Revelation 21:9

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} there came {G2064} unto {G4314} me {G3165} one of {G1520} the seven {G2033} angels {G32} which {G3588} had {G2192} the seven {G2033} vials {G5357} full {G1073} of the seven {G2033} last {G2078} plagues {G4127}, and {G2532} talked {G2980} with {G3326} me {G1700}, saying {G3004}, Come hither {G1204}, I will shew {G1166} thee {G4671} the bride {G3565}, the Lamb's {G721} wife {G1135}.

Complete Jewish Bible

One of the seven angels having the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues approached me and said, “Come! I will show you the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb.”

Berean Standard Bible

Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

American Standard Version

And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Revelation 21:9 serves as a pivotal transition within John's grand apocalyptic vision, moving from the sweeping panorama of the new heaven and new earth to an intimate unveiling of God's eternal dwelling place with His redeemed people. Here, an angel, previously instrumental in executing divine judgment, now extends an invitation to behold the profound spiritual reality of "the bride, the Lamb's wife," symbolizing the ultimate union between Christ and His Church.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the majestic description of the [new heaven and new earth](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1 - The New Creation") and the declaration that God's dwelling is now with humanity, where all sorrow, pain, and death are eternally abolished ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Death")). The appearance of one of the seven plague-bearing angels is highly significant. These angels were previously seen pouring out God's wrath upon the earth, culminating in the judgment of "Babylon the Great," the harlot ([Revelation 17:1](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1 - Judgment of the Great Harlot")). Now, the same angelic agency shifts from judgment to revelation, inviting John to behold the antithesis of the harlot: the pure and glorious "bride," who will subsequently be revealed as the [New Jerusalem](/revelation/21-10 "Revelation 21:10 - The Holy City Descends"), descending from God. This juxtaposition underscores the stark contrast between the fallen world and the redeemed creation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** John's vision is deeply rooted in Jewish apocalyptic tradition, which often employs rich symbolism and angelic mediation to convey divine truths about the end times. The imagery of a "bride" and "wife" resonates with ancient Near Eastern and Jewish marriage customs, where a bride was meticulously prepared and adorned for her wedding day, signifying purity, covenant, and a lifelong union. Furthermore, the Old Testament frequently portrays Israel as God's bride, often depicted as unfaithful (e.g., [Ezekiel 16](/ezekiel/16 "Ezekiel 16 - Jerusalem as an Unfaithful Wife"), [Hosea 2](/hosea/2 "Hosea 2 - Israel's Unfaithfulness and Restoration")), but also promised future restoration and renewed covenant fidelity. This background enriches the understanding of "the Lamb's wife" as God's redeemed people, now perfectly faithful and united with their divine Bridegroom.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes emerging from [Revelation 21:9](/revelation/21-9 "Revelation 21:9 - The Bride, the Lamb's Wife") include **Divine Revelation and Guidance**, as the angel's invitation, "Come hither, I will shew thee," emphasizes that understanding these profound eschatological truths is a direct gift from God, mediated through His heavenly messengers. This signifies a guided tour into the deepest realities of God's eternal plan. Central to the verse is the theme of **The Bride, the Lamb's Wife**, which is the ultimate metaphorical identity unveiled. In biblical typology, the bride consistently represents God's covenant people. Here, "the Lamb's wife" unequivocally refers to the Church, the collective body of believers purified and redeemed by Christ's sacrificial work. This imagery speaks of an intimate, eternal, and unbreakable union between Christ and His people, a concept echoed in passages like [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church"). Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Preparation for the New Jerusalem**, as the subsequent verses ([Revelation 21:10-27](/revelation/21-10-27 "Revelation 21:10-27 - Description of the New Jerusalem")) reveal that this bride is none other than the [Holy City, New Jerusalem](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The Holy City, New Jerusalem"), descending from God out of heaven. This profound identification signifies that the Church, as the community of redeemed believers, is ultimately God's dwelling place, beautifully adorned and prepared for His eternal presence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **shew (Greek, _deiknýō'_):** This verb (G1166) means "to show (literally or figuratively)." In this context, it signifies a divine act of revealing profound spiritual truth. The angel is not merely pointing out something visible, but unveiling a deep mystery—the identity and glory of the Lamb's wife—which requires spiritual insight to comprehend. This highlights the revelatory nature of John's vision and the divine initiative in communicating ultimate realities.
* **bride (Greek, _nýmphē'_):** The term (G3565) refers to "a young married woman (as veiled), including a betrothed girl; by implication, a son's wife." This word evokes imagery of purity, beauty, and the anticipation of a joyous union. In biblical thought, the bride is prepared, adorned, and presented to her husband, symbolizing the Church's sanctification and readiness for eternal fellowship with Christ. It speaks of a covenant relationship marked by intimacy and faithfulness.
* **Lamb (Greek, _arníon'_):** This diminutive noun (G721), meaning "a lambkin," is a consistent and powerful title for Jesus Christ throughout the Book of Revelation. It profoundly emphasizes His sacrificial, redemptive role as the innocent Lamb of God who was slain to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). The "Lamb's wife" therefore underscores that the Church's identity, purity, and very existence are entirely dependent on the atoning work of Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues":** This opening clause immediately establishes a crucial link between God's judgment and His ultimate redemptive plan. The angel's identity is significant: he is not a new messenger, but one who previously executed God's wrath. This continuity implies that the judgments were not arbitrary but purposeful, clearing the way for the new creation and the revelation of the Bride. It emphasizes that divine judgment is a necessary precursor to the establishment of God's eternal kingdom and the blessed state of His redeemed people.
* **"and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee":** This phrase highlights the personal and guided nature of John's vision. The angel engages John directly, extending a clear invitation ("Come hither") and promising a profound revelation ("I will shew thee"). This signifies that the understanding of these eschatological truths is a divine gift, not something John discovers on his own. It also serves as an invitation to the reader, drawing them into the vision and preparing them for the glorious unveiling that follows.
* **"the bride, the Lamb's wife":** This climactic declaration is the central focus of the verse. The double designation—"the bride" and "the Lamb's wife"—serves to emphasize and clarify the identity of this glorious entity. "Bride" points to her preparation, purity, and the anticipation of union, while "Lamb's wife" underscores the consummated covenant, the intimacy of the relationship, and the fact that her identity is wholly derived from her union with the sacrificial Lamb, Jesus Christ. This imagery encapsulates the Church's ultimate destiny: an eternal, intimate, and loving relationship with her Redeemer.

