Introduction

• Revelation chapter 20 described the 1000 years of Satan’s imprisonment on earth which was void of human life
• It also described the resurrection of the wicked, their attempt to capture the Holy City and their final eternal destruction in the lake of fire
• Revelation chapter 21 continues the story
• Satan and his angels are now destroyed forever
• And God is about to remake the earth and move His center of the universe from heaven to the new earth

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:1

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:”

• New: Greek “kainos” means new in quality, not worn or marred
• This is a recreation; a forming new of existing elements as opposed to new elements (“ex nihilo”)
• The old earth and old heaven will be changed

 “for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away”

• The former imperfect world will disappear
• The first heaven and earth will be remade into a new heaven and earth

“and there was no more sea.”

• Sea here does not represent people
• Here the sea is literal just as the heaven and earth are literal
• Apparently, the sea as we know it will no longer exist

 

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 21:2

“saw the holy city,”

• This city is holy because of God’s presence

“new Jerusalem”

• Greek “kainos” means new in quality or kind

“coming down from God out of heaven”

• This city was built by God
• This city is seen “coming down” which means that it was created in heaven for the saved and did not originate on earth

• This is where the redeemed have lived for the past 1000 years
• This is where God had prepared mansions for His redeemed (John 14:1-3)

“prepared”

• The word used here suggests that God had begun the preparations in the past and that they were now complete

 “as a bride”

• The city is described “as a bride”
• This refers back to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7)

“Adorned”

• Greek: “kosmeo” means “to arrange”; “to furnish”; “to adorn”  The English word cosmetics comes from this word.

 

 

 

• The Greek here suggests that this process had been started in the past and is now complete

“for her husband.”

• Her husband is the Lamb (Rev. 19:7)      

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:3

“And I heard a great voice out of heaven”

• This is probably not God’s voice since God is spoken of in the third person in this verse
• This great voice is emphasizing the great change: God is moving His residence

“Behold, the tabernacle of God”

• Tabernacle: Greek “skene” means “tent” or “booth” or “tabernacle”
• This is God’s dwelling place

 “is with men”

• Three times in this chapter John describes the fact that God is now going to dwell with man

“he will dwell with them,”

• God is moving heaven (God’s dwelling place) to earth

“they shall be his people,”

• God will now have a special relationship with mankind

 “God himself shall be with them, and be their God.”

• Mankind will now have a special relationship with God
• God is going to live with mankind!

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:4

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;”

• In the past God has kept track of our tears (Psalms 56:8)
• Now God will remove all tears from the saved (Isa. 25:8; 65:19)

“there shall be no more death,”

• Literally; “the death shall be no longer”
• This means death will never again occur (I Cor. 15:54)
• Death was thrown in the lake of fire (eternally destroyed) (Rev. 20:14)
• This also means that there will be no more sin since death is the result of sin

“neither sorrow, nor crying”

• All sorrow (grief) will be gone
• There will be no more crying

“neither shall there be any more pain”

• All pain will also be gone in the New Earth

“for the former things are passed away.”

• “the former things” refers to those things which bear the marks of sin
• The prior worries are gone (jobs, food, family, etc.)
• The prior concerns about lost loved ones are gone

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:5

“And he that sat upon the throne said,”

• This probably refers to the Father (Rev. 4:2) however, some suggest it refers to Jesus (Matt. 25:31)
• “Behold,”
• This word is used to emphasize the following announcement

 “I make all things new”

• “all things”: nothing will be left of the original curse
• “new”: in kind and quality

“And he said unto me, Write”

• John is told again to record what he hears and sees (Rev. 1:11,19; 2:1; 14:13, etc.)

 “for these words are true and faithful”

• God is trustworthy and true
• God is faithful
• This is God’s answer to the great controversy: God is trustworthy (Satan claimed God was not fair and not trustworthy)

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:6

“And he said unto me, It is done”

• Literally: “it has come to pass”
• This same phrase announced the 2^nd Coming (Rev. 16:17)
• This phrase means that God has completed His work: sin is gone and the new world is here

 “I am Alpha and Omega,”

• Jesus is the First and the Last (see Rev. 1:8)

“the beginning and the end.”

