entrance or exit through an opening in a fence or wall or any means of entrance.

Under the adverse conditions which he encountered, Nehemiah’s task was enormous.

The job required a team effort, as described in chapter 3. To accomplish the task, Nehemiah assigned specific work places to individuals and families, who were assigned to work on sections of the wall or gates near their homes. This provided the motivation needed to complete the work and it also avoided wasting time that would have been needed to travel to other parts of the city. It assured the workers that they would be near their homes to protect their families in the event of an attack. Each family was to use all of its available talent, thus making it a household project v. 21, 23–24, 26, 28–30. In addition to local residents, many people who lived outside of Jerusalem were assigned to work on sections of the wall where homes were sparse v. 2, 5, 7, 27.

Some of the work assignments were given according to their roles in life .e.g. v. 1 the High Priest and other priests were assigned to rebuild the

Sheep Gate which was important to the priests

because animals were brought through that gate to the Temple for sacrificial offerings.

Beginning from the north wall of the Temple, and going forward counterclockwise 10 gates are mentioned in chapter 3.

The circumference of the walls was approximately 2 1/2 miles, or 4 km. and covering approximately 220 acres/890308 sq.metres.

There are spiritual applications for our lives today

reflected in the

10 gates names

and what they were connected to.

The Sheep Gate, Fish Gate, and Old Gate

were located in the northern section of the wall.

The Sheep Gate

is the first gate mentioned in Nehemiah.

The building of the wall and gates

begins from the Sheep Gate

in Nehemiah 3,

because

everything begins from the offering of

the Lamb

Yeshua HaMashiach/Jesus Christ.

The first gate is the Sheep Gate

and, next to it,

the Tower of Hananel, which means God’s mercy

or something to do with the mercy of God;

and the Tower of the Me’ah, which is the Hebrew word for one hundred.

As just mentioned, that is the gate to which they brought the sheep into Jerusalem to be sacrificed in the temple.

 Recall, when Yeshua/Jesus said

if a shepherd loses a sheep,

he’ll leave the 99 and go after the 1?

(Luke 15:3-7)

If 1 sheep is missing,

it is not counted as a legitimate flock.

A flock had to be 100!

Sometimes, some of us go astray, maybe some fall away and young believers sometimes backslide. In times of stress and crisis, it can sometimes seem that the Lord has abandoned us, and so we wander off. This is not true and the Good Shepherd comes after us because He doesn’t want to lose any that the Father has given to Him. The Sheep Gate is representative of Messiahs statement in

John 10:27

The spiritual meaning of the Sheep Gate is that the High Priest built it, and that through that gate, lambs and sheep were brought to the temple for sacrifice. 

Note that the sheep gate had no locks or bars,

for

the door of salvation

is open to everyone.

This was the only gate that was sanctified,

setting it apart as a special gate!

IN v. 1, 32 on the northeast corner of the wall. was the location of The Sheep Gate named because sheep were led through it to the Temple. It was near the market where sheep were sold and close to the Sheep Pool where the Temple sacrifices were washed. The Sheep Gate was also near another well known place, the Pool of Bethesda (Jn. 5:2).

The Tower of Hammeah (hundred) and the Tower of Hananel (12:39). Were Between the Sheep Gate and the Fish Gate.

The Tower of Hananel is also mentioned in Jeremiah 31:38 and Zechariah 14:10 as the northernmost part of the city.

The Sheep Gate is a reminder to us of calvarys’ cross. Yeshua/Jesus was “the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world” Jn. 1:29 Humanity is described as wayward sheep (Isa. 53:6) who need a shepherd to lead them into God’s eternal heavenly sheepfold. Yeshua/Jesus is the door through which sinners can enter the sheepfold and be redeemed (Jn. 10:1–9).Believers are bought with a price according to 1 Cor. 6:20, the blood of God’s Lamb, Jesus Christ/Yeshua HaMashiach

Then Eliashib, the high priest, rose up with his brethren, the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it. (Nehemiah 3:1)

      The Sheep Gate in Jerusalem was near the temple; it was where the sacrificial animals were brought in to be offered on the altar. It is in keeping that the priests should build this particular gate, for it speaks of Christ and His work upon the cross for us. That is exactly what the prophet had said:

He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)

      When John the Baptist marked Christ out for His ministry he said,

“Behold the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

It makes one wonder if the Yeshua/Jesus came in at the Sheep Gate every time He entered the city except on the day of the Triumphal Entry? 

We do know for sure that He came in through the Sheep Gate to the Pool of Bethesda, where He healed the blind man. That act was symbolic of the fact that He came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin of the world, the poor man who was healed is a picture of every sinner who, will find deliverance from sin if they are willing to come to the cross of Messiah.

      Yeshua/Jesus not only came in through that gate, but they took Him out through that gate when He was arrested and also when He was led out to be crucified. The Sheep Gate was the place of judgment, telling us that He bore the judgment of our sin. This is the gate where we must begin with God, because He is not prepared to meet us anywhere else but at the cross.

      It is interesting to note that,

next unto him the men of Jericho built. Nehemiah 3:2. Jericho was the city of the curse, and the men of Jericho were building right next to the Sheep Gate.

Surely, that’s not by chance!

Messiah bore the curse of sin on the cross for us.

in Galatians, Paul wrote saying:

      Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree. Galatians 3:13.

The old Sheep gate

שער כבשים

sha`ar ha-tso’-n or sha’ar ke-ves

is also known as

St Stephens gate

and

Lions gate

שער האריות‎  Sha’ar ha-Arayot,

to the north of the Haram es-Sherif, or temple area from which the path leads down into the valley of the Kedron.

   The first gate has implications in being called sheep (sacrifical lamb) and lion (of Judah/tribes) and Stephen seeing heaven opened, (martyr). This is where we too must begin our journey into His Kingdom/City…   

At the foot of the cross where

freedom from the curse of sin awaits us.

