Hi Mike,
I believe all of creation was created, operates and is held together by very deliberate and precise mathematical equations of perfaction, and is a big part of scripture and prophecy as well. It reminds me of what Ray said about scripture, it's all one thing or leads to one thing, if I'm remembering correctly.
I was doing a study on the Glory of God, which to be honest, connects to literally everything in scripture as I've learned, and the New Jerusalem is no exception.
I take notes because I'm always moving forward in understanding as we all are. I'll share some of my research and what I think I understand thus far.
I've come to understand the prophecy rests in the number 12,000, which means glorified divine. Essentially, each of the 12 gates, 12 tribes, and 12 apostles are represented by a thousand. The number 1000 means the glory of God, so this suggests that the 12 tribes and apostles are showing forth the glory of God.
Paul tells us in Rom. 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” The original sinner was Adam, who died at the age of 930 (Gen. 5:5). He fell short of the glory of God by 70 years, and so also 70 is the number of Restoration (to the glory of God). How are we to be restored to God’s glory? We must enter one of the 12 gates; we must become Israelites (“join” a tribe) through one of the tribes of Israel represented by the gates; and we must have faith in the word that was preached by the apostles, the gatekeepers.
My understanding at this time, is the prophetic picture implied by the 12 gates and the perimeter of the walls is that the city itself contains the glory of God, and is governed by the law of God—which David said was “perfect, restoring the soul” in Psalm 19:7. All who enter are restored to the glory of God, which is their inheritance.
The Concordant Version of Rev. 21:17 reads,
17 And he measures its wall of a hundred forty-four cubits of a human measure, which is that of the messenger [angel].
The NASB says that the wall was “seventy-two yards,” which I think hides the underlying prophecy in the biblical numbers. The number 144 is what Scripture sets forth as being important, though in this case even 72 can be seen as part of the revelation I think, because it is half of 144. Did John set forth the number 144 in order to identify the walls with the 144,000—the resurrected overcomers having the glory of God? I know there is much more, and it all connects and rests with the perfection and greatness of God's Glory.