• Jesus is the Beginning and the End
• Jesus is the sum total of life and salvation
• “I will give unto him that is athirst”
• “athirst” refers to those who desire God’s spiritual riches not the world’s riches

“of the fountain”

• Jesus is the Fountain or Spring of Life (John 4:14; Rev. 7:17; 22:17)

“of the water of life”

• This is the water which wells “up to eternal life” (John 4:14)
• “of life”: that is “water which is life itself”
• This is the promise of immortality (I Cor. 15:53)

 “freely.”

• This eternal life is given “freely”
• This water is purchased “without money” (Isaiah 55:1)
• This water was purchased with Jesus blood

 

Revelation 21:7

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

 

Revelation 21:7

“He that overcometh”

• The Greek meaning is to “continuosly conquer” or to “keep on winning”
• This means he may fall but he keeps on getting up and trying again (I John 2:1)

“shall inherit all things”

• Probably better translated “these things” referring to the promises of Revelation

“I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

• This was part of God’s promise to Abraham (Gen. 17:7 and to David (II Sam. 7:14)

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:8

“But”

• John is now told who will not inherit these promises

“the fearful”

• Greek: “deiloi” means “cowardly”
• Many will give up when trials come (Matt 24:13) especially in the last days

 “unbelieving”

• Those whose faith failed or never believed
• Those who believed in the false Christ

“the abominable”

• Greek: “bdelusso” means “to make foul” or “to detest” ;verb form “to stink”;
• This refers to the detestable
• Satan is the “abomination” because he makes God’s plan of salvation foul (based on works) and pretends to be Christ at the end

 “murderers”

• This includes those who killed God’s people

“whoremongers”

• Greek “pornos” means “fornicators” or “harlots”
• Refers to their willingness to follow false gods which is spiritual adultery

 “sorcerers”

• Greek: “pharmakoi” which means “practicers of magical arts”
• Sorcery refers to magic, enchantment, and the use of drugs to produce a stupefied condition (thus the word pharmacy)
• Spiritualism is the modern day counterpart to sorcery

 “idolaters”

• Those who worship idols or false gods
• In the last days this will include all who worship the false Christ

“all liars,”

• This includes all those who preach false doctrines including the false Christ

 “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:”

• All of those on this list will experience the lake of fire and brimstone, which means they will experience eternal death

“which is the second death.”

• The second death is the lake of fire and brimstone and is eternal death

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:9

“one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues,”

• This is one of the seven angels with the 7 last plagues, possibly the same angel that showed John the judgment of Babylon (Rev. 17:1)
• Babylon, the city, represented evil and its rewards
• John will now get to see the reward of the righteous
• The New Jerusalem represents righteousness and its rewards

 “I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.”

• John will now see “the bride” (Rev. 19:7; 21:2)
• “the bride” is the New Jerusalem
• “the bride” is “the Lamb’s wife”

 

Revelation 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,

 

Revelation 21:10

“away in the spirit”

• This phrase means John was taken “in a trance” or “in vision”

“to a great and high mountain”

• This mountain needs to be “high” in order for John to see this huge city!

 “that great city, the holy Jerusalem,”

This is one of the “great” cities of Revelation (see Rev. 11:8; 16:19; 17:18; 18:21)

“descending out of heaven from God,”

• John now sees the New Jerusalem descend out of heaven
• God built this city in heaven for His redeemed and now is going to relocate it to the new earth

 

 

Revelation 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;

 

Revelation 21:11

“Having the glory of God”

• This refers to God’s abiding presence with His people throughout eternity

“her light”

• Greek “phoster” meaning “a luminary” or “a light giving body”
• The city gives off light because God is dwelling there

 “was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone”

• Jasper: Greek “iaspis” was a stone similar to our jasper but more translucent with less color, here suggesting a light shining

“clear as crystal;”

• Crystal: Greek “krustallizo” meaning “to flash forth light” or “to scintillate”
• The city was like a shining light

 

Revelation 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:

 

Revelation 21:12

“And had a wall great and high,”

• Some suggest that there was not really a wall because walls are not needed in the New Earth
• However, John describes a wall which he should recognize!
• Also God’s New Jerusalem may be multi-leveled and a wall might define the edges
• Also gates make no sense without walls!