Jesus Christ/Yeshua HaMashiach is the High Priest of the ReNewEd Covenant, He is the Lamb, who offered His life as the price of our sins.

As our spiritual High Priest, Yeshua/Jesus set up doors of the Sheep Gate, which means that

He is the Door of the sheep.

To receive salvation and, therefore enter God’s kingdom, a man must enter through the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach.  

John 10:7 Then said Jesus to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 

It is very significant that

Eliashib in Hebrew means:

God restores.

Again it’s not by chance but our Heavenly Fathers’ design that, as High Priest, he was the one who rebuilt the Sheep Gate and the walls surrounding it.

The Gates continue in Part 2!

Shalom shalom

‘Mishpachah’

‘Family/Tribe’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa,

friends, visitors and every reader…

Please don’t leave this page before making certain you are His

and are truly born from above.

Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua is

your Redeemer, Savior, Lord

and soon returning King

and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry.

I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus.  Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

21 12 21 12 12 12 12 12 12? Conclusion

21 11 21 12 12 12 12 ?

12 Gates, 12 Tribes.

The Name of each tribe is written over a gate.

Luke 6:13-16

Does this mean it is only for the members of that tribe?

Where are those lost tribes today? Many are still scattered throughout the earth. We may not be born an Israelite, or a descendant of one of the original 12 tribes but thanks to our Heavenly Father for His grace, mercy and provision because of Jesus/Yeshua, all gentile believers are spiritually grafted-in to the olive tree of Israel and thereby connected to the 12 tribes through accepting what Messiah’s has done for us and by being born again in the power of His Ruach HaKodesh. Making one new man. It will be interesting to find out which of the 12 gates through which we will enter. According to Rev. 21:27, if our names are in the Lamb’s book of life, we may enter in.

12 Tribes, and their identification.

There is sometimes confusion about the 12 tribes. which originate from the 12 sons of Jacob, plus, from the tribe of Joseph came the tribes of Menasseh and Ephraiym, his 2 sons. Jacob/Israel, also gave birth to a daughter Dina(h), who was not named as a separate tribe. Levi was not counted as a tribe because the Levites were the priests and they had no land of their own.

The names included in the lists of the sons vary for different reasons; and according to the scriptures Reuben lost his first born rights and Dan was left out of some lists of names. Sometimes Josephs’ 2 sons replaced him in the list and although there were really 13, only 12 are listed in the various accounts.

The original 12 sons

1 ASHER; 2 BENJAMIN; DAN (excluded); 3 GAD;  4 JOSEPH; 5 JUDAH; 6 ISSACHAR;  7 NAPHTALI;   8 REUBEN;    9 SIMEON;     10 ZEBULUN; 11 EPHRAIM AND 12 MANASSEH (from Joseph).

LEVI (as the tribe of the priesthood were not given land).

List in Paleo Hebrew.

 The 12 tribes as they were situated in the wilderness camp:

NORTH:

Asher- Tree

Dan- Scorpion or Snake or Scales

Naphtali- Goat or Deer

EAST:

Issachar- Donkey 

Judah- Lion of Judah (it’s the origin of the Jerusalem city flag emblem.)

Zebulun- Ship

SOUTH:

Gad –Tent

REUBEN –The Man Water

SIMEON – Fish

WEST:

Benjamin – Wolf

Ephraim And Manasseh – (Joseph) Sheaf Of Wheat – The Two Horns Of The Bull

LEVI was In The Center where the Mishkan was situated containing the ark of His presence within a cube square space of the Kodesh HaKodashim – Holy of Holies (10 cubits x 10 cubits (15′ x 15′) Exodus 25.

The Banners; The breastplate stones for each Tribe; Their Wilderness Camp Position, which was given in a clockwise direction. Num.2.

Be’Otot – b’ō·w·ṯōṯ 

according to the standards,

(The expression translated as “each in their respective regiments” in Hebrew is “al digloy” i.e. according to his flag (or standard. The words “under ensigns” in Hebrew is “be-Otot” i.e. by symbols. literally, in the signs, for there were symbols for each leader.)

The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family. Numbers 2:2

There was a symbol for each leader [of each tribe], with a flag and a color, and the color of each flag was like the color of the precious stones that was over the heart of Aaron [the High Priest, i.e. on the hoshen/breastplate].

From this the kingdoms learned to make flags and a color for each flag. Each tribe had its own leader, and the color of the flag was similar to the color of its stone.

With reference to thoughts in previous posts concerning colors their frequencies and the properties of light; it bears mentioning that each, of the12 jewels in the breastplate were, according to the Biblical description, to be made from very specific minerals.

None of them the same as another, and each of them representative of a specific tribe, whose name was to be inscribed on the stone. or is there some greater significance to these12 stones? And if so, is it the chemical makeup of the stone that is important, or is it the color, or both?

Did the combination of the stones emit certain frequencies? There are references recorded in some of the ancient writings that the individual letters within the engraved stones were miraculously illuminated by Gods Holy Spirit/ Ruach HaKodesh, which spelled out answers to the High Priests questions in regards to God’s direction or will in a situation.

Aside from the 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel on the high priests’ breastplate, the high priest also wore 2 sardonyx stones,

which were fixed in gold on both shoulders. The names of the 12 tribes of Israel were engraved on these two stones, according to their birth (Ex. 28).

Click link below for more on 12 tribes connection to 12 months.
https://www.minimannamoments.com/a-keruvim-cherub-not-quite-like-we-imagined-part-2/

The 12 stones in the breastplate correspond to the original twelve sons of Jacob, not to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, which were later adopted as sons, effectively doubling the inheritance for their father Joseph. That seems to be implied in the text. This is significant because the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem are garnished with the same 12 precious stones, as named by John the Revelator in the Apocalypse – the Revealing (Rev. 21:19-20).

