Revelation 21:12 - Exposition

And had a wall great and high; having a wall. Omit each introductory "and." The wall is a type of the absolute security of the heavenly city; not that any further assault is expected. In Ezekiel 38:11 Gog and Magog prey upon the unwalled villages. And had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel (cf. the description in Ezekiel 48:1-35 .). Twelve; as signifying completeness (cf. Revelation 4:9 ; Revelation 7:4-8 ), and as being the number of the tribes of Israel, which are the type of the spiritual Israel of God. Gates; rather, portals. The picture of the angels placed at the portals, still fulfilling their mission as guardians of men, shows the absolute security of the city. The names are written thereon: as on the stones of the ephod ( Exodus 28:9 ) and breastplate ( Exodus 39:14 ). Contrast the names of blasphemy ( Revelation 18:3 ).