How do we know that the New Jerusalem will descend to the earth during the Millennial Kingdom?
There are four reasons the New Jerusalem is close to millennial Jerusalem yet not on the earth. First, millennial Jerusalem is about ten square miles or 4,500 rods times 4,500 rods (a rod is approximately 10.5 feet; Ezek. 45:6; 48:15-19, 30-35). The New Jerusalem is 1,380 miles (Rev. 21:16); thus it is too large for the ten-mile area of millennial Jerusalem. Most believe the unit of measure is rods (10.5 feet) not cubits. The NKJV adds the word cubits in italics to designate it is not in the original text. Second, the kings of the millennial earth come into the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:24-26). Third, the leaves in the New Jerusalem are for the healing of the millennial nations. Therefore, people on the millennial earth have access to these healing leaves (Rev. 22:2). Fourth, angels guard the entry to the city to keep sinners out (Rev. 21:12, 27; 22:14-15), as angels guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden after Adam sinned Gen. 3:22-24).
