Revelation Chapter 21

Revelation Chapter 21

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Introduction: Revelation Chapter 21 is next to the last chapter in the Bible. It contains a description of the new heavens and the new earth followed by an even more vivid description of the new Jerusalem.

I. The New Heaven and the New Earth

Rev 21:1 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.

The preceding chapter concluded with the end of the Millennium and the Great White Throne Judgment. The earth has served its purpose and time seems to end as we know it. John saw a new heaven and a new earth: The first heaven and the first earth were passed away. There was no more sea.

John provides no details as to the demise of the present universe. Some details are mentioned in II Peter 3: 10,12. However, it seems clear the earth is destroyed. Less clear is to what degree the heavens are destroyed and recreated. The word translated as heaven (ouranov ouranos) most commonly refers to the immediate sky above—the atmospheric and perhaps the stellar heavens.

The fact John refers to the “first heaven” lends credence to the atmospheric heaven which was commonly thought by the ancients to be the ‘first heaven.’ That seems to be a given. Whether the galactic heavens or even the third heaven— the dwelling of God—is included is not clear. I believe the 1st and 2nd heavens were tainted by man and were the object of God’s handy work. The next verse refers to the new Jerusalem “coming down from God out of heaven” implying the third heaven remained.

If the view be that God recreates all new, including the third heaven, it would be because the entire universe has been tainted by sin, especially the earth and its atmosphere which through the ages has been the realm of the devil. To a lessor degree, Satan has influenced even the third heaven whence he rebelled against God. What an infinitely more beautiful place the new heaven and earth will be! The final comment of there being “no more sea” is enigmatic. It may be that in the new earth, there will be no oceans. The first earth had no ocean until the flood.

The word translated as sea (yalassa thalassa), though referring to the sea in general, also referred specifically to the Mediterranean Sea. It may be the thought is that there will be no Mediterranean Sea in that day. However, the former view is more likely. What is about to follow is a description of the eternal state, the eternal kingdom of God, and what we would generically refer to as ‘heaven.’ It will include not only the dwelling place of God (i.e., heaven) but also a new paradise-like earth. The following two chapters will focus on this blessed place and time.

Rev 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.

Rev 21:3 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.

The capital city of heaven and earth, the new Jerusalem, is about to be described. It interestingly is depicted as “coming down from God out of heaven.” Clearly, the new Jerusalem was ‘constructed’ by God in heaven. It then descends from heaven to the new earth. In metaphor likely not coincidental, the new Jerusalem is described as being “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Verses 9-10 make clear the new Jerusalem is the abode of the Lamb’s wife—the church.

Jesus said, “in my Father’s house are many mansions.” These likely are in the new Jerusalem. As a bride presents herself to her husband in the beauty and purity of an exquisite white gown, the new Jerusalem likewise is described—dazzlingly beautiful and pure. As the dimensions of the city are described later in the chapter, some have surmised that it hovers just above the new earth as its eternal capital city. It will be the abode of God the Father and the Son. See 21:22-23.

Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

Rev 21:23 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.

John records the profound announcement he thereafter heard. “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.” Unclear is the time of this announcement. Was it to John as he witnessed things to come? Or, did he hear it as it was announced as the new Jerusalem descended? If the latter be the case, implied is that there still is a place called heaven in addition to the new Jerusalem.

The alternative is that heaven and earth will be essentially one in that day with the new Jerusalem being the capital of both. The announcement from ‘heaven’ makes clear, however, that the “tabernacle of God” then will be with men. Implied is that there will be human civilization in the new earth apart from the glorified church and resurrected Israel.

The alternate view is that the men so mentioned are the redeemed of the ages now in heaven. In any event, in that day, God “will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” Clearly implied is the intimacy, union, and fellowship with God which will exist in that day which we today only know afar off.

Rev 21:4 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.

Rev 21:5 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.

Heaven as we think of it today—there are tears, for God will wipe them away. It may be that the redeemed of the ages witness the Great White Throne Judgment recently past. In those awesome proceedings, many a loved one and friend will be cast into the lake of fire. That will undoubtedly provoke tears. (See also Revelation 7:17 and Isaiah 25:8.)

Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

The great and tender mercy of God will, in that day, wipe away all tears. Come the new Jerusalem, there will no longer be death. Sin will be a thing of the past. Therefore, death will no longer exist. The victory was won at Christ’s resurrection. Now the reality of that victory will altogether come to pass.

In like fashion, there will be no “sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” Because sin is a thing of the past, all its bitter results— sorrow, pain, and death—no longer exist. What a day that will be! See also Isaiah 65:17. There the prophet indicates that even the former things—sin and all its acrimonious aftermath—will no longer even come to mind.

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

In Verse 5, we find that in that day, God will make everything new. John accordingly was directed to so write for what he had heard indeed was “true and faithful.”

Rev 21:6 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.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

The voice from heaven said unto John, “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” That voice, first noted in verse 3, clearly is Jesus Christ. See also Revelation 1:8. Our Lord returns to a spiritual metaphor found throughout the Scripture—the water of life. See Isaiah 55:1, John 4:10, Revelation 7:17, 22:1, and 17.

Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

He Himself is that blessed spiritual water and freely gives this living water to them that thirst. It is the essence of the spiritual life available only in Him.

In fashion similar to the promises made to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3, in verse 7 Jesus pledges, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” The message is directed back to this present age with the promise that as God’s people in this life overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil; in that day, they will inherit all things.

Implied is that sin in this life may neutralize or negate the fullness of rewards in that day. Moreover, Jesus promised as we are altogether victorious in our Christian life now, He will be our God and we His sons then. Implied is the fullness of blessing, both now and then, for faithfully overcoming the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Rev 21:8 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.

In contrast, our Lord summarizes how that 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. Those who reject Christ, as summarized in the litany of sin above, can look forward rather to the destiny of the lake of fire.

The word translated as fearful (deilov deilos) is somewhat obscure in its sense. On the one hand it may refer to those who are ‘dreadful.’ Yet, it also can have the sense of ‘cowardice.’ If the former is the case, it certainly fits the flow of the context as one who is violent or wicked. On the other hand, if the latter sense is intended, it may refer to those who in cowardice never turned to Christ. That will especially be the case for some in the Tribulation who would otherwise pay with their lives for turning to Christ. The cowards will not be so afflicted.

The list of typical sins of those rejecting Christ are further summarized as unbelievers and abominable. The word so translated (bdelussw bdelusso) has the sense of the ‘abhorent.’ It essentially refers to the wicked. Other typical types of sinners are enumerated in “murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters.” The word translated as sorcerers (farmakeuv pharmakeus), though literally referring to drug usage, ultimately refers to the occult.

In ancient times occultic practices utilized hallucinogenic drugs as part of their rituals. The world and its wicked practices are summarized in the preceding. Our Lord included a final category lest one admit to none of the above. That is “all liars.” Even as it takes only one murder to make a murderer, it takes only one lie to make a liar. There is no soul ever to set foot on this earth who has not lied.

The point of our Lord is clear. All are guilty. It makes no difference if their sin has been the more obvious or blatant or the more subtle and hidden, such as lying. All outside of Christ will find their destiny “in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

After having summarized the glories of the new Jerusalem and heaven, our Lord also summarizes the end for those who remain in their sin of whatever degree it might be. It is the second death and the lake of fire. The alternatives are clear.

II. The New Jerusalem

Rev 21:9 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.

Rev 21:10 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,

One of the seven angels, which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues talked with me saying, “come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” The Lamb’s bride, of course, is none other than the churches redeemed, triumphant, and glorified in heaven. Our blessed assembly in that day will be as the bride of Christ.

The perspective here clearly is from the earth in verse 10. The angel carried John away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed him the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Lest there be any doubt, the new Jerusalem (also noted as great and holy) is the abode of the Lamb’s bride.

We today are a part of that great body to someday be assembled in heaven as the bride of Christ. What a privilege that will be. John once’s again describes this blessed city “descending out of heaven from God.” The following text will describe the magnificence thereof.

Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

John continues describing the new Jerusalem as having the glory of God. The concept of glory throughout the Scripture particularly as it pertains to God is that of brilliant light. The New Jerusalem is brilliant in its radiance as it descends from heaven. To say that it will be a city of brilliant light is accurate. Moreover, the light of the city will “like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.”

