Someone inquires, “To what does ‘the new Jerusalem’ in Revelation 3:12 refer?” The phrase “new Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven” also appears in Revelation 21:2.
To correctly answer the question introduced above, one must first recognize that the Book of Revelation is mostly comprised of figurative language rather than literal language. A common mistake made by religionists is not “handling aright the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15), which includes distinguishing between figurative and literal language.
Secondly, noting the context in which a verse of Scripture appears is essential to the proper understanding of the Word of God. For instance, Revelation 3:12 appears in our Lord’s address to the seven churches of Asia and particularly in the segment thereof dedicated to “the church in Philadelphia” in Asia Minor (contemporary Turkey). “New Jerusalem” there refers to the eternal reward of victorious saints who “persevere” (Revelation 3:10).
Thirdly, “new Jerusalem” is comparable to “Jerusalem which is above” (Galatians 4:26), “the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22) and “the holy Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:10). Otherwise, “the new Jerusalem” is “the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). As such, “the new Jerusalem” stands in contrast to the earthly Jerusalem in old Israel. The former city, which housed Solomon’s Temple, is contrasted with its replacement—new Jerusalem, a city whose builder and maker is God, rather than constructed by the hands of mere mortals. The latter is spiritual and pertains to one’s eternal heavenly habitation. The new Jerusalem is the replacement for earthly Jerusalem. The former was home to the fleshly bodies, whereas the latter will be the home of souls.
In summary, “new Jerusalem” in Revelation 3:12 refers to the eternal reward of victorious saints who “persevere” (Revelation 3:10). Similar references in the Book of Revelation and in other inspired writings also hold out the hope for righteous souls of residing with Almighty God eternally.
