How glorious, how bright it shines

How glorious

how bright it shines

The holy

new Jerusalem;

It is God’s dwelling place with man

The spotless bride of Christ

the Lamb.

Saints of the Old and of the New

Heirs of the promise God bestowed

Components of the city are

Together built for God’s abode.

Perfectly square the city lies

All sides are equal—length

width

height;

No measurement more long or short

No part oblique

it stands upright.

The city with its street pure gold

As clear as glass transparent is

Showing that God’s transcendent life

Its quality and nature is.

Twelve city gates are each one pearl;

Thus man is through redemption shown

Reborn and as a pearl transformed

Entering to a realm God’s own.

The twelve foundations of its wall

Are with twelve precious stones adorned;

Through fire and pressure recomposed

And with eternal value formed.

The wall of jasper

crystal clear

God’s glory by it fully shown;

His glorious light through it does shine

And He appears as jasper stone.

The wall a separation makes

Excluding all that is unclean;

Gold

pearls

and precious stones alone

The holy city has within.

God and the Lamb the Temple are!

We shall behold His glorious face;

His presence never will depart

We’ll worship Him thru endless days.

The city needs no sun nor moon

For God’s own glory is its light;

The Lamb’s the lamp the city bears

In all directions blazing bright.

Out from the throne of God and the Lamb

Flows midst the street a living stream

And on its banks

on either side

The tree of life is thriving seen.

This signifies the life of God

Not just for food or water flows

But carries God’s authority

As it throughout the city goes.

The street of purest gold therein

God’s nature as the way doth show;

A river in it flows for drink

And fruits of life abundant grow.

The number twelve means government

Perfection which eternal is;

God blent with man it also tells—

Three multiplied by four shows this.

Darkness and death shall be no more

Sorrow and pain shall pass away

Old will be gone and all be new

God will abide with man for aye.

The city has God’s image full

It rules for Him

the sovereign King

Fulfilling His eternal plan

Complete content to Him to bring.