Jasper as a gemstone is not linked to one particular hue or color, but is found in a rainbow of hues. The greater clue is that the jasper light of the city is “clear as crystal.” What may be in mind is the brilliance of pure diamond. On the one hand, it is clear as crystal, and yet as light passes through it, there is a rainbow of hues refracted like from a prism. That may be what John has in mind in so referring to the light of the new Jerusalem. The glory of God is refracted from within as the light of a great diamond.

Rev 21:12 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:

Rev 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

John continues to describe the city. It 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: New Jerusalem will be a city with a massive wall. It will be square in its configuration with three gates on each side. At each gate will be an angel and apparently each gate will have the name of one of the tribes of Israel inscribed above it. That is of interest in as much as the new Jerusalem is the abode of the church.

Though not specified, a clear connection between the church and Israel is implied. Indeed, the church is built upon the historical and theological foundation laid in Old Testament Israel. The church was born out of Judaism and empowered to fulfill God’s Will on the day of Pentecost.

III. The City Has 12 Foundations

Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

In related fashion, the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. The Apostle Paul noted in Ephesians 2:20 that the church is built upon the foundation of the apostles with Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone. Accordingly, the foundations of the wall of the new Jerusalem will have twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles written therein. The thought may be of twelve courses (or consecutive layers) of foundation stones. These will be enumerated more specifically in verses 19-20.

Rev 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

Rev 21:16 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.

John records how the angel proceeded to measure the city as a land surveyor might do. The angel that spoke with John had a golden reed and used it to measure the city, the gates, and the walls. Recall from chapter 11 how ‘reeds’ were an ancient device of measure used by land surveyors. It would be comparable to a yardstick, though much longer. The angel found that 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.

The city was a tetragon (or a square) in its shape. John found it to be “twelve thousand furlongs.” The word translated as furlongs (stadion stadion) was a Greek unit of measure. It was thought variously to be 582 feet in length, 600 feet, or the eighth of a Roman mile. For practical purposes, a stadion approximates 600 feet. That translates into somewhere between about 1,350 to 1,500 miles depending upon which unit of measure is assumed for one stadion.

What is not clear is if the twelve thousand stadions are the length of one side of the city or of the circumference of the whole. Traditional, dispensational interpretation has leaned toward the former. However, the thought of one surveying the size of the city might lend itself to the latter. In which case, the city would be somewhere between 325 to 350 miles on a side depending again upon the unit of measure assumed for a stadion.

Others suggest these numbers are merely intended to indicate the massiveness of the city rather than specific dimensions. However, the fact John measured and came up with these dimensions mitigates against such a view. In any event, the city will be massive, larger than any city this world has ever seen. John goes on to note that the “length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.”

Much speculation regarding the shape of the city has been made. Some have assumed it to be a cube, others a pyramid. Either of those thoughts may in fact be so. However, it rather may be also that ‘skyscraper’ type of buildings in the city extend to heights equal to the length thereof with the resultant irregular ‘skyline’ most cities have. That likely is the thought John is conveying. Certainly, with the exception of John, eye hath not seen the things which God has prepared for them that love Him. What a magnificent, beautiful place it will be.

Rev 21:17 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.

Rev 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

John continued to note that he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Again, the dimension specified is not clear. It may be of the height of the wall or conceivably its width. More likely however is the height of the wall. In any event, the measure will be 144 cubits or about 216 feet. That is about twenty stories. That is small compared to the overall height of the city, but very high as far as city walls have ever been.

Though John is involved and used human measure, it is apparent he is assisted by the angel accompanying him. Once again, the number twelve is apparent as the square root of 144. This apparently related to the names of the twelve apostles found on the foundation of the wall. Apparently, each course or layer of the wall was 12 cubits—presumably in height.

In verse 18, we find that not only was the city likened unto jasper, the wall itself was described the same. Another description of the city is added. The greater city itself is likened to “pure gold, like unto clear glass.” The thought is of gold so pure it is virtually transparent. The city radiates with not only the light of diamond emanating from the glory of God within but also of radiant gold. What a sight it will be!

Rev 21:19 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;

Rev 21:20 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.

