The New Heaven and the New Earth
Lyn Mize
T. The New Heaven and the New Earth (21:1-22:5)
T. The New Heaven and the New Earth (21:1-22:5)
(Rev 21 KJV) 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. {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. {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. {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. {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. {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.
{7} He that overcometh shall inherit all
things; and I will be his God, and he shall be
my son. {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. {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 show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
{10} And he carried me away in the spirit to a
great and high mountain, and showed me that
great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out
of heaven from God, {11} Having the glory of
God: and her light was like unto a stone most
precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as
crystal; {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: {13} On the east three gates; on
the north three gates; on the south three
gates; and on the west three gates. {14} And
the wall of the city had twelve foundations,
and in them the names of the twelve apostles
of the Lamb. {15} And he that talked with me
had a golden reed to measure the city, and the
gates thereof, and the wall thereof. {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. {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. {18} And the building of the wall
of it was of jasper: and the city was pure
gold, like unto clear glass. {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; {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. {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.
{22} And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord
God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of
it. {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. {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. {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.
(Rev 22:1-5 KJV) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. {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. {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: {4} And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. {5} And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Chapter 21 begins at the end of the millennium, and describes the New Jerusalem descending out of heaven. The whole chapter 21 with the exception of the parenthetical statement in verses 5-8 describe the New Jerusalem. Also, verses 1-5 in chapter 22 continues the description of the New Jerusalem. Verses 5-8 in chapter 21 are warnings to the churches about either being an overcomer or having a "part" in the lake of fire. Also, verses 6-21 of chapter 22 are addressed to the churches and contain some very serious warnings to Christians. With this brief overview, we will now begin our exegesis of Revelation 21:1-22:5.
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.
a. John sees a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth passed away. The earth has already perished once because of sin, and that took place during the days of Noah. The following Scripture confirms this:
(2 Pet 3:5-7 KJV) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: {6} Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: {7} But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
b. The earth and the heavens will be totally purged and cleansed, and all things will be made new (See verse 5 below). We need to carefully note that he did not say He would make all new things, but He will make all things new. This earth will not cease to exist and be replaced with another one. It will be redeemed and made new, the same as Christians will be totally purged of all sin and the old flesh nature. After the earth is totally and completely purged, the curse against man and the earth will be totally removed. Christians are new creations also, but someone else has not replaced us. We have been or will be made new, but we will not cease to exist. Neither will the earth cease to exist. Otherwise, God was a liar when He told Abraham that the land of Israel would belong to the Jews forever. God described the land and its boundaries, and He told Israel that it would belong to them forever. If God is going to annihilate the earth, then His promises do not mean very much. His promise to the meek in the Church who will inherit the earth would not have much meaning either, if the inheritance were going to be completely obliterated. The earth will be made new, but it is this same earth that has been around for 6000 years, and it has already perished once in the judgment of the flood. God is going to redeem the earth, not replace it.
c. When the earth is made new there will no longer be any large oceans like we have now. This is the way it was before the flood. The whole earth was a perfect environment with a canopy of water over the earth to filter out the harmful radiation that damages and ages our bodies. This is the reason those before the flood lived to be 900 years old, even after they had sinned.
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.
a. John sees the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. This city is closely linked with the bride of the Lamb. Based on its description it will be in some type of orbit around the earth, since verse 24 says the nations will walk in its light.
b. The city is real and the following verses describe it in detail
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.
a. After the earth has been completely and totally redeemed, God will dwell with men. They will be his people, and He will be their God.
b. There will be no unsaved person upon the earth, and there will no longer be anyone with his or her old flesh nature. There will be no sin and no desire to sin. Everyone will dwell in righteousness and perfect peace. There will be no requirement that anyone rule with a rod of iron, since everyone will think and act righteously in accordance with God. Righteousness will dwell upon the earth.
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.
a. It is at the end of the millennium that God will wipe away all tears. It is also at that time that death will be conquered according to the following Scripture, and there shall be no more pain, neither physical nor mental.
(1 Cor 15:24-26 KJV) Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. {25} For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. {26} The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
b. There will be people who will die during the millennium according to the following Scripture:
(Isa 65:20 KJV) There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
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.
a. This verse begins a parenthetical statement that goes back to the vision that John had of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells John to write the words of the vision (i.e., the whole book of Revelation) for they are true and faithful.
b. It should be reiterated that Christ will make all things new and not all new things.
c. This verse through verse 8 is a parenthetical warning to the Church through John about the rewards for being an overcomer, and the consequences of being overcome. It is a warning about losing or forfeiting the inheritance that belongs to Christians.
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.
a. Christ states that His work is finished, and He is the Alpha and Omega. Christ is the author and finisher of our salvation. Our spirits are saved by His death on the cross, and our souls are saved by our allowing His life to manifest itself in us via the indwelling Holy Spirit.
b. Christ will give to those who are thirsty for the water of life. The water is the Holy Spirit, and the life is soul salvation. If a Christian is thirsty for the Holy Spirit to control his life, he will be an overcomer, and he shall inherit all things. This is stated in the following verse.
7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
a. Christians who are overcomers will not forfeit their inheritance, and they will be sons (i.e., huios) of God. The huios is the mature son who is adopted as head over the household of faith. All Christians are children (i.e., teknon) of God, but only the overcomers are sons (i.e., huios) of God.
b. The revealing of the sons (i.e., huios) of God will be a major event at the time of the resurrection according to the following Scripture:
(Rom 8:18-19 KJV) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. {19} For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons (i.e., huios) of God.
