Bible Commentaries
Revelation 21

Verses 1-4

PART FIFTH

THE FINAL ABODE OF THE REDEEMED

Revelation 21:1 to 22:21

SECTION ONE

THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH

Revelation 21:1 to 22:5

1. A VISION OF THE HOLY CITY

Revelation 21:1-4

(In this part brief quotations are made the basis for comments. For the complete text see the top of the pages.)

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.--In this part of the book John presented to the seven churches, and through them to us, the strongest possible incentives to induce faithfulness to God regardless of any kind of opposition. The happiness of the saved is described in imagery beyond the power of human comprehension. In the vision of the judgment he saw the heaven and the earth flee away, because not suitable for the home of the redeemed; here he sees a new heaven and a new earth fitted for our bodies when "conformed to the body of his glory." (Philippians 3:21.) That new heaven and earth will be a state, place, or condition "wherein dwelleth righteousness." (2 Peter 3:13.) This we must take by faith till we see the realities represented by these glorious emblems.

2 The holy city, new Jerusalem.--The scene changes and John's vision is limited to a city. That it should be called "holy" and named the "new Jerusalem" is most natural. That city had been the Jewish capital, spiritually the church had been described as the "city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem" (Hebrews 12:22), and most naturally the final state would be called "the city which bath the foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). City carries the idea of place, but the symbols are so mingled that it is not always easy to distinguish between state and place. The false church is referred to as Babylon and a drunken harlot (Rev 17:5, 6); the true church, as a holy city--Jerusalem--and a pure woman. The glorified church, under the same figure, is called the new Jerusalem and the "wife of the Lamb."

The descending of the city in such glorious form (a part of the vision appearing to John) is likened to a beautiful bride adorned to meet her husband. Clearly this indicates that the church at last will meet the Lord because attired in fine linen bright and pure which is "the righteous acts of the saints." (Revelation 19:8.) The text does not say that the church will become the wife of Christ at that time, but only that her preparation for the Lord's coming will be made with the same care that a bride prepares for her husband-to-be. Spiritually the church is now married to Christ. (Romans 7:4; Ephesians 5:22-32.) A holy city and a beautifully adorned bride figuratively represent the beauty and holiness of the redeemed church. That is the only use here made of the comparisons ; trying to get more out of the text is to misrepresent the record.

For other metaphysical uses of the word "marriage" see notes on Revelation 19:7.

3 Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men.--As usual this announcement of the new state is made from heaven. God's dwelling with men is not a new idea, but doing so in his personal presence is. God's glory filled the tabernacle at Mount Sinai (Exodus 40:34-38); Jesus in the flesh was Immanuel --God with us (Matthew 1:23) in the eternal city the divine presence will be a glorious reality. The statement "they shall be his peoples" does not mean that they will become such at that time, for their entrance into the city depends upon their already being his. (Revelation 22:14; Revelation 7:11.) It means that the relationship will become permanent with no chance for the saved to be lost. "Peoples" plural--probably signifies nothing more than that the glorified church will be composed of those from all nations.

4 Wipe away every tear.--In this verse are mentioned the most satisfying characteristics which make the heavenly state so appealing to people in the flesh. The most distressing and harrowing experiences known to human life are to disappear completely. The glorious body cannot be racked with pain; no incurable disease or death can make the heart cry out in anguish; all the innumerable and sad results attributable to sin will be banished forever, for the "first things are passed away." No appeal could be more tender or comforting than freedom from the ills and troubles of human existence.

Verses 5-8

2. THE INHERITANCE PROMISED

Revelation 21:5-8

5 Write: for these words are faithful and true.---The one sitting on the throne gave John the command to write. Whether Christ or God is not absolutely certain. Verse 6 favors Christ, but verse 7 the other view. The question is really unimportant since Christ and the Father are one; whatever Christ does the Father does through him. The words "Alpha and the Omega" refer to Christ in Revelation 1:18, which is presumptive evidence that they have the same reference here; but these words just as appropriately describe characteristics of God. "All things new" probably include not only the new heaven and earth, but the new method and manner of serving God. In that state the reign will be turned back to the Father. (1 Corinthians 15:24.)

The command may be construed two ways: "Write these things, for they are faithful and true." That is, the speaker was assuring John that what he was to write was the exact truth. Or, write this sentence: "These words are faithful and true." That would be John's guarantee to the readers that he was delivering a true revelation of facts.

6 They are come to pass.--This does not mean that all had happened when John wrote, but all will have come to pass at the time indicated by the symbol. In this vision John was standing before the new Jerusalem, and was speaking from that point of view. All previous symbols had to appear as fulfilled at that time. To those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness" (Matthew 5:6) there will be the privilege of drinking the "water of life freely."

