The Atlas of Cities
Search

Heavenly City · 35 parts

The story of Jesus

The Gospel is the good news of Jesus. In this imagined city, each of the 35 places tells one part of his story, in order, in the Bible's own words with chapter and verse. Read one part a day, or the whole story at once.

Start with part 1 See the city map

1. The promise

God makes a good world, people turn away from him, and God promises a rescuer.

  1. Part 1 · Tree of lifeIn the beginningRead it: Genesis 1–3
  2. Part 2 · Rainbow pavilionA promise from GodRead it: Genesis 9:13 and Isaiah 9:6

2. Jesus is born

An angel brings the news, and God's Son is born in Bethlehem.

  1. Part 3 · Angel statueThe angel's messageRead it: Luke 1:26–38
  2. Part 4 · Welcome hallNo room in the innRead it: Luke 2:1–7
  3. Part 5 · Bell towerGood news of great joyRead it: Luke 2:8–20
  4. Part 6 · Palace of lightThe star and the kingRead it: Matthew 2:1–12

3. Growing up

Jesus grows up in Nazareth and is baptized in the Jordan River.

  1. Part 7 · Hall of wisdomIn his Father's houseRead it: Luke 2:41–52
  2. Part 8 · Dove statueThe dove and the voiceRead it: Matthew 3:13–17

4. Jesus begins his work

His first sign, his first followers and good news for everyone.

  1. Part 9 · Garden villaWater into wineRead it: John 2:1–11
  2. Part 10 · Lamp towerA visitor at nightRead it: John 3:1–21
  3. Part 11 · Fountain of lifeLiving waterRead it: John 4:5–42
  4. Part 12 · Scroll libraryGood news for the poorRead it: Luke 4:16–22
  5. Part 13 · Swan boatFishers of peopleRead it: Luke 5:1–11

5. Jesus teaches

The Sermon on the Mount: how to live, how to pray and how to trust God.

  1. Part 14 · Lantern circleThe light of the worldRead it: Matthew 5:1–16
  2. Part 15 · School of wisdomTeach us to prayRead it: Matthew 6:9–13
  3. Part 16 · Lily gardenDo not worryRead it: Matthew 6:19–34
  4. Part 17 · Light craneThe wise builderRead it: Matthew 7:24–29

6. Jesus heals and welcomes

Healing, feeding, welcoming children and finding the lost.

  1. Part 18 · Spring poolGet up and walkRead it: John 5:1–9
  2. Part 19 · Sharing pavilionFive loaves and two fishRead it: John 6:1–14
  3. Part 20 · Marble cottageLet the children comeRead it: Mark 10:13–16
  4. Part 21 · Golden trackThe father who ranRead it: Luke 15:11–32
  5. Part 22 · Hall of treasuresZacchaeusRead it: Luke 19:1–10

7. The last week

Jesus rides into Jerusalem, shares a last supper and is arrested.

  1. Part 23 · Donkey with fruitThe King on a donkeyRead it: Matthew 21:1–11
  2. Part 24 · Banquet hallThe last supperRead it: Luke 22:14–20
  3. Part 25 · House of many roomsThe way to the FatherRead it: John 14:1–6
  4. Part 26 · Prayer chapelIn the garden at nightRead it: Mark 14:32–50
  5. Part 27 · Victors' arenaA crown of thornsRead it: John 18:28–19:16

8. The cross and the empty tomb

Jesus dies on the cross, and on the third day he rises again.

  1. Part 28 · Sky bridgeThe crossRead it: Luke 23:32–47
  2. Part 29 · Building materialsThe stone rolled awayRead it: Matthew 27:57–28:8
  3. Part 30 · Garden of lightI have seen the Lord!Read it: John 20:11–18

9. The good news spreads

Jesus goes up into heaven, and his followers carry the good news to the world.

  1. Part 31 · Cloud islandUp into heavenRead it: Acts 1:3–11
  2. Part 32 · Golden chariotGood news on the roadRead it: Acts 8:26–39
  3. Part 33 · Harp workshopSongs at midnightRead it: Acts 16:22–34

10. Everything new

Jesus will come again, and God will make all things new.

  1. Part 34 · Cloud carriageComing with the cloudsRead it: Acts 1:10–11
  2. Part 35 · Pearl gateEverything newRead it: Revelation 21–22

Bible quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible, which is in the public domain. The city and its art are imagined; the story is told as the Bible tells it.