The following Scripture states what is necessary to be a son (i.e., huios) of God:
(Rom 8:14 KJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons ( i.e., huios) of God.
All Christians are born of the Spirit of God, but not all Christians are led (i.e., filled or controlled) by the Spirit of God. The following Scripture describes those Christians who are not overcomers.
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.
a. It is of utmost importance to note that the Greek word for dead (i.e., nekros) is not mentioned in this verse like it was at the judgment of the white throne. These are Christians who are spiritually alive, but who have been unfaithful to the Lord.
(1) The Greek word for “fearful” is deilos and means believers who are timid or afraid to exercise their faith. The Greek word for “unbelieving” is apistos and it refers to believers who are unfaithful, not worthy of confidence or untrustworthy. The Greek word for “abominable” is bdelusso and means believers who have defiled themselves without the cleansing provided by Jesus according to 1 John 1:9.
(2) The Greek word for “murderer” is phoneus and it means believers who have committed murder physically or in their hearts by hating fellow Christians. The Greek word for “whoremongers” is pornos and it means believers who are fornicators, homosexuals or who are unclean and impure. The Greek word for “sorcerer” is pharmakeus and means believers who are drug users or drug dealers. It would include alcoholics.
(3) The Greek word for “idolaters” is eidololatres and it means believers who are covetous, or caught up in the affairs of the world. This would include Christians who strive after wealth and material possessions, but are not interested in spiritual things. The Greek word for “liars” is pseudes and it refers to believers who are deceitful by lying. This would include Christian hypocrites who pretend to be more spiritual than they really are.
b. All believers who fall in the above categories will have their "part" or portion in the lake of fire. These are the Christians who were not overcomers, and who shall be hurt of the second death according to the following Scripture:
(Rev 2:11 KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
It would be foolish for Jesus to be warning the Church about being hurt (i.e., injured or damaged) of the second death, if it were not possible. It is clear in this Scripture that believers who are not overcomers shall be hurt of the second death.
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 show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
a. We have concluded earlier that these seven angels were figurative, and they represented the 24 elders. This is further confirmed by the following Scriptures. Who would be more appropriate to introduce the Bride of Christ--those in the highest position in the kingdom--than those who are in the second highest position in the kingdom (i.e., the 24 elders).
10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
a. John is carried away in the spirit to a great and high mountain. The great and high mountain is representative of the Kingdom of Heaven in the far sides of the North. John sees the Holy Jerusalem that has been prepared by God.
b. New Jerusalem is closely linked with the Lamb's bride. The new Jerusalem has the glory of God according to the following Scripture. The New Jerusalem will come down to the earth and orbit around the earth at the end of the millennium.
11. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
a. The glory of God is in the New Jerusalem, and the light of the New Jerusalem is like a precious stone that is described as being "clear as crystal". It has been explained earlier that crystal is a type or picture of the righteousness of God, so this precious stone sounds very much like a diamond. The word for jasper is of indefinite origin so we cannot be sure what precious stone it is except it appears to describe a diamond.
b. A diamond is made out of pure carbon, which is organic, or derivative of that which is living. It starts out as black coal, but under intense pressure and heat, it is purified into pure carbon, which is clear as crystal and reflects light exceptionally well. This is analogous to those Christians who have suffered persecution, yet remained faithful to the Lord and His Word.
c. The light of the New Jerusalem comes from this precious stone, which is not the source of the light, but it reflects the light from its source throughout the city. It is my belief that this precious stone that lights the New Jerusalem utilizing Jesus Christ as the source of the light is the bride of Christ. A very simplistic picture of this would be a chandelier that has a light inside itself, and the numerous crystal-like cut pieces of glass reflect and disseminate the light from its source throughout the room in which it is placed. It appears that the bride will be for the New Jerusalem what a chandelier is for a room. His bride will reflect the light and glory of Jesus Christ throughout the New Jerusalem.
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:
a. In scriptural language a wall is a symbol of salvation (Isa. 26:1; Isa, 60:18), of the protection of God (Zech. 2:5), and of those who afford protection (1 Sam. 25:16; Isa. 2:15). The rich consider their wealth as their wall of protection in their own imagination (Prov. 18:11). The word for great means splendid, stately, or prepared on a grand scale and the word for high means exalted. These are descriptive terms of this salvation we have in Christ, and the protection afforded us by Christ.
b. The gates represent the entryway into this great and wonderful salvation and protection that we have in Christ. As God's elect people, the Jew is the means whereby God has allowed salvation to all the tribes of the earth. This is the reason that the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the gates. The oracles of God came to us through the Jews, and the lineage of Christ was through the Jews.
c. The angels at the gates represent the guardians of the holiness of God. They will not allow anything to come into the city that will defile the city.
13. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
a. There is a total number of 12 gates into the city, and 12 is the number of governmental perfection. Government over the earth will go out from the city.
14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
a. The wall of the city rest on the 12 foundations that have the names of the apostles on them. The picture is that the salvation and protection afforded by the city rests upon the foundations of the faith laid out by the original 12 apostles. Paul would most certainly be included in the original 12 apostles, since he saw Christ person to Person, and he was commissioned by Christ personally to carry the gospel to the Gentiles.
15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
a. The angel that talked with John is one of the seven with the final seven plagues, and we have determined earlier that this angel represents the 24 elders.
b. The golden rod to measure the city represents that the person doing the measuring is about to take possession of the city. The golden rod represents his divine right to take possession of the city on behalf of Jesus Christ who is King of kings and Lord of Lords. The measuring of the city, the gates and the wall represents his taking possession of everything represented by these items being measured.