7 He that overcometh shall inherit these things; --This is substantially the same promise made to the seven churches, with the same condition imposed--they must overcome. See chapters 2 and 3. "I will be his God" means I will continue to be.

8 In the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone.--Here we have another brief reference to the abominable characters whose part shall be in the lake of fire. This statement contains another feature of encouragement to him that overcometh namely, he will never again be tormented by their ungodly conduct or brought under the spell of their temptations. He will never tremble in their presence nor be intimidated by their power. From the second death there is no relief.

Verses 9-27

3. THE HOLY CITY DESCRIBED

Revelation 21:9-27

9 And he spake with me.--The speaker here was one of the seven angels that poured out the seven plagues. This final appearance of a plague angel indicates that the visions in 17:1 to 22:5 form a continuous revelation that comes under the period covered by the seven plagues. This, of course, puts the millennium before Christ's personal coming, for the plagues bring us to the judgment. (Revelation 16:17-21.) In this paragraph we have a most graphic description of the final state under the emblem of a glorious city. The vision again mingles the figures--city and wife. See notes on verse 2 and Revelation 19:7. Different figures are sometimes used in close connection to present different features of the same subject. For example, shepherd and door both refer to Christ. (John 10:1-12.) The false church was called a harlot and Babylon (Revelation 17:5-6) ; the true church is then appropriate. represented as a holy city and a true wife.

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high.--In some kind of mental ecstasy John was transported to the mountain and saw the new Jerusalem appear to descend from heaven. This but repeats what is stated in verse 2. That may be a kind of brief introductory expression while verse 10 introduces a detailed description of that city.

11 Having the glory of God.----In the descending city which John saw in the vision there was God's glory; its light was like a precious stone clear as crystal, dazzling bright. Truly an appropriate appearance for the dwelling place of God.

12 Having a wall great and high; having twelve gates.--A great wall indicates that the eternal city of our God will be securely protected--no enemy can ever touch the redeemed again. Angels at the gates carries the same idea of protection or being safely guarded. Possibly there is here an allusion to the Cherubim and flaming sword that protected the tree of life in Eden.(Genesis 3:24.) "Twelve tribes" taken literally and spiritually include God's people in different ages.

13 On the east were three gates.--If there is any spiritual significance in placing three gates on each side, it probably indicates that entrance was open to those from all quarters.

14 Twelve foundations.--Expositors have offered different plans for the arrangement of the twelve foundations, but with nothing to support their views except supposition. It is not a question of enough importance to justify speculation. The simple statement is sufficient. The names of the apostles on the foundations agree with Paul's words in Ephesians 2:20 regarding the church. Occupying a position of authority in the church, it follows that those in the glorified church would be there because of their dependence upon the apostles; or heaven will be peopled with those who have obeyed the apostles, if old enough to be responsible.

15 Had for a measure a golden reed.--He that talked with John was the angel. See verse 9. On the measuring reed see notes on Revelation 11:1. A golden reed corresponds with the grandeur and value of the city. The object of measuring the temple, worship, and worshippers (Revelation 11:1-2) was to enable those in the restoration work to reproduce congregations just as they existed in the apostolic days; here the measurement will show that the eternal city is according to divine plans and spacious enough for all the saved.

16 And the city lieth foursquare.--We should constantly remember that the description we are reading is what John saw in the vision; what it signifies is a different thing. The city which the apostle saw measured was not only foursquare, but was a cube--length, width, and height equal. Again we find commentators disagreed regarding the measurement. All agree that 12,000 furlongs equal 1,500 miles, but the difficulty comes in applying the figures. If the 12,000 furlongs applied to each side of the cube, then the city was 1,500 miles in every direction. But some view the 12,000 furlongs as the distance around the city. If that be correct, then each dimension was 375 miles. In either case, if the city be understood literally, it will be entirely too large to be in Palestine, for the whole country is not that large. That this number should be taken symbolically seems to be unquestionably demanded. Such an enormous city, all beyond human imagination, if taken literally, indicates the ample provisions our God had made for the final home of his obedient children.

17 And he measured the wall thereof.--A wall was necessary to make the vision correspond with cities of that age. It also carries the idea of protection. That would be the significance here unless it is just a part of the symbolic imagery and used only to make the picture harmonious. The whole measurement is in multiples of twelve, which would indicate not only symmetry but perfection. According to the measure of a man evidently means that the reed used was the same length that man would use. Since the vision was for men, the standard measuring lengths had to be used.