While not listed or individually specified with each of the foundation stones Rev. 21:14 shows they are also associated with the 12 apostles, ‘and the wall of the city had 12 foundations and in them the names of the 12 apostles of the lamb.’

These are the 12 apostles from Domus Galilaeae, Israel, listed in 4 places; (Mark 3:13–19 , Matthew 10:1–4 , Luke 6:12–16 , and 11 listed in Acts 1:13. Peter, James (the son of Zeb’edee), John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (the son of Alphaeus), Simon Zelotes and Judas, brother of James.

The Gospel of Matthew lists the 12 apostles in the following order: Simon (whom Jesus later renamed “Peter”),

Andrew

James (the son of Zeb’edee) 

John

Philip

Bartholomew

Thomas

Matthew

James (the son of Alphaeus)

Thaddaeus,

Simon Zelotes and

Judas brother of James

(Judas Iscariot was replaced by Matthias.)

Their names in the foundations of the New Jerusalem no doubt represent the Ecclesia/called out ones, as being ‘the pillar and ground of the truth,’ 1Tim.3:15. Through the ‘doctrine of the apostles’, Acts 2:42, that is the message of Messiahs gospel.

Possible stones associated with the apostles: who are also in close proximity to the 12 gates,

which are named for the 12 tribes of Israel and the stones on the breastplate of the High Priest.

The Lord instructed Moses to have the names of the 12 sons of Israel engraved on 12 stones in the breastplate of the high priest. The exact order, arrangement, and type of each stone were explicitly stated (Ex. 28:17-21), but the name to be written on each stone was not given, perhaps because it was obvious to Moses.

After the destruction of the temple, the knowledge of which tribe was associated with which stone was lost, and even the identity of some of the stones has been uncertain.

Because John is writing in Greek some 1500 years after Moses this is perhaps the most important reference. He is referring to precious and semi-precious stones, which he recognized and understood. Due to the fact that Greek is a more common language, and those words can be found in so many other documents, the names of the stones he gives helps greatly in their identification.

Imagine if we would have to describe the foundation stones seen only in a vision.

God’s house is a house of order, so the final order discovered should make specific sense and it will most certainly not be random. However the curious thing is that almost every time the 12 tribes are listed, they’re given in a different order (Gen 27, 49; Num 2; Deut 33; Rev.7).

While most of us are familiar with rubies being red and emeralds being green, sapphires blue and diamonds clear, but perhaps not too many more. John it seems, knew his gem stones very well, right down to recognizing sardonyx as a specific form of onyx. The lack of such knowledge could well explain why there are various representations of the stones in both name and color.

It seems clear that the 12 colors of the stones are very important, and were specifically chosen for those colors as representative of particular attributes. The stones had to be large enough to have the names of the tribes engraved on them, whereas in other contexts, such as a gem inlaid in a ring, a smaller, more precious stone could be used to represent the tribe equally well.

These same12 stones are where we our birth-month stones come from, as each of the tribes are also associated with a month.

Breastplate order of stones and tribes.

As the order and designation of which stone is seems somewhat dependent on the translation, this can also be very confusing as we have different names for precious stones in modern language.

Also sometimes the order seems to be reversed as left to right and right to left. Here Levi is top left. 

This list from scripture would be the most logical one in assuming the order for the 12 twelve stones on the breastplate, and that’s usually the case in most studies.

the Twelve Tribes of Israel, or Shivtei Yisrael, as they are known in Hebrew:

In “Modern” Hebrew, the stones are translated as follows:
– Odem: Ruby
– Pitedah: Topaz
– Bareket: Emerald
– Nofekh: Not in use as stone name today
– Sapir: Sapphire
– Yahalom: Diamond
– Leshem: Opal
– Shevo: Not in use as stone name today
– Achlamah: Amethyst
– Tarshish: Not in use as stone name today
– Shoham: Onyx
– Yashpeh: Jasper

Reuben’s stone was Odem- אדֶם

clearly a red stone. Scholars suggest either red jasper, or carnelian sard a type of quartz. The color of his flag was red, and mandrakes were drawn on it [Genesis 30:14]. The mandrakes in Reuben’s coat-of-arms are based on the episode related in Gen. 30, where young Reuben brought his mother Leah mandrakes from the field. The biblical phrase on the tab is from Deut. 33:6, “Let Reuben live.”

Simeon’s stone was Piteda-(פִּטְדָה)

some sort of yellowish-green stone, probably topaz. Others suggest peridot, chrysolite or perhaps green-yellow chalcedony and the color of his flag was green, and the city of Shechem was drawn on it [Genesis 34]. Simon was one of the strongest tribes during the wandering in the desert but later became one of the weakest in consequence of losses suffered during the battles for the Promised Land. It was eventually absorbed by mighty Judah. Formerly the city of Shechem was situated within the boundaries of Simon and the gate of the city therefore appears on the tribe’s. The biblical phrase on the tab is from Deut. 33:5, “…and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.”

Levi’s stone was Bareqet- בָּרֶקֶת

translated in the Aramaic Targumim as azmaragd, a loanword from the Greek smaragdos for “emerald”. Some suggest beryl of which emerald is a type. Others suggest Carbunkle or the green malachite, and the color of his flag was one third white, one third black, and one third red, and the Urim and Tummim were drawn on it. The Levites “kept the charge of the tabernacles of testimony” (Num. 1:53); they had no territory of their own and were dispersed among the other tribes. Their emblem was the ephod of the High Priest on which were engraved, upon precious stones, the names of all tribes. The biblical phrase on the tab is from Deut. 33:10, “They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law.”

