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."
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."
Observation:
- What did John see?
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.
- The New Heaven,
- The New Earth,
- Rev 21:1a -
Now I saw a new heaven and
a new earth,
- The New Jerusalem.
- Rev 21:2a -
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New
Jerusalem,
- What happened to the first earth and the first heaven?
1b for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
-
What will the new earth miss that we have now?
1c Also there was no more sea.
- How New Jerusalem called as? or What one other way New Jerusalem
was called? or What more attributed to the New Jerusalem?
2a
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New
Jerusalem,
- From where the New Jerusalem coming from?
2b coming down out of heaven from God,
- How did the New Jerusalem looks like?
2c prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
- Where did John hear a loud voice?
3a And I heard a loud voice from heaven
saying,
- What did John hear?
3b "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.
- 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.
- What God will do to His people?
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."
- What did John hear from the one who sat on the throne?
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." 6a And He said to me, "It
is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
Beginning and the End.
- I make all
things new."
- And He said to me, "Write, for these words are
true and faithful."
- And He said to me, "It
is done!
- I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
Beginning and the End.
- What will God give to His people?
6b 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.
- I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely
to him who thirsts.
- He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and
- I will be his God
and he shall be My son.
- Who will not receive these blessings from God?
8a But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars
- Where these will be?
8b shall have
their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death."
Interpretation:
- What did John see?
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.
- The New Heaven,
- The New Earth,
- Rev 21:1a -
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
- The New Jerusalem.
- Rev 21:2a -
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New
Jerusalem,
- Is it not all believers will be in heaven with
God forever? Why did John see these three places?
- Yes, all
believers will be with God
forever. Even though John
did see the new heaven, the new earth and
the new Jerusalem but there may not
be any big separation between the new
Heaven, the new Earth and the new Jerusalem
like how it was before Adam's sin.
God was walking physically and talking with
Adam in the cool of the evening.
- Whether it may be like
continents on earth or far
way between each other but
if we think going
anywhere we will be there
instantly like it
happened to Philip in
Acts 8.
- (DG)
Man has never known a
community unmarred by sin.
Adam and Eve only knew a
limited community, and
community in a larger
context only came long after
the Fall.
- So, this eternal place
contains
- the new heaven,
- the new earth
and
- the new
Jerusalem.
-
Is this a new concept introduced here by God?
- No, God has prophesied about this
long before.
- (John R Rice) The promise to Abraham (Gen 13:15; Gen 17:6-8) and the promise to David (2 Sam 7:10-16) and the promises to all Israel (Ez 37:25-28) make it certain that
this earth itself, the planet, the soil cannot be done away with. God has given many promises concerning it which includes the word forever.
- Gen 13:15
- for all the land which you see I give to you and your
descendants forever.
- Gen 13:6-8 - 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.
7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for
an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. 8 Also
I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger,
all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and
I will be their God."
- 2 Sam 7:10-16 -
10 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that
they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously,
11 since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the Lord tells you that He will make you a house.
12 "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your
seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.
13 He shall build a house for My name, and
I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.
16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever." ' "
- Ez 37:25-28 - 25 Then they shall
dwell in the land that I have given to Jacob My servant, where your fathers dwelt; and
they shall dwell there, they, their children, and their children's children,
forever; and My servant
David shall be their prince forever.
26 Moreover
I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an
everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and
I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore.
27 My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
28 The nations also will know that
I, the Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore." ' "
- (DG) The name Jerusalem gives it continuity with earth, especially
with the place of our redemption.
-
Are these really brand new or renewed?
- (DG) Though some disagree (such as Seiss, who argued passionately that this earth will never be destroyed) we should understand that
this is truly a new heaven and a new earth, not merely a “remade” heaven and earth. We know this because
Jesus said that heaven and earth shall pass away, but His Word would live forever (Luke 21:33). Also, in
Isaiah 65:17 God said prophetically that He will create a new heaven and earth, and
the ancient Hebrew word for “create” (bara) means to “create out of nothing,” instead of re-fashioning existing material.
-
Why will God recreate the new earth?
- The earth needs to be recreated because
- From Adam's sin the earth was polluted
by un-repented sinners.