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.
a. The city is laid out like a square, and its length, breadth, and height are 1380 miles by actual measurement. This concrete number shows the literalness of this city by actually giving the size of it.
b. By this description the city would have to be the shape of a cube or the shape of a pyramid. Either way the city is extremely large with a perimeter at its base of 5520 miles. This would make it about one-fourth the size of the earth, or about 1 1/3 times the size of the moon. This is a good size for orbiting the earth so that the nations can look up and see its light.
c. Based on the description of the New Jerusalem, if it is a cube it will encompass eight billion, six hundred twenty-eight million, seventy-two thousand cubic miles of space (i.e., 8,628,072,000 cubic miles), if we are to live inside of it. If we are to live on its surface, it will occupy eleven million, four hundred twenty-six thousand, and four hundred square miles of surface area (i.e., 11,426,400 square miles).
d. If it were the shape of a pyramid, it would have one-half of the cubic miles of space, if we live inside of it, or about one-half of the surface area if we live on its surface.
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.
a. The wall is 144 cubits thick or about 216 feet thick. No measurement is given for its height, so it appears that its walls totally enclose the city, and the only way to enter is to go through one of its twelve gates. It is a wall that cannot be climbed over, and the only entrance is through one of its gates.
b. The description of the wall seems to confirm that we will live inside its cubical or pyramidal shape rather than on its surface. Either way there will be ample space for each believer who lives in the city.
18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
a. The wall was made of jasper, which is crystal clear, so the light of the city would shine upon the earth like a large diamond that is one-third larger than our moon.
b. The city itself will be made of pure gold clear as glass. This is how the glory of God will be reflected throughout the city, and shine down upon the earth.
c. All the cities of the world are mere villages in comparison to the New Jerusalem. Its streets could be 1380 miles long from one end of the city to the other end, and the streets will be layered on top of each other like stories in a building. There will most likely be some kind of ramp that will ascend or descend to the higher or lower levels in the same manner as a parking garage. It will be a true crystal palace made out of pure gold. Our minds fail us when we try to visualize what the city will be like.
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;
a. JASPER Green chalcedony. Jasper commonly translates two Hebrew and one Greek term. The first term is used for the sixth stone in the headdress of the king of Tyre (Ezek. 28:13). The second term is used for a stone in the high priest's breastplate (Ex. 28:20; 39:13). This second term is rendered onyx at Ezekiel 28:13. The third term describes the face of the One seated on the throne (Rev. 4:3) and the glory of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:11,18,19). The NIV used jasper to translate an obscure Hebrew term at Job 28:18. Other translation options include alabaster (REB), crystal (NAS, NRSV, TEV), and pearls (KJV). See Minerals and Metals.
b. Sapphire (Ex. 24:10; 28:18; 39:11; Job 28:6,16; Isa. 54:11; Lam. 4:7; Ezek. 1:26; 10:1; 28:13; Rev. 21:19) The Hebrew sappir is a blue variety of corundum. Despite the name, it is possible that sappir refers to lapis lazuli (NIV marginal notes) rather than true sapphire.
c. chal·ced·o·ny also cal·ced·o·ny (k˛l-sµd“n-¶) n., pl. chal·ced·o·nies. A translucent to transparent milky or grayish quartz with distinctive microscopic crystals arranged in slender fibers in parallel bands. [Late Latin chalc¶donius, from Greek khalk¶d˝n, a mystical stone (Rev. 21:19) perhaps fromKhalk¶d˝n, Chalcedon.] --chal”ce·don“ic ) adj.
d. em·er·ald (µm“…r-…ld, µm“r…ld) n. 1. A brilliant green to grass-green transparent variety of beryl, used as a gemstone. 2. Color. A strong yellowish green. --em·er·ald adj. Color. Of a strong yellowish green. [Middle English emeraude, from Old French, from Medieval Latin esmeralda, esmeraldus, from Latin smaragdus, from Greek smaragdos.]
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.
a. SARDONYX (sahr' doh nihx) Precious stone (Rev. 21:20), a form of agate.
b. SARDIUS (sahr' di uhs) Precious stone sometimes used to translate Hebrew 'odem, "red," and Greek sardion. Other translators use "carnelian" or "ruby."
c. CHRYSOLITE The mineral from which the seventh stone of the foundation of the New Jerusalem is made (Rev. 21:20). The Greek chrusolithos means, "golden stone," indicating a yellow-colored stone. It was thus a yellow topaz, beryl, or zircon. The modern chrysolite is green and is not identical with biblical chrysolite. Compare Ezekiel 1:16.
e. Topaz Second stone of Aaron's breastplate (Ex. 28:17; 39:10); also mentioned in the wisdom list (Job 28:19) and the list of the king of Tyre's precious stones (Ezek. 28:13). True topaz is an aluminum floro silicate and quite hard, but the Old Testament topaz may refer to peridot, a magnesium olivine. The ninth decorative stone of the New Jerusalem wall foundation is topaz (Rev. 21:20).
f. CHRYSOPRASE The mineral forming the tenth stone of the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20). The Greek word literally means, "green leek." The stone is apple-green, fine-grained hornstone or quartz colored with nickel oxide and is highly translucent. It may be closer to modern chalcedony than any other modern mineral.
g. JACINTH A semiprecious stone more nearly orange in color than the hyacinth. Some English translations give jacinth as a gem in the high priest's breastplate (Ex. 28:19, NAS, NIV, NRSV), the color of one of the riders' breastplates (Rev. 9:17 KJV), and the eleventh foundation stone of the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20, KJV, NAS, NIV, NRSV).
h. AMETHYST (am' ih thihst) A deep purple variety of stone of the aluminum oxide family. Used in the breastplate of the high priest (Ex. 28:19; 39:12) and the twelfth stone in the foundation wall of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20).