Judah’s stone was was Nophekh- נׁפֶךְ

– its color is unclear. Is it sky blue? Some suggest turquoise, or red, which is perhaps more likely as suggested by the etymology of nophekh. If so, it may be garnet and the color of his flag was like the color of the sky, and a lion was drawn on it Genesis 49:9. The most famous heraldic symbol belongs to the tribe of Judah, which displayed a lion on its shield. This tribe became the most powerful and constituted the Kingdom of Judah. The lion is the symbol of strength and is featured as such in innumerable works throughout the ages. This animal is one those most frequently mentioned in the Bible, appearing about 130 times under 6 different names. The biblical phrase on the tab is from Gen. 49:9, “Judah is a lion’s whelp.”

Issachar’s stone was Sappir-(סַפִּיר)

– a blue gem, but unlikely to be sapphire, even though the words are etymologically related. Most likely lapis lazuli and the color of his flag was dark blue literally black like coal/ kohl, and a sun and a moon were drawn on it, as it is written I Chronicles 12:33: “And from the sons of Issachar were those who knew the wisdom of the times i.e. astronomy and calendars.” Issachar’s territory was the plane of Esdraelon, from the sea to the banks of the Jordan. This tribe is frequently mentioned together with Zebulun indicative of their being neighbors and maintaining close relations. The tribe’s emblem of sun and stars is derived from the biblical phrase, “And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times” (1 Chron. 12:32), which appears on the tab. Other representations of Issachar reflect the dependence of this tribe on the Phoenicians, in whose products the tribe dealt — as a carrier of loads as a donkey or as a laden camel (in the synagogue of Aix-la-Chapelle Germany).

Zebulon’s stone was Yahalom (שְׁבוֹ)

– even though in modern Hebrew it means diamond, almost no scholars think this is correct. It appears to be a white/moon-like stone. Chalcedony is likely, and others suggest moonstone, amethyst or even jade and the color of his flag was like the moon, and a ship was drawn on it, as it is written Genesis 49:13: “Zebulon shall dwell by the seashore.” Zevulun settled on the country’s seaboard and as symbolized by its emblem was engaged in navigation. This idea is conveyed in the biblical phrase, “Zebulun shall be for a haven of ships” Gen. 49:13.

Dan’s stone was Leshem – apparently similar to sappir. Aventurine? Hyacinth? Turquoise?, and the color of his flag was similar to sappir, and a snake was drawn on it, as it is written Genesis 49:17: “Dan shall be a snake.” Also often seen is a pair of scales as a symbol of Dan,

The original area of the tribe of Dan extended from Jaffa southward. Samson was a son of this tribe. As it could not conquer its entire territory, Dan looked to settle elsewhere and the tribe moved north to the source of the Jordan River, captured the city Laish, and settled there. In Jacob’s Blessing Dan was promised that he “shall judge his people” Gen. 49:16.

Gad’s stone was Shevo (שְׁבוֹ)

– almost everyone agrees that this is agate, perhaps striped or spotted and the color of his flag was not white and not black but a mixture of black and white, and a military camp was drawn on it, as it is written Genesis 49:19: “Gad shall camp in troops [Heb: Gad gedud yegudenu].” The tribe of Gad settled in the land of Gilead, east of the Jordan. It did battle against Amon and Moab coming from the south, wandering tribes from the east, and Aram from the north. The emblem resembles a camp in reminiscence of the biblical phrase -on the tab- “Gad, a troop shall overcome him” Gen. 49:19.

Naftali’s stone was Ahlama-– ʾaḤlamah (אַחְלָמָה)

– this is also fairly unanimous that this is amethyst, and the wine connection makes that even clearer (amethyst was associated in the ancient world with wine, and was reputed to prevent drunkenness, and the color of his flag was like diluted wine whose red [color] was no longer strong, and a deer was drawn on it, as it is written Genesis 49:21: “Naftali is a swift deer.” After the conquest of the country, the tribe of Naftali settled in the north where played a central role among the tribes located there. Naftali is represented by a gazelle or running stag. The biblical phrase on the tab is “Naftali is a hind let loose” Gen. 49:21.

Asher’s stone was Tarshish- (תַּרְשִׁישׁ)

– very unclear, especially since we don’t have a color to associate it with. We don’t even know if it is the name of a stone or simply a precious gem that comes from the city of Tarshish. Scholars have suggested aquamarine, or some kind of beryl. The Targum suggests a stone associated with the color of the ocean and the color of his flag was like a precious stone that women decorate themselves with, and an olive tree was drawn on it, as it is written Genesis 49:20: “From Asher will be his rich bread.” The coastal strip from the foot of Mount Carmel up to Sidon was inhabited by Asher, the fertility of whose land was indicated by an olive tree or —as represented on stamps of the Jewish National Fund or in the synagogue of Aix-la-Chapelle Germany— by ears of corn or fruit. The biblical phrase on the tab is “Out of Asher his bread shall be fat” (Gen. 49:20).

Joseph’s stone was Shoham- (שֹׁהַם)

– Most likely onyx, although the Targumim give burla or birlewa, which means beryl and the color of his flag was very black, and the picture drawn on it for the two leaders, Ephraim and Menasseh, was Egypt, because they were born in Egypt. Joseph was the principal tribe in central Eretz Israel, which split into Manasseh and Ephraim. The fertility of Joseph’s country is symbolized by the sheaf on the stamp. The biblical phrase on the tab reads, “…blessed of the Lord be his land” Deut. 33:13.

The flag of Ephraim was drawn an ox, as it is written Deuteronomy 33:17: “His first born is his ox;” this is a reference to Joshua, who was from the tribe of Ephraim. And on the flag of Menasseh was drawn a re’em /oryx, as it is written in Deut. 33:17: “and his horn will be like the horns of the re’em;” this is a reference to Gideon, son of Joash, who was from the tribe of Menasseh.

