Revelation 21

Revelation 21 describes the establishment of the new heaven and new earth, highlighting the descent of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, from heaven as a bride prepared for her husband. This chapter provides a vivid portrayal of the eternal dwelling place of the redeemed, emphasizing God's presence among His people, the absence of sorrow, and the exclusion of sin.

Revelation 21:1 (NKJV)
1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

This verse describes the creation of a new heaven and a new earth, signifying the complete renewal of all things after sin and death have been eradicated. John sees the first heaven and first earth pass away, meaning the old, sin-corrupted world is gone and replaced by a perfect, sinless creation. This fulfills Isaiah 65:17 and 2 Peter 3:13, which promise a new world where righteousness dwells. John also notes that “there was no more sea,” possibly symbolizing the removal of separation, chaos, and instability, as water often represented in prophecy. The new creation is a place of eternal peace and harmony, where God’s redeemed will dwell with Him forever.

Revelation 21:2 (NKJV)
2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

John describes the descent of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, from heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. This city represents the eternal dwelling place of God’s redeemed, symbolizing purity, perfection, and divine glory. Its descent from heaven signifies that it is not built by human hands but is God’s direct creation, fulfilling Christ’s promise in John 14:2-3 to prepare a place for His people. The reference to a bride adorned for her husband emphasizes the beauty, holiness, and joyful union between God and His people. Just as a bride is carefully prepared for her wedding, this city is perfectly prepared for the redeemed to live in eternal fellowship with their Creator. This moment marks the fulfillment of God’s plan to dwell among His people, restoring what was lost due to sin and establishing a perfect, everlasting kingdom.

Revelation 21:3-4 (NKJV)
3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

This passage reveals the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell among His people, restoring perfect harmony between heaven and earth. A loud voice from heaven declares that God’s dwelling place is now with humanity, signifying the full restoration of His presence, just as originally intended in Eden. The separation caused by sin is permanently removed, and God Himself will wipe away every tear from their eyes, signifying the end of sorrow, pain, and suffering. Death, mourning, crying, and pain will cease to exist because the former things—the effects of sin and the curse—have passed away. This passage assures that God’s redeemed will experience eternal joy, security, and peace, free from the suffering that plagued the old world. It marks the complete fulfillment of God’s plan, where sin is eradicated, and His people live in everlasting communion with Him.

Revelation 21:5 (NKJV)
5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

This passage declares God the Father’s promise of total renewal, affirming that He is making all things new. The One seated on the throne—God the Father—proclaims that His words are faithful and true, ensuring that His promise of a new creation will be fulfilled. He announces, “It is done,” signifying the final completion of His redemptive plan, in contrast to Jesus’ words on the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). At the cross, Christ’s victory over sin was secured, providing salvation, but sin and death still remained in the world. Now, in Revelation 21, God declares the ultimate fulfillment of His plan, where sin, suffering, and death are permanently removed. God, the Alpha and Omega—the Beginning and the End—offers the water of life freely to all who thirst, symbolizing eternal satisfaction and spiritual renewal. Those who overcome through faith and perseverance will inherit all things and be called children of God, receiving the full blessings of His kingdom. This passage confirms the certainty of God’s promise, the reward of the faithful, and the eternal restoration of His people in perfect harmony with Him.

Revelation 21:6 (NKJV)
6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.”

The proclamation "It is done" signifies the completion of God’s purposes in history. Identifying as the Alpha and Omega, God underscores His eternal nature and sovereignty. The offer of the water of life to those who thirst metaphorically represents the free and abundant life available eternally in His presence.

Revelation 21:7 (NKJV)
7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

This verse promises inheritances to those who overcome—the believers who remain faithful to God. The relationship described as "I will be his God and he shall be My son" highlights the personal and familial bond God establishes with His followers.

Revelation 21:8 (NKJV)
8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

This verse describes the final fate of those who rejected God’s salvation, contrasting them with the redeemed who inherit the new creation (Revelation 21:7). God the Father declares that the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will have their part in the lake of fire, which is the second death. This means that those who persist in sin, reject God’s truth, or live in rebellion will face complete and irreversible destruction. The cowardly refers to those who feared persecution more than they feared God. The unbelieving rejected faith in Christ, while the abominable refers to those who engaged in detestable sins. The lake of fire is not eternal torment but a coded expression signifying total and final eradication, where sin and sinners cease to exist. This verse confirms that only those who accept Christ and remain faithful will inherit eternal life, while all rebellion will be permanently removed from God’s kingdom.

Revelation 21:9-11 (NKJV)
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

This passage introduces the vision of the New Jerusalem, the eternal home of God’s redeemed. One of the seven angels, who had previously poured out the plagues, now shows John “the bride, the Lamb’s wife,” referring to the Holy City, New Jerusalem, which represents God’s faithful people in their glorified state. John is carried “in the Spirit” to a great and high mountain, symbolizing a divine perspective to witness the splendor of God’s final work. He sees the city descending out of heaven from God, confirming that it is not of human origin but a perfect creation from God Himself. The city has the glory of God, radiating with divine brilliance, and its light is like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. This symbolizes its purity, perfection, and the full presence of God dwelling among His people, fulfilling His promise of complete restoration.

Revelation 21:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.
14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The detailed structure of the city includes a great and high wall with twelve gates, guarded by angels and inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, symbolizing the inclusion and protection of God's chosen people. Each side of the city has three gates, signifying accessibility and welcome from all directions. The city’s foundations bear the names of the twelve apostles, representing the foundational role of the apostles' teachings in the church and the unity of Old and New Testament believers.

Revelation 21:15-17 (NKJV)
15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.
16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.

The angel measures the city using a golden reed, emphasizing the city's perfect symmetry and divine order. The dimensions, astonishingly large and equal in length, breadth, and height, suggest a cube, reminiscent of the Most Holy Place in the earthly sanctuary, which was also cubic. This symbolizes the entire city as a Holy Place, where God’s presence permanently resides. The measurement of the walls, though relatively small compared to the city, signifies protection and security.

Revelation 21:18-20 (NKJV)
18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
19 The foundations of the city walls were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.

The materials of the city are described with extraordinary detail, indicating not only immense value but also breathtaking beauty. The wall made of jasper and the city of pure gold, transparent as glass, reflect the purity and glory of God’s kingdom. Each foundation is adorned with different precious stones, symbolizing the diverse beauty and richness of God’s people, glorified and perfected in His presence. Each stone might also reflect the unique character and contribution of each apostle to the foundation of the church.

Revelation 21:21 (NKJV)
21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each individual gate was of one pearl; and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

The gates made of single pearls each emphasize the priceless and perfect entry into the city, with pearls symbolizing purity and transformation—a fitting entrance into a place where the former things of the old world have passed away. The streets of gold, clear as glass, continue the theme of divine perfection and unblemished beauty, facilitating a pure and open fellowship among the inhabitants and with God.