Revelation 21:10 Commentary and Bible Study

What does this high mountain represent? Why does the Lamb's wife have to be viewed from a great and high mountain? It is like Pisgah in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 3:27), which Moses was told to ascend in order to see the promised land. This is the high mountain of prophecy, the high mountain of truth. ‘He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain’ – John is going to see something too wonderful to imagine – ‘and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.’ Again the language is symbolic. He is not shown a literal view of the church, but it resembles a city only in the vision. He is carried away in the Spirit not to a different physical location but to a different understanding as the very mind of God is opened up to him. This city is not the place where the people of God will dwell; it is the people of God themselves. They are like a city because God will dwell in that city, among his people. It is ‘general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven.’ We look upon the stones of the buildings where we live and perhaps consider that these stones will outlast us. When we have passed from this world, they will long remain unchanged. Are they more enduring and permanent than us? For a time, yes, but ultimately, no. The world will pass away and all things that are in it. The saints however will attain that permanence which belongs to a physical building, having permanent existence in heaven, in the presence of God. This city will never pass away, but will belong to the incorruptible realm of heaven.