Benjamin’s stone was Yashfe-(יָשְׁפֶה)

– again, one of the clearer identifications. Almost all scholars are in agreement that this is jasper. The Targum’s association with panthers suggests that it was spotted or veined jasper., and the color of his flag was like all the colors of the twelve colors, and a wolf was drawn on it, as it is written Genesis 49:17: “Benjamin is like a scavenging wolf.” The favorite son of Jacob, Benjamin has remained the symbol of the tender youngest child. The tribe of Benjamin, however, was considered particularly warlike and courageous. To this tribe belonged Saul, the first king, and Jonathan, his son. The symbol of the tribe was the wolf, a predatory animal. The biblical phrase on the tab reads, “…in the morning he shall devour the prey” Gen. 49:27.

Numbers BaMidbar Rabbah 2:7 has a list of each tribe and its flag, with the color, stone, and symbol associated with it, which is probably the original source or one of the earliest that we’ll find for this.

The New Jerusalem with all its glory incorporates the Names, the banners and colors of the 12 tribes of Israel, the names of the 12 Apostles of Brit Chadashah the 12 stones of the High Priest Breastplate

Yeshua the lion of the tribe of Judah

Yeshua the High Priest after the order of Melki Zedek;

Yeshua the Apostle, The Sent one by the Father who in turn sent 12 out into the world with the gospel of the Kingdom, the very foundation of our faith. 1Pet 2:4. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

Yeshua the corner stone which is the first stone to be laid, the foundation stone.

built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20

The New Jerusalem is a picture of Father’s plan and His glory with all the spiritual elements built into its structure. For we are the living stones..

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

And we look for For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Heb 11:10

Next time we see pearls,

think 12 gates

or any precious gem, think 12 foundations, apostles and tribes for as we continue to find…everything is connected.

In Hebrew thought, 12 = symbol of governance

12 Tribes

12 Gates

12 foundations and the Rainbow Color Spectrum

The golden ratio,

or golden spiral is our heavenly Father the Creators’ divine signature which can be

Seen everywhere in Creation

known and named by man as the Fibonacci sequence and it is part of the mathematics and measurements of natures construct designed by its Creator.

A honeycomb is built by Bees into Hexagonal cells which science has proved is the strongest shape for use in any building and construction of materials.

There’s a hexagon in the center of the overlapping triangles that form Israels star of David (The hexagon is possibly a reference to the human blueprint code -DNA) This reveals a 3D cube within the star of David

and also a star within the cube.

the cube of space transforming a flat 2d square into a 3D image and

by adding a central point revealing that the box really has many layers and dimensions.

which is no doubt why Our Father employs its qualities in so many places in scripture.

It helps to visualize the concept of other dimensions and realms of the spiritual world where our warfare is the ongoing battle Eph. 6 and how Jesus was able to pass through solid walls.

12 Angels/Chuerubim

/guardians of the gates

12,000 furlong walls 12,000×12=144,000 sealed.

The Tree of Life at its center yields 12 manners of fruits through a 12 month cycle that governs a year

12 Apostles

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Heb. 12:22

A final image from NASA and an interesting article ….. A picture paints 1000 words ….

These fascinating pictures taken by the Hubble telescope show something out in the heavens????

CELESTIAL CITY OF NEW JERUSALEM PHOTOGRAPHED BY NASA’S HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

In 1994, a researcher smuggled one top-secret photo the Hubble Space Telescope had taken of what is presumed to be Heaven. Weekly World News was the first to print the image and report on Dr. Masson’s findings, but despite the media coverage, NASA refused to acknowledge the existence of the photo.

Just days after space shuttle astronauts repaired the Hubble Space Telescope in mid December, the giant lens focused on a star cluster at the edge of the universe – and photographed heaven!

That’s the word from author and researcher Marcia Masson, who quoted highly placed NASA insiders as having said that the telescope beamed hundreds of photos back to the command center at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., on December 26. The pictures clearly show a vast white city floating eerily in the blackness of space. “

enlargement of insets below..

After checking and rechecking the data, they concluded that the images were authentic. They also theorized that the city couldn’t possibly be inhabited by life as we know it.

For more and the article..link below

http://pics-about-space.com/hubble-telescope-pictures-of-new-jerusalem?p=4
Posted by Meindert Arends on August 18, 2013

The Kingdom of the heavens

is our home so

then we will see

and the New Jerusalem 12 21 12 12 12 12 12

Shalom Mishpachah…

Don’t be found knocking on Heavens door…when you can enter in …NOW the gates are open and today is the day of salvation, the kingdom of the heavens has come close to you and is even in your mouth.. just simply say the words below, decide in your heart and the kingdom of the heavens will in turn enter in to your heart…Please don’t leave here until you

Make sure Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and very precious in His sight.

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute, SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.

 

21 12 21 12 12 12 12 12 12 ?

Most likely we have all heard the references to Heavens pearly gates and it may be that the image we have in our minds is something like the picture below.

A huge gate made out of a single pearl?

Our frame of reference is limited to what we know and of what we see in our physical earth realm.

What size must the oyster have had to be?

Impossible?

.. all things are possible with God!

Mark 10:27

We limit Him and ourselves by our humanity and our measures..His Ways are not ours neither are His thoughts. Is.55:8.. It’s time to stre-a-t-c-hh our spiritual muscles!

The pearl is often associated with tears because it’s believed that the pearl is formed through intrusive particles like sand, they become an agitant within the mollusk and cause discomfort/pain. It apparently secretes a substance around the particle to prevent further irritation and damage. The build up of this secretion eventually forms the beautiful pearl. If this is so, tears are then the symbols of the gates and the Way into heaven.