“had twelve gates,”

• This description parallels Ezekiel 48:31-34

“at the gates twelve angels,”

• These angels are the heavenly gate keepers

“names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:”

• This description also parallels Ezekiel 48:31-34 (compare with Revelation 7:4-8)

 

Revelation 21:13

On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

 

Revelation 21:13

“On the east three gates”

• There are 3 gates on each wall of the city
• The city is square (Rev. 21:16)
• John’s list of gates again parallels Ezekiel’s but in a different sequence
• John’s sequence: east, north, south, west
• Ezekiel’s sequence: north, east, south, west

 

Revelation 21:14

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

 

Revelation 21:14

“the wall of the city had twelve foundations”

• The number 12 appears 5 times in Revelation 21:12-14

“in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

• The New Testament church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:20)

 

 

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.

 

Revelation 21:15

“had a golden reed to measure the city”

• The angel now is seen with a measuring rod which will be used to measure the city (see Zech. 2:1,2)
• In Revelation 11:1 the temple, the altar, and God’s people are measured which related to the investigative judgment and who would be God’s people
• Now the dwelling place of God’s people is measured

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:16

“And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth”

• The city is square

“twelve thousand furlongs”

• A furlong (stadion) is about 606 ½ feet (approximately 1/8 mile)
• 12,000 furlongs is about 1,378 miles
• This probably represents the circumference, since that is how cities were measured in John’s day

 “twelve thousand furlongs”

• If this is the city’s circumference then each side is about 344 ½ miles long
• Note: an English furlong is longer than this stadion (furlong) and would make the circumference about 1500 miles

 “The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.”

• Greek “isos” means equal
• Some scholars think that “isos” here means proportional (that the city will be in the proper proportions)
• Many people think that the city could not be this high based on our current atmosphere
• However, we must remember that this is also going to be God’s home and we should not limit our perceptions based on our current knowledge

• The most important issue here is that there is plenty of room for all of God’s people

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:17

“And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits,”

• The angel now measures the wall
• The wall is 144 “cubits”
• 144 is 12 times 12 and is seen in Revelation chapter 7 where this number is probably symbolic
• Cubits in the New Testament were about 17 ½ inches, therefore, 144 cubits was about 210 feet
• This may be the thickness of the wall since not stated

 “according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.”

• This phrase suggests that the measurements made may not be man made
• If these are angelic measurements then the exact size will remain unknown until we get to see it!

 

Revelation 21:18

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

 

Revelation 21:18

“And the building of the wall of it”

• Building: Greek “endomesis” meaning “a building in” which suggests that the jasper is inset or inlaid into the wall

“it was of jasper”

• Jasper: Greek “iaspis” here describing a translucent stone similar to jasper

 “the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass”

• The city is built of pure gold
• This gold is translucent like clear glass
• This gold will let light shine thru and probably changes color depending on the light

 

 

Revelation 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;

 

Revelation 21:19

“And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones.”

• Garnished: Greek “kosmeo” meaning  ‘to adorn”
• The foundations were adorned with precious stones

“The first foundation was jasper”

• This jasper was translucent

“the second, sapphire;”

• Sapphire here is possibly lapis lazuli, a translucent sky blue stone

“the third, a chalcedony;”

• This stone is uncertain, possibly agate which is a green stone

“the fourth, an emerald”

• This is a gem of bright green color

 

Revelation 21:20

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

 

Revelation 21:20

“The fifth, sardonyx;”

• This may be onyx, a stone with red and brown layers and a white background

 “the sixth, sardius”

• This may be carnelian, a reddish colored gem

“the seventh, chrysolyte”

• Literally: “a golden stone”  This is a yellow colored stone of uncertain identification

 “the eighth, beryl”

• Beryl is a gem of sea green color

“the ninth, a topaz”

• This is a transparent yellow stone

“the tenth, a chrysoprasus”

• This may be an apple green transparent stone

 “the eleventh, a jacinth”

• This is probably a purple colored gem, possibly sapphire

“the twelfth, an amethyst.”