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.
a. The 12 gates are each made of one pearl. The pearl is a type of the church in the parables of the kingdom. The pearl is not a Jewish stone, and the oyster is considered unclean according to Jewish law.
b. The oyster, which bears the pearl, comes from the sea, which symbolizes the Gentile nations from which the Church is gathered. The pearl is born out of injury to the oyster as a foreign particle enters the side of the oyster the same as the spear entered the side of Jesus. The pearl is gradually built up from living tissue as the oyster coats the particle to protect itself. The Church is also gradually built up as a living organism. The pearl is the only precious stone that cannot be divided and made into two or more stones. It is also the only stone which may be called a living stone since it grows while in the oyster. It should be clear by now why the Lord chose the pearl of great price to symbolize the Church.
c. The street is also made of transparent gold, so that light can shine through it.
22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
a. The city itself is the dwelling place of God. There will be communion with the Lord without need of going to His dwelling place.
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.
a. The light of the holiness of God will light the city so that it has no need of the sun or the moon. This does not say that the sun and moon will no longer exist, but that the city has no need of them. The sun and moon will still shine upon the earth.
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.
a. The nations are the Gentiles who were saved during the tribulation period. They will be able to look up and see the New Jerusalem in orbit around the earth. They will be able look upon its glory and light. It will appear as glorious and brilliant as a large diamond larger than the moon dazzling in its orbit around the earth.
b. The kings of the earth may mean Christ and His saints that dwell in the heavenly Jerusalem, but it could mean those sub-kings who inherit the earthly aspect of the kingdom and dwell upon the earth. If this is the case, then the statement means that the homage and gratitude of these earthly kings will devote everything of greatness and glory that it possesses to the service and honor of that city. "Kings of the earth" seems to imply those who enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom. All of the glory and honor of the earth will flow unto the New Jerusalem.
25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
a. The gates will never be shut at all during the day, and there will be no night there. The saints will have glorified bodies that will never need to sleep or rest so there will be no need for night.
b. There will still be day and night upon the earth, as there is no mention of any change in the earth revolving around the sun.
26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
a. The glory and honor of the nations of the earth will also flow unto the city. These are the people of the earth who dwell upon the earth in their perfected bodies of flesh and blood who will live forever in their bodies like Adam.
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.
a. The city is perfectly holy and perfectly clean. Nothing will enter into the city that would defile it, be an abomination, or be a lie. The only ones who will enter are those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
(Rev 22:1-5 KJV) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. {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. {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: {4} And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. {5} And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.
The first five verses of chapter 22 continue the description of the New Jerusalem.
1. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
a. John saw the pure river of water of life. The water of life represents the action of the Holy Spirit in controlling the believer. Everyone in the city will be completely controlled by the spirit nature which is in perfect obedience to the Holy Spirit. There will be no flesh or sinful natures in the New Jerusalem. All natures will be in perfect submission and obedience to the Holy Spirit.
b. Clear as crystal pictures the righteousness and character of God. Crystal represents the innate righteousness and character of God. Crystal is a homogeneous solid, formed by a repeating three-dimensional pattern of atoms, ions or molecules having fixed distances between the parts. It is transparent and clear with no impurities. Unlike glass, it is naturally and innately pure, and it is not formed by the addition of heat and pressure. In crystal we see the natural, innate, purity of God in the Trinity with all three Persons coequal with each other.
c. This river of the water of life proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb. Here we see the complete and perfect trinity of God in operation in the New Jerusalem. God the Father sits on the throne in the Person of the Lamb or the Lord Jesus Christ, and all is in perfect harmony and accord with the control of the Holy Spirit.
d. It is impossible for us to imagine what it will be like in this perfect environment, but it is fun to try. There will be no discord or disharmony in this situation so the requirement for reigning and ruling with a rod of iron will be over and past.
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.
a. Apparently there will be a median down the street of gold with the tree of life growing in the center of the street, and the tree of life will be growing on both sides of the river. There will be 12 kinds of fruit growing on this tree that will yield fruit 12 months per year.
b. The tree of life shows that those in the city will continue forever in the same state of perfect holiness and righteousness without any deterioration of the physical conditions of the people in the city.
c. The leaves of the tree of life will be for the healing or curing of the nations on the earth. There will no longer be any death upon the earth, so everyone will live forever in their fixed state of holiness and in their bodies of flesh and blood. The nations will have bodies like Adam who would have lived forever in his body of flesh and blood, since he also ate of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. There is something in or about the leaves from the tree of life that will preserve life in a continuous state of health.
d. Apparently, those in the New Jerusalem will not require the leaves from the tree of life, since it specifically mentions the nations upon the earth.
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:
a. As stated, the curse will be no longer existent, but the throne or authority of God the Father in the Person of Jesus Christ will prevail, and God's servants will serve Him forever.
b. The word for servants means a voluntary bondslave, and the word for serve means to worship or render religious homage to God.
4. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
a. The servants shall see the face of God the Father in the Person of Jesus Christ. This means that there will be an intimate association between those in the New Jerusalem and God.
b. The name in the forehead expresses ownership or authority over these servants. Again, it is important to note that the word for servants means a bondslave or a voluntary servant.
5. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
a. There will be no night in the New Jerusalem since the Lord God provides the light. This does not mean that the sun and moon will cease to exist. The sun and moon will continue to shine upon the earth and there will still be night upon the earth.
b. Apparently, those upon the earth in their flesh and blood bodies will still require rest for the purpose of rejuvenation, in addition to the healing from the leaves of the tree of life.
(Rev 22:1-5 KJV) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. {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. {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: {4} And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. {5} And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Chapter 21 begins at the end of the millennium, and describes the New Jerusalem descending out of heaven. The whole chapter 21 with the exception of the parenthetical statement in verses 5-8 describe the New Jerusalem. Also, verses 1-5 in chapter 22 continues the description of the New Jerusalem. Verses 5-8 in chapter 21 are warnings to the churches about either being an overcomer or having a "part" in the lake of fire. Also, verses 6-21 of chapter 22 are addressed to the churches and contain some very serious warnings to Christians. With this brief overview, we will now begin our exegesis of Revelation 21:1-22:5.
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.
a. John sees a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth passed away. The earth has already perished once because of sin, and that took place during the days of Noah. The following Scripture confirms this:
(2 Pet 3:5-7 KJV) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: {6} Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: {7} But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
b. The earth and the heavens will be totally purged and cleansed, and all things will be made new (See verse 5 below). We need to carefully note that he did not say He would make all new things, but He will make all things new. This earth will not cease to exist and be replaced with another one. It will be redeemed and made new, the same as Christians will be totally purged of all sin and the old flesh nature. After the earth is totally and completely purged, the curse against man and the earth will be totally removed. Christians are new creations also, but someone else has not replaced us. We have been or will be made new, but we will not cease to exist. Neither will the earth cease to exist. Otherwise, God was a liar when He told Abraham that the land of Israel would belong to the Jews forever. God described the land and its boundaries, and He told Israel that it would belong to them forever. If God is going to annihilate the earth, then His promises do not mean very much. His promise to the meek in the Church who will inherit the earth would not have much meaning either, if the inheritance were going to be completely obliterated. The earth will be made new, but it is this same earth that has been around for 6000 years, and it has already perished once in the judgment of the flood. God is going to redeem the earth, not replace it.
c. When the earth is made new there will no longer be any large oceans like we have now. This is the way it was before the flood. The whole earth was a perfect environment with a canopy of water over the earth to filter out the harmful radiation that damages and ages our bodies. This is the reason those before the flood lived to be 900 years old, even after they had sinned.
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.
a. John sees the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. This city is closely linked with the bride of the Lamb. Based on its description it will be in some type of orbit around the earth, since verse 24 says the nations will walk in its light.
b. The city is real and the following verses describe it in detail
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.
a. After the earth has been completely and totally redeemed, God will dwell with men. They will be his people, and He will be their God.
b. There will be no unsaved person upon the earth, and there will no longer be anyone with his or her old flesh nature. There will be no sin and no desire to sin. Everyone will dwell in righteousness and perfect peace. There will be no requirement that anyone rule with a rod of iron, since everyone will think and act righteously in accordance with God. Righteousness will dwell upon the earth.
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.
a. It is at the end of the millennium that God will wipe away all tears. It is also at that time that death will be conquered according to the following Scripture, and there shall be no more pain, neither physical nor mental.
(1 Cor 15:24-26 KJV) Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. {25} For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. {26} The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
b. There will be people who will die during the millennium according to the following Scripture:
(Isa 65:20 KJV) There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.
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.
a. This verse begins a parenthetical statement that goes back to the vision that John had of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells John to write the words of the vision (i.e., the whole book of Revelation) for they are true and faithful.
b. It should be reiterated that Christ will make all things new and not all new things.
c. This verse through verse 8 is a parenthetical warning to the Church through John about the rewards for being an overcomer, and the consequences of being overcome. It is a warning about losing or forfeiting the inheritance that belongs to Christians.
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.
a. Christ states that His work is finished, and He is the Alpha and Omega. Christ is the author and finisher of our salvation. Our spirits are saved by His death on the cross, and our souls are saved by our allowing His life to manifest itself in us via the indwelling Holy Spirit.
b. Christ will give to those who are thirsty for the water of life. The water is the Holy Spirit, and the life is soul salvation. If a Christian is thirsty for the Holy Spirit to control his life, he will be an overcomer, and he shall inherit all things. This is stated in the following verse.
7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
a. Christians who are overcomers will not forfeit their inheritance, and they will be sons (i.e., huios) of God. The huios is the mature son who is adopted as head over the household of faith. All Christians are children (i.e., teknon) of God, but only the overcomers are sons (i.e., huios) of God.
b. The revealing of the sons (i.e., huios) of God will be a major event at the time of the resurrection according to the following Scripture:
(Rom 8:18-19 KJV) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. {19} For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons (i.e., huios) of God.
The following Scripture states what is necessary to be a son (i.e., huios) of God:
(Rom 8:14 KJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons ( i.e., huios) of God.
All Christians are born of the Spirit of God, but not all Christians are led (i.e., filled or controlled) by the Spirit of God. The following Scripture describes those Christians who are not overcomers.
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.
a. It is of utmost importance to note that the Greek word for dead (i.e., nekros) is not mentioned in this verse like it was at the judgment of the white throne. These are Christians who are spiritually alive, but who have been unfaithful to the Lord.
