Revelation 21

The New Heaven and Earth

1 Then I saw ¹a new heaven and a new earth; for ²the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.

2 And I saw ³the holy city, ⁴new Jerusalem, ⁵coming down out of heaven from God, ⁶made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, ⁷the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will ⁸dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,

4 and He will ⁹wipe away every tear from their eyes; and ¹⁰there will no longer be any death; ¹¹there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; ¹²the first things have passed away."

5 And ¹³He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am ¹⁴making all things new." And He said, "Write, for ¹⁵these words are faithful and true."

6 Then He said to me, "¹⁶It is done. I am the ¹⁷Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. ¹⁸I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the ¹⁹water of life without cost.

7 "²⁰He who overcomes will inherit these things, and ²¹I will be his God and he will be My son.

8 "²²But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in ²³the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the ²⁴second death."

9 ²⁵Then one of the seven angels who had the ²⁶seven bowls full of the ²⁷seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, "²⁸Come here, I will show you the ²⁹bride, the wife of the Lamb."

The New Jerusalem

10 And ³⁰he carried me away ³¹in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me ³²the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

11 having ³³the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a ³⁴stone of ³⁵crystal-clear jasper.

12 It had a great and high wall, ³⁶with twelve ³⁷gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.

13 There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west.

14 And the wall of the city had ³⁸twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the ³⁹twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring ⁴⁰rod to measure the city, and its ⁴¹gates and its wall.

16 The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal.

17 And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to ⁴²human measurements, which are also ⁴³angelic measurements.

18 The material of the wall was ⁴⁴jasper; and the city was ⁴⁵pure gold, like clear ⁴⁶glass.

19 ⁴⁷The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was ⁴⁸jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, ⁴⁹emerald;

20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, ⁵⁰sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.

21 And the twelve ⁵¹gates were twelve ⁵²pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was ⁵³pure gold, like transparent ⁵⁴glass.

22 I saw ⁵⁵no temple in it, for the ⁵⁶Lord God the Almighty and the ⁵⁷Lamb are its temple.

23 And the city ⁵⁸has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for ⁵⁹the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the ⁶⁰Lamb.

24 ⁶¹The nations will walk by its light, and the ⁶²kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.

25 In the daytime (for ⁶³there will be no night there ) ⁶⁴its gates ⁶⁵will never be closed;

26 and ⁶⁶they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it;

27 and ⁶⁷nothing unclean, and no * one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever * come into it, but only * those whose names are ⁶⁸written in the Lamb's book of life.

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Images for Revelation 21

Revelation 21 Commentary

Chapter 21

A new heaven, and new earth: the new Jerusalem where God dwells, and banishes all sorrow from his people. (1-8) Its heavenly origin, glory, and secure defence. (9-21) Its perfect happiness, as enlightened with the presence of God and the Lamb, and in the free access of multitudes, made holy. (22-27)

Verses 1-8 The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly. The old world, with all its troubles and tumults, will have passed away. There will be no sea; this aptly represents freedom from conflicting passions, temptations, troubles, changes, and alarms; from whatever can divide or interrupt the communion of saints. This new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, the church triumphant. Its blessedness came wholly from God, and depends on him. The presence of God with his people in heaven, will not be interrupt as it is on earth, he will dwell with them continually. All effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have often been in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church; but no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain. Christ makes all things new. If we are willing and desirous that the gracious Redeemer should make all things new in order hearts and nature, he will make all things new in respect of our situation, till he has brought us to enjoy complete happiness. See the certainty of the promise. God gives his titles, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, as a pledge for the full performance. Sensual and sinful pleasures are muddy and poisoned waters; and the best earthly comforts are like the scanty supplies of a cistern; when idolized, they become broken cisterns, and yield only vexation. But the joys which Christ imparts are like waters springing from a fountain, pure, refreshing, abundant, and eternal. The sanctifying consolations of the Holy Spirit prepare for heavenly happiness; they are streams which flow for us in the wilderness. The fearful durst not meet the difficulties of religion, their slavish fear came from their unbelief; but those who were so dastardly as not to dare to take up the cross of Christ, were yet so desperate as to run into abominable wickedness. The agonies and terrors of the first death will lead to the far greater terrors and agonies of eternal death.

