What makes a city special? Many things attract us to cities of the world. Satan took Jesus up into a high mountain showing Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory saying, “If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine” (Luke 4:7). What outward beauty can be seen all around us! All this outward beauty will fade away, but the Psalmist sees what this city of God is built on: “His foundation is in the holy mountains” (Ps. 87:1).
What makes this so glorious? Isaiah speaks of this and sees the glory in the Rock of his salvation: “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste” (Isa. 28:16). What makes the foundation so desirable and precious? It is a city prepared by its king for His people. “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2). What can be more precious to a bride but to see all the care and love her bridegroom shows when bringing his bride into the place prepared for her? There is so much care given that the city and the bride become one in Him! “The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” This is so wonderful and becomes even more remarkable as we see the bride. Who is she? The bride comes from every nation, tongue, and people. “I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there” (Ps. 87:4).
The wonder becomes even greater: the Lord of this city sends His servants to bring them in from the streets and lanes. Those that are poor, maimed, halt, and blind are invited (Luke 14:16–24). From the world’s view, they are all misfits. The servants make a remarkable statement, “Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.”
Who is this King that has such a beautiful bride? He must be one unforgettable King that makes a city of such beauty. Without the King, there is no beauty to be found in the bride. Isaiah describes Him. “For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called” (Isa. 54:5). He is the one who gave His life for His bride, being despised and rejected of men. He was crucified and died for a sinful bride who would never have sought after Him, but was sought out and found by Him. He brings them out of the city of destruction, cleanses them from all their filthiness, and brings them to be with Him forever in the city of God. His Name is Jesus, the Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious King of kings. “The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee” (Ps. 87:6–7). One King and one bride united forever in ever increasing love and worship. “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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” (Rev. 21:22–23).
Mr. Cornelius VanKempen known as Case, has been married to Susan for sixty blessed years. They attend and are members of Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, MI.