(1) The Greek word for “fearful” is deilos and means believers who are timid or afraid to exercise their faith. The Greek word for “unbelieving” is apistos and it refers to believers who are unfaithful, not worthy of confidence or untrustworthy. The Greek word for “abominable” is bdelusso and means believers who have defiled themselves without the cleansing provided by Jesus according to 1 John 1:9.
(2) The Greek word for “murderer” is phoneus and it means believers who have committed murder physically or in their hearts by hating fellow Christians. The Greek word for “whoremongers” is pornos and it means believers who are fornicators, homosexuals or who are unclean and impure. The Greek word for “sorcerer” is pharmakeus and means believers who are drug users or drug dealers. It would include alcoholics.
(3) The Greek word for “idolaters” is eidololatres and it means believers who are covetous, or caught up in the affairs of the world. This would include Christians who strive after wealth and material possessions, but are not interested in spiritual things. The Greek word for “liars” is pseudes and it refers to believers who are deceitful by lying. This would include Christian hypocrites who pretend to be more spiritual than they really are.
b. All believers who fall in the above categories will have their "part" or portion in the lake of fire. These are the Christians who were not overcomers, and who shall be hurt of the second death according to the following Scripture:
(Rev 2:11 KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
It would be foolish for Jesus to be warning the Church about being hurt (i.e., injured or damaged) of the second death, if it were not possible. It is clear in this Scripture that believers who are not overcomers shall be hurt of the second death.
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 show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
a. We have concluded earlier that these seven angels were figurative, and they represented the 24 elders. This is further confirmed by the following Scriptures. Who would be more appropriate to introduce the Bride of Christ--those in the highest position in the kingdom--than those who are in the second highest position in the kingdom (i.e., the 24 elders).
10. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
a. John is carried away in the spirit to a great and high mountain. The great and high mountain is representative of the Kingdom of Heaven in the far sides of the North. John sees the Holy Jerusalem that has been prepared by God.
b. New Jerusalem is closely linked with the Lamb's bride. The new Jerusalem has the glory of God according to the following Scripture. The New Jerusalem will come down to the earth and orbit around the earth at the end of the millennium.
11. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
a. The glory of God is in the New Jerusalem, and the light of the New Jerusalem is like a precious stone that is described as being "clear as crystal". It has been explained earlier that crystal is a type or picture of the righteousness of God, so this precious stone sounds very much like a diamond. The word for jasper is of indefinite origin so we cannot be sure what precious stone it is except it appears to describe a diamond.
b. A diamond is made out of pure carbon, which is organic, or derivative of that which is living. It starts out as black coal, but under intense pressure and heat, it is purified into pure carbon, which is clear as crystal and reflects light exceptionally well. This is analogous to those Christians who have suffered persecution, yet remained faithful to the Lord and His Word.
c. The light of the New Jerusalem comes from this precious stone, which is not the source of the light, but it reflects the light from its source throughout the city. It is my belief that this precious stone that lights the New Jerusalem utilizing Jesus Christ as the source of the light is the bride of Christ. A very simplistic picture of this would be a chandelier that has a light inside itself, and the numerous crystal-like cut pieces of glass reflect and disseminate the light from its source throughout the room in which it is placed. It appears that the bride will be for the New Jerusalem what a chandelier is for a room. His bride will reflect the light and glory of Jesus Christ throughout the New Jerusalem.
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:
a. In scriptural language a wall is a symbol of salvation (Isa. 26:1; Isa, 60:18), of the protection of God (Zech. 2:5), and of those who afford protection (1 Sam. 25:16; Isa. 2:15). The rich consider their wealth as their wall of protection in their own imagination (Prov. 18:11). The word for great means splendid, stately, or prepared on a grand scale and the word for high means exalted. These are descriptive terms of this salvation we have in Christ, and the protection afforded us by Christ.
b. The gates represent the entryway into this great and wonderful salvation and protection that we have in Christ. As God's elect people, the Jew is the means whereby God has allowed salvation to all the tribes of the earth. This is the reason that the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are written on the gates. The oracles of God came to us through the Jews, and the lineage of Christ was through the Jews.
c. The angels at the gates represent the guardians of the holiness of God. They will not allow anything to come into the city that will defile the city.
13. On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
a. There is a total number of 12 gates into the city, and 12 is the number of governmental perfection. Government over the earth will go out from the city.
14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
a. The wall of the city rest on the 12 foundations that have the names of the apostles on them. The picture is that the salvation and protection afforded by the city rests upon the foundations of the faith laid out by the original 12 apostles. Paul would most certainly be included in the original 12 apostles, since he saw Christ person to Person, and he was commissioned by Christ personally to carry the gospel to the Gentiles.
15. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
a. The angel that talked with John is one of the seven with the final seven plagues, and we have determined earlier that this angel represents the 24 elders.
b. The golden rod to measure the city represents that the person doing the measuring is about to take possession of the city. The golden rod represents his divine right to take possession of the city on behalf of Jesus Christ who is King of kings and Lord of Lords. The measuring of the city, the gates and the wall represents his taking possession of everything represented by these items being measured.