18 And the building of the wall thereof.--The wall above the foundations was of jasper--at least, so it appeared to John ; the edifices of the city appeared to be of pure gold, shining with the brilliancy of pure glass. Of course, this description need not be taken literally, but it does show that earth's richest jewels and most precious metals are but symbols of the richness of God's provisions for the saved in heaven. What more compelling inducement could be offered to earth's weary and heavy-laden?

19, 20 The foundations of the wall of the city.--Even the foundations of the wall were adorned with twelve manner of precious stones.

21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls.--Among ancients pearls were considered of the highest value among precious stone because their beauty was entirely natural and without effort of art. Each gate appeared to be of one pearl, possibly because so adorned with them that it had the appearance of being one. The street of the city was pure gold. That literal metals could be meant is true, of course, when we remember the infinite power of God. But as the picture that John saw is clearly symbolical, there is no logical need for saying that what he saw were the real metals and stones. It is enough to meet all the demands of emblematic figures to say that they had the appearance of such objects.

22 And I saw no temple therein.--Under the Jewish system the most holy place of the temple was where God met the high priest, as representative of the people; in the Church--the true tabernacle--all are kings and priests and worship God; it is the place where he meets them spiritually. In the heavenly Jerusalem he will meet the saved personally; there will be no special place for a tabernacle, for the whole city will be the temple; or, in another view, God and the Lamb will be the temple. In 7:15 it says that in the final state we will "serve him day and night in his temple." There is no conflict here, for the presence of God throughout the city makes a temple of it. The most holy place of the Jewish temple was a cube. The holy city being in the same form may suggest the idea that it is a temple. The presence of God and the Lamb is further justification for saying that the whole city will be a temple.

23 And the city hath no need of the sun.--Ordinary cities known to men must have lights both natural and artificial. Not so will it be in the new Jerusalem. The glory of God and the presence of the Christ will be all the light needed.

24 And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof.--Evidently this means that the saved from all nations will be in that city. That is clear from the answer to the question as to who will be there. See Revelation 7:13-15. The prophet said that all nations would flow into the mountain of the Lord's house. (Isaiah 2:2.) The redeemed will come from all nations, but in heaven will be spiritual beings with all national distinctions blotted out. To carry out the same figure kings--the rulers of nations--will bring their honor into it. They will not there be acting as kings, but rather will themselves become subjects to God and give him all the glory that once they received.

25 And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut.--Ancient cities shut their gates by night and opened them by day. In God's eternal city there will be no night, for the glory of God and Christ will give it perpetual light. The open gate is another emblem of security. The closed gate with a guard indicates protection, but the gate open continually shows that nothing harmful will enter.

26 This verse is a repetition of the thought of verse 24.

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything unclean. --This verse is substantially the same in thought as verse 8 with the additional statement that none can enter except those written in the "Lamb's book of life." This is both inclusive and exclusive---encouraging the faithful by the fact that no wicked can enter. Those who desire to enter must be righteous ; in heaven they will be free from vexations due to the sins of men.

LESSON 25.

A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH

Read Revelation 21:1 to Revelation 22:5

1. What appeared after the final judgment? Ans. Revelation 21:1.

2. To what does John compare the new Jerusalem? Ans. Revelation 21:2.

3. What message was proclaimed by a great voice out of the throne? Ans. Revelation 21:3.

4. Name some things that shall pass away. Ans. Revelation 21:4.

5. What did the one on the throne order John to do? Ans. Revelation 21:5.

6. What is promised to those who thirst? to those who overcome? Ans. Revelation 21:6-7.

7. Who shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone? Ans. Revelation 21:8.

8. Who promised to show John the bride, the wife of the Lamb? Ans. Revelation 21:9.

9. Where then was John carried and what did he see? Ans. Revelation 21:10.

10. Describe the new Jerusalem. To what is her light compared? How many gates, where located. and what was written on them? How many foundations and what was written on them? Give the dimensions of the city. Tell of the walls of the city. Ans. Revelation 21:11-18.

11. Name the twelve kinds of stone that composed the wall. Ans. Revelation 21:19-20.

12. Describe the twelve gates and the street. Ans. Revelation 21:21.

13. How was the city lighted? Ans. Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5.

14. Why will the gates of the city never be shut? Ans. Revelation 21:25.

15. What will not enter the city? What will enter? Ans. Revelation 21:27.

16. Give a full description of the river of the water of life. Ans. Revelation 22:1; Revelation 2:17. Whose throne will be in the new Jerusalem? Ans. Revelation 22:3-4.