Revelation 21:15-21 meaning

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John describes the measurements and construction materials of New Jerusalem, which include many jewels and logic-defying pearls.

In Revelation 21:15-21, John’s “tour guide” angel now shifts from showing him a mountaintop scenic view of the new Jerusalem to now showing him the city’s measurements. John explains that The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall (v.15).

This angel, the one who spoke with me, is mentioned a few verses earlier as one of the angels that poured out the final seven bowl judgments upon the earth (Revelation 21:9). John’s angelic guide now uses a gold measuring rod rather than an ordinary reed or wooden tool. Gold was historically one of the most valuable metals throughout the ancient world—coveted by rulers such as Pharaoh in Egypt and King Solomon in Israel.

That the measuring rod is gold underscores the city’s worth and God’s own purity: in Scripture, gold often symbolizes refinement and holiness (see Exodus 25:10-11, where the Ark of the Covenant is overlaid with pure gold). This might be an indication that what is considered precious in the old world is now common in the new.

The use of a measuring rod implies that God has established specific dimensions for this city. It has been carefully designed, and constructed according to that design. The Prophet Ezekiel received a similar vision where a measuring angel used a reed to survey a future temple (Ezekiel 40:3-5). Ezekiel’s temple likely serves the people of the thousand-year reign on the current earth, as described in the previous chapter (Revelation 20:1-5). In this new Jerusalem there is no temple building because God Himself dwells upon the earth (Revelation 21:22).

Through these measured lines, we see that divine harmony permeates every corner of the New Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 14:33 asserts that God is not an author of confusion but of peace/shalom. Peace/shalom occurs when all things are ordered according to God’s (good) design. Sin is any departure from that order. The new Jerusalem will be unmarred by sin.

These precise measurements promise His personal involvement. Jesus reiterates in John 14:2 that He goes to “prepare a place” for those who follow Him. This measurement scene in Revelation 21:15 provides a preview of that prepared place, which is well-ordered and full of beauty. Its description as a “bride” infers unity between God and His now-redeemed creation (Revelation 21:9).

John next learns of the vast dimensions of the city: The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal (v.16).

The three-dimensional nature of these measurements—length, width, and height—reinforces that the city is the result of an intentional design. Its boundary is precise and symmetrical. The shape or makeup of the city is not discussed. It could be a cube, a pyramid, or something else.

The city could be located around and upon a great high mountain. Perhaps the “great high mountain” John first observed the city from is in the center of the city, or within the city’s boundaries (Revelation 21:10.) It could be that the “river of the water of life” that flows from the “throne of God” in Revelation 22:1-2 which has the “tree of life” growing on either side of the river is located on such a mountain.

The Holy of Holies within the Old Testament tabernacle or temple was also symmetrical. 1 Kings 6:20 tells us that Solomon constructed the inner sanctuary of his temple as a cube measuring twenty cubits in length, width, and height. Just as the symmetrical new Jerusalem will house the throne of God, the Holy of Holies housed the place where God’s glory was manifested (1 Kings 8:10-11).

When Jesus died, the veil of the temple separating average people from this inner sanctum was torn in two (Matthew 27:51). Jesus’s body became the passage for all who believe to enter into the very presence of God by faith, by the Spirit (Hebrews 10:20). In this new earth, what is now true spiritually becomes a physical reality. God Himself will dwell in the new earth (Revelation 21:3, 22).

The entire city is like the Holy of Holies in at least two ways i) it is symmetrical and ii) God now physically dwells among His people (Revelation 21:3). Hebrews 8:5 notes that Moses was strictly instructed to make the tabernacle according to God’s instructions. Hebrews 9:23 tells us that God‘s instructions reflected copies of true things in heaven. It would seem that the same symmetrical pattern is now being used to construct the new Jerusalem, which will also be the actual dwelling place of God.

The phrase fifteen hundred miles translates three Greek words “dodeka, chilias, stadion” which literally translates to “twelve thousand stadia.” The ancient Greek measure of 12,000 stadia is estimated to be between 1,380 and1,500 miles. While these numbers should be taken literally, they also hold symbolic significance—twelve being a common biblical number tied to the tribes of Israel (Genesis 49) and the apostles of Jesus (Matthew 10:2).

