The Book of Revelation | Not Selling Real Estate

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God; 4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away.”

Revelation 21:1-4 (NRVUE)

When a lot people read about the New Jerusalem with its pearly gates and streets of gold, they picture something like a divine gated community, an exclusive eternal resort where the righteous get to enjoy luxury accommodations forever. But this misses the point entirely.

John isn't writing a heavenly real estate brochure. He's using the most valuable materials his readers could imagine—gold, pearls, precious stones—to make a profound theological point: in God's eternal kingdom, the things we consider most precious on earth will be as common as construction materials.

Think about it from a first-century perspective. Gold was rare and valuable, reserved for the wealthy and powerful. Pearls were so precious that merchants would sell everything they owned to purchase a single perfect one. Precious stones adorned only the most important buildings and the most significant people.

But in the New Jerusalem, gold is used to the roads—something you walk on and take for granted. Pearls become gates—functional architecture rather than decorative jewelry. The most valuable gems become foundation stones—hidden supports that few people ever see.

This isn't about giving us literal golden sidewalks to enjoy. It's about showing us that our current understanding of value is completely reversed in God's kingdom. What we consider precious, God uses for mundane purposes. What we fight and strive for, God provides abundantly.

The real treasure isn't the building materials, it's what John describes in verse 3: "the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God..."

The ultimate reward for faithfulness isn't a mansion in heaven—it's an intimate relationship with God himself. The streets of gold are just the context; God's presence is the content.

When you're tempted to think of eternal life as an upgraded version of earthly life, remember John's vision. It's not about getting better stuff—it's about getting God himself.

Prayer: Lord, help me to desire your presence more than your presents. Teach me to value what you value and to find my treasure in knowing you.