#### Literary Devices
Revelation 21:9 is rich in **Symbolism**. The angel, previously associated with the "seven vials full of the seven last plagues," symbolizes the continuity of God's divine plan, where judgment on evil precedes the establishment of the new creation. The "bride" is a powerful symbol for the Church, the collective body of God's redeemed people, while the "Lamb" is the consistent and profound symbol for Jesus Christ, emphasizing His sacrificial work. The verse also employs **Contrast**, setting the pure and glorious "bride" in direct opposition to "Babylon the Great, the harlot" ([Revelation 17:1](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1 - The Great Harlot")), a theme that runs throughout Revelation. This contrast highlights the purity and faithfulness of God's people versus the corruption and idolatry of the world system. Furthermore, the subsequent identification of the bride with the New Jerusalem in [Revelation 21:10](/revelation/21-10 "Revelation 21:10 - The New Jerusalem Descends") can be seen as a form of **Personification**, where the city itself is imbued with the characteristics of a person, specifically a beautifully adorned bride, emphasizing its living, spiritual nature as the dwelling place of God's people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 21:9 unveils the glorious culmination of God's redemptive history, presenting the Church as "the bride, the Lamb's wife." This imagery draws deeply from Old Testament covenant theology, where God repeatedly described Israel as His bride, albeit often unfaithful. In the New Testament, this metaphor is fully realized and perfected in Christ and His Church. The Church's identity as the Lamb's wife signifies an intimate, unbreakable, and eternal covenant union with Christ, made possible only through His sacrificial death as the Lamb of God. This union is not merely a legal status but a profound spiritual reality, reflecting Christ's purifying love and His commitment to His people. It speaks to the Church's purity, holiness, and readiness for eternal fellowship, a state achieved not by human merit but by divine grace and Christ's perfecting work. The vision assures believers of their ultimate destiny: to dwell eternally in perfect union with their Savior.

