The reappearance of Christ vs. the reappearance of the New Jerusalem

 

The reappearance of Christ vs. the reappearance of the New Jerusalem 

1 Corinthians 1:30 But you are in Christ Jesus, who is of God, and who has become the wisdom from God given to us: righteousness, sanctification and redemption.

Ezekiel 1:28 As a rainbow appears in the clouds on a rainy day, so too does the glory of the Lord manifest. When I saw him, I fell facedown to the ground, and I heard the voice of one who was speaking.

Revelation 4:3 And he who was seated appeared like jasper and ruby, and a rainbow surrounded his throne, appearing like emerald. 

Category	Christ as Righteousness, Sanctification, and Glory	New Jerusalem as Rainbow Foundation
Meaning	Christ expressed in believers as righteousness, sanctification, and glory (1 Cor. 1:30)	The corporate consummation expressing God’s glory (Rev. 21)
Origin	Christ’s death satisfied God's righteousness, holiness, and glory	God’s eternal economy fulfilled in a corporate expression
Metaphor	An individual “rainbow” (three colors blended)	A corporate “rainbow city” (layered precious stones)
Explanation	Believers in Christ are seen by God as righteous, holy, and glorious	The church consummated as the eternal expression of God
Effect	Enables man to approach God without judgment	Bears eternal testimony of God's faithfulness
Purpose	To justify, sanctify, and glorify believers	To express God and be His eternal dwelling
Relationship	Individual experience becomes material	Corporate building is the totality of experiences
Example	A believer living in righteousness, holiness, and glory	The church life expressing God’s glory collectively
Application	Live in Christ daily	Build up the Body in fellowship
Burden	Become a living “rainbow”	Become the corporate “rainbow”
Speaking Guidance	Emphasize Christ as our inner reality	Emphasize building and corporate expression
Conclusion	Christ lived out = beginning of the rainbow	New Jerusalem = ultimate rainbow
Key Verses	1 Cor. 1:30; Rom. 3:23; Ezek. 1:28	Rev. 21:19–20; Rev. 4:3; Gen. 9:13

 

Spiritual Significance (Three Colors)

Aspect	Individual (Christ Experienced)	Corporate (New Jerusalem)
Blue (Righteousness)	Christ as our righteousness before God	City founded on God's righteousness
Red (Holiness)	The cross sanctifies and separates us	The city is fully holy
Gold (Glory)	Christ shines as glory within us	The city radiates God's glory
Total Meaning	Three attributes expressed in one person	Fully expressed in a corporate entity

 

Process → Completion

Stage	Spiritual Reality	Rainbow Meaning
1	Fallen man (Rom. 3:23)	No expression
2	Redemption through the cross	Requirements satisfied
3	In Christ	Receiving righteousness, sanctification, glory
4	Personal living	Becoming a “small rainbow”
5	Church building	Many rainbows combined
6	New Jerusalem	The ultimate universal rainbow

 

*Integrated Spiritual Insight

• The rainbow is the blending of righteousness, holiness, and glory
• Christ is the embodiment of these attributes
• Individual experience leads to corporate building
• The rainbow signifies God’s covenant and faithfulness (Gen. 9:13)
• The New Jerusalem is the ultimate testimony of God’s faithfulness

*Prophetic One-Sentence Summary

Christ becomes our righteousness, sanctification, and glory to make us individual rainbows, which are built together into the New Jerusalem—the eternal universal rainbow expressing God’s faithfulness.

*Ultimate Conclusion

• Christ today = formation of the rainbow
• New Jerusalem = completion of the rainbow

*Practical Application

1.      Live in Christ (1 Cor. 1:30)

2.      Accept the dealing of the cross (holiness)

3.      Walk in righteousness before God

4.      Pursue the shining of divine glory

5.      Practice the church life for corporate building

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Winter Training: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part Four), Chapter Eleven: The Lamb God on His Throne in the City.