Verses 9-21 God has various employments for his holy angels. Sometimes they sound the trumpet of Divine Providence, and warn a careless world; sometimes they discover things of a heavenly nature of the heirs of salvation. Those who would have clear views of heaven, must get as near to heaven as they can, on the mount of meditation and faith. The subject of the vision is the church of God in a perfect, triumphant state, shining in its lustre; glorious in relation to Christ; which shows that the happiness of heaven consists in intercourse with God, and in conformity to him. The change of emblems from a bride to a city, shows that we are only to take general ideas from this description. The wall is for security. Heaven is a safe state; those who are there, are separated and secured from all evils and enemies. This city is vast; here is room for all the people of God. The foundation of the wall; the promise and power of God, and the purchase of Christ, are the strong foundations of the safety and happiness of the church. These foundations are set forth by twelve sorts of precious stones, denoting the variety and excellence of the doctrines of the gospel, or of the graces of the Holy Spirit, or the personal excellences of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven has gates; there is a free admission to all that are sanctified; they shall not find themselves shut out. These gates were all of pearls. Christ is the Pearl of great price, and he is our Way to God. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. The saints in heaven tread gold under foot. The saints are there at rest, yet it is not a state of sleep and idleness; they have communion, not only with God, but with one another. All these glories but faintly represent heaven.

Verses 22-27 Perfect and direct communion with God, will more than supply the place of gospel institutions. And what words can more full express the union and co-equality of the Son with the Father, in the Godhead? What a dismal world would this be, if it were not for the light of the sun! What is there in heaven that supplies its place? The glory of God lightens that city, and the Lamb is the Light thereof. God in Christ will be an everlasting Fountain of knowledge and joy to the saints in heaven. There is no night, therefore no need of shutting the gates; all is at peace and secure. The whole shows us that we should be more and more led to think of heaven as filled with the glory of God, and enlightened by the presence of the Lord Jesus. Nothing sinful or unclean, idolatrous, or false and deceitful, can enter. All the inhabitants are made perfect in holiness. Now the saints feel a sad mixture of corruption, which hinders them in the service of God, and interrupts their communion with him; but, at their entrance into the holy of holies, they are washed in the laver of Christ's blood, and presented to the Father without spot. None are admitted into heaven who work abominations. It is free from hypocrites, such as make lies. As nothing unclean can enter heaven, let us be stirred up by these glimpses of heavenly things, to use all diligence, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 68

1. Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13
2. 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:11
3. Isaiah 52:1; Revelation 11:2; Revelation 21:10; Revelation 22:19
4. Revelation 3:12; Revelation 21:10
5. Hebrews 11:10, 16; Revelation 21:10
6. Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:9; Revelation 22:17
7. Leviticus 26:11; Ezekiel 37:27; Ezekiel 48:35; Hebrews 8:2; Revelation 7:15
8. John 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:16
9. Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17
10. 1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelation 20:14
11. Isaiah 35:10; Isaiah 51:11; Isaiah 65:19
12. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 12:27
13. Revelation 4:9; Revelation 20:11
14. 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 12:27
15. Revelation 19:9; Revelation 22:6
16. Revelation 10:6; Revelation 16:17
17. Revelation 1:8; Revelation 22:13
18. Isaiah 55:1; John 4:10; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 22:17
19. Revelation 7:17
20. Revelation 2:7
21. 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalms 89:26; 2 Corinthians 6:16, 18; Revelation 21:3
22. 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 9:21; Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:15
23. Revelation 19:20
24. Revelation 2:11
25. Revelation 17:1
26. Revelation 15:7
27. Revelation 15:1
28. Revelation 17:1
29. Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2
30. Ezekiel 40:2; Revelation 17:3
31. Revelation 1:10
32. Revelation 21:2
33. Isaiah 60:1; Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 15:8; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5
34. Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:18, 19
35. Revelation 4:6
36. Ezekiel 48:31-34
37. Rev 21:15, 21, 25; Revelation 22:14
38. Hebrews 11:10
39. Acts 1:26
40. Ezekiel 40:3; Revelation 11:1
41. Rev 21:12, 21, 25
42. Deuteronomy 3:11; Revelation 13:18
43. Revelation 21:9
44. Revelation 21:11
45. Revelation 21:21
46. Revelation 4:6
47. Exodus 28:17-20; Isaiah 54:11; Ezekiel 28:13
48. Revelation 21:11
49. Revelation 4:3
50. Revelation 4:3
51. Rev 21:12, 15, 25
52. Revelation 17:4
53. Revelation 21:18
54. Revelation 4:6
55. Matthew 24:2; John 4:21
56. Revelation 1:8
57. Revelation 5:6; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 14:4
58. Isaiah 24:23; Isaiah 60:19, 20; Revelation 21:25; Revelation 22:5
59. Revelation 21:11
60. Revelation 5:6; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 14:4
61. Isaiah 60:3, 5
62. Psalms 72:10; Isaiah 49:23; Isaiah 60:16; Revelation 21:26
63. Zechariah 14:7; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5
64. Revelation 21:12, 15
65. Isaiah 60:11
66. Psalms 72:10; Isaiah 49:23; Isaiah 60:16
67. Isaiah 52:1; Ezekiel 44:9; Zechariah 14:21; Revelation 22:14
68. Revelation 3:5