- The earth was renewed by rebuilding
(Is 61:4)
at the beginning of the 1000 year Millennial
reign of Jesus Christ.
- The earth was also polluted by un-repented sinners
and Satan during 1000 year Millennial period.
- Does the new heaven includes the heaven where God lives?
- In the prophesies God has
clearly given that He will create New
Heavens:
- Isaiah 65:17-19 – 17 For behold, I create
new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for behold, I create a Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.
- Isaiah 66:22 - "For as
the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the Lord, "So shall your descendants and your name remain.
- Make a note that righteousness dwells in the New heaven and the New earth:
- 2 Peter 3:13 – Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
- Yes, new heaven especially
includes the heaven where God dwells now
i.e. 3rd heaven
and it will also include all other two
heavens i.e. earth's atmosphere and
outer space.
- The first heaven is the earth’s atmosphere, the “blue sky.”
- The second heaven is
outer space.
- The third heaven is the place where God lives in glory.
- Why will God recreate the new heavens?
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.
- Heaven is also polluted by Satan’s access even after he was throne out of heaven
- Job 1:6 - Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
- Satan will not be allowed to heaven
until just before the second coming of Jesus Christ. Until this point Satan will keep polluting heaven:
- Rev 12:10 - Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.
- (Jon Courson) Due to the pollution and destruction of our planet, we understand the need for a new earth. But what is the reason for a new heaven? According to
Job 15:15, the heavens are not clean in God’s sight. Why? Because
Satan’s presence has polluted them (Revelation 12:10).
- What happened to the first earth and the first heaven?
1b for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
- How will the earth and the heaven fled or pass away?
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.
- Psalm 102:25-27 – 25 Of old, You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands.
26 They will perish, but You will endure; yes all of them will
grow old like a garment, like a cloak
You will change them, and they will be changed. 27 But You are the same, and Your years will have no end.
- 2 Peter 3:10,11 – 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night,
in which the heavens will pass away
with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
11 Therefore, since
all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
- Where will everyone exist when these changes happen?
- Rev 20:11 – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
- Rev 21:1b - for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. …
- From the beginning of the Final White Throne Judgment till this point everyone will be in the
Space because the heaven and the earth fled away, passed away or destroyed by fire.
-
What will the new earth miss that we have now?
- Rev 21:1c - Also there was no more sea.
- What does “there is no more sea” mean?
- It may be symbolic:
- In the Bible, the sea was a place of separation and evil.
- In the Book of Revelation it is shown to be
- the source of the Satanic beast (Rev 13:1)
- the place of the dead (Rev 20:13)
- many waters represent the evil people who followed the beast (Rev 17:1,15)
- In other passages of Scripture, the sea is associated
with
- the heathen (Isaiah 57:20) and
- in a more general sense, with
the opponents of the Lord that must be conquered (Psalm 89:9).
- Same way in heaven there is no place for evil:
-
Rev 21:8 - 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.“
- Or it may be literal as described in the verse there will be no more sea:
- (WW) “No more sea”
does not mean “no 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.
- Whatever God has over there will be greater than the sea that we see and enjoy right now.
- What was one other way the New Jerusalem called?
2a
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New
Jerusalem,
- Why was New Jerusalem called as the holy city?
2a
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New
Jerusalem,
- (DG) The terms holy
and new distinguish the city. Because
it is holy and new, it is different from any earthly
city.
- Why will God create the holy city New Jerusalem?
- (DG) It is significant that
this glorious dwelling place of God and His people is described as the holy city. Cities are places with many people, and people interacting with each other. This isn’t isolation, but
a perfect community of the people of God.
- Here, in the New Jerusalem, we
have something totally unique: a sinless,
pure, community of righteousness, a holy
city.
- (Hunter) The Christian concept of heaven as a city – a place of life, activity, interest, and people – is very different from Hindu conception of a blank Nirvana. “The consummation of the Christian hope is supremely social. It is no ‘flight of the alone to the Alone’ but life in the redeemed community of heaven.”
- From where the New Jerusalem coming from?
2b coming down out of heaven from God,
- It is coming down from heaven.
- (Jon Courson) Here is
the new capitol of the new creation.
