The number seven is common early in Revelation. An example is verse 1:4 “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace…from the seven Spirits.”
The number twelve occurs many times in the description of New Jerusalem. Examples: “The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (21:14). “The twelve gates were twelve pearls” (21:21).
Seven is the Triune God (three) with His creatures (four). Twelve is the Triune God mingled with His people.
The book of Revelation begins with the number seven and ends with the number twelve….First, we as creatures have God added to us; then from the time of regeneration God is multiplied within us….The entire city of the New Jerusalem is a mingling of man with God—this is why the whole city is represented by the number twelve….The church must begin with the divine nature being added to the human nature; then each person must be mingled with God….The maturity of the church life is the very mingling of God with man.*
God desires that, in this age, that Christ be formed in us (Gal. 4:19). Romans 8:29 also tells us God’s intention: “those whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers.”
New Jerusalem is saturated with God and radiates the expression of God. It is the outcome of all that God is doing in this age. God is working now toward this goal. We can cooperate by praying daily Lord, form Yourself within me today; develop a little of New Jerusalem in me now.
The next post will be Monday, December 28.
* Excerpt from The Vision of God’s Building by Witness Lee, chapter 19, © LSM.
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