The Cost and Scale of Constructing the New Jerusalem: A Modern Perspective

The New Jerusalem the Holy City, as described in Revelation 21:9, is portrayed as a city of unparalleled magnificence, constructed with materials of extraordinary value. This exploration estimates the dimensions and costs of building such a city today, providing a modern lens through which to appreciate its scale and splendor.

The City’s Magnificent Scale

Overall Dimensions: The Holy City of New Jerusalem is envisioned to span 1,380 miles in every direction, equating to a floor plan that would stretch from the northeastern corner of North Dakota to Columbus, Ohio, down to Laredo, Texas, and across to Salt Lake City, Utah. This immense distance forms a perfect cube with a total land area of approximately 1.9 million square miles.

Vertical Scale: To comprehend its height, Mount Everest, the tallest peak on Earth at 5.5 miles, pales in comparison. Ascending to 1,380 miles would require 125 round trips up and down Mount Everest or an astonishing 2,500 trips up and down the Empire State Building.

The Estimated Costs

1. Gold Structure: The weight of the city—77.64 quadrillion gold ounces—would translate into an estimated value of $1.475 sextillion ($1.475 × 10²⁰) at today’s gold prices.

Jasper Walls: The walls of the city are described as being 144 cubits (216 feet) thick and constructed from jasper. You could fit approximately five full standard city buses (each 40 feet long) into 216 feet of space, with a little extra space left over. The amount of jasper required for the walls alone would weigh approximately 930.68 trillion tons, with an estimated value of $186.14 quintillion.

3. Pearl Gates: The twelve gates are twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.  Each gate standing an estimated 320 miles tall and 40 feet thick. Constructing these gates would require approximately 7.48 billion pearls per gate, weighing a total of 24,732 tons for all gates combined. At a valuation of $350 million per ton of pearls, the total cost would be approximately $8.66 trillion.

4. Precious Stone Foundations: The city’s foundation is detailed as comprising 12 layers of precious stones:

• Jasper: 1.35 trillion tons valued at $270 quadrillion
• Sapphire: 2.08 trillion tons valued at $2.496 quintillion
• Agate: 1.37 trillion tons valued at $20.55 quadrillion
• Emerald: 1.43 trillion tons valued at $5.005 quintillion
• Onyx: 1.35 trillion tons valued at $13.5 quadrillion
• Ruby: 2.08 trillion tons valued at $3.12 quintillion
• Chrysolite: 1.71 trillion tons valued at $102.6 quadrillion
• Beryl: 1.40 trillion tons valued at $70 quadrillion
• Topaz: 1.82 trillion tons valued at $45.5 quadrillion
• Turquoise: 1.35 trillion tons valued at $67.5 quadrillion
• Jacinth: 1.82 trillion tons valued at $273 quadrillion
• Amethyst: 1.37 trillion tons valued at $13.7 quadrillion

Total Foundation Value: Approximately $11.5 quintillion.

The Monumental Comparison

To put these figures into perspective, the global GDP for 2023 was estimated at $105.4 trillion. The projected total cost of building the New Jerusalem, including materials and labor, reaches $2.54 sextillion. This cost is approximately 24.1 million times the size of the current global GDP.

Labor and Total CostThe Cost and Scale of Constructing the New Jerusalem Today: A Modern Perspective

Assuming labor costs are roughly 60% of the total material expenses, the estimated expense for labor adds approximately $0.954 sextillion to the material cost of $1.59 sextillion, bringing the grand total to $2.54 sextillion.

The Sheer Impossibility

The construction of the New Jerusalem is not just economically staggering but also logistically unimaginable. The estimated total weight of 17.77 quadrillion tons for the foundations alone is 394.89 billion times the mass of the foundation of the Burj Khalifa. This vast and celestial vision underscores the symbolic and spiritual meaning of the city, transcending any real-world equivalent.

Conclusion

The Holy City to come as description in the Revelation 21:9-26, when considered through a modern lens, reveals a project so grand that it would dwarf the world’s combined economic and material resources. The total estimated cost of $2.54 sextillion highlights the city’s unimaginable scale and value, embodying a divine ideal far beyond human capacity. This perspective deepens the awe-inspiring vision of the New Jerusalem, presenting it as an unparalleled testament to divine glory and grandeur.

The scale of 24.1 million times is almost incomprehensible when applied to the realities of our world. To put it simply, finding examples on Earth where one thing is exactly 24.1 million times bigger than another is exceedingly rare because of the sheer magnitude of that comparison. Such a scale is so vast that it stretches beyond what we typically encounter in our daily lives. It highlights that the New Jerusalem, as described, is not just grand—it transcends human experience and imagination. This helps to illustrate the extraordinary and divine nature of this biblical city, reminding us that its scale and value surpass anything that exists or could be built on Earth.

