I'm glad you asked...: New Jerusalem

Author David Busch says that when the Lord Jesus Christ returns at his Second Coming, he brings the City of Jerusalem with him. [The Assyrian (p. 301); The Appointed (pp. 163, 218)] I had been under the impression that the new City of Jerusalem descends at the end of the 1000 year Kingdom.

Additionally, Mr. Busch also says that the earth is destroyed at Christ’s return, not at the end of the 1,000 years, like most believe.

Would you please tell me your position on this issue?

I am familiar with the books of brother David Busch, as I have and had read them all. I also have had some personal contact with him over the years, and he is a very dear brother indeed!

As far as his view on when the heavenly New Jerusalem will come down, I too agree with how he sees it!

I had come to the conviction that the city would come down when Christ returns in his Second Advent to the earth, and not after the 1,000 years, even before I knew of brother David's view on it! It is evident also to me after studying this issue out over the years that, yes, the earth will be destroyed (at least the Middle East—God's focus is on the Promised Land) before/at the return of Christ (Day of the Lord's Wrath), and not at the end of the 1,000 years.

Here are some reasons why I see those two issues as I do...

First, just like what brother David writes, when dealing with the book of Revelation, you must understand that the book "cycles" or "re-cycles" information, that is, things don't always go in sequential order, and God will also repeat things that He’s already mentioned in previous chapters.

For example, in Genesis 1, God gives an account of the Creation, and it looks like he is finished (because he said it is). But then, God will go back and "re-cycle" the info to add more details to the account in previously given. By the way, the book of Acts is written this way also. God will mention that the persecuted Jewish kingdom saints of the little flock fled from Saul's persecution in Acts chapter 8, then He would skip a few chapters, and then pick up the story in chapter 11, where He would then give us more details.

Acts 8:3-4

As for Saul, he made havock of the [Kingdom] church [which was at Jerusalem (v1)], entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Acts 11:19

Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word [the gospel of circumcision, not the gospel of uncircumcision] to none but unto the Jews only.

Here we see that God "re-cycled" the info, and gave us details of who they were preaching to. He does this type of thing throughout the book of Revelation as well!

Therefore, in Revelation, God will say something in chapter 6, but then repeat the same events with more detail in chapter 13 for example, even after giving other details about something else in the meantime (he does this so that we might study his word and not be lazy in our handling of it like unbelievers are when they deal with the bible.

Therefore, while it looks to most people that the New Jerusalem comes down after the 1,000 years, because of how it is written in Revelation 21:1-2 where John first mentions a "new heaven and new earth," God is simply "cycling" or "re-cycling" information that he gave us in previous chapters, and is not necessarily giving us the sequential order of things (I will give you other verses from scripture later also showing that the heavenly temple located in New Jerusalem must come down with Christ at the beginning of the 1,000 years!)

Revelation 21:1-2

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Secondly, if the New Jerusalem does not come down at the beginning of the 1,000 years, what temple will the Lord live in? The temple on the earth at that time will be defiled when the Antichrist sits in it as God, and it will be destroyed during the wrath of God anyway.

2 Thessalonians 2:4

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Luke 21:5-6

And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said, As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

So because of the defiling of the temple by the false Christ, as well as the fact that it will be destroyed (along with the rest of the Middle East in that day), it makes sense that the temple that Christ will sit in during the 1,000 years is his own temple, that he will bring down with him at his second coming to the earth!

Revelation 15:5

And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

Revelation 21:2-3

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

As far as the earth (Middle East/promised land) being destroyed in that day, which too, is evident because of the day of God’s wrath—here are a few references addressing that.

Jeremiah 4:22-28

For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down at the presence of the LORD, and by his fierce anger. For thus hath the LORD said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end. For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black: because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it

2 Peter 3:10-13

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Isaiah 13:6-10

Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty. Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt: And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames. Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

Joel 1:14-15

Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

Evidently, when the Lord brings down the New Jerusalem it will fill the approximate dimensions of the Promise Land. So, all that area of land mass that God promised to Abraham and his seed will be "replenished" at the return of Christ. The dimension of the city is 1,500 miles long in every direction.