Revelation 21:15

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

And {G2532} he that talked {G2980} with {G3326} me {G1700} had {G2192} a golden {G5552} reed {G2563} to {G2443} measure {G3354} the city {G4172}, and {G2532} the gates {G4440} thereof {G846}, and {G2532} the wall {G5038} thereof {G846}.

The angel speaking with me had a gold measuring-rod with which to measure the city, its gates and its wall.

The angel who spoke with me had a golden measuring rod to measure the city and its gates and walls.

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

Context

Revelation 21:15 is part of John's awe-inspiring vision of the New Jerusalem, which descends from heaven after the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. This specific verse follows the grand declaration of God dwelling with humanity (Revelation 21:3) and the description of the city's radiant glory in Revelation 21:11. The immediate preceding verses introduce the angel who is showing John these things, inviting him to see "the bride, the Lamb's wife," which is identified as the holy city, New Jerusalem. The act of measuring signifies the meticulous preparation and divine order of this eternal dwelling place.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Precision and Order: The angel's use of a "golden reed to measure" highlights God's meticulous nature and the perfect, intentional design of the New Jerusalem. Nothing in God's eternal plan is arbitrary; it is built with divine precision and order. This contrasts with the chaos and imperfection of the earthly realm.
  • Purity and Preciousness: The "golden reed" itself symbolizes the purity, value, and divine origin of the measurements and, by extension, the city itself. Gold is consistently used in Revelation to denote holiness, royalty, and incomparable worth.
  • Completeness and Security: Measuring the city, its gates, and its wall underscores its completeness, stability, and impenetrable security. The dimensions, which are revealed in subsequent verses, will signify its perfect symmetry and capacity to accommodate all of God's redeemed people.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: This scene echoes earlier prophetic visions of measuring sacred spaces, such as the temple in Ezekiel 40:3, where an angel with a measuring rod details a future temple. It also recalls the measuring of the temple in Revelation 11:1, connecting this ultimate city to God's continued architectural plans for His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "golden reed" translates from the Greek kalamos chrysous (κάλαμος χρυσοῦς). Kalamos refers to a reed, often used as a measuring rod or writing implement. The adjective chrysous (golden) emphasizes its preciousness and divine nature, distinguishing it from any ordinary earthly tool. This detail reinforces the idea that the measuring is not for human understanding of construction, but for divine certification of perfection and holiness.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound assurance and hope to believers. The detailed measuring of the New Jerusalem signifies:

  • God's Meticulous Care: It assures us that God's plans for our eternal future are not vague or unplanned, but precisely designed with incredible care and attention to detail. This future city is a prepared place for a prepared people.
  • Security and Stability: The emphasis on measuring the city, its gates, and its wall provides a sense of ultimate security and permanence. Believers can rest assured that their eternal home is perfectly secure and impervious to evil.
  • A Future of Order and Beauty: In a world often marked by disorder and decay, the vision of the New Jerusalem's perfect dimensions reminds us of God's ultimate intention to establish perfect order, beauty, and peace in His eternal kingdom. It is a tangible promise of a glorious future that awaits those who follow Christ.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Zechariah 2:1

    ¶ I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

  • Revelation 11:1

    ¶ And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

  • Revelation 11:2

    But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months.

  • Ezekiel 41:1

    ¶ Afterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, [which was] the breadth of the tabernacle.

  • Ezekiel 41:5

    After he measured the wall of the house, six cubits; and the breadth of [every] side chamber, four cubits, round about the house on every side.

  • Exodus 40:3

    And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

  • Exodus 40:5

    And thou shalt set the altar of gold for the incense before the ark of the testimony, and put the hanging of the door to the tabernacle.

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