- Why it is coming down from heaven?
- It needs to come down from heaven because
- (DG) Problems arise when believers expect this kind of community now, or fail to realize that it only comes down out of heaven.
This city is not and never can be the achievement of man, but only a gift from God.
- How did the New Jerusalem looks like?
2c prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
- The New Jerusalem is so beautiful like bride
adorned for her husband.
- Rev 21:9-11 - 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.
- (WW) Human history
begins in a Garden and ends in a City that is like a garden
paradise. In the Apostle John's day, Rome
was the admired city; yet God compared it to a
harlot. "That which is highly esteemed
among men is abomination in the sight of God" (Luke
16:15). The eternal city of
God is compared to a beautiful bride (Rev 21:9),
because it is the eternal home for God's beloved
people.
- 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 bride on her wedding day. He
amplifies these characteristics in
Revelation 21-22.
- Where did John hear a loud voice?
3a And I heard a loud voice from heaven
saying,
- What did John hear?
3b "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.
- John hears 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.
- What does these mean?
3b "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.
- These means that God will dwell with His people
forever and ever
- (WW) 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
10:19ff).
- 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.
- (Jon Courson) This speaks of a new communion. Presently, as we partake of the bread and drink of the cup at the Lord’s table,
we long to have close communion with Him. But
Paul was right when he said we only see through a
glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12). In the New Jerusalem, however,
we’ll at last see the visible glory of God. It won’t be fuzzy any longer.
My vision of the Lord won’t be different from yours, for we’ll all be in His presence.
- Now no one has seen God (John 1:18)
but here at this point in time all believers will
see His face:
- Rev 22:4 -
They shall see His face,
and His name shall be on their foreheads.
- This is the reason God created earth first time
but human selfish disobedience spoiled that. Now the
believers are those denied their flesh and followed God
voluntarily as bond slaves. God will enjoy dwelling with His
people.
- God is also fulfilling his promise/prophesy
at this point in time:
- Ezekiel 37:25-28 - 25
Then they shall dwell in the land
that I have given to Jacob My servant,
where your fathers dwelt; and they
shall dwell there, they, their
children, and their children's children,
forever; and My servant
David shall be their prince forever.
26 Moreover I will
make a covenant of peace with them,
and it shall be an everlasting
covenant with them; I will
establish them and multiply them, and
I will set My sanctuary in their
midst forevermore. 27 My tabernacle
also shall be with them; indeed I
will be their God, and they shall be My
people. 28 The
nations also will know that I, the
Lord, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is
in their midst forevermore." ' "
- What will God do to His people?
4a 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,
- God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
- there shall be
- no more death,
[People die (Is 65:20)
during the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ
but not now.]
- nor sorrow,
- nor crying.
- There
shall be no more pain,
- (Jon Courson) “Being with the Lord in a new heaven and new earth sounds wonderful,” you might say.
- “But if my daughter or dad or husband or son isn’t there, won’t I weep eternally?”
- No, because when God creates the new heaven and earth, “the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17). That is, when we get to heaven
we will not have memory of those who aren’t there.
- Rev 22:3a - And there shall be
no more curse,
- (WW) The eternal city is
so wonderful that the best 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.
- What did John hear from our Almighty God who sat on the throne?
4b for the former things have passed away."
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." 6a And He said to me, "It
is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the
Beginning and the End.
- From our Almighty God who sat on the throne John heard:
- for the former things have passed away.
- I make all
things new."
- (Jon Courson) There may be believers about whom you presently say, “I don’t want to spend eternity with her,” or “I don’t want to see him in the mansion next door to mine forever and ever”—but when we get to heaven
we will find ourselves blown away by the very people who bugged us. The
former things are passed away. There will be a
glorious transformation of every believer, for
when we see Jesus we shall all be like Him (1 John 3:2). The things that irritate you now about your spouse or neighbor will be
eradicated in heaven. That is why Paul said, “I know no man after the flesh” (see 2 Corinthians 5:16). The flesh will be absent from heaven.
- And He said to me, "Write, for these words are
true and faithful."
- Whatever God said is
true and He
is faithfully
accomplish it
in His time.
- And He said to me, "It
is done!