John goes on to describe the foundations of the wall of the city being garnished with all manner of precious stones. The word translated as garnished (kosmew kosmeo) has the sense of ‘adorned’ or ‘beautified.’ The thought is not that the foundation of the wall was studded with numerous little gemstones, but rather that each of the courses of the foundation were made up of massive transparent (or translucent) blocks of the gemstones noted below.

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. The twelve courses (layers) of the foundation of the wall are enumerated as twelve different types of gemstones. Each of these stones are of varying hues of the rainbow. There often has been more than one hue historically assigned to each gem mentioned. But collectively, they represent the colors of the rainbow from transparent reds, to transparent yellows, to transparent greens, to transparent blues and purples. There is no doubt our God will have these stones arranged and designed to perfection.

IV. Twelve Gates Are Made of Pearl

Rev 21:21 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.

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl. The thought is how each of the twelve gates will be one massive pearl. The size of the gates of the city are not noted. However, in perspective of the greater city, they must be massive as well. John then records the street of the city was pure gold, as if it were transparent glass.

Of interest is that the word street is singular. The word so translated (plateia) plateia literally refers to a broad way, hence a street. In ancient cities, it was not uncommon for there to be one ‘main’ street through the city going from one side to the other. That may be what is described here.

Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

Rev 21:23 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.

Whereas to this point, John’s description has been almost entirely of the exterior of the city, he now gives some description of its interior. “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”

In new Jerusalem, the capital city of the eternal kingdom and what we generally call ‘heaven,’ there is no temple. We are told that “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”

In my book reading this past week, I was reading the book “Total Commitment to Christ” by A. W. Tozer. It is a tremendous book. Mr. Tozer explains that the problem many churches today see Christ as great, but they want to add a PLUS to Christ. It is Christ and Christ alone. No works save us. (Eph 2:8-9) No baptismal waters are needed. No name on a church role. Jesus and Jesus alone is what our focus should be. God has declared that Christ, His Son, is sufficient. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6 declares). Jesus Christ is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and Redemption. Let us never add to Christ. It is He and He alone that provides our salvation and our faith.

Back to the lesson, it is of interest is the literal sense of the word translated as temple (naovnaos). Its simplest sense is ‘the dwelling place of God.’ The new Jerusalem itself is the dwelling place of God and the Lamb. Hence, no separate temple will exist. Because the Godhead will be resident in the city, the brilliance of their light infiltrates the entire city such that there no longer will be a need of the sun or moon to shine in it.

The fact is that God Himself illuminates it and the Lamb is the light thereof. Because of the transparent properties of the city, the glory of their light passes through it. Indeed, Jesus will be the light of the world in that day.

Rev 21:24 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.

Once again, the clear indication that there will be human civilization on the new earth is at hand. John writes of the “nations of the earth” in that day. Implied is that there will be ongoing human life in the new earth. One can only speculate as to how they are placed on the new earth. These are comprised of the family of God which includes Redeemed Israel.

These nations have kings and they bring their glory and honor into the new Jerusalem in evident worship of their great God. One thing is for sure. There will be no sin or corruption in that blessed, eternal, new earth. Truly the conditions of paradise will exist in that day and forever and ever thereafter.

Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

The gates of New Jerusalem will not be shut at all by day: there will be no night there. In ancient walled cities, the gates were closed at night as a defense against attack from without. However, in that day, the gates will never be closed, indicating the eternal peace which will reign. Furthermore, there will no longer be night then. Implied therein is that there will no longer be any need for rest and therefore no weariness.

Our great God will present a world that is perfect it its entirety. Mention is made again that the very gates of the city will be entrances for the glory and honor of the nations to be brought in worship of the King. The fact the nations are described as having glory and honor themselves bespeaks the prosperity and greatness of the civilization in that day.

Rev 21:27 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.

Finally, John makes clear the reason for the greatness of the eternal kingdom.

“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.” No sin will be present. None of the corruptive, defiling aspects of sin will exist in that day.

Only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life will populate the new earth.

Only those redeemed by the blood of the Lamb with a holy and pure nature will be present. All sin and sinners were consigned to the lake of fire at the end of the sin-riddled old earth. Henceforth, the glory and honor of that age will remain undefiled unto the ages.

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Prov 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

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