Pearls represent tears and if, as we have previously noted, tears bring life…

click link for more on tears https://www.minimannamoments.com/keeping-it-all-bottled-up-part-1/

..then as we enter into life through the pearl gate – the tears of sorrow turn to beautiful pearls/tears of joy.

 Ps. 30:5 in his favour is life: weeping/tears may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Tears of true repentance are essential and integral to salvation. He wipes away all tears as we enter through that Pearl/symbol.

Rev. 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

It’s the last reminder of the tears we have shed in this life as we enter in to His joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Many times we have only heard what someone else says of Heaven and have not actually read the scripture references for ourselves and because if this we sometimes miss some amazing details.

Maybe each of the gates are more like this??…

Heaven is in the spiritual realm and is beyond the veil separating the dimensions and yet it exists just as solidly as anything here on earth and is in many ways more real!

How do we know that?

Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Nothing in Heaven decays in any way and is eternal, whereas this earth is scheduled for renewal in the future.

According to revelation, heaven is the location of Fathers’ throne and it is also where the new Jerusalem is – are they one and the same?

What we do know is that according to Revelation, the new Jerusalem is going to come down to the earth and that is where Messiah will rule from in the millenial reign.

So it’s at least a portion of shamayim/heaven that is coming to earth. Rev 21:12-21.

The first thing that is clear, is that there is more than one pearl because, there is more than one gate to enter into the New Jerusalem.

Jerusalem

Yerusalyim/Yerushalyim

(Remember the im Hebrew suffix means more than one – spiritually speaking, there has always been more than one Yerushalyim) 

חָדָשׁ      (chadash) — new

Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-dawsh’)

חָדָשׁ

In the same pattern that there were 12 gates

into the old city of Jerusalem in Israel,

there are 12 gates into the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:12).

The 12 gates in Revelation 21 belong to the New Jerusalem, which comes down from heaven to the new earth (verse 10), shining with the glory of God (verse 11). John describes the city: “It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates.”

The gates are most likely equal distances apart. As the structure is a square, it would make logical sense for there to be 3 gates on the north, 3 on the east, 3 on the west and 3 on the south. (Rev. 21:13).

In Revelation 21:10-12 the apostle John says “And he …showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God….It had a great and high wall and had twelve gates.”

Our natural, fallen man is excluded from New Jerusalem by the (soreg), wall (of separation), the only

WAY to ENTER IN is through THE GATE.

The pearl signifies the death and resurrection of Messiah, through whom we enter New Jerusalem. He tore down that wall which had a literal physical manifestation when the veil/curtain/wall to the Holy of Holies was rent in two. This thick veil in the temple kept everyone out of His Holy presence including the Jewish men.

Eph.2:14  (τὸ μεσότοιχον του̂ φραγμου̂). Paul asserts that Messiah has broken down the “middle wall of partition” (niv “dividing wall of hostility”) that divided Jews and Gentiles, and has made of the two, one new people/man. Paul probably had in mind a literal wall as a tangible symbol of the division between Jews and Gentiles—the wall in the temple area in Jerusalem separating the court of the Gentiles from the courts into which only Jews might enter.

He is the pearl of great price.Each of the 12 pearls speak of great price for which the Messiah/Moshiach ‘sold’ all that he had by giving His all. (Mattiyahu 13:45,46)

Messiah is the crown jewel of heaven and our entrance into the city is through His death and resurrection.

He is the Gate and as Eph. 2:14 tells us: ‘For He is our peace, who of both has made one, breaking down the middle wall of separation.’

The wall in the Temple was only a symbol of the spiritual wall that existed between Jew and Gentile, now because Messiah has broken down the wall, Jew and Gentile can step across it and worship the Lord together. This worship will be for all eternity in Heaven.

Notice the square/cube plan of the Temple blueprint above is the same shape as the New Jerusalem.

Our Heavenly Father Creator of the universe has a blueprint which seems to be recurring throughout Hi-Story.

We are seeing more and more how everything is connected.

As God declares the end from the beginning… did He plant the garden east of Eden, based on His design of the New Jerusalem? It is only new to us!

Gates are significant in scripture and in the days of the New Testament, the Israelites would enter Jerusalem for Passover/Pesach through the Eastern Gate, which led to the Temple. Also called the Golden Gate and the one which Messiah will enter on HIs return.

crucifixion and death at Pesach/Passover. Matt. 21:1-11.

By our inclusion in His death and resurrection, our old man was terminated and buried, the created part of our being was redeemed and justified, we were made alive by being born of the Spirit, and we were raised up in Messiah to walk in newness of life.

All this together is our entrance into New Jerusalem through the PEARL of great price.

Our includes All Gentile/Goyim/Nations/Tribes/Cultures/ Languages/Heathen. Mark. 13:10.  And the gospel of the KINGDOM must first be preached unto all the nations. (The ‘Kingdom of the Heavens/shamayim‘, as John preached; ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’ Matt. 3:1-2).

Also that the Kingdom of God is also spiritually within us; this is the real meaning of ‘as above so below’! (As always the adversary has taken what was originally Fathers’ and perverted it.)

Before He returns, Matt. 24:14 says it shall be preached “in the whole world, for a testimony unto all the nations” (ἐν ὅλῃ τῇ οἰκουμένῃ εἰς μαρτύριον).

Revelation 21:21a says, “ And the 12 gates were 12 pearls; each one of the gates was, respectively, of one pearl.

Then we see 12 gates, portals, doors or entryways into the city. 

In as much as the ‘city’, is probably an entire planetary celestial object, we must now envision 12 portals or entryways into an entirely new realm, of which we have very little experience or comprehension.

These are guarded by 12 cherubim.  We saw 2 cherubim at the Garden of Eden and 4 surrounding the Throne of God. 