- (Jon Courson) “It is done,” is the statement of a carpenter who has completed his work. Two thousand years ago, our Master Carpenter said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” Here in verse 6, He doesn’t say, “The place I prepared is a fixer-upper,” or, “It’s a good starter home,” or, “It’s got charm.” He says, “It is done.”
How many of us have bought our dream house only to say a little while later, “If we knock out a wall there, add another bathroom here, take out this counter, and reshape the patio, this place will be a lot better”? Such will not be the case in heaven. Not one person will say, “This is great—but it could use a skylight or two.…” No, we’ll say, “This was designed perfectly for me. It’s exactly what I’ve been craving but could never articulate. It’s done.”
- I am the Alpha and the
Omega, the
Beginning and the End.
- Who will inherit all things?
7a He who overcomes shall inherit all things,
- Anyone who overcomes the world shall inherit all things, and I will be his God
and he shall be My son.
- How they will overcome the world?
- Those who believe that Jesus is
the Son of God and have faith in Jesus Christ will overcome the world:
- 1 John 5:4-5 - 4
For whatever is born of God
overcomes the world. And this is
the victory that has overcome the world--our
faith. 5 Who is he who
overcomes the world, but he who
believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
- Rev 12:11 -
And they overcame him by the blood
of the Lamb and by the word of their
testimony, and they did not love their lives
to the death.
- (WM) It is He
who blesses the overcomer with total
inheritance and a new intimacy as
between Father and son. As
mentioned previously, an overcomer is one
who believes that Jesus is the Son
of God (1 Jn 5:5). By faith he overcomes the world (1 Jn.
5:4)
- What will they (overcomers) inherit or receive?
- 6b I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely
to him who thirsts.
- God will give of the fountain of the water of life freely
to him who thirsts.
- What is this water of life?
- John 4:7-14
- 7 A woman of
Samaria came to draw water.
Jesus said to her, "Give Me
a drink." 8
For His disciples had gone
away into the city to buy
food. 9
Then the woman of Samaria
said to Him, "How is it that
You, being a Jew, ask a
drink from me, a Samaritan
woman?" For Jews have no
dealings with Samaritans.
10
Jesus answered and said to
her, "If you knew the gift
of God, and who it is who
says to you, 'Give Me a
drink,' you would have asked
Him, and He would
have given you living water."
11
The woman said to Him, "Sir,
You have nothing to draw
with, and the well is deep.
Where then do You get that
living water? 12
Are You greater than our
father Jacob, who gave us
the well, and drank from it
himself, as well as his sons
and his livestock?"
13 Jesus
answered and said to her, "Whoever
drinks of this water will
thirst again, 14
but whoever drinks
of the water that I shall
give him will never thirst.
But the water that I shall
give him will become
in him a fountain of water
springing up into
everlasting life."
- John 7:37-39
- 37 On the
last day, that great day of
the feast, Jesus stood and
cried out, saying, "If
anyone thirsts, let him come
to Me and drink. 38
He who believes in Me,
as the Scripture has said,
out of his heart
will flow rivers of living
water." 39
But this He spoke
concerning the Spirit, whom
those believing in Him would
receive; for the
Holy Spirit was not yet
given, because Jesus was not
yet glorified.
- Is this
water of life is Holy
Spirit?
- No. Since God
and His Spirit is with us
always so it is
the
water of
life flows
at the
middle of
the street
in heaven:
-
Rev 22:1 - And
he showed me a pure river of water
of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding from the throne of God and of the
Lamb.
-
(Jon Courson) There are
three elements essential to any community. Here we see the first: resources.
The water in the city of the new Jerusalem flows freely.
- 7a He who overcomes shall
inherit all things,
- They will inherit all these new things that God
created.
- (Jon Courson) Second, we see
responsibility. The inheritance here is that of a father who’s sharing the family business with his son. Thus, the
inheritance spoken of incorporates not only acquisition but also
administration. That is, in eternity, there will
not only be stuff to acquire but also things to do.
- In Luke 19, Jesus says
if we’re faithful in our responsibilities here on earth, we’ll be given cities to rule over in the ages to come eternally.
- I’m not really into ruling, you might be thinking.
