We look up and we look forward: the heavenly city is our future city on earth. We also encounter this heavenly city in Hebrews 13:14: For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.
The Christians in Jerusalem must not hold on to their earthly city, Jerusalem, with the temple, the priests, and the sacrifices, because that time is over since the sacrifice of Christ. This city with the temple is not a holy place
anymore but (in the end) it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD. They took the lampstand away. (It still can be seen in Rome on the Titus arch). See the warning to the congregation at Ephesus in Revelation 2:5. To follow Christ means that they must leave the city in time, as Jesus suffered outside the camp, to sanctify the people with his own blood (Hebrews 13:13–14). Jesus was placed outside the city and so he opened a new city for us! Only by faith in Jesus can we enter the gates of the new city (Revelation 22:14).
Whoever lives with Jesus is already registered in the future city and is on his way there!
Remain in his Word (Hebrews 12:25), and continually focus your attention on Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter
of our faith (see Hebrews 12:2).
Believe the Son of God and his Word. Take the warning of old Israel in the desert seriously: they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
It says so pertinently in Hebrews 3:19, Hebrews 4:11.
Trust your guide, the Holy Spirit!
In due time, the Judge comes and pronounces the final judgment. He purifies this world with his fire, and he shakes heaven and earth so that everything trembles—even more so than at Mount Sinai (Hebrews 12:26–29). Especially then, the believers may have solid ground: a kingdom that does not shake! A city that remains!
This promised city comes down out of heaven from God, a new Jerusalem, capital city of the kingdom of God (see Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10). And so, we, as pilgrims—just like the saints of the past—long full of desire for the promised city and homeland (Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 11:14, Hebrews 11:16). As Christians, we may follow Jesus and live for him, and serve God with reverence and awe, thankful and in good spirits!
We are not heading for a disaster, but we are going to a feast! The perfect feast of the great reunion of all God’s children! The saints from ages ago and from today encourage us: they surround us, with some having gone ahead of us until we meet again. God has promised us a new city and homeland: He will do it!
22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,