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This stunning picture-language tells us that heaven will be beautiful beyond what we can imagine.

BibleGateway: Revelation 21:15-27

ESV Text: Revelation 21:15-27


KJV Text:

The section starts at about 2:26 and ends at about 4:31

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15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 656:
Behold a Host, Arrayed in White

Hymnary.org

— Organ Audio

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1. Behold a host, arrayed in white, 
Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright, 
With palms they stand. Who is this band 
Before the throne of light? 
Lo, these are they of glorious fame 
Who from the great affliction came 
And in the flood of Jesus’ blood 
Are cleansed from guilt and blame. 
Now gathered in the holy place, 
Their voices they in worship raise, 
Their anthems swell where God doth dwell, 
Mid angels’ songs of praise. 

2. Despised and scorned, they sojourned here; 
But now, how glorious they must appear! 
Those martyrs stand a priestly band, 
God’s throne forever near. 
So oft, in troubled days gone by, 
In anguish they would weep and sigh, 
At home above the God of Love 
For aye their tears shall dry. 
They now enjoy their Sabbath rest, 
The paschal banquet of the blest; 
The Lamb, their Lord, at festal board 
Himself is Host and Guest. 

3. Then hail, ye mighty legions, yea, 
All hail! Now safe and blest for aye, 
And praise the Lord, who with His Word 
Sustained you on the way. 
Ye did the joys of earth disdain, 
Ye toiled and sowed in tears and pain. 
Farewell, now bring your sheaves and sing 
Salvation’s glad refrain. 
Swing high your palms, lift up your song, 
Yea, make it myriad voices strong, 
Eternally shall praise to Thee, 
God, and the Lamb belong.