Measuring, in the Bible, is an activity which declared ownership. When the Lord commanded a census to be taken, it was done on behalf of the Lord who was Sovereign over Israel. But when David counted the number of his fighting men for the sake of his own pride, the Lord was angry and David's conscience was stricken (2 Samuel 24:1, 10). The people did not belong to David but to the Lord.

In today's passage, on behalf of the Lord, an angel measured the holy city - the New Jerusalem, the people of God - who will spend all eternity in His presence. The measuring rod was a golden reed which was both functional and symbolic of God's ownership of the city, His people. The dimensions proved to be a perfect cube, like the altar of incense in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:2) and the Holy of Holies in the temple (1 Kings 6:20); but much larger. The inner sanctuary was 20 cubits (30 feet) in all dimensions, but the city is a cube of 12,000 stadia – about 1380 miles in all directions. The number 12 represents completeness, power, authority or government. The multiples of that number symbolise God's completed kingdom: not one is lost (John 17:12).

A glance at the remaining verses shows how beautiful the city will be, but the portrayal can never match the reality when we see Him face to face. Even the foundation stones are beautiful and the gems are lavishly used as a memorial to the twelve apostles (Revelation 21:14). The attention to detail which John pays to the stones reflects his awe, naming each precious stone as he looked along the base of the walls. Even the gates are made from huge pearls, and the street is pure gold but transparent. At this point, God and His people have no enemies: they are all in the lake of fire. The walls are not for protection but to declare the completeness of God's kingdom.

Beauty is something we can scarcely describe. It is both an objective statement for all to see and an inner response to what is seen. In John's vision he saw a kaleidoscope of colours which remind us of Ephesians 3:10: "His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms …" The Greek word for 'manifold' means many-coloured. The beauty of the glory of God is not just awesome and powerful but also a beauty to be desired by those who consider Jesus as intensely precious (1 Peter 2:6-7). Psalm 27:4 should help us to redirect our affections to Him: "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." Every other consuming affection is an idol.