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Q. Please explain Revelation 21:24, that says kings of the Earth will bring their glory into the eternal, New Jerusalem.
A. Hello, and thank you for this opportunity to help shed light on a really curious aspect in Apostle John’s Revelation vision. The verse reads:
And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light,
and the kings of the Earth bring their glory and honor into it.
This imagery of kings bringing glory can seem puzzling unless we understand both what glory is, and who these kings might be in the eternal age.
Physical glory: The first mentions of glory in most versions of The Bible, refer to external displays of abundance, honor, wealth, treasure, dignity, splendor, brightness, majesty, etc. However, The Bible also reveals glory as an innate quality that radiates both internally and externally.
Glory light: Glory was the physical light that enveloped Adam and Eve before they sinned. Only after they sinned did they realize they were physically naked. Genesis does not call their light, glory. However, since they were created in The Lord’s image, their glory light was probably like the glory Jesus radiated on the Mount of Transfiguration. The sky was lit with glory the night Jesus was born. Moreover, Paul asserts that, when we immortal saints see Jesus, we will be like Him—GLORIOUS!
Internal glory: Interestingly, Jeremiah 9:23-24 (my personal fav) reveal pride is glory that can be internally concealed, and also outwardly radiated. Moreover, while we typically think of pride as sinful, these verses reveal pride (glorying) was created and designed to be Godly! Imagine that~ Otherwise, why would The Lord instruct us about what we humans …can glory (be proud) in and about?!
In light of the above, I surmise the (likely Gentile) kings of the nations surrounding the new, eternal Jerusalem on the new, eternal Earth, will exercise Godly/righteous pride in bringing into that city, EVERY KIND OF GLORY, far beyond what we can currently imagine, in order to express our incredible, un-ending love, honor, and appreciation for Jesus, The Lord God Almighty.
I believe Exodus 19:6 will be eternally fulfilled when all righteous Jewish saints will be stationed as priests unto The Lord in the new, eternal Jerusalem. As such, I perceive the nations surrounding that city will be inhabited by The Lord’s righteous Gentile saints. As with nations on Earth today, and literally with everything in The Lord’s creation, those nations will be organized under righteous leadership, with glorified Gentile kings appointed to lead and represent their people. This does not mean only these kings will enter into the new Jerusalem. Revelation 22:14 emphatically states that ALL The Lord’s saints will have the right to enter into that glorious city. Friend, that includes you …and me!
Finally, ponder this thought. What John saw in Revelation 21:24 will be the eternal version of what we will experience beforehand when we glorified, Gentile saints will periodically visit the substantially enlarged and elevated Jerusalem during The Millennial Reign age! We will be assigned, hierarchically, to govern Gentile nations across the post-apocalyptic world. Imagine that~
Again, thanks for your question. I trust my reply will help to clarify your understanding of Revelation 21:24, and possibly much more.