That the new Jerusalem has a height of approximately fifteen hundred miles is one of many clues that the new earth is a fundamentally different place from our current earth. The highest mountain on earth is about five-and-one-half miles in elevation and is unfit for human life at its apex. Conversely, the massively tall new Jerusalem, over 250 times taller than Mount Everest, teems with life (Revelation 21:25, 22:1-2).

Next, John observes that he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements (v.17).

The phrase seventy-two yards translates a string of Greek words that are literally rendered “one hundred forty-four cubits.” A cubit is the distance from elbow to finger and is typically considered to be approximately eighteen inches. Consistent with the other measurements, 144,000 is also a multiple of 12: 144 equaling 12 x 12. So, once again the symmetry of the city reflects a multiple of twelve. In Revelation 7:4, 14:1-3, God chooses 144,000 Jewish missionaries, 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes. In each instance the number 144,000 might represent completeness.

The seventy-two yards width of the wall is roughly the same for a wide interstate highway easement. Ancient walls were typically more like four yards. The ancient walls served various functions. The gates served as places of civic jurisdiction (Ruth 4:10-11). The walls were elevated places where sentries could keep watch and soldiers could defend (Isaiah 62:6).

The extreme width of these walls infers that they might have functions beyond what would be needed as a barrier to entry. Revelation 21:24 says the nations will bring their glory into the city. This indicates industry as well as pageantry. Perhaps the wall will facilitate either or both. Even though there are walls, the gates in the wall remain open, and no defiling influence will be allowed into the city (Revelation 21:27).

To the angel’s seventy-two yards measurement of the wall is added the phrase according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements (v.17). There is symmetry between the angelic realm and the earthly realm. Since the measured size of the city and its walls are an order of magnitude larger than anything on the present earth, it could be that this phrase telling us that the measurements of angels and humans are the same is God’s intentional means of letting us know that these dimensions are literal: lest someone say “Those are angelic measures, so not to be taken at face value.”

Continuing, John declares that The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass (v.18).

Jasper is a gemstone with various colors in the ancient world—often red, yellow, or green. In Revelation, this jasper seems to describe a stone that gleams with bright clarity like a diamond (Revelation 4:3). That the wall itself is like a gleaming crystal parallels Revelation 21:11, which describes the city as having a “brilliance” that reflected the “glory of God.”

Further, the city that is the new Jerusalem which came down from heaven in Revelation 21:11 was pure gold, like clear glass (v.18). Gold in its refined state is precious, brilliant, and resistant to tarnish. However, earthly gold is opaque, whereas the city’s gold is like clear glass. This infers a purity that surpasses any material known in our current world. We have already seen a fifteen-hundred-mile high city, which cannot exist in our current world. So, it should not be surprising that there appears to be new materials, perhaps made from new elements, that do not exist in our current world. The God who created all things can certainly make new elements that will serve as building blocks for this new earth.

2 Peter 3:13 asserts that the new heaven and earth which God will create will be filled with righteousness. This means that all will be consistent with God’s (good) design. It appears that this new creation will have new design elements. The clarity and brilliance of the materials from which the city is constructed might reflect the illumination of God’s glory that will fill the earth (Revelation 21:23). It could be that part of the reason that nothing defiled will enter the city is because the defiled things dwelling in the new earth cannot stand the city’s brilliance.

In Old Testament times, priests served in a temple lined with gold (1 Kings 6:22 for Solomon’s Temple). These lavish materials denoted reverence for God and the devotion of His people. Now, in the fullness of the new heaven and new earth, God does not dwell behind curtains or in limited holy spaces. Instead, His entire city reflects a glory that greatly exceeds even the grandest temple ever seen on this earth. And there is no temple, because God Himself dwells among His people (Revelation 21:22).

It would seem that the new Jerusalem combines the beauty of construction from amazingly brilliant materials with the beauty of nature. We already saw that there were great high mountains (Revelation 21:10). In the next chapter we will see also a beautiful river and a great tree of life growing on both sides of the river (Revelation 22:1-2).

John lists further adornments by explaining that The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald (v.19).

The city has twelve foundation stones. These appear to be the same foundation stones bearing the names of the twelve apostles that we saw in Revelation 21:14. Jesus promised His twelve apostles that they would be granted to sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28). It could be that this promise carries over to the new earth. Or perhaps their names on the foundation commemorate their rule in the thousand-year reign on the current earth that was discussed in the prior chapter (Revelation 20:3-4).

