Most Christians view their eternal inheritance as a house in the spirit Paradise. The truth is, our inheritance is first God, and then people. It is better to inherit one person than ten thousand heavens! I guess this has to be revealed to us.

On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. (Revelation 21:25,26—NIV)

The fact that there will never be a night in the new Jerusalem tells us that sleep no longer is necessary. Think of it! The saints shall be so filled with the fullness of God that they are living in total power and life at all times. There is no need to replenish their energy and cells with sleep. They are gloriously alive for eternity.

Again it is mentioned that the glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. When the Holy Spirit repeats a thought, as we find here, He is calling our attention to it. Our inheritance is not only the glorious city but the nations as well.

What can the nations bring us? Certainly we will have no need of things of material value. What else can their wealth and glory be but themselves and their families? These are the treasure they will bring.

One time when ministering in Iceland the Lord revealed to me His love for people. After that experience I realized love is God's motivation for all that He does and that people themselves are the only truly valuable inheritance.

Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. (Isaiah 60:4—NIV)

The description of the new Jerusalem speaks of valuable minerals and pearls. But reflection will reveal that we will have little need for such. We will be dwelling in the fullness of the Presence and Glory of Almighty God! What need would we have for gold or precious stones?

Perhaps God has included gold, pearls, and precious stones in His portrayal because material wealth is all we can understand at the present time. I doubt seriously that material wealth will play much of a role in the new heaven and earth reign of Jesus Christ.

But people themselves always are of infinite value. Many tons of the most valuable diamonds and pearls could never approach in value one human being.

We will understand this better when we are at the point of death and weigh the value of our family against a mansion in the spirit realm, even though it had a backyard filled with rubies.

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27—NIV)

The reason the wall around the city is emphasized is that sin no longer will be permitted in the Presence of God. Had there been a wall around the Garden of Eden, the serpent could not have gained entrance.

God could have kept the serpent out of Eden, but God permitted His new creation to be infected with the poison of sin so in the fullness of time He could furnish the Antidote, Jesus Christ. By so doing God has created in His sons a resistance to sin.

To be continued.