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The beauty, grandeur & glory of the wonderful heavenly city coming down from God, will be a most glorious & awesome sight to behold. God describes the city, the New Jerusalem - `as a bride adorned for her husband.` `And I saw a new heaven & a new earth, for the first heaven & the first heaven & the first earth had 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……… having the glory of God. And her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.` (Rev. 21: 1 & 2, 11) This wondrous revelation of the city, the New Jerusalem was known to Israel as God told them of what He would do for those who believed Him. It was the wonderful hope for many who looked for it by faith, knowing that its builder & maker was God. And we can read of its fulfilment in the book of Revelation. Thus I would like to compare what God has promised to Israel & what we see fulfilled in Revelation. A bride`s adornment – a symbol of the glory of Christ`s righteousness. Adorn – Gk. Word `kosmeo,` to put in proper order, from `kosmos` decoration, morally.(fig) Head piece – diadem, crown of glory. A bride`s head piece in adornment here represents the crowning glory of God over the city. `You shall be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, & a royal diadem in the hand of your God..` (Isa. 62: 3) `….prepared as a bride adorned for her husband……… having the glory of God.` (Rev. 21: 2, 11) White garment – robe of light. A bride`s white wedding garment portrays her moral purity. Thus we see that those who are in the city, the New Jerusalem have been made morally righteous. This righteousness comes from Christ & shines forth as light to the nations, (Gentiles) of the earth. `for Jerusalem`s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness,` (Isa. 62: 1 - Brightness, from Heb. word `nogahh,` brilliancy, bright, light.) `(Gentiles) of those who are saved shall walk in its light…` (Rev. 21: 24 – white (garment) from the Gk. Word `leukos` meaning light.) Precious jewels – riches, His people Israel. Precious jewels are worn by the bride as a symbol of wealth & prosperity. Israel, God`s bride is represented by the 12 stones on the High Priest`s breastplate. Thus we see the 12 foundation stones of the city are the 12 precious stones of the 12 tribes of Israel. These are most precious to the Lord & He calls them His `jewels.` `your Maker is your husband,……I will lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your ….walls of precious stones….` in righteousness you shall be established.` (Isa. 54: 5, 11, 12 & 14) `”They shall be mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them my jewels..` (Malachi 3: 17) `And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire…..(to 12)` (Rev. 21: 19) The adornment of the bride, the city, is through Christ`s righteousness & this is what has been promised to those in Israel who had faith to believe for it. Finally, the bride, the city of people, is for her husband. `…prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…` (Rev. 21: 2) `For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; & your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.` (Isa. 54: 5) `I will betroth you to me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness & justice, in lovingkindness & mercy; I will betroth you to me in faithfulness, & you shall know the Lord.` (Hosea 2: 19 & 20) I believe it is wonderful how God fulfills His promises to those faithful in Israel. What do you think? Marilyn.