Are these the guardian angels (Cherubim/kerubim) for each of the 12 tribes represented by the 144,000? (Rev. 7:4-8)

The word kerubim has a meaning of ‘one who prays’, or ‘one who intercedes.’ Cherubim or Kerubim are an order of angel described in the Bible and ancient texts as a combination of two, or more often, four creatures — including that of a human. Both the mythical Sphinx and the scriptural cherubim are “hybrid” beings combining two to four creatures.

Click links below for more on Cherubim + pictures.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/who-are-those-around-the-throne/ 

https://www.minimannamoments.com/keruvim-not-quite-like-we-imagined/

Because the pearl signifies the death and resurrection of Messiah, through which we enter New Jerusalem.  Revelation 21:21 gives an understanding that each gate of the Holy city is one single pearl, signifying that the entrance to the city is unique and is once for all; that is, we can enter the city only through the once-for-all regeneration accomplished by Messiah’s overcoming death and life-imparting resurrection.

The gates of pearl at the entrances to New Jerusalem, are they real?

Because they signify the death and resurrection of Messiah as our entrance into the new creation. They are far more ‘real’ or precious than any physical pearl.

The New Jerusalem, which will also be connected with the New Earth, a large portion of verses are used in describing the foundations of the city. (Hebrews 11:10, Revelation 21:14, 19)

Scripture states these foundations will be 12 in number, 12 has a significant symbolism to the Father.  **There was similar creative detail in the formation of the foundations of this earth in Genesis. The Lord of Hosts marked off its dimension and stretched a measuring line across it, which provided footings to set it, and laid its cornerstone.

(Footings could refer to magnetic properties, as in grounding or earthing as in an electrical power source; and the cornerstone refers prophetically to Messiah Jesus/Yeshua. Eph.2:20. Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, the Alef/Tav-Alpha/Omega-Beginning/End-Genesis/Revelation – the End from the Beginning).

Job 38:5“Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched … Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of …

Isaiah 45:12 KJV: I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, [even] my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

Most significant is the shape and size of the celestial city, which is enormous. 

Calculated at a diameter of 1,325.75 miles or 2,133.58 km across. 1,200,000 x the height of a man. It’s impossible that 2000 yrs ago a ‘precise guestimate’ was made for its length and breadth as these are = to the principals used in today’s modern engineering. These formulas based on mathematics that validate such construction, have only existed less than 80 years, highlighting the fact that the design of the New Jerusalem, is beyond our current abilities!

Here are some world maps with the New Jerusalem overlaid on different countries to give us a better understanding of its size.

Over the Middle East

Mediteranean

Over America

and Australia

According to scripture, the foundation of the Throne of the Father lies upon a crystal sea, which is the canopy over the cherubim, who in turn form the footings and the cornerstone for the Throne.

Is this a real, liquid, sea?

We know a sapphire-blue is the color of pure water, however, the great multitude of people is standing on the sea. So, this crystalline sea has to be solid enough to support a great multitude and a giant sapphire throne, and has to have the hardness similar to that of a diamond.

According to scientific research, the core building material of this earths matrix is Silicon, and at least one archangel or anointed cherub, Lucifer, was made of silicon and gold.

See in Ezekiel 28:11-19 and Isaiah 14:12-17 the scripture speaks of the King of Tyre/stones of fire?..

Y’ḥezqēl   חֶזְקֵאל

Every precious stone was your covering, the ruby, topaz, and emerald, the chrysolite, onyx, and jasper, the sapphire, turquoise, and beryl; your settings and mounts were made of gold. On the day you were created they were prepared. Ezek.28:13.

Silicon based stones seem in large part to encompass the foundations of the New Jerusalem and silicon is the number one conductor of energy (electricity/power) and so is gold. So what is described for us is an enormous storehouse of the eternal, inexhaustible energy of HaShem, our Father, the source of all creation; who upholds all things by the Word of His power.

In Revelation 21:19, the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem are described:

The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.

 Are the stone foundations on top of one another in layers or next to each other side by side, around the base where each of the 12 tribes gates are?

The first foundation was jasper.

Jasper is a common mineral.  It can be found in many colors one is a very opaque, dense burnt-orange/red colored stone.

There is also a crystalline type of jasper, which is an emerald green color and very similar to crystal clear green Jade which is valued as a very precious stone.

According to some scholars, iaspis, (Strong’s Greek 2393) is a brilliant green crystalline structure.  John writes that the city itself had every appearance of a precious jewel, like jasper, clear as a crystal.

Is it envisioning a traditional foursquare city with foundations settling on a flat surface like the earth?  It does not appear that way because the Greek word, krustallizo, means to be clear or brilliant like a crystal, or having a crystalline matrix like a clear crystal.

The Hebrew is yashpheh, היֱשְׁפֵ        Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-shef-ay’)

(Strong’s 3471) coming from an unused root meaning to polish.

From the context of its use, we could assume that the city is constructed of gem stone quality but this type of gem is only assumed because of the similarity of yashpheh with jasper.

Until the original Breast Plate of the Hebrew High Priest is recovered, it will remain a mystery.  The Greek word for jasper is iaspis (Strong’s 2393) and it’s only translated as jasper.

So we could conclude that when looking from the exterior surface, the city will look like jasper, however there are 12 foundations of the city, the 1st and exterior surface being jasper, the 2nd being sapphire.

While considering these concepts, it’s helpful to remember that we are dealing with crystalline or minerals structures.  Each of the foundation stones has a crystalline matrix and as such, each one transmits energy in a different way.  The transmission of light (energy) will depend on the hue of the color (light frequency) that is transmitted. We looked at the rainbow and light frequencies in a previous post.

