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The New Jerusalem "had a great and high wall and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names inscribed, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel" (Rev. 21:12):
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The wall is for separation and protection; New Jerusalem will be absolutely separated unto God and will fully protect the interests of God.
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Its wall will be great and high; today all believers need such a great and high wall for their separation and protection.
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In God's eternal economy, angels are ministering spirits (Heb. 1:14); they serve those who inherit salvation and who participate in the eternal blessing of the New Jerusalem, the center of the new heaven and new earth.
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These angels will be the gatekeepers of our possession, while we will be the enjoyers of the rich inheritance in God's eternal economy.
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Israel in Revelation 21:12 represents the law of the Old Testament, indicating that the law is represented at the gates of the New Jerusalem; the law watches and observes to insure that all the communications, the comings in and goings out, of the holy city meet the law's requirements.
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That the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are inscribed on the twelve gates signifies that the twelve tribes are the entrance into the holy city; as such, they lead people, through the preaching of the gospel, into the riches of the Triune God to enjoy the supply in the city (cf. 22:14).
Morning Nourishment
Rev. 21:12 It had a great and high wall and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels...Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.
The wall is for separation and protection. New Jerusalem will be absolutely separated unto God and will fully protect the interests of God. Its wall will be great and high. Today all believers need such a great and high wall for their separation and protection. (Rev. 21:12, footnote 1)
In God's eternal economy, angels are ministering spirits (Heb. 1:14). They serve those who inherit salvation and who participate in the eternal blessing of the New Jerusalem, the center of the new heaven and new earth. They will be the gatekeepers of our possession, while we will be the enjoyers of the rich inheritance in God's eternal economy. (Rev. 21:12, footnote 3)
Today's Reading
Israel here [in Revelation 21:12] represents the law of the Old Testament, indicating that the law is represented at the gates of the New Jerusalem. The law watches and observes to insure that all the communications, the comings in and goings out, of the holy city meet the law's requirements. That the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are inscribed on the twelve gates signifies that the twelve tribes of Israel are the entrance into the holy city; as such, they lead people, through the preaching of the gospel, into the riches of the Triune God to enjoy the supply in the city. (Rev. 21:12, footnote 4)The twelve gates are inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev. 21:12), who were the representatives of the law of the Old Testament, signifying the requirement of the law at the entrance into the kingdom of God....[This indicates] that the law is watching over the twelve gates. With the law there is nothing that supplies or nourishes. The law only requires something of us. The law is watching over the gates. If a sinner is to come into the holy city, the requirement of the law must be fulfilled. The law is the gate watcher, or the guard at the gate, to ensure that you have fulfilled its requirement. As you are "walking through the gate" and you call on the name of the Lord Jesus, the law says that you are okay. As long as you are in Jesus Christ, every part of the requirement of the law is fulfilled, and you are okay. You can now get into the holy city....When we came to the triune entrance, we had a "free ticket" because Christ paid the price for us, and the guard at the gate (the law) honors Christ.
The law is not only a watcher at the gate but also the child-conductor of the entry (Gal. 3:24)....The law was not given for us to keep, but the law was given to conduct us to Christ. The law is the conductor to bring you to the gate; the law is also the guard to "okay" your entry.
Furthermore, we see twelve angels at the twelve gates (Rev. 21:12), signifying that the angels watch over the entry into the New Jerusalem (Luke 15:7, 10; Heb. 1:14). Each gate not only bears one of the names of the twelve tribes but also has an angel. The law requires, and the angel watches. The angels are spectators. The entire realm of God's New Testament economy is actually "a big show." To enter into this show you need a free ticket, and in this show there are spectators. These spectators are the angels. If you do not confess the name of Christ, you cannot get a free ticket. However, if you call on the name of the Lord Jesus, you get a free ticket into the holy city, and the angelic spectators will rejoice and welcome you in. One angel at the gate actually represents the entire angelic realm. In Luke 15:10 the Lord Jesus said, "There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting." When we believed in the Lord Jesus, when we repented and called on His precious name, we probably did not realize that there was a myriad of angels in heaven "clapping their hands" and rejoicing. (CWWL, 1984, vol. 3, "God's New Testament Economy," pp. 438-439)
Further Reading: CWWL, 1984, vol. 3, "God's New Testament Economy," chs. 34-35