• Probably a purple colored gem

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:21

“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl:”

• Each gate was one pearl!
• These are unbelievably huge pearls
• The presence of gates suggests the walls are real

 “the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.”

• God’s people will walk on gold
• This gold is transparent: which is symbolic of God’s approach to His creatures
• God wants us to know Him
• The investigative judgment is an example of God revealing His actions to the universe

 

Revelation 21:22

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

 

Revelation 21:22

“And I saw no temple therein:”

• Temple: Greek “naos”  This word refers to the Holy and Most Holy Places in the Sanctuary
• This word refers to where God dwells
• The Greek “hieron” refers to the entire sanctuary and its other buildings (Rev. 3:12; Luke 2:46)
• God will no longer need a separate building to represent His dwelling

 “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.”

• God and the Lamb are now the temple of the New Jerusalem
• God will dwell with His people!
• Jesus was homeless on earth and now His home will be earth!

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:23

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it”

• The New Jerusalem will not require the sun or the moon
• The city will have a new light source

“for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

• God’s glory will light the city

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:24

“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:”

• This is a description of the redeemed from every nation (Rev. 7:9)

“and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.”

• This is similar to Isaiah 60:11 where the kings bring their wealth to Zion

 

Revelation 21:25

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

 

Revelation 21:25

“And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day”

• This city will be open all the time (no night)

“for there shall be no night there.”

• The gates of many cities were closed at night
• There will be no night!

 

Revelation 21:26

And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

 

Revelation 21:26

“And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.”

• This again refers to Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa. 60:11)
• The redeemed will bring their gifts to God and their gifts will be glory and honor to God

 

Revelation 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.

 

Revelation 21:27

“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth,”

• This is a reference to Isaiah 52:1
• No sin is going to defile this city: this should be compared to the city of Babylon (Rev. 18:2)

“neither whatsoever worketh abomination,”

• Abomination refers to that which makes foul or detestable
• This city will not be inhabited by any abomination including the abomination that makes desolate (Satan)

“maketh a lie”

• No liar will exist in heaven since they have all been made new (redeemed are changed)
• Also the father of liars will not be there

 “but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.”

• Only those who are written in the Lamb’s book will be living in this city
• This book of life is the Lamb Slain’s scroll (Rev.5:6,7; 13:8)
• This refers to the ancient practice of listing all the residents of a city in a book or scroll

 

Summary

• Revelation chapter 21 begins with a description of the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God to the New Earth
• The righteous saved have just spent the past 1000 years in heaven and just witnessed the destruction of the wicked (Revelation chapter 20)
• God is now heard promising to wipe away all tears, death, and pain and that He will dwell with mankind
• Next John is shown the Lamb’s Bride which is the New Jerusalem
• This city will have 12 gates: 3 gates on each side
• Each gate will have the name of one of the 12 tribes (see Rev. 7:5-8)
• Each gate will have an angel gatekeeper
• There will be 12 foundations for the walls which will have the names of the 12 apostles written on them
• The city will be square and 12,000 furlongs around which is about 344 miles on a side
• Its wall will be about 210 feet wide
• The city’s wall will be made of jasper and will be transparent
• Its gates will each be a single pearl
• The city’s foundations will be made up of 12 different stones, all of which will  probably be transparent
• The city will not require a temple since God is going to dwell with His people
• The city will not require a sun or moon since God’s glory will light it up
• There will be no night in this city since God’s glory never fades
• Its gates will never be closed and no evil will ever enter it
• It will never experience the abomination that its earthly counterpart experienced
• This city will be inhabited by those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life
• This city will be inhabited by those who successfully complete the investigative judgment by relying on the blood of the Lamb