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.
a. The city is laid out like a square, and its length, breadth, and height are 1380 miles by actual measurement. This concrete number shows the literalness of this city by actually giving the size of it.
b. By this description the city would have to be the shape of a cube or the shape of a pyramid. Either way the city is extremely large with a perimeter at its base of 5520 miles. This would make it about one-fourth the size of the earth, or about 1 1/3 times the size of the moon. This is a good size for orbiting the earth so that the nations can look up and see its light.
c. Based on the description of the New Jerusalem, if it is a cube it will encompass eight billion, six hundred twenty-eight million, seventy-two thousand cubic miles of space (i.e., 8,628,072,000 cubic miles), if we are to live inside of it. If we are to live on its surface, it will occupy eleven million, four hundred twenty-six thousand, and four hundred square miles of surface area (i.e., 11,426,400 square miles).
d. If it were the shape of a pyramid, it would have one-half of the cubic miles of space, if we live inside of it, or about one-half of the surface area if we live on its surface.
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.
a. The wall is 144 cubits thick or about 216 feet thick. No measurement is given for its height, so it appears that its walls totally enclose the city, and the only way to enter is to go through one of its twelve gates. It is a wall that cannot be climbed over, and the only entrance is through one of its gates.
b. The description of the wall seems to confirm that we will live inside its cubical or pyramidal shape rather than on its surface. Either way there will be ample space for each believer who lives in the city.
18. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
a. The wall was made of jasper, which is crystal clear, so the light of the city would shine upon the earth like a large diamond that is one-third larger than our moon.
b. The city itself will be made of pure gold clear as glass. This is how the glory of God will be reflected throughout the city, and shine down upon the earth.
c. All the cities of the world are mere villages in comparison to the New Jerusalem. Its streets could be 1380 miles long from one end of the city to the other end, and the streets will be layered on top of each other like stories in a building. There will most likely be some kind of ramp that will ascend or descend to the higher or lower levels in the same manner as a parking garage. It will be a true crystal palace made out of pure gold. Our minds fail us when we try to visualize what the city will be like.
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;
a. JASPER Green chalcedony. Jasper commonly translates two Hebrew and one Greek term. The first term is used for the sixth stone in the headdress of the king of Tyre (Ezek. 28:13). The second term is used for a stone in the high priest's breastplate (Ex. 28:20; 39:13). This second term is rendered onyx at Ezekiel 28:13. The third term describes the face of the One seated on the throne (Rev. 4:3) and the glory of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:11,18,19). The NIV used jasper to translate an obscure Hebrew term at Job 28:18. Other translation options include alabaster (REB), crystal (NAS, NRSV, TEV), and pearls (KJV). See Minerals and Metals.
b. Sapphire (Ex. 24:10; 28:18; 39:11; Job 28:6,16; Isa. 54:11; Lam. 4:7; Ezek. 1:26; 10:1; 28:13; Rev. 21:19) The Hebrew sappir is a blue variety of corundum. Despite the name, it is possible that sappir refers to lapis lazuli (NIV marginal notes) rather than true sapphire.
c. chal·ced·o·ny also cal·ced·o·ny (k˛l-sµd“n-¶) n., pl. chal·ced·o·nies. A translucent to transparent milky or grayish quartz with distinctive microscopic crystals arranged in slender fibers in parallel bands. [Late Latin chalc¶donius, from Greek khalk¶d˝n, a mystical stone (Rev. 21:19) perhaps fromKhalk¶d˝n, Chalcedon.] --chal”ce·don“ic ) adj.
d. em·er·ald (µm“…r-…ld, µm“r…ld) n. 1. A brilliant green to grass-green transparent variety of beryl, used as a gemstone. 2. Color. A strong yellowish green. --em·er·ald adj. Color. Of a strong yellowish green. [Middle English emeraude, from Old French, from Medieval Latin esmeralda, esmeraldus, from Latin smaragdus, from Greek smaragdos.]
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.
a. SARDONYX (sahr' doh nihx) Precious stone (Rev. 21:20), a form of agate.
b. SARDIUS (sahr' di uhs) Precious stone sometimes used to translate Hebrew 'odem, "red," and Greek sardion. Other translators use "carnelian" or "ruby."
c. CHRYSOLITE The mineral from which the seventh stone of the foundation of the New Jerusalem is made (Rev. 21:20). The Greek chrusolithos means, "golden stone," indicating a yellow-colored stone. It was thus a yellow topaz, beryl, or zircon. The modern chrysolite is green and is not identical with biblical chrysolite. Compare Ezekiel 1:16.
e. Topaz Second stone of Aaron's breastplate (Ex. 28:17; 39:10); also mentioned in the wisdom list (Job 28:19) and the list of the king of Tyre's precious stones (Ezek. 28:13). True topaz is an aluminum floro silicate and quite hard, but the Old Testament topaz may refer to peridot, a magnesium olivine. The ninth decorative stone of the New Jerusalem wall foundation is topaz (Rev. 21:20).
f. CHRYSOPRASE The mineral forming the tenth stone of the foundation of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20). The Greek word literally means, "green leek." The stone is apple-green, fine-grained hornstone or quartz colored with nickel oxide and is highly translucent. It may be closer to modern chalcedony than any other modern mineral.
g. JACINTH A semiprecious stone more nearly orange in color than the hyacinth. Some English translations give jacinth as a gem in the high priest's breastplate (Ex. 28:19, NAS, NIV, NRSV), the color of one of the riders' breastplates (Rev. 9:17 KJV), and the eleventh foundation stone of the new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20, KJV, NAS, NIV, NRSV).
h. AMETHYST (am' ih thihst) A deep purple variety of stone of the aluminum oxide family. Used in the breastplate of the high priest (Ex. 28:19; 39:12) and the twelfth stone in the foundation wall of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:20).