- Listen, the things you really wish you could do here but can’t will, I believe,
be your area of rule, your responsibility in heaven.
- Some of you are master mechanics and find total satisfaction in tearing down and rebuilding an engine.
- Others are authors, artists, or athletes who never seem to have enough time to do what you love because of your responsibilities here on earth.
- I believe those are the very areas with which you will be involved eternally—or else why would God have given you those desires and gifts in the first place?
- Those of you who feel
life has passed you by without your ever being able to do what you really loved—take heart! I believe
the time is coming when you will be ruling in heaven in the very arena that intrigues you here on earth.
- 7b I will be his God and
he shall be My son.
- Totally realize our son ship with almighty God.
Believers in Christ will be experiencing
from the
time they become believer through His Holy Spirit.
- Romans 8:15
For you did not receive the spirit of
bondage again to fear, but you
received the Spirit of adoption by whom we
cry out, "Abba, Father." 16 The
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit
that we are children of God, 17
and if children, then heirs--heirs
of God and joint heirs with
Christ, if indeed we suffer with
Him, that we may also be glorified
together. 18 For I
consider that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared
with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
- (Jon Courson) In addition to resources and responsibility,
there will be a relationship in heaven unlike anything we’ve known on earth. In
John 3:16, we read that God gave us His Son. In Luke 11:13, we read He gives us His Spirit. Here in Revelation 21:7, He gives us Himself.
- Who will not inherit these new things? or Who will not receive these blessings from God?
8a But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars
- Those who did not overcome the world by not
believe that Jesus is the Son of God and have no faith in Jesus Christ will overcome the world.
- (WW) The fearful are
the cowardly, the people who did not have the courage to
stand up for Christ (see Matt.1
10:32-33), The word abominable means
"polluted," and refers to those who indulged in sin
and were thus polluted in mind, spirit, and body (2
Cor. 7:1). The other characteristics mentioned
in Revelation 21:8 need no
special explanation, except to note that
all of them would be true of "the beast's" followers
(note Rev. 17:4, 6; 18:3, 9; 19:2).
- Believers in Christ will not practice these sins
or have this is sinful life style
- Gal 5:21 - 18
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are
not under the law. 19
Now the works of the flesh are evident,
which are: adultery, fornication,
uncleanness, lewdness, 20
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions,
jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish
ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders,
drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of
which I tell you beforehand, just as I also
told you in time past, that those
who practice such things will not inherit
the kingdom of God. 22 But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, 23
gentleness, self-control. Against such there
is no law.
- Where these will be?
8b shall have
their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death."
- These will be in the Hell or the lake of fire:
- Rev 20:14-15 - 14
Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake
of fire. This is the second death.
15 And anyone not
found written in the Book of Life was cast
into the lake of fire.
Summary:
- (WW) God's statements recorded in
Revelation 21:5-6 aptly
summarize these final two chapters: "Behold,
I make all things new .... It is done!"
Application:
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.
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.
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 t 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.
Observation:
- Who talked with John?
9a 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,
- What did the angel say?
9b "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."
- What did the angel do to John?
10a And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and
- What did the angel show to John?
10b showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem,
- Where did the great city, the holy Jerusalem come from?
10c descending out of heaven from God,
- What did that holy Jerusalem has?
- 11 having the glory of God. Her
light was like a most precious stone, like a
jasper stone, clear as crystal.
- 12a Also she had a great and
high wall
- 12b with twelve gates, and
- 12c twelve angels at the gates, and
- 12d 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.
- 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and
- on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- What did the angel have?
15a And he who talked with me had a gold reed
- Why did the angel have the gold reed?
15a to measure the city, its gates, and its
wall.
- How big the city is?
16a The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth.
- 16b And he measured the city with the reed:
- 16c twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are
equal.
- 17a Then he measured its wall:
- 17a one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
- How did the city made of?
- 18a The construction of its
wall was of jasper; and
- 18b the city was
pure gold, like clear glass.
- 19a The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones:
- 19b the first foundation was
jasper, the second sapphire, the third
chalcedony, the fourth
emerald, 20 t 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.
- 21a The twelve gates were twelve
pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl.