These specific jewels recall the high priest’s breast piece in Exodus 28:17-20, which also bore twelve stones. Just as the high priest carried the names of Israel’s tribes on his breastplate, so here we see the twelve apostles anchored in the city’s foundations. The high priest wore the twelve tribes’ names over his heart. Jesus, the true high priest, who dwells in person in the new Jerusalem, places the twelve apostles’ names on the foundation of the city, which also is His bride (Revelation 21:2). As we saw in Revelation 21:12 the twelve tribes’ names are written over the twelve gates of the city.

Although there is a similarity with the breastplate of the high priest, there is no longer a need for any mediator other than Jesus, the Lamb. He has fulfilled the priestly function once for all (Hebrews 7:24-27). The city itself becomes the testimony to His atoning power and the unbreakable covenant He established with His people, Israel. Spiritual Israel includes those grafted in by faith (Romans 11:24, 29). Jesus is now the Lamb, the Light, and the Temple: both spiritually and physically. He is the atoning sacrifice (Lamb), the menorah (light), and the tabernacle itself (temple).

Jasper here reappears as the first foundation stone. This reaffirms the clarity and brilliance that signifies God’s presence. Jasper also appears as a stone in the breastplate of the high priest in Exodus 28:17-20. Rather than being the first it is the last stone listed. Perhaps this symbolizes the statement Jesus made that the last will be first and the first will be last (Matthew 19:30).

Sapphire is a striking blue stone, possibly associated with royalty and the color of the sky. This might symbolize that the heavenly realm has now descended to earth. It is the second foundation stone. The city’s second foundation referencing sapphire may hint at its connection to God’s throne (Ezekiel 1:26). It is the fifth stone listed in the high priest’s breastplate of Exodus 28:17-20.

The third foundation stone is Chalcedony, a form of quartz. It typically displays a translucent beauty that can exhibit gray, blue, or other hues. Emerald is the fourth stone, known for its deep green color, sometimes representing vitality and new life. It is also the fourth stone listed in the breastplate of the high priest of Exodus 28:17-20.

Continuing the precious stones that make up the twelve layers of the foundation of the city’s wall, John states: the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst (v. 20).

Sardonyx, the fifth foundation stone, is a layered stone of white and reddish-brown. The sixth, sardius (often called carnelian) glows with deep red hues. It is the first stone listed in the breastplate of the high priest, as listed in Exodus 28:17-20.

Chrysolite, the seventh, might correspond to a golden or yellow-green stone. The eighth, beryl, comes in a variety of colors, including aquamarine. It is listed as the tenth stone of the breastplate in Exodus 28:17-20. Topaz, the ninth typically ranges from golden to icy blue. It is listed as the second stone in the stones on the high priest’s breastplate in the Old Testament.

Then chrysoprase, the tenth stone can be a translucent apple-green. The eleventh, Jacinth (or hyacinth), might be a reddish-orange gem. It is listed as the seventh stone on the breastplate of the high priest in Exodus 28:17-20. The twelfth, amethyst, is renowned for its purple luster. It is listed as the ninth stone of the breast plate of the high priest.

The spectrum of colors listed underscores God’s creativity and love of beauty. Each foundation stone not only supports the walls but likely also radiates a particular facet of His glory. There is probably a connection between the design of the high priest’s breastplate and the stones of the foundation, although that is only inferred. It could be that some of the differences are due to different names for the same stones, or it could infer other differences. We noted in Revelation 7:5-8 that the tribe of Dan is omitted and Joseph replaces Ephraim.

The priestly breastplate stones of Exodus 28:17-20 represented the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve stones of new Jerusalem’s foundation represent the twelve apostles that served as the foundation of the New Testament church. It would seem there is a statement being made that Israel and the church are now a unified body in a new earth filled with righteousness. The Gentile wild olive tree branches grafted in to the stump of the olive tree that is Israel are now fully rejuvenated and fully unified (Romans 11:19-26).

Jesus gave a hint of this coming unity in Matthew 8:11-12, when He challenged the Jews to grow their faith. Jesus told them that in the coming kingdom there would be Gentiles who would sit at the table of honor with the patriarchs of Israel because of their faith.