The 12

foundation stones

אבן השתייה

Even ha-Shtiyya

There are several variations of the stones names and colors due to translations and modern names. Here are some to help give a visual reference.

v.19 The 1st foundation was Jasper (in some listed as diamond/Yahalom), Jashepheh/Yashpheh-RED/GREEN

the 2nd Sapphire, Sappiyr, Leshem,  -BLUE

the 3rd chalcedony/carbunkle/garnet, Bareqeth from same word as lightning purple-blue or possibly green?

the 4th emerald, Nophek.

v. 20 the 5th Sardonyx, RED and WHITE

the 6th Sardius, Odem-RED

the 7th Chrysolite, Shoham-YELLOW like chrysolite Tarshish (Yellow). 

the 8th Beryl, Tarshish 

the 9th Topaz, Pitdah-YELLOW/BROWN

the 10th Chrysoprase/chrysoprasus, 

the 11th Jacinth or Carbunkle, REDDISH BLACK

and the 12th Amethyst, Aclamah-PURPLE.”

So, if the 1st foundation is an emerald green crystalline hue like jasper where the Throne of the Father positioned upon it, (within its midst).  Then the 2nd foundation is the brilliant blue of sapphire, the same as the foundation below the throne of God, seen as the sea of glass, clear as crystal. 

Is it possible that we are seeing described as the New Jerusalem, is another spherical body, a planet, that has its orbit along side earth during the millennium and at the end of a thousand years it will come down and rest upon the earth?

Revelation 21:1-3 – “Now I saw a New Heaven and a New Earth, for the First Heaven and the First Earth were passed away.  Also there was no more sea.”

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.”

When John saw the Holy City descending down out of heaven, as described, he stated:

Revelation 21:10-12 – “And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the Holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.  Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.  And she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

Traditional pictures of the New Jerusalem are all modeled after ancient or medieval 3-dimensional walled cities. 

None depict a crystalline structure, yet in the days of Herod, Jerusalem ancient writers described the city as shining with the brilliance of whiteness due to the gleaming temple, which was built of polished limestone.

The 12 foundations describe a huge structure, and the measurements are for a 4square or cube-like shape.

The almost unimaginable beauty of the New Jerusalem becomes clear, emerging out of the words in Johns descriptions: whose length, breadth and height are equal, yet having 12 foundations with 12 gates (or we may could call them energy portals) with height, (Greek hypsos), which interestingly suggests some kind of points or crowns, (like a a geo-magnetic structure).

The other possibility is that all the 12 foundations are Diamonds…

Taking the measurements from the ancient human cubit scale and converting into those we use today, the size of such a city would be 12,000 furlongs in height, width and length. A furlong is 220 yards, therefore, each side is 660 feet x 12,000 feet = 7,920,000 feet per side. One mile is 5,280 feet, so each side is 7,920,000 divided by 5280 feet = 1500 MILES on each side.

We are not looking for something the size of our home village, town or city! Or even a place where humans could live!

1,500 X 1,500 x 1,500 = 3,375,000,000 cubic miles for the whole city. 1,500 miles = 2,414.016 kilometers so the city would be 14,067,613,676.25 cubic km. The length and breadth would be 2.25 million square miles, (3.86 million square meters) and including the height, or the cubic size, makes this planetary sphere about 3.375 billion cubic miles or in volume about the size of the moon!

  It will be a self-radiating, there is no need of light for the Lord Himself is the source of LIGHT. Due to His being eternally self-sustaining as an everlasting source of life energy; it will truly be the center of its own heavenly solar system, or universe/shamayim. Here our Heavenly Father Himself, will dwell there with His people and His Omnipotent, all-encompassing presence, will be that in which we will abide.

This is everlasting life, this is heaven – never being separated from Him and all that He is.

Revelation 21: 15-17 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth. And he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. – KJV

The new international version converts the above measurements to be 2,200km long and wide and high and 65 metres thick.

12,000 furlongs square, while the wall will be 144 (12 x 12) cubits.

To get an idea of how big this is, the average diameter of the earth is 12,742km Earth has an equatorial diameter of 12,756 km (7926 mi),

Since the height, width and length of the walls of the city of New Jerusalem is given, the best statistic to compare with our planet earth is volume. From the measurements of New Jerusalem described above the volume of New Jerusalem is 1.0648x 1010 km3.

According to calculations, the volume of the earth is 1.08321×1012 km3. This implies that the earth is 169 times larger in volume than the city of New Jerusalem! (All measurements are approximations, however we get the idea…Its HUGE!)

As for a planet that could possibly be made of diamonds… think again!

Scientists discover massive planet made of diamonds twice the size of Earth.

(Have scientists discovered a Sanctified World? George Potter) On August 25, 2011 the Reuters news agency announced that “Astronomers have spotted an exotic planet that seems to be made of diamond racing around a tiny star in our galactic backyard.

The new planet is far denser than any other known so far and consists largely of carbonBecause it is so dense, scientists calculate that the carbon must be crystalline, so a large part of this strange world will effectively be a diamond.” 

Link  to article below

https://www.space.com/18011-super-earth-planet-diamond-world.html

But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, Hebrews. 12:22.

There’s No ‘GPS App’ for Our Final Destination. Our Road map is in the Scriptures, so before leaving this page make certain this will be the destination at the end of your road; for His WAY is Clearly Truth and Life.

12 Pearl Gates, 12 Angels, 12 Foundations, 12 Breastplate stones, 12 Apostles, 12 Tribes. The number 12 signifies perfection of government or rule.

The 12’s of the New Jerusalem = the sign of the perfect covenant.

The Name of each tribe is written over a gate.

Does this mean it is only for the members of that tribe?

Shalom Mishpachah!

Conclusions coming in Part 2..

Please don’t leave this page without a certainty in your heart that you will one day enter in to Heaven through one of 12 gates of pearl.

Don’t put it off, the days draw ever closer to the door closing at end of this age just as it did in the days of Noah..

NOT CERTAIN?

YOU CAN BE..

Make sure Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and very precious in His sight.

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute, SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.