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The Dubious Disciple

Book Reviews and Theological Rants of a Liberal Christian

The Dubious Disciple

Book Reviews and Theological Rants of a Liberal Christian

Revelation 21:21, the Pearly Gates

February 8, 2011December 3, 2012

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

//Ever wonder about the origin of the “pearly gates of heaven?” Here it is in Revelation, in black and white. This is where St. Peter waits with his long list, checking off each soul as they enter heaven, right?

Except it isn’t quite that way. First off, there are twelve pearly gates, not one. Picture a square city, a New Jerusalem, with three gates on the north wall, three on the south, three on the east, three on the west. On the twelve gates are written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, one for each tribe, signifying the long-awaited unification of Israel, as each tribe comes marching home through their own gate.

At each gate, an angel stands guard. If you want through the pearly gates, your name better be written in the book of life! Everybody else stays outside. And they’re not likely to ever get in, because the walls are two hundred feet thick. Not even Satan, when he arrives to do battle, will knock down that wall!

This magnificent New Jerusalem descends from heaven and settles atop Mount Zion. Yes, Revelation makes it clear in many ways that the pearly gates are not up in heaven at all, but on earth, where they will remain forever open for the kings of the earth to enter, and for the leaves of the tree of life to heal the nations.

These things are written in Revelation, but they are not new. These dreams of a New Jerusalem descending from heaven to replace the old one were well-known in Hebrew lore long before Revelation was written.

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Comments (3)

  1. Jim says:
    October 8, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    I NEVER Received My Answer. Per Catholic Why Where The Pearly Gates To Allow Sols Into Heaven Closed Before Jesus Reopened The Pearly Gates To Heaven To Allow Our Soles Into Heaven.

    1. Manny says:
      January 8, 2017 at 12:44 am

      My opinion:
      Sin was not dealt with prior to Jesus, sins were atoned for-meaning they were covered by blood covenant through sacrifice of a sinless animal by a high priest (a man). Jesus now comes to conquer sin and death, Jesus becomes the high priest and the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. In John 14:6 Jesus himself says : ” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” So now the gates are open as sin was dealt with and judged.

  2. Name;hassan says:
    February 27, 2018 at 6:39 am

    Comment; pearl gates must be in heaven the ones here on earth belong to sinners and devil worshippers

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