Footnotes 20

[a]. Or "tabernacle"
[b]. One early ms reads, and be "their God"
[c]. Lit "They are"
[d]. Or "untrustworthy"
[e]. I.e. burning sulphur
[f]. Lit "who were full"
[g]. Or "in spirit"
[h]. Lit "luminary"
[i]. Lit "having"
[j]. Lit "having"
[k]. Lit "measure, a gold reed"
[l]. Lit "reed"
[m]. Lit "twelve thousand stadia;" a stadion was approx 600 ft
[n]. Lit "one hundred forty-four cubits"
[o]. Lit "measure"
[p]. Lit "pure"
[q]. Or "sanctuary"
[r]. Or "sanctuary"
[s]. Lit "bring"
[t]. Lit "who have been"

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 21

This chapter contains an account of the happy state of the church, consisting of all the elect, both Jews and Gentiles, which will take place upon the first resurrection, and will continue during the thousand years' reign mentioned in the preceding chapter. The seat of the church in these happy times will be the new heaven and the new earth, Re 21:1 the church that will dwell there is described by its names, the holy city, and new Jerusalem; by its descent, from heaven; and by its state and ornament, being prepared and adorned as a bride for her husband, Re 21:2 and her happiness is expressed by the presence of God with her, and communion with him enjoyed by her, and by a freedom from all evils endured in the present state of things, Re 21:3,4 after which John hears the voice of him that sat on the throne, declaring himself to be the author of the new heaven and earth; ordering him to write, that what had been said was true and faithful; affirming that things were now done and finished; calling himself the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end: promising grace to the thirsty soul, the inheritance of all things to the overcomer, and also divine sonship; and threatening the second death to sinners, whose characters are given, Re 21:5-8 next John has a vision of the bride before spoken of; the preface to it is in Re 21:9,10 in which is signified that one of the seven angels that had the seven vials talked to him in a very free and familiar manner, and proposed to show him the Lamb's wife; and in order to it carried him to an exceeding high mountain, and showed him the city before mentioned, said to be great, holy, and heavenly; and which is described by the glory of God upon it, and the light that was in it, comparable to a crystal jasper stone, Re 21:11 by its wall, which is great and high; and by its, gates and foundations; its gates are in number twelve, twelve angels at them, and on them written the twelve names of the children of Israel, and these situated three at each point, east, west, north, and south; and its foundations are also twelve, having the names of the twelve apostles on them, Re 21:12-14 by the measure of it, which the angel took with his golden read; of the city, which was twelve thousand furlongs, it being four square, and its length, breadth, and height equal; and of the wall, which was a hundred forty and four cubits, Re 21:15-17 and next the city is described by the matter of which it was built; the wall of jasper the city of pure gold, like to clear glass; the foundations of precious stone, each foundation being of one stone; the gates of pearls, each gate being of one pearl; the street of the city of pure gold, like transparent glass, Re 21:18-21 and then by the temple in it, which is no other than the Lord God and the Lamb; and by the light, which is the same, it having no need of sun or moon, Re 21:22,23 and next by its inhabitants, the nations of the saved ones, who walk in its light, and the kings of the earth, that bring their honour and glory to it; by its safety and security, and by the purity of it, none but undefiled persons, and such who are written in the Lamb's book of life, being admitted into it, Re 21:24-27.