• Bride. There is a promise of deliverance and reward for being faithful as Christ takes the Church as His bride, and the dowry, which He paid on the cross. A bride would spare no expense to present herself in the best way possible; hence, we understand the way John uses the language here. This is not only an expression of God’s intimacy and agency with us, but also a contrast between the horror of evil and the joys of goodness. In Him, we are cleansed, saved, and redeemed. We belong to Him; thus, our church—His Church—must be sanctified to Him (Isa. 25:6-9; Matt. 22:2, 26-29; 24:21-27; 2 Cor. 11:2-3; Eph. 5:26; Col. 1:22; 1 Thess. 5:15-24; 1 Tim. 4:16; 1 John 3:3; Rev. 7:17; 19:1-10).

• Carried me away in the Spirit. This means “spiritual exaltation,” possibly as in charismatic worship. However, John did not solicit this vision; God gave it to him. The Holy Spirit provided John the visions and took him to places he could actually see. Thus, he is recording authentic images he saw in reality; this was no dream (1 Chron. 25:1-6; Psalm 48:2; Ezek. 2:2; 3:12-14, 24; 8:3; 11:1, 24; Acts 10:10; Rev. 1:10; 4:2; 17:1-3; 21:10).

• Mountain. This meant God meets man, and refers to a special meeting place between God and man exemplified by the burning bush and Moses. This also means the visibility and immenseness of God.  (Ex. 15:17; 19:1-25; Psalm 48:1; 68:15-16; Ezek. 28:14; 40:2; Joel. 2:1; Micah 4:1; Matt. 4:8; Rev. 14:1).

• Glory of God. This means God is Awesome! This is God’s majesty, beauty, eminence, power, and authority that figuratively and literally radiates from the universe. This is who God is and how He appears to man (Ex. 16:10; 24:16-17; 40:34; Isa. 6:3; 40:3; 60:1-22; Habakkuk 2:14; Zech. 2:5; John 1:14; Rev. 4:1-12; 15:8).

• Cubits…. Cubits refer to about 18 inches, the length of an average forearm in that time.

• Twelve. Twelve times twelve is also a depiction of perfection and alludes to the twelve tribes of Israel; twelve also refers to God’s people. This has nothing to do with the Zodiac (Ezek. 48:31-35; Acts 1:15-26; Eph. 2:20).

• Precious jewel indicates an image of the breastplate of Aaron’s priestly wardrobe that reflects God’s majesty and beauty. This is meant to show us the beauty and magnificence of heaven because it reflects the glory of God. This imagery can only give us a grasp of an eternal, astounding concept because our minds are not capable of understanding; thus, we associate Him with what we can know and comprehend with what precious and valuable substances that were known then. God is far more valuable and precious than any of these; He is beyond our comprehension. This imagery is not meant to express human wealth or extravagant living; this is about the glory of God and how He cares for and protects us. Even if we could pick up the jewels and put them in our pockets, there is nothing we can buy that has not already been given to us (Ex. 28:15-21; Rev. 4:3). 

• Twelve gates…foundations. This is also a depiction of God’s protection, glory, and inclusiveness. Ancient cities had walls and gates to protect its inhabitants from attack. It was security. Here, God is our security and nothing can harm us; we are protected in Him forever. This also harkens to the Promised Land, as there are no more wanderings. The twelve refers to the completeness, continuity, and community of God’s people in Christ (Ezek. 48:31-35; Rev. 7:4-8).

• City walls. This refers to protection from enemies. All the important cities had walls in the ancient world. It is not literal because God’s city has no confines (Isa. 60:18; Zech. 2:4-5).

• Names of the twelve apostles. This may signify that the city is a reflection of God as corresponding to the Church’s purpose to glorify God. This can also be an honor statement, or both (Eph. 2:20; Heb. 10:11).