12 It had a great and high wall. It had twelve gates and at those gates, twelve angels; and names have been written on those gates, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.

13 There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west.

14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

— Revelation 21:12-14

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves

— Isaiah 62:6

the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel.

— Ezekiel 48:31a

19 Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household,

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

— Ephesians 2:19-20

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

John was shown the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. We know an ancient city’s walls brought security and rest. The new Jerusalem and her inhabitants remain absolutely and eternally safe because a great, high wall surrounds the city, with 12 gates guarded by 12 angels and secured by 12 foundations. No evil is present. When we look back in Isaiah 62:6, he recorded God’s prophecy: “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night.” God creates a safe place for His people to inhabit forever.

The names of Israel’s 12 tribes are engraved on the 12 gates. The 12 foundations bear the names of Jesus’s 12 apostles. Inclusion of these names depicts the unity and continuity of the New Testament with the Old Testament, as well as Israel and the Church as God’s people. Paul illustrated the spiritual unity of God’s people in his letter to the Ephesians that the New Testament believers are fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. The Holy City New Jerusalem assures all God’s people of His love and protection for all eternity.