- 21b And the street of the city was
pure gold, like transparent glass.
Interpretation:
- Who talked with John?
9a 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,
- What did the angel say?
9b "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."
- What did the angel do to John?
10a And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and
- What did the angel show to John?
10b showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem,
- Where did the great city, the holy Jerusalem come from?
10c descending out of heaven from God,
- Is this a literal city or symbolic?
- (DG) Passages like this make some wonder if the New Jerusalem is a literal place at all. Some suggest that it is really just an
exotic symbol of the Church, the Bride of Christ.
- This heavenly city is
literal, but it is called the bride, the Lamb’s wife because
it is the place where all God’s people are gathered.
- In this sense the New Jerusalem is certainly
like the bride; but this association
doesn’t diminish the reality behind the image. The city is associated with the
bride to awe us with a sense of its
beauty.
- There is no church without
believers same way there cannot be any city
without people. This city consist of “the
bride, the Lamb's wife”. So, it is
beautiful like the bride.
- The great
Babylon city also
described as the
woman on the beast
who are the beast followers
that forms the city.
- Rev 17:18
- And the woman whom
you saw is that great city
which reigns over the kings
of the earth."
- (WW) The eternal city is
not only the home of the bride: it, the bride! A city is not buildings; it is people. The city John saw was
holy and heavenly; in fact, it
descended to earth from heaven, where it was
prepared. John's description staggers the imagination, even accepting the fact that a great deal of symbolism is involved. Heaven is a
real place of glory and beauty, the
perfect home for the Lamb's bride.
- In this city, saints of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant will he united. The twelve gates are identified with the twelve
tribes of Israel, and the twelve foundations with the 12
Apostles (see
Eph. 2:20). Including the tribe of Levi, there were actually thirteen tribes: and. including
Paul. there were thirteen Apostles. When
John listed the tribes in
Revelation 7, both, Dan and Ephraim were omitted, perhaps indicating that we should not press these matters too literally. John is simply assuring us
that all of God's believing people will be included in the city (Heb. 11:39-40).
- What did that holy Jerusalem has?
- 11 having the glory of God. Her
light was like a most precious stone, like a
jasper stone, clear as crystal.
- (WW) We have already noted that "the glory of God" has appeared in different places
throughout history. God's glory dwelt in the
tabernacle and then in the
temple. Today, His glory dwells in
believers and in His church. For all eternity, the glory of God will be
seen in His holy city. It is the
only light the city will need.
- 12a Also she had a great and
high wall
- (WW) The walls and gates speak of
protection. God's people will never have to fear any enemies. Angels at the gates. will act as sentries!
- 12b with twelve gates, and
- 12c twelve angels at the gates, and
- 12d 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.
- 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and
- on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- What did the angel have?
15a And he who talked with me had a gold reed
- Why did the angel have the gold reed?
15a to measure the city, its gates, and its
wall.
- How big the city is?
16a The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth.
- 16b And he measured the city with the reed:
- 16c twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are
equal.
- How much is the furlong?
- A furlong is a measure of distance in imperial units and U.S. customary units equal to
one-eighth of a mile
(0.2 kilometers), equivalent to
220 yards,
660 feet, 40 rods, or 10 chains.
- So, here it is 12,000 furlongs / 8 =
1500 miles (2,400
kilometers) long and wide.
- (DG) This is the same distance from
Maine to Florida; the
square footage would approximate the
size of the moon.
- (L. Morris) “A city of this size is too large for the imagination to take in. John is certainly conveying the idea of splendour.
And, more importantly, that of room for
all.”
- (Henry Morris) guessing that there will have been
100 billion people in the human race through history, and that
20% of them will be saved, calculated that
each person would have a “block” with about 75 acres on each face to call their own. This is highly speculative, but illustrates the point that
there is plenty of room in the New Jerusalem.
- 17a Then he measured its wall:
- 17b one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
- How much is the cubits?
- One cubit is 1.5
feet or 45.72
centimeter.
- So, the wall is 144 * 1.5' = 216
feet.
- How did the city made up of?
- 18a The construction of its
wall was of jasper; and
- 18b the city was
pure gold, like clear glass.
- 19a The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones:
- 19b 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.
