We, as Christians have inherited from our spiritual forefathers a common misunderstanding of God's use of such terms as "The Church," "God's Elect," "The Bride The Lamb's Wife," and others. Insomuch as we have misunderstood these terms, we have also failed to comprehend the true intent of much of the writings in our most precious treasure: The Holy Scriptures.

Many of us have concentrated on the New Testament, because we think it is more relevant or more easily understood. However, the common and widely varied differences in doctrines among believers shows that to be a false assumption. The writings of the Apostle Paul make up much of the New Testament, and Peter testified that some of those writings were hard to be understood. It would seem that some of Peter's words, or John's and Matthew's, are not so obvious either. Therefore, it is necessary that we rightly divide the Word of Truth, and become able ministers of the New Testament. We must learn to use meat and not milk only. (Heb. 5:13)

God promised us by the words of Jeremiah that he would give us pastors after His own heart who would "feed (us) with knowledge and understanding." Therefore, I have labored to rightly divide for us this great truth and set it forth for your edification.

INTRODUCTION

In a Christian bookstore some years ago, I was looking for study materials and workbooks for my Sunday school class. I noticed among the books one that had a picture of a cube. I began to scan through the book, only to find that it was about "Heavenly Jerusalem." I, of course, had read the description of the holy city in the 21st chapter of Revelation a number of times, and knowing the physical description in the Scriptures, I saw the absurdity of explaining this passage literally, when I saw the artist’s conception.

I have since heard and read many references to this "1500 mile" city, that will descend from heaven. Although that is roughly the equivalent distance of 12,000 furlongs, the figure used by the King James Version and original texts, it is unreasonable to believe that this city is literally 1500 miles wide, long, and high (approximately half of the distance across the U.S.), especially in light of the fact that the wall of the city is only 210 feet high.

It can only be understood, then, as a spiritual description of the holy city, which is, according to the Apostle Paul, the church. "But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven." (Heb. 12:22-23)