Revelation 21
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Now- This is a transitional statement, this is also chronological.
New- This is pointing us to after the millennial kingdom. On a new earth, the new heaven does not refer to Gods dwelling but the atmosphere and outer space, because according to vs 23 there will be no sun and moon!
Also- This is just one of a few details of the new earth that we are told about, no sea!
Then-Transition statement moving from the aspects of the new earth to talking about Jerusalem.
the holy city- In chapter 11 Jer. Is called Sodom, but here it is a holy city, it is not the same one!
New-See above
coming down-This Jerusalem is not being created but is already created.
from God- This is not man made but God created it.
prepared as a bride- this is not referring to the church saints, it is talking about its beauty.
heard a loud voice- This term is used 20 times in this book, this is the last time, this is not the voice of God.
God Himself-This is a personal connection, not someone doing it for God but God doing. Personal relationship.
shall be no more- Death, sorrow, Crying. Eternal life, no thinking of the lost, no crying.
have passed away- The reason these has passed away is because the world has been destroyed with fire, and God created a new heaven and earth.
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”
6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
He who sat- This is Christ
Said– It is done, meaning all that has been promised is accomplished. He is eternal A-Z
Write- John is told to bear witness so that others can read about who Christ is and how it will end
I will give- This is not physical but a spiritual filling
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
Then-This is a transitional statement.
Come, I will show you – Now that he has a little info about the new Jerusalem he will be shown it, not in person but in the spirit.
Bride-This is not the church but again a description of beauty
having the glory of God-In Ezekial 10:18 the Glory of God leaves earth and here it is returned.
was like-This is just describing its beauty as a precious stone
12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.-
Also- A contuinuatuion about Jerusalem
She- This is still Jerusalem
twelve gates- Shows accessibility,
names written on them- 12 tribes of Israel (even in eternity Israel is special)
14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
a gold reed- A tool to measure. 10 feet in length
twelve thousand furlongs-1400 miles
one hundred and forty-four cubits- that is 216 feet thick
according to the measure of a man- Though the angle was using a heavenly tool, it was converted to mans specifications.
22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
23-24 The relationship with God is a personal one, no need for a temple, we can go directly to God, his glory shone all around providing light.
Saved- This is a place for believers in eternity.
24-26 this was an ancient practice where kings and nations would bring their wealth and glory to the greatest king. Pss. 68:29; 72:10–11; Isa. 60
First Baptist Church Delmar 