The Book of Revelation, The Old Testament, and The New Testament

In Matthew 24-25, as well as Luke 19:41 and Luke 21, Jesus foretold that the physical, law-based earthly Jerusalem and temple would be destroyed.

The Book of Revelation provides the details of this destruction.

The Book of Revelation also records the details of the construction of the spiritual, new heavenly Jerusalem, and the new spiritual temple of grace.

In AD 70, Jerusalem, the city of law, and the temple, the temple of law, was destroyed just as Jesus foretold and Revelation describes.

Arising in the place of the destroyed physical, earthly Jerusalem, the old testament city of law, was the spiritual, heavenly new Jerusalem, the new testament city of grace.

Arising in the place of the destroyed old, physical temple of law was the new, spiritual temple of grace.

Believers in Jesus form the new spiritual temple of grace that extends into all nations and continues to grow as more and more people place their faith in Jesus (Ephesians 2:11:22).

Unless we understand that the old testament and the new testament are not about books but about two different ways of relating to God, the law of Moses and the grace of Jesus (established at the cross in his blood), then we will never understand the Book of Revelation.

The Book of Revelation records the destruction of the physical, earthly law-based city of Jerusalem and the temple…the old way of relating to God.

This destruction was in 70 AD.

The Book of Revelation then records the construction of the spiritual, heavenly grace-based city of the new Jerusalem and temple that dwells on the earth today through those who believe in Jesus…the new way of relating to God.

In the new spiritual temple of grace are beautiful, colorful precious stones.

These stones are symbolic of each believer in Jesus who together form the temple of God’s grace that God dwells in by his Spirit on the earth.

As a believer in Jesus, you are one of these beautiful stones of grace that reflect the beauty of his grace.

This spiritual city and temple exists eternally and continues to be built today as each new believer is added to the temple as a beautiful, precious stone.

Bible Verses:

Ephesians 2:11-22

1 Peter 2

Isaiah 65-66

Revelation 21-22

Galatians 4:21-26

Hebrews 12:18-24

2 Corinthians 3:1-6:2

Matthew 26:28

Luke 22:20