Revelation21

John beholds a new heaven and a new earth, with the holy city, New Jerusalem, descending from God. A divine voice declares God's dwelling among humanity, where all tears, death, sorrow, and pain are abolished. The One on the throne proclaims the making of all things new, offering eternal life to the faithful and warning of the second death for the unrighteous.

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The New Heaven and New Earth

¶ And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The Glory of the Holy City

¶ And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

And had a wall great and high, 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:

On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

God and the Lamb Are the Temple

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Study Notes for Revelation 21

Verse 1

Echoing Isaiah 65:17, the new creation signifies a radical transformation and purification of the cosmos, not necessarily annihilation. The absence of the sea, often symbolizing chaos and evil in apocalyptic literature (cf. Rev 13:1), emphasizes total peace and order.

Verse 2

The New Jerusalem represents the perfected community of God’s people (the Church), descending from God as a gift. It is prepared 'as a bride,' symbolizing purity, beauty, and intimate union with Christ, the Lamb.

Verse 3

This declaration fulfills the core promise of the Old Covenant—God dwelling among his people (Exodus 25:8). This is the ultimate realization of Emmanuel (“God with us”), establishing permanent, personal fellowship.

Verse 4

This promise of the removal of tears, death, sorrow, and pain is a complete reversal of the curse of the Fall (Genesis 3). It underscores the total restoration of *shalom* (peace and well-being) in the eternal state.

Verse 5

The one sitting on the throne (God) declares His sovereign power to bring about this radical renewal. John is commanded to write these words down, emphasizing their absolute truth and dependability for the persecuted believers.

Verse 6

'It is done' (Gk. *Gegonen*) confirms the finality and completion of God's redemptive plan. The title 'Alpha and Omega' affirms God’s eternal sovereignty over all time and history.

Verse 7

The 'overcomer' is a consistent theme throughout Revelation (chapters 2 and 3), referring to those who maintain faithfulness to Christ despite the pressures of persecution and apostasy.

Verse 8

This list contrasts the destiny of the faithful with those who fail to persevere. The 'fearful' (those who lack faith and prioritize safety over fidelity) are listed first, indicating that unbelief is the root sin leading to exclusion.

Verse 9

The guiding angel is one who previously executed judgment (vial plagues), showing that the same divine authority that brings justice also reveals ultimate salvation. The city is identified as 'the Bride,' confirming that the people of God and their dwelling are one unified reality.

Verse 14

The twelve foundations (apostles) and the twelve gates (tribes of Israel) confirm the continuity of God's covenant history, uniting the redeemed people of the Old and New Covenants into one perfect community.

Verse 16

The city’s dimensions are a perfect cube, mirroring the shape of the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament temple (1 Kings 6:20). This signifies that the entire city is consecrated space where God dwells fully and completely. The massive size (12,000 furlongs) emphasizes its perfection and vastness.

Verse 17

The wall measurement (144 cubits, or 12x12) symbolizes the perfection of the people of God. The measure is 'of a man, that is, of the angel,' indicating that the divine standard of perfection applies to humanity.

Verse 19

The use of twelve distinct precious stones for the foundations echoes the breastplate of the High Priest (Exodus 28:15–21), symbolizing God’s people being borne before Him in holiness and radiance.

Verse 22

The absence of a physical temple signifies that God’s presence is no longer localized or mediated by rituals or structures. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb themselves provide immediate, constant access and presence.

Verse 23

God’s glory replaces all natural light sources (cf. Isaiah 60:19). The Lamb is identified as the light, linking this vision to Christ's self-declaration as the light of the world (John 8:12).

Verse 24

This verse emphasizes the universal scope of salvation. The nations and their kings bring their honor into the city, signifying that the New Jerusalem is the spiritual center for all redeemed humanity.

Verse 27

The city’s gates are always open (v. 25), yet its purity is absolute; nothing sinful or defiling may enter. The only qualification for citizenship is having one’s name recorded in the Lamb's book of life, emphasizing divine grace and election.

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Revelation21

The New Heaven and New Earth

The Glory of the Holy City

God and the Lamb Are the Temple

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