Scripture indicates that the city really will “come down,” not just hover over the New Earth, as the emphasis seems to be on God dwelling with His people.

Most books on Heaven argue that the New Jerusalem cannot really be the size it’s depicted as being in Revelation 21:15-17, since twelve thousand stadia equates to fourteen hundred miles in each direction. According to one writer on Heaven, “It would dishonor the heavenly Architect to contend that its dimensions were meant to be taken literally.”

Over the years, people have told me they can’t get excited about the New Jerusalem because they don’t like cities. But this city will be different—it will have all the advantages we associate with earthly cities but none of the disadvantages.