Revelation 21
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New Heaven and Earth (21:1)
John sees a new heaven and new earth for the first heaven and earth have passed away. This is the only time we see this phrase in Revelation. Further, this is the only description we receive about a new heaven and new earth. In verse 2 John sees new Jerusalem and spends the rest of his time in description of this. So it would be foolish to make grand theories about the new heaven and earth that John sees, since we are given no further information.
But there are three other passages, one in the New Testament, two in the Old Testament, where we read about a new heaven and new earth. Let us begin in the Old Testament to see if we can get an understanding of what it means to see a new heaven and new earth. Isaiah 65:16-17 says, “So that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he who swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hidden from My eyes. For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” Notice also verse 25 of this passage, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.”
Keeping these pictures in mind, Isaiah speaks again of a new heaven and new earth in Isaiah 66:18-23. “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.” We are reading a prophecy of a new order. The way of the old and the troubles of the old will be forgotten. Instead, a new order will come, symbolized by the wolf and the lamb feeding together. This new order was fulfilled at the coming of the new spiritual order, the new covenant in which brought forward the kingdom of God, the church. Isaiah spoke of the passing of the old Jewish order and the inauguration of the new order under Christ.
What new order is John seeing then when he sees the new heaven and new earth? I believe Peter will help us. In 2 Peter 3:11-13 we read, “Since all these things are going to be destroyed in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness as you wait for and earnestly desire the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be on fire and be dissolved, and the elements will melt with the heat. But based on His promise, we wait for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” Peter says these words after also speaking about the passing away of the heavens and the earth with fervent heat. Both Peter and John are speaking of a new order, but not the new order under Christ, or that has already come. We are seeing the passing of the old order, this earth and physical living, and the inauguration of a new spiritual order where now all the saints of God will dwell with the Lord. Now we will see this new order tied to the new Jerusalem.
New Jerusalem (21:2-4)
John sees the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. This image only has impact when we understand the images of chapters 6-11, seeing the wrath of God upon the physical Jerusalem and seeing its destruction. Now we see the true Jerusalem, in heaven where it has always been, coming down prepared like a bride. This alone would be a great symbol of hope, after being told of Jerusalem’s destruction, seeing that Jerusalem still stands. It does not stand physically anymore, but the dwelling of God is in heaven. More importantly, verse 3 tells us that the people of God are living with the Lord. Most people understand that this imagery of new Jerusalem refers to the people of God, for we see it prepared like a bride. Remember we saw that back in Revelation 19:7-9 where the bride is the saints and their righteous acts. The question that is usually debated is whether we are speaking about God’s people now in its current state, or are we speaking about the people of God in their future state.
I believe that the text and the context of this passage force us to understand the new Jerusalem to be referring to the kingdom of God, the church in its future, perfected state. First, let us notice the context. Everything that we have mentioned thus far at the end of chapter 20 has spoken about the final judgment at the end. We have seen the final result of the Satan and those who were not written in the book of life. We are now seeing the final end result of those who are written in the book of life. Even further, notice Revelation 21:4 which tells us that death no longer exists. Even though we are children of God there is still death today. Is there still grief for the children of God? Yes. Is there still crying for the people of God? Yes. Is there still pain that the saints go through? Yes. This cannot be referring to the church presently because these things still exist. Therefore we are seeing the Lord’s kingdom in the very end, in its future and final state. At that time we will live forever with the Lord (Rev. 21:3), just as 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” Hebrews 12:22-24 proves that when we read of new Jerusalem we need to think of the whole kingdom of God. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24).
Living Water (21:5-8)
John sees the One sitting on the throne. There should be no doubt for the people of God that these things will happen. The words are faithful and true and it has already been accomplished. All we must do is wait for the Lord’s return. To those who overcome, they will drink from the spring of living water, for this is the gift of God. Remember that Jesus spoke of this water in John 4:13-14, “Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 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.” Verse 7 tells us that the victor will inherit these things. This also points to the future. We are not victors until we have been steadfast to the very end. Once we have overcome, we will have been tested and proven to be his children. But all that is evil, including liars and cowardly toward the Lord, will be cast into the lake of fire with the devil and his angels.
New Jerusalem Described (21:9-21)
John sees one of the angels who had poured out the bowls of wrath in chapter 16. The angel declares he will show John the bride and reveals the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming out of heaven, as we saw in 21:2. This image verifies that our understanding of the heavenly Jerusalem is correct. Heavenly Jerusalem is the people of God in their perfected state.
In verses 11-14 we see the great splendor and glory of the city, which is the kingdom of God. These images are similar to Ezekiel 48:30-35 where we see the future glory of God’s people. All of these images are symbols to show the gloriousness of the kingdom in the end. Specifically, the symbols show how glorious the people of God appear as a bride prepared for Christ, the groom. In this description we see the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel on the gates and the twelve apostles names on the foundations. This shows the oneness of the people of God in Christ. It is the saved of the old and new covenants.
In verses 15-18 we see the great strength and power of the city. In Revelation 11:1 we saw old, physical Jerusalem measured in a vision for judgment to be trampled by the Gentiles. The physical city was measured with a reed like a rod. The heavenly Jerusalem is measured with a reed of gold.
This measurement is not for destruction but to show the greatness of the city. The margins in your Bibles may give you estimates of the size of the measurements. The city is 1400 miles cubed, yet the walls to the city are just a few feet high or thick. Notice that these are human measurements (vs. 17) and are not to be converted into other numbers. This gives premillennialists many problems, since many want the city to be where Jesus rules on the earth during their future 1000 year reign. If you have taken images literally in this book thus far, one must be consistent and take this image literally. Of course this is impossible, for a city cannot be 1400 miles in length, width, and height. These numbers are to show the greatness and power of the kingdom of God.
In verses 19-21 we see the beauty of the city. Many precious stones are named as well as the pearls on the gates. We also see the street of the city that is paved with gold. We see the great beauty and value of this kingdom in its final state as well.
Inside The City (21:22-27)
There is no sanctuary in the city because there is no need for separation between God and man. God is dwelling with his people. The glory of the Lord illuminates all of the city. All that goes on in the city is the people bringing their praises, glory, and honor to the Lord. The gates never close for the enemies have been destroyed. There is no need to be afraid and no need for protection for God has overcome all the enemies and put them under his feet. Nothing false or evil can enter so the gates remain open. No one should be deceived. No one is in the city except those who are written in the book of life. Thus, we have seen images that would convey great hope to those alive and enduring the persecution that if they remain steadfast, they too will dwell with the Lord in glory forever.