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.
a. The 12 gates are each made of one pearl. The pearl is a type of the church in the parables of the kingdom. The pearl is not a Jewish stone, and the oyster is considered unclean according to Jewish law.
b. The oyster, which bears the pearl, comes from the sea, which symbolizes the Gentile nations from which the Church is gathered. The pearl is born out of injury to the oyster as a foreign particle enters the side of the oyster the same as the spear entered the side of Jesus. The pearl is gradually built up from living tissue as the oyster coats the particle to protect itself. The Church is also gradually built up as a living organism. The pearl is the only precious stone that cannot be divided and made into two or more stones. It is also the only stone which may be called a living stone since it grows while in the oyster. It should be clear by now why the Lord chose the pearl of great price to symbolize the Church.
c. The street is also made of transparent gold, so that light can shine through it.
22. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
a. The city itself is the dwelling place of God. There will be communion with the Lord without need of going to His dwelling place.
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.
a. The light of the holiness of God will light the city so that it has no need of the sun or the moon. This does not say that the sun and moon will no longer exist, but that the city has no need of them. The sun and moon will still shine upon the earth.
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.
a. The nations are the Gentiles who were saved during the tribulation period. They will be able to look up and see the New Jerusalem in orbit around the earth. They will be able look upon its glory and light. It will appear as glorious and brilliant as a large diamond larger than the moon dazzling in its orbit around the earth.
b. The kings of the earth may mean Christ and His saints that dwell in the heavenly Jerusalem, but it could mean those sub-kings who inherit the earthly aspect of the kingdom and dwell upon the earth. If this is the case, then the statement means that the homage and gratitude of these earthly kings will devote everything of greatness and glory that it possesses to the service and honor of that city. "Kings of the earth" seems to imply those who enter the earthly aspect of the kingdom. All of the glory and honor of the earth will flow unto the New Jerusalem.
25. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
a. The gates will never be shut at all during the day, and there will be no night there. The saints will have glorified bodies that will never need to sleep or rest so there will be no need for night.
b. There will still be day and night upon the earth, as there is no mention of any change in the earth revolving around the sun.
26. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
a. The glory and honor of the nations of the earth will also flow unto the city. These are the people of the earth who dwell upon the earth in their perfected bodies of flesh and blood who will live forever in their bodies like Adam.
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.
a. The city is perfectly holy and perfectly clean. Nothing will enter into the city that would defile it, be an abomination, or be a lie. The only ones who will enter are those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
(Rev 22:1-5 KJV) And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. {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. {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: {4} And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. {5} And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever.
The first five verses of chapter 22 continue the description of the New Jerusalem.
1. And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
a. John saw the pure river of water of life. The water of life represents the action of the Holy Spirit in controlling the believer. Everyone in the city will be completely controlled by the spirit nature which is in perfect obedience to the Holy Spirit. There will be no flesh or sinful natures in the New Jerusalem. All natures will be in perfect submission and obedience to the Holy Spirit.
b. Clear as crystal pictures the righteousness and character of God. Crystal represents the innate righteousness and character of God. Crystal is a homogeneous solid, formed by a repeating three-dimensional pattern of atoms, ions or molecules having fixed distances between the parts. It is transparent and clear with no impurities. Unlike glass, it is naturally and innately pure, and it is not formed by the addition of heat and pressure. In crystal we see the natural, innate, purity of God in the Trinity with all three Persons coequal with each other.
c. This river of the water of life proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb. Here we see the complete and perfect trinity of God in operation in the New Jerusalem. God the Father sits on the throne in the Person of the Lamb or the Lord Jesus Christ, and all is in perfect harmony and accord with the control of the Holy Spirit.
d. It is impossible for us to imagine what it will be like in this perfect environment, but it is fun to try. There will be no discord or disharmony in this situation so the requirement for reigning and ruling with a rod of iron will be over and past.
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.
a. Apparently there will be a median down the street of gold with the tree of life growing in the center of the street, and the tree of life will be growing on both sides of the river. There will be 12 kinds of fruit growing on this tree that will yield fruit 12 months per year.
b. The tree of life shows that those in the city will continue forever in the same state of perfect holiness and righteousness without any deterioration of the physical conditions of the people in the city.
c. The leaves of the tree of life will be for the healing or curing of the nations on the earth. There will no longer be any death upon the earth, so everyone will live forever in their fixed state of holiness and in their bodies of flesh and blood. The nations will have bodies like Adam who would have lived forever in his body of flesh and blood, since he also ate of the tree of life in the Garden of Eden. There is something in or about the leaves from the tree of life that will preserve life in a continuous state of health.
d. Apparently, those in the New Jerusalem will not require the leaves from the tree of life, since it specifically mentions the nations upon the earth.
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:
a. As stated, the curse will be no longer existent, but the throne or authority of God the Father in the Person of Jesus Christ will prevail, and God's servants will serve Him forever.
b. The word for servants means a voluntary bondslave, and the word for serve means to worship or render religious homage to God.
4. And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
a. The servants shall see the face of God the Father in the Person of Jesus Christ. This means that there will be an intimate association between those in the New Jerusalem and God.
b. The name in the forehead expresses ownership or authority over these servants. Again, it is important to note that the word for servants means a bondslave or a voluntary servant.
5. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
a. There will be no night in the New Jerusalem since the Lord God provides the light. This does not mean that the sun and moon will cease to exist. The sun and moon will continue to shine upon the earth and there will still be night upon the earth.
b. Apparently, those upon the earth in their flesh and blood bodies will still require rest for the purpose of rejuvenation, in addition to the healing from the leaves of the tree of life.
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