- (WW) Building foundations are usually underground, but
these foundations will not only be visible but beautifully garnished with precious stones. Each separate foundation will have its own jewel, and the blending of the colors will be
magnificent as God's light shines through.
No one can be dogmatic about the color of
these gems, and it really does not matter.
- Jasper, as we have seen, is a clear crystal. Sapphire is
a blue stone, and
chalcedony is probably greenish-blue.
The emerald, of course, is green;
and the sardonyx is like our onyx,
a white stone streaked with brown, though some
scholars describe it as red and white.
- Sardius is a red stone
(sometimes described as
"blood red"), and chrysolite
a yellow quartz like our
modern topaz. Beryl is green
and topaz a yellow-green. We
are not sure abut the
chrysoprasus; some thing it
is golden-tinted
stone, others, an
apple-green color. The
jacinth is probably blue,
through some claim it was
yellow; and the amethyst is
a rich purple, or blue-red.
- Our God is a God of
beauty, and He will lavish
His beauty on the city He is
preparing for His people.
Perhaps Peter had the holy
city in mind when he wrote
about the "manifold
grace of God" (1
Peter 4:10),
for the word translated
"manifold" means "many
colored variegated."
- 21a The twelve gates were twelve
pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl.
- (WW) In
ancient times, the pearl was considered a
"royal gem," produced by a mollusk covering
an irritating grain of sand within its
shell. But the pearl gates of the heavenly
city will never be closed (Rev. 21:25)
because there will be no danger of anything
entering that would disturb or defile her
citizens.
- 21b And the street of the city was
pure gold, like transparent glass.
Application:
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.
Observation:
- What did John not see?
22a But I saw no temple in it,
- Who are the "temple" of the city?
22b for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
- Why did the city have no need for the sun or the moon?
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.
- Who walks in the light of the city?
24a And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in
its light,
- Who brings "their glory and honor" in the city?
24b and the kings of the earth bring their glory
and honor into it.
- Will the city's gates be open or shut? Why?
25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
- What more the kings shall bring to the city?
26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.
- Who are not allowed from entering?
27a But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or
causes an abomination or a lie,
- Who are readily allowed to enter?
27b but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Interpretation:
- What did John not see?
22a But I saw no temple in it,
- Why there is no temple exist?
22b for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
- What does this mean?
- (DG) Here, the temple was
not removed, but expanded. Everything and every place is holy and the dwelling place of God.
- Before Jesus the temple was a prophecy. In the Christian era God’s people are His temple. In the Millennium the temple will be a memorial. Here the temple is everywhere.
- (Alford) “The
inhabitants need no place of worship or
sacrifice, the object of all worship
being present, and the great sacrifice
Himself being there.”
- (WW) There will be no temple,
since the entire city will be indwelt by God's
presence. Indeed, "secular" and "sacred"
will be indistinguishable in heaven.
- We will be in God the Father,
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit
like how we are asked us to be in
Him
here:
- Eph
1:4,7,9,10,11,13 - 1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus
Christ by the will of God,
To the saints who are in
Ephesus, and faithful
in Christ Jesus:
2
Grace to you and peace from
God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ. 3
Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who has blessed us
with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly
places
in Christ,
4
just as He chose us
in Him
before the foundation of the
world, that we should be
holy and without blame
before Him in love,
5 having
predestined us to adoption
as sons by Jesus Christ to
Himself, according to the
good pleasure of His will,
6
to the praise of the glory
of His grace, by which He
made us accepted in the
Beloved. 7
In Him
we have redemption
through His blood, the
forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of
His grace 8
which He made to abound
toward us in all wisdom and
prudence, 9
having made known to
us the mystery of His will,
according to His good
pleasure which He purposed
in
Himself,
10
that in the dispensation of
the fullness of the times He
might gather
together in one all things
in
Christ, both which
are in heaven and which are
on earth--in
Him. 11
In Him
also we have obtained an
inheritance, being
predestined according to the
purpose of Him who
works all things according
to the counsel of His will,
12
that we who first trusted
in Christ
should be to the praise of
His glory. 13
In Him
you also trusted, after you
heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation; in
whom also, having believed,
you were sealed with the
Holy Spirit of promise,
14 who is the guarantee
of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased
possession, to the praise of
His glory.
