builder. Nothing that defileth shall enter; no spot or speck or shadow of
9. It is a holy city.—Its origin is heavenly, and it is perfect as its builder. Nothing that defileth shall enter; no spot or speck or shadow of evil. All is perfection there, divine perfection. 10. It is a glorious city.—The glory that fills it, and encircles it, is the glory of God. All precious stones are there; no marble nor granite such as we boast of now; all about it is gold, and pearls, and gems. Everything resplendent is there. It shines like the sun. 11. It is a blessed city.—It is truly 'the joyous city.' It is the throne of the blessed One, and all in it is like Him. Its name is Jerusalem, the city of peace. Its King's name is Solomon, the Prince of peace. There is no enemy there; no sickness, no curse, no death, no weeping, no pain, no sorrow, no change forever. They that dwell in it shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more (ch. 7:16, 17). Blessed city! City of peace, and love, and song! Fit accompaniment of the new heavens! Fit metropolis of the new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness! How eagerly should we look for it! How worthy of it should we live! It has not yet arrived. Eye hath not seen it. But God points to it above, and assures us that it shall come. The right of citizenship is to be had now; and they who are to dwell in it are not angels, but men; not the unfallen, but the fallen. It is as such that we apply for the 'freedom of the city.' He who is its Builder and Maker gives it freely. He who is its Prince, whose blood has bought and opened it, gives it freely. He waits to receive applications; nay, He entreats men to apply. He announces that whosoever will only take Him at His word, and trust Him for entrance into it, shall have it. He specially proclaims to us His own sacrifice, His infinite propitiation, His divine blood-shedding on the cross, and gives us to know that whosoever will receive the testimony to this great work of atonement shall enter in through the gates into the city. It is the blood that brings us to the mercy seat; it is the blood that brings us into the city. It will be a joy to enter that joyous city. By this joy we beseech you now to make sure of your