Revelation 21:2

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 {G2532} I {G1473} John {G2491} saw {G1492} the holy {G40} city {G4172}, new {G2537} Jerusalem {G2419}, coming down {G2597} from {G575} God {G2316} out of {G1537} heaven {G3772}, prepared {G2090} as {G5613} a bride {G3565} adorned {G2885} for her {G846} husband {G435}.

Also I saw the holy city, New Yerushalayim, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

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

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

Commentary

Context of Revelation 21:2

Revelation 21 marks a pivotal shift in John's apocalyptic vision, moving from judgments and conflicts to the glorious culmination of God's redemptive plan. Following the defeat of evil and the final judgment, this chapter introduces the new heaven and new earth. Verse 2 specifically describes the arrival of the "holy city, new Jerusalem," serving as the eternal dwelling place for God's redeemed people and the ultimate realization of His covenant promises.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Origin and Purity: The phrase "coming down from God out of heaven" emphasizes that the new Jerusalem is not a human construct but a divine creation. Its designation as the "holy city" highlights its perfect purity and sacredness, untainted by earthly sin or corruption. This signifies God's initiative in establishing His eternal kingdom and dwelling place.
  • The Church as the Bride of Christ: The powerful imagery of the city "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" is a profound biblical metaphor. In New Testament prophecy, the Church—the collective body of believers—is often portrayed as the Bride of Christ. This verse beautifully depicts the Church's readiness, beauty, and intimate union with Christ in the eternal state, having been purified and made glorious through His redemptive work.
  • God's Eternal Dwelling Place: The arrival of the new Jerusalem signifies the ultimate fulfillment of God's desire to dwell intimately with His people. This theme is further elaborated in Revelation 21:3, where it explicitly states that God's tabernacle will be with humanity, marking the end of separation and the beginning of perfect communion.

Linguistic Insights

The term "holy city" (Greek: hagia polis) underscores its consecrated and set-apart nature. The "new Jerusalem" uses the Greek word kainos for "new," which implies newness in quality, not just in time. It's a qualitatively superior, fresh, and unprecedented city, distinct from the old, earthly Jerusalem. The word "adorned" (Greek: kekosmemenēn) suggests being exquisitely arranged and decorated, emphasizing the splendor and readiness of the bride for her husband.

Practical Application

Revelation 21:2 offers immense hope and comfort to believers, painting a vivid picture of our eternal destiny. This vision assures us that a perfect, pure dwelling place awaits, where God will fully reside with His people. It encourages us to live lives of purity and anticipation, knowing that our ultimate home is not of this world but is a divine, prepared gift. It reminds us that our present struggles are temporary, and a glorious, eternal union with Christ awaits, where we will be perfectly united with Him, like a bride with her husband, in the splendor of the new creation.

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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 11:10 (19 votes)

    For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.

  • Revelation 3:12 (17 votes)

    Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

  • Revelation 21:10 (16 votes)

    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,

  • Isaiah 61:10 (12 votes)

    ¶ I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels.

  • Hebrews 13:14 (11 votes)

    For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

  • Revelation 19:7 (8 votes)

    Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

  • Revelation 19:8 (8 votes)

    And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.