* [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ's Love for the Church")
* [2 Corinthians 11:2](/2_corinthians/11-2 "Betrothed to Christ")
* [Hosea 2:19-20](/hosea/2-19-20 "God's Covenant with Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 21:9 offers profound comfort and a powerful vision of hope for believers. To understand ourselves as part of "the bride, the Lamb's wife" is to grasp our ultimate identity and destiny: an eternal, intimate, and glorious union with Jesus Christ. This truth should inspire us to live lives of purity, devotion, and faithfulness, eagerly anticipating the consummation of God's redemptive plan. It reminds us that the Church, despite its present imperfections, is precious in God's sight, the object of Christ's unwavering love and sacrifice. This future reality calls us to a present holiness, motivating us to strive for greater conformity to Christ's image and to cherish our fellowship with fellow believers, recognizing that we are all part of this one glorious Bride. It transforms our perspective on suffering and challenges, knowing that our ultimate inheritance is an unbreakable bond with our divine Bridegroom in the new creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding yourself as part of "the bride, the Lamb's wife" shape your view of your identity and purpose?**
* **In what ways can believers individually and collectively live out the purity and devotion expected of the Lamb's wife today?**
* **How does the promise of intimate union with Christ in the new creation strengthen your hope and resilience in the face of present challenges?**

### FAQ
**Who is the angel in this verse, and why is his presence significant?**

Answer: The angel in Revelation 21:9 is identified as "one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues." This is highly significant because it connects the culmination of God's judgments with the unveiling of His eternal kingdom and the blessed state of His redeemed people. Previously, this angel was an agent of divine wrath, pouring out the [final plagues on the earth](/revelation/15-7 "Revelation 15:7 - The Seven Last Plagues") and participating in the judgment of "Babylon the Great," the harlot ([Revelation 17:1](/revelation/17-1 "Revelation 17:1 - Judgment of the Great Harlot")). Now, the same angel shifts roles, becoming a guide to reveal the pure "bride." This transition underscores that God's judgments are not arbitrary but serve to clear the way for the establishment of His righteous and glorious new creation, where His people, the Church, are presented in their perfected state.

**What does "the bride, the Lamb's wife" represent?**

Answer: "The bride, the Lamb's wife" is a profound biblical metaphor primarily representing the Church, the collective body of all who have been redeemed by the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. This imagery emphasizes the intimate, covenantal, and eternal union between Christ and His people. It portrays the Church as purified, adorned, and prepared for eternal fellowship with her divine Bridegroom. While the immediate context of [Revelation 21:10](/revelation/21-10 "Revelation 21:10 - The New Jerusalem Descends") identifies this bride with the [Holy City, the New Jerusalem](/revelation/21-2 "The Holy City, New Jerusalem"), this does not mean the bride is a literal city, but rather that the New Jerusalem is the dwelling place and embodiment of the redeemed community—the Church—in its perfected, glorified state. It signifies that God's ultimate dwelling place is with His people, who are themselves the beautifully adorned city.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 21:9 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus as the ultimate Bridegroom who secures and purifies His Church, presenting her to Himself as "the bride, the Lamb's wife." This imagery echoes Old Testament prophecies where God promised to restore His covenant relationship with Israel, often depicted as His unfaithful bride. In Christ, this promise is perfectly realized, not merely for Israel but for all who believe, forming the universal Church. Jesus, as the "Lamb" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice, shedding His blood to cleanse and sanctify His people, making them spotless and pure, worthy to be His bride ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Christ's Love for the Church")). His love for the Church is so immense that He gave Himself up for her, just as a husband loves his wife. The vision of the "Lamb's wife" in the new creation is the glorious consummation of Christ's redemptive work, fulfilling His promise to return and take His people to be with Him forever ([John 14:3](/john/14-3 "John 14:3 - Jesus Promises to Return")). It is the ultimate expression of His faithfulness, power, and love, where He, the divine Bridegroom, finally dwells in perfect, intimate union with His redeemed people for all eternity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Revelation 19:7

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 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.

Revelation 17:1

¶ And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Revelation 16:1

¶ And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

Revelation 16:17

¶ And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.

Revelation 15:1

¶ And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.

Revelation 15:7

And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.