Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Where Is the New Jerusalem Today? (Heavenly Jerusalem Explained)
In this episode of our New Jerusalem / New Creation series, we tackle a question that Christians often wonder about but rarely explore in depth: Where is the New Jerusalem right now? Drawing from key passages in Hebrews, John, Galatians, Isaiah, Genesis, and Revelation, we build a biblical case that the New Jerusalem presently exists in heaven as a real, God-built city—awaiting the day it descends to the earth at Christ’s return.
What You’ll Learn in This Teaching
This teaching walks through the Bible’s own explanations—without importing modern assumptions that “heaven” must mean non-physical or “spiritual only.” You’ll hear how Scripture describes a heavenly city with foundations, designed by God Himself, and how Jesus promised to prepare a real place for His people. We’ll also explore why it’s a false dichotomy to pit spiritual vs. physical, since the Bible presents God’s future as a redeemed creation that is both spiritual and material.
Key Texts Covered
Hebrews 12:22–24 — The Heavenly Jerusalem Right Now
Hebrews describes believers arriving at Mount Zion and “the city of the living God… the heavenly Jerusalem,” surrounded by angels, the gathered people of God, and “the spirits of the righteous made perfect.” This passage strongly suggests a present reality—not merely a symbol.
Hebrews 11:10 — Abraham Looked for a Real City
Abraham wasn’t looking for an abstract idea. He was “looking forward to the city with firm foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” This episode challenges the common assumption that “built by God” automatically means “immaterial.”
John 14:2–3 — Jesus Prepares a Place
Jesus promised many dwelling places in the Father’s house and said He is going to prepare a place for His people. This connects directly to the biblical theme of a prepared city—not simply a vague spiritual state.
The Jerusalem Above and the Prophecy of Isaiah 54
Galatians 4 — Two Jerusalems at the Same Time
Paul contrasts the present Jerusalem on earth with the Jerusalem above, showing that Scripture speaks of two Jerusalems simultaneously—one earthly, one heavenly.
Isaiah 54:11–12 — A Future Jerusalem of Glory
Isaiah describes Jerusalem’s future with foundations of sapphires, gates like crystal, and walls of precious stones—language that mirrors the New Jerusalem in Revelation. Because Paul quotes from Isaiah 54 while discussing the “Jerusalem above,” this episode highlights how the Old Testament prophecy expands into the New Testament fulfillment.
Is the New Jerusalem “Above” Israel?
This teaching also explores an intriguing biblical hint: if the New Jerusalem is “above,” could it be in proximity to Israel, possibly hovering in an unseen heavenly dimension? Using examples like Jacob’s ladder (Genesis 28:17) and Stephen’s vision (Acts 7), the episode shows how Scripture depicts moments where the heavenly realm becomes visible—suggesting heaven is not “far away,” but nearer than we assume.
Watch the Full New Jerusalem Series
If you want to go deeper into New Creation Premillennialism, the New Heaven and New Earth, and the descent of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, be sure to check the playlist linked in the show notes. This episode is a key building block in understanding where God’s kingdom is headed—and where it already exists today.
