S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Beginning with Revelation 21:9, John records his final vision picturing the city of God, the New Jerusalem where believers in Christ will spend their eternal lives. The New Jerusalem is the ultimat...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mi Shad Ow Supporter Layman

I might be wrong but I think your question comes from what we currently think of the purpose of walls but. According to scripture New Jerusalem will be the dwelling place of God and all of the saints who received resurrected bodies Rev. 21:3. The Bible states that New Jerusalem's walls will be roughly 1,500 miles long, 1,500 miles wide and 1,500 miles tall Rev. 21:16. This will be a massive (to say the least) symbol of Gods glory. It will be the earths source of light, shining SEVEN times brighter then the current sun at noon day, and as bright as the current sun at noon day during midnight Isa. 30:26; 60:19-20.

March 29 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Revelation 21:12 describes the city as having “a great, high wall.” In ancient times, city walls were built for defense against enemies. But in the New Jerusalem, there’s no more danger, because “death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Revelation 21:4), and nothing unclean or evil can enter (Revelation 21:27). These walls aren’t needed for protection—they stand as a symbol of perfect safety and God’s complete, eternal care for His people.

The walls show that the city is set apart, and only those who are redeemed may enter (Revelation 21:27 -- "But nothing ritually unclean will ever enter into it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or practices falsehood, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.") They mark a clear boundary between what is holy and what is not—much like the design of the temple and tabernacle, where access to certain areas was restricted to those who met God's standards of purity and calling.

How does your name become part of the Book of Life? Find verses to explain your answer and add them as a comment. I'd like to see!

June 01 2025 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What will be the purpose of the walls around the New Jerusalem?

The walls around the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 symbolise eternal security, holiness, and the exclusion of evil, ensuring that only the redeemed enter. As "great and high," they represent a clear, permanent boundary between the holy city and the rest of creation, marking it as a secure, sanctified dwelling place for God's people.

Purposes of the New Jerusalem Walls:

Exclusion of Evil: The walls guarantee that nothing impure, abominable, or false can enter the city.

Eternal Security and Safety: They represent the complete safety, peace, and protection of the inhabitants, symbolising God's presence as a protective, divine wall.

Symbol of Distinction: The high walls symbolise the city's "set apart" status, separating the righteous from judgment.

According to Revelation 21, the great, high walls of the New Jerusalem signify the city’s absolute holiness, security, and separation, ensuring that only the redeemed enter while marking it as a secure, perfected dwelling place of God. They are not for defensive military protection, but symbolise total safety, divine beauty, and the exclusion of evil. 

Memorials of God's Work: The walls and their foundations serve as monuments to the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles, representing the unity of God’s people in both Testaments.

Conclusion:

In biblical prophecy, the walls of the New Jerusalem serve primarily as a symbolic boundary. While ancient city walls were built for physical defence, these walls represent eternal security, holiness, and the exclusion of anything impure.

Revelation 21:12: ESV: "Having a wall great and high; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel."

The symbolic city has a huge wall. In ancient times, city walls were built for security to keep out enemies. New Jerusalem's "great and lofty wall" shows that she is spiritually secure. No enemy of righteousness, no one unclean or dishonest, will ever be able to gain entrance.

After Adam's expulsion, cherubs were posted at the entrance to the original Paradise to keep out unclean humans. (Genesis 3:24) Similarly, angels are posted at each entrance of the holy city Jerusalem to ensure the spiritual security of the city.

3 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report