Additional thoughts:  

The Contrast Between Human Ambition and Divine Design: The Tower of Babel vs. The New Jerusalem the Holy City 

The Tower of Babel was humanity's ambitious but flawed attempt to build a structure reaching the heavens, driven by pride and the desire for self-glory. In contrast, the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21 is a divine and perfect city, descending from heaven with 12 jeweled foundations and four towering walls stretching 1,380 miles high, giving it the appearance of a magnificent tower. While Babel symbolized human effort and division—ultimately halted by God, leading to the scattering of people—the New Jerusalem the Holy City represents divine unity and fulfillment. It embodies what Babel could never achieve: an eternal, God-ordained city where the divine and the redeemed dwell together. This heavenly city surpasses human imagination and effort, illustrating that true grandeur and lasting unity come not from human ambition but from divine purpose and glory.

Exploring Christianity from a Hebraic Perspective with The Briggs

Dear friend,

Yours truly, Martin & Kayla, have crafted this message with anticipation of connecting with fellow believers in Jesus like yourself. We share an appreciation for the Hebrew roots of our faith and a desire to explore the deeper connection between Christianity and the founding fathers of our faith in the 'Old Testament,' also known as the Tanach (comprising the books of law, the prophets, and collected writings).

The greatest day for any believer is the moment we find our savior Jesus and become grafted into his family as sons and daughters, as coheirs of his kingdom. Jesus stated in his word, Matthew 5:17-20:

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

When Yeshua stated he has come to fulfill the word, that means to us that the law or the instruction of the Old Testament was a gift from God in development from the time of Adam through the prophet John the Baptist. These Laws would be sealed and now fully ready for delivery to the world after the death and ultimately the resurrection of Jesus. For greater clarity, if we said we owned a 'fulfillment center', what would that mean? It is a place for something to be developed, packaged, and ready for delivery. That is exactly what Jesus meant when he said I have come to fulfill the law. Meaning before his time on Earth, the law was a gift from God being processed, developed from the time of Adam through John the Baptist. This new product is now sealed and delivered to the world for use. Which means, as he said, the law is not abolished but now ready for instruction and utilization. Therefore, it's crucial to understand that every 'New Testament' writer aimed not to abolish the law but to guide us in its practice.

With that being said, it is very important that Gentiles understand that it is us who are being grafted into the family of the Old Testament, from Adam through John the Baptist. We are meant to practice and worship God as He instructed the Kingdom of Israel. In your journey to reestablish the heritage of your forefathers, you will begin to explore the following practices:

• Abstaining from certain foods.
• Obedience to the Ten Commandments.
• Weekly Shabbat practiced from Friday evening through Saturday evening.
• The annual holidays appointed by God Himself, known as biblical feasts, include Passover, Shavuot (also known as Pentecost), and all the Fall festivals such as the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.

These four observances, coupled with the acceptance of Jesus as our eternal Lord and Savior, constitute what we perceive as the non-negotiables of faith. There are also a total of nearly 1,700 other commands that we are instructed to follow from Genesis to Revelation. Certainly, we believe the reason the Lord our God made so many commands is to emphasize that our righteousness will never be good enough to enter into the Kingdom of God without the blood sacrifice of Jesus.  According to the word of God,

'All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.' --Isaiah 64:6

While we are commanded to follow all the laws of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, it is impossible to do so entirely. This could be due to our lack of awareness of certain laws, our inability to adhere to them fully, or because we perceive some laws as irrelevant or unachievable in today's context. In any case, no one has or ever will fully comply with the letter of the law; we all fall short. Thus, we rely on the grace of Jesus to bridge the gap.  We can say that as you navigate your journey to find your walk with God through a Hebraic perspective, you will find the greatest controversies related to the following topics:

• Sexuality and marriage
• Defining the weekly Sabbath (Shabbat)    
• The practice of Easter, Halloween, and Christmas
• Dietary rules
• 'Law' vs 'Grace'  
• The sacrifice of circumcision 
• Outward expression of devotion to God including hair, makeup, and apparel styles

As each one declares our path of faith, we can guarantee you one thing: each person will have their own unique relationship with God, and no one is fit to judge anyone else's walk with God as better or lesser than their own.

