Revelation Chapter 21
In Revelation 21 and 22, we see SEVEN NEW THINGS.
1st. The New Heaven
2nd. The New Earth
1 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."
John gives us a threefold description of the citizens of the city.
They are God's people (vv. 1-5). The first heaven and earth were prepared for the first man and woman and their descendants. God had readied everything for them when He placed them in the Garden. Unfortunately, our first parents sinned, ushering death and decay into God's beautiful world. Creation is in bondage and travail (Rom 8:18-23), and even the heavens "are not clean in His sight" (Job 15:15).
God has promised His people a new heaven and earth (Isa 65:17; 66:22). The old creation must make way for the new creation if God is to be glorified. Jesus called this event "the regeneration" of the earth (Matt 19:28), and Peter explained it as a cleansing and renewing by fire (2 Peter 3:10-13). Bible students are not agreed as to whether the old elements will be renewed or whether the old will be destroyed and a whole new creation ushered in. The fact that the Greek word translated new means "new in character" (Rev 21:1,5) may lend credence to the former explanation.
"No more sea" does not mean "no more water." It simply indicates that the new earth will have a different arrangement as far as water is concerned. Three fourths of our globe consists of water, but this won't be the case in the eternal state. In John's day, the sea meant danger, storms, and separation (John himself was on an island at the time!); so perhaps John was giving us more than a geography lesson.
3rd. The New City
Even despite Scripture's description, it is difficult to imagine what the eternal city will be like. John characterizes it as a holy city (see Rev 21:27), a prepared city (see John 14:1-6), and a Beautiful city, as beautiful as a bride on her wedding day. He amplifies these characteristics in Rev 21-22.
But the most important thing about the city is that God dwells there with His people. The Bible gives an interesting record of the dwelling places of God. First, God walked with man in the Garden of Eden. Then He dwelt with Israel in the tabernacle and later the temple. When Israel sinned, God had to depart from those dwellings. Later, Jesus Christ came to earth and "tabernacled" among us (John 1:14). Today, God does not live in man-made temples (Acts 7:48-50), but in the bodies of His people (1 Cor 6:19-20) and in the church (Eph 2:21-22).
In both the tabernacle and the temple, the veil stood between men and God. That veil was torn in two when Jesus died, thus opening a "new and living way" for God's people (Heb 10:19 ff). Even though God dwells in believers today by His Spirit, we still have not begun to understand God or fellowship with Him as we would Like; but one day, we shall dwell in God's presence and enjoy Him forever.
The eternal city is so wonderful that the blest way John found to describe it was by contrast - - "no more." The believers who first read this inspired book must have rejoiced to know that, in heaven, there would be no more pain, tears, sorrow, or death; for many of their number had been tortured and slain. In every age, the hope of heaven has encouraged God's people in times of suffering.
(from The Bible Exposition Commentary)
A minute description of the city representing the happy abode of the redeemed, Rev 21:9-26. This description embraces many particulars:
(1) Its general appearance, Rev 21:11,18,21. It is bright and splendid-like a precious jasper-stone, clear as crystal, and composed of pure gold.
(2) Its walls, Rev 21:12,18. The walls are represented as "great and high," and as composed of "jasper."
(3) Its gates, Rev 21:12-13,21. The gates are twelve in number, three on each side; and are each composed of a single pearl.
(4) Its foundations, Rev 21:14,18-20. There are twelve foundations, corresponding to the number of the apostles of the Lamb. They are all composed of precious stones-jasper, sapphire, chalcedony, emerald, sardonyx, sardius, chrysolite, beryl, topaz, chrysoprasus, jacinth, and amethyst.
(5) Its size; Rev 21:15-17. It is square-the length being as great as the breadth, and its height the same. The extent of each dimension is twelve thousand furlongs-a length on each side and in height of three hundred and seventy-five miles. It would seem, however, that though the "city" was of that height, the "wall" was only a hundred and forty-four cubits, or about two hundred and sixteen feet high. The idea seems to be that the city-the dwellings within it-towered high above the wall that was thrown around it for protection. This is not uncommon in cities that are surrounded by walls.
4th. The New Nations
Rev 21:24 And the NATIONS OF THEM WHICH ARE SAVED (the saved nations) shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
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.
(6) Its light, Rev 21:23-24; 22:5. It has no need of the sun, or of the moon, or of a lamp (Rev 22:5) to lighten it; and yet there is no night there (Rev 22:5), for the glory of God gives light to it.