The Church, which is made up of New Testament era believers, has apostolic foundations (Ephesians 2:20). God granted His people a diversity of gifts and callings similar to the diverse array of gems (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). No two believers are identical; each uniquely reflects an aspect of God’s character. We can expect that, in the new earth, each person whose name is in the book of life will uniquely contribute to the vibrancy of the earth’s population. This thriving will be represented when the kings of the nations bring their glory into the city (Revelation 21:24).

Precious stones are formed under intense pressure and heat deep within the earth. Similarly, believers undergo fiery trials that refine their faith, ultimately producing a brilliance that shines in eternity (1 Peter 1:7, James 1:2-3). Paul asserts that the good deeds of His people will be refined in the judgment fire of Jesus and will emerge like refined gold and silver and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:12). Perhaps God somehow incorporates the works of His people into the construction of the new Jerusalem. Perhaps the good deeds of believers are being sent ahead to build the wall of the new Jerusalem.

John’s last observation about the city’s walls is that the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass (v.21).

This verse is often referred to as descriptions of heaven, with its “pearly gates” and “streets of gold.” However, this is at least incomplete, as verse 21 is not a description of heaven. It is a description of the new Jerusalem which descended from heaven to the new earth (Revelation 21:2). As we see in Revelation 21:3, 22, God will dwell on the new earth among His people. Rather than believers spending eternity in heaven, they will spend eternity on the new earth. Heaven has now come to earth, because heaven is where God is, and God now dwells upon the earth.

John describes each gate as being made from a single pearl. Recalling that the wall is seventy-two yards wide, we can imagine a passage through the wall that gleams in solid white. Perhaps the pearl is hollowed out to create each gate. It seems everything in the New Jerusalem transcends the limitations of the current earth, reflecting God’s supernatural craftsmanship.

The pearls remind us of Jesus’s parable in Matthew 13:45-46 about the “pearl of great value.” A merchant sells all that he has to purchase it, recognizing its great value. Jesus used this illustration to show that it is worth giving all to acquire God’s kingdom.

Here, the kingdom’s gates themselves are immense pearls, suggesting the unquantifiable price God paid—through the Lamb’s sacrifice (John 1:29)—to grant believers access into His eternal city. Perhaps each gate testifies that acceptance into God’s family comes by divine grace, not by human achievement (Ephesians 2:8-9). It could also be that each gate testifies that those who overcome by laying down their lives as faithful witnesses are those who gain the reward of the inheritance (Revelation 3:21).

The “streets of gold” phrase might better be called “streets of golden glass.” John describes that the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass (v. 21). It seems that John is observing a city that is both transparent and dazzling as well as colorful. In the current earth, we are accustomed to pathways for transportation consisting of dirt, stone, or pavement. The idea of a jewel or glass street defies current practicalities.

But in the new earth, even the pathways for travel will be dazzlingly beautiful. We might consider how any believer’s walk is symbolized by one’s path. Jesus instructs those who would follow Him that the path that leads to life is difficult, and few find it (Matthew 7:14). Perhaps the beauty of the paths are tributes to the overcomers who chose the difficult path that leads to life.

Jesus gave this parable of the narrow gate and the difficult path to His disciples as part of His Sermon on the Mount. So, it must not refer to becoming a believer, for that is by faith alone. Rather, it must refer to the difficulty of choosing to endure as a faithful witness, which is how to overcome as Jesus overcame (Revelation 3:21). The entire point of Revelation is to exhort Jesus’s servants to persevere as faithful witnesses who do not fear rejection, loss, or death, that they might receive the immense rewards God has for those who overcome as He overcame (Revelation 1:3, 3:21).

The pathways in the new Jerusalem for those who are granted entrance to the city will be wide and beautiful. Those who chose to enter the narrow gate and walk the difficult path in this life will now be rewarded by traversing streets that are pure gold, like transparent glass.

John’s description of the new city underscores the promise of Revelation, that Christ’s rewards for enduring difficulties for His sake will be more than worthwhile. It could also be that believers who were conformed to Christ’s image by being refined at His judgment seat will also walk these paths (1 Corinthians 3:15). However, it is also possible that some believers who are like the unfaithful servant in the parable of the talents will not be allowed into the city, as we will see in the next section.