The significance of the Jewish people

In ancient biblical times, the nation of Israel consisted of twelve family tribes, divided into northern and southern territories. The Northern region encompassed all the tribes of Israel except for two. Notably, the tribe of Judah, led by King David, functions as the patriarch of our familial heritage and the leader of the household, alongside Rueben, comprising the Southern part of the nation of Israel. The historical narrative reveals that while the tribe of Rueben remained united with Judah, tensions and disputes within the northern tribes precipitated a significant split. This division, fueled by deep-rooted disagreements, resulted in the separation of the ten tribes from the leadership of David's lineage. As a consequence, the once-united nation faced bitter strife, leading to the distinct separation of the other ten tribes from the tribe of Judah. Meanwhile, the Southern region, dominated by King David's tribe Judah, represents the lineage of King David and, consequently, the royal lineage culminating in King Jesus.

Approximately 124 years prior to the exile of the Southern Kingdom of Israel to Babylon, the other ten tribes of Northern Israel were dispersed globally. Consequently, any individual claiming descent from the Northern Kingdom is recognized as a citizen and part of the family of Israel, fulfilling the promise to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. As Genesis 15:5 states: 

'He took him outside and said, "Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."'

Those identifying as Jews trace their heritage to the Southern Kingdom, thus carrying the responsibility of setting a pattern of worship for the world to follow. The Jewish people play a pivotal role in the ongoing development of the body of Christ on Earth. They are called to lead by example in all domains, including religion, politics, business, education, and beyond, guiding nations towards the light of the Lord.

The significance of the Jewish people resonates deeply in biblical accounts, particularly when Jesus, Himself a Jew, selected twelve Jewish men as His disciples to inaugurate the kingdom of heaven on earth. Their pivotal role is further accentuated by the inscription of their names on the twelve foundations of the eternal new Holy City of Jerusalem to come, as depicted in the book of Revelation. This underscores the perpetual responsibility of the Jewish people to guide the nations of the world towards the divine light of God.

As practicing Jewish individuals of faith recognize Jesus as their Messiah and impart teachings to others, they illuminate the path to God for all nations. It's crucial for nations to learn from the Jewish people's heritage and walk with God, rather than imposing different traditions onto them.

As Jewish believers set the example and embrace King Jesus, the Church moves closer to reflecting the vibrant community depicted in Acts 2. In this community, conversions flourish, and spiritual growth thrives amidst the backdrop of miracles, signs, and wonders. Notably, it's essential to recognize that each biblical leader and writer of the New Testament was deeply rooted in Jewish faith and tradition, ultimately embracing Jesus as the Messiah.

Exploring our journey back to the origins of our faith aims to honor the entirety of God's word and follow His instructions. It's essential to clarify that we are not attempting to adopt 'Jewish' customs or become Jewish. Instead, we are embracing the rich heritage of our Hebraic ancestry and teachings embedded within Scripture.

Resources to consider for next steps 

I.  Four Cups: God's Timeless Promises for a Life of Fulfillment, Author: Pastor Chris Hodges

Kayla's existing interest in exploring Hebrew Roots was further ignited by Pastor Chris Hodges' profound insights in "Four Cups." This book delves into the timeless promises of God, enriching our understanding of faith and fulfillment.

II.  The Mystery of the Shemitah, Author: Jonathan Cahn

Inspired by Dr. Martin Williams' teachings on the impact of the Shemitah cycle, we encountered Jonathan Cahn's profound insights into biblical prophecy. His books, "The Harbinger" and "The Mystery of The Shemitah," offer compelling revelations about God's patterns and promises.

III.  Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts: Discovering Their Significance to You as a Christian, Author: Dr. Richard Booker

Randall Burcham's encouragement led us to explore the significance of biblical feasts in our Christian walk. Dr. Richard Booker's insightful work deepened our understanding of how these feasts enrich our spiritual journey and relationship with Jesus.

IV.  Be One Ministries a Hebrew Institute and Teaching Ministry led by Rabbi Jeff and Sherri Friedlander

Our journey reached new depths through the teachings of Rabbi Jeff and Sherri Friedlander. Be One Ministries, encompassing the Hebrew Institute and their teaching ministry, has been most instrumental in shaping our understanding of Hebrew heritage and its relevance to our faith today.

V. Our Highest Recommendations for next Steps   

In moving forward on your exploration of the Hebraic path, we highly recommend starting with Rabbi Jeff Friedlander's insightful YouTube series, "S.O.P. According to G-d." These insightful teachings offer profound perspectives on living out our faith in alignment with God's divine principles.

May these resources be a guiding light as you embark on your own journey of discovery and faith.