(7) It is a city without a temple, Rev 21:22. There is no one place in it that is especially sacred, or where the worship of God will be exclusively celebrated. It will be all a temple, and the worship of God will be celebrated in all parts of it.
(8) It is always open, Rev 21:25. There will be no need of closing it as walled cities on earth are closed to keep enemies out, and it will not be shut to prevent those who dwell there from going out and coming in when they please. The inhabitants will not be prisoners, nor will they be in danger, or be alarmed by the prospect of an attack from an enemy.
(9) Its inhabitants will all be pure and holy, Rev 21:27. There will in no wise enter there anything that defiles, or that works abomination, or that is false. They only shall dwell there whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
5th The New River
6th The New Tree of Life
Rev 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Rev 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Its enclosures and environs, Rev 22:1-2. A stream of water, pure as crystal, proceeds from the throne of God and the Lamb. That stream flows through the city, and on its banks is the tree of life constantly bearing fruit-fruit to be partaken of freely. It is Paradise regained-a holy and beautiful abode, of which the garden of Eden was only an imperfect emblem, where there is no prohibition, as there was there, of anything that grows, and where there is no danger of falling into sin.
It is a place free, consequently, from the curse that was pronounced on man when he forfeited the blessings of the first Eden, and when he was driven out from the happy abodes where God had placed him.
It is a place where the righteous shall reign forever, Rev 22:5. Death shall never enter there, and the presence and glory of God shall fill all with peace and joy.
7th The New Throne
Rev 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
Rev 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
Such is an outline of the figurative and glowing description of the future blessedness of the redeemed; the eternal abode of those who shall be saved. It is poetic and emblematical; but it is elevating, and constitutes a beautiful and appropriate close, not only of this single book, but of the whole sacred volume-for to this the saints are everywhere directed to look forward; this is the glorious termination of all the struggles and conflicts of the church; this is the result of the work of redemption in repairing the evils of the fall, and in bringing man to more than the bliss which he lost in Eden. The mind rests with delight on this glorious prospect; the Bible closes, as a revelation from heaven should, in a manner that calms down every anxious feeling; that fills the soul with peace, and that leads the child of God to look forward with bright anticipations, and to say, as John did, "Come, Lord Jesus," Rev 22:20.
(from Barnes' Notes)
CONCLUSION
Rev 22:16-17
16 "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
A Warning – Rev 22:
18 For* I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add* to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away* his part from the Book* of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Thus
ends a comprehensive sequence of end-time events culminating in
judgment for all those who did accept Christ as Saviour and the Son
of God, and Satan being cast into the Lake of Fire.
It did not
cover, Chapters 21 and 22, which deals with the new
Heaven and Earth, the new Jerusalem and the River
of Life. (7 New Things)
(I penned this before "Covid 19" manifested itself in this world. How things have changed since)
Even as we reflect on what has been compiled above, current world events of turmoil in the Middle East, Asia Minor, Northern Africa, and countries to the North of Israel, all point to the probable onset of the End-Times. The emerging role of Turkey and IS/ DAESH is concerning. Many innocent men, women and children are killed daily, Christians being singled out and churches burnt.
Pessimists argue, that in the past during the World Wars, many predicted or prophesied that it was the End times but that never happened. Part of the problem is that men of God tend to predict dates and time which only God knows.
We have to know scripture to apply the signs and season to known when Christ is returning. As I have mentioned earlier the formation of the Jewish nation in 1948 after years of exile, and the 1967 war when Jerusalem was in Jewish hands for the first time in 2,553 years was the start of the countdown. Other signs and events taking place today like Ebola and other incurable diseases; Global Warming; Sunni's killing Shiites; lawlessness; gay marriages; nation rising against nation; love of many going cold; etc. indicate that the time is ripe or at least the signs are there for the Antichrist and False Prophet to emerge. These two will establish as prophesied a Peace Treaty in the troubled Middle East and the horrifying start to the Great Tribulation three and a half years later.
Probably a word of caution for Christians who miss the 'catching-up' or Rapture NOT to ever accept the Mark of the Beast no matter what. They then have hope to receive salvation rather than eternal damnation.
Whether the believers in Christ would be spared the events of the Great Tribulation, by being raptured before or in the middle or after the Tribulation (Pre, Mid or Post), we proclaim that His Grace is sufficient for you and me to herald the Millennial reign of Christ Jesus. Be Blessed
The
Testimony of Jesus:
Rev
22:12-13 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is
with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First
and the Last."
“Even so, come Lord Jesus”
Rev 22:20
To God be all the Glory
