February 28: THE ENORMOUS HOLY CITY
And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Revelation 21:15-16
John sees that the angel is holding a measuring stick, a reed. Historically, reeds that grew in wetlands or along rivers were used by builders and engineers for their rigidity and light weight, as they are hollow. Some places in Scripture, and in various translations, call it a measuring rod.
The scenario of today’s verse is reminiscent of the measuring that took place in Ezekiel’s vision of a temple/city. The reason for the measuring that occurred in Ezekiel’s vision (beginning in chapter 40) was for the purpose of rebuilding. It was given to Ezekiel to share with God’s people just past the one-third mark of their Babylonian captivity. It was a grand design in every detail, given in hope and encouragement that the Jews who remained could show to the world the plan of salvation. Remember that ten of the tribes of Israel had been dissolved and absorbed into paganism by this time. Sadly, the plan given to Ezekiel was never built. And when [Jesus] came unto His own…His own did not receive Him (John 1:11).
The purpose of measuring in today’s verse is to communicate to last-day believers the existing dimensions of the heavenly temple/city. Its inclusion in chapter 21 of Revelation helps to lift our gaze above the rapidly deteriorating condition of earth as it is now.
John included in his description that the city is laid out as a square. It may be worth noting that, according to the historian Herodotus, the ancient city of Babylon was laid out as a square. Revelation’s audience of John’s day would likely have recognized Babylon as a counterfeit of the heavenly.
In today’s verse we find yet another triple-mention of the number twelve, not in words but by the mention of three dimensions, length, breadth, and height of the heavenly temple/city each being the same: twelve thousand furlongs (approximately 1500 miles). This allusion to leadership can serve as a reminder to each of us that there are many ways to lead, even if only in conversation to be a good listener, to encourage and share gems from the Word, to invite people over for Bible study and to church, or to steer the conversation away from the negative and onto the things of God.
Only one other structure in God’s Word is described as a perfect cube: the inner sanctuary . . . Most Holy Place (1 Kings 6:16,20). It is as if the New Jerusalem in its entirety, inhabited by the righteous people of God, has become His very throne room!
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. No more shall they follow the dictates of their evil hearts. Jeremiah 3:17 (see also Revelation 3:21)
Note: The measuring mentioned in Revelation 11:1-2 is a reference to the Word of God as the standard of judgment (see John 12:48). This spiritual measuring rod was viewed by the world as a “torment” (Revelation 11:10) and treated with contempt.