- Col 1:17
- And He is before all
things, and in Him
all things consist.
- Col 2:6-12
- 6
As you have therefore
received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk
in Him,
7 rooted and
built up
in Him
and established in the
faith, as you have been
taught, abounding in it with
thanksgiving. 8
Beware lest anyone cheat you
through philosophy and empty
deceit, according to the
tradition of men, according
to the basic principles of
the world, and not according
to Christ. 9
For
in Him
dwells all the fullness of
the Godhead bodily; 10
and you are complete
in Him,
who is the head of all
principality and power.
11
In Him you were also
circumcised with the
circumcision made without
hands, by putting off the
body of the sins of the
flesh, by the circumcision
of Christ, 12
buried with Him in baptism,
in which you also were
raised with Him through
faith in the working of God,
who raised Him from the dead.
- Acts 17:28 -
24 God, who
made the world and
everything in it, since He
is Lord of heaven and earth,
does not dwell in temples
made with hands.
25 Nor is
He worshiped with men's
hands, as though He needed
anything, since He gives to
all life, breath, and all
things. 26
And He has made from one
blood every nation of men to
dwell on all the face of the
earth, and has determined
their preappointed times and
the boundaries of their
dwellings, 27
so that they should seek the
Lord, in the hope that they
might grope for Him and find
Him, though He is not far
from each one of us;
28 for
in Him we live and
move and have our being,
as also some of your own
poets have said, 'For we are
also His offspring.'
- What two more things did John not see?
23a The city had no need of the sun or of
the moon to shine in it,
- Why did the city have no need for the sun or the moon?
23b for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb
is its light.
- (WW) The sun and moon will be
absent since the Lord is the light of the city,
and there will never be any night (see
Isa. 60:19).
- Is 60:19-20 - 19 "The sun shall
no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But
the Lord will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.
20 Your sun shall no longer go
down, Nor shall your moon withdraw itself; For
the Lord will be your everlasting light, And the days of your mourning shall be ended.
- What is the advantage of God being a light in the city?
- 24a And the nations of
those who are saved shall walk in its light,
- 25 Its gates shall not
be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
- There is no darkness this means there is no evil.
- (DG) Light speaks of joy, for in the Scriptures
light and joy go together.
- (DG) Light speaks of beauty, because
without light there is no beauty.
- (DG) Light speaks of knowledge and in heaven
we will all know Him as He knows us.
- What are the kings of the earth bring into the city?
- 24b and the kings of the earth
bring their glory and honor into it.
- 26 And they shall
bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.
- Is there any difference between Rev 21:24 & Rev 21:26?
- What does nations and kings of the nation means?
- (WW) The mention of
nations in Revelation 21:24 and 26
suggests that there will be peoples (plural) on the new
earth. Since in the eternal state there will be only
glorified beings, we must not think that the earth
will be populated with various nations such as exist today.
- Instead, these verses reflect the
ancient practice of kings
and nations bringing their wealth and glory to the city of
the greatest king.
- In the heavenly city, everyone will honor
the "King of kings" (see Pss. 68:29; 72:10-11;
Isa. 60).
- Psalm 68:29 - Because of Your temple at Jerusalem,
Kings will bring presents to You.
- Psalm 72:10-11 - 7 In His days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles
Will bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba
Will offer gifts.
11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; All nations shall serve Him.
- Or all believers are given a place outside the
New Jerusalem.
- Who are not allowed from entering?
27a But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or
causes an abomination or a lie,
- Does this mean non-believers who defiles, cause abomination and lie
exist in the New Earth, the New Jerusalem and the New Heaven?
- No, they will not exist in the Holy
City New Jerusalem but they will be in lake of fire (Hell).
Here God is reassuring
that there is no way they can enter into this city.
- 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."
- 24a And the
nations of those who are saved
shall walk in its light,
- 27b but
only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
- 25 Its gates shall not
be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).
Application:
- What will you first look for when you enter God's holy city?
- As citizen, what is your 'contribution' to God's holy city?
- Are you lacking anything to enter God's holy city?
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