Revelation 21

Summary

 

Revelation 21 paints a breathtaking picture of the new heaven and new earth, centered around the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, where God dwells with His people. The vision conveys the complete restoration and perfection of creation, the absence of sorrow and death, and the eternal glory of the redeemed. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of faithfulness and warns of the fate of those who persist in unbelief and wickedness.

 

  1. The New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21:1-2): John sees a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. The sea is no more. The new creation is a place where God's righteousness dwells.
  2. The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:3-4): The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, descends from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. A loud voice declares that God will dwell with His people, and they will be His sons and daughters. God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain.
  3. The Glory of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:9-27): An angel shows John the New Jerusalem, shining with the glory of God. Its brilliance is like a most precious jewel, and its twelve gates are twelve pearls. The city has twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles. The measurements of the city are symbolic, indicating perfection and completeness. There is no need for a temple because God and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need for the sun or the moon, for the glory of God illuminates it. The nations walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. The gates are never shut, and there is no night.
  4. The Invitation and Warning (Revelation 21:6-8): The one seated on the throne declares, "I am making everything new!" He invites those who are thirsty to drink freely from the spring of the water of life. However, the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will have their part in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.

 

References