REVELATION
SIMPLIFIED
CHAPTER 21.2
Gleanings
from the Book of Revelation:
A
Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series
The
REVELATION
TO JOHN
Chapter
Twenty-One
Eternity
Unveiled: The New Jerusalem
Introduction
Since
there is no universe at this juncture in Scripture, the Apostle John will
describe what he saw – The new heavenly city Jerusalem in the eternal state
coming down out of the third Heaven where the Throne of God is seated.
Be
reminded: Text is context. There are no allegories in this chapter. The
Apocalyptic visions of what shall be were given to John as such:
Revelation 1:1 - The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him
[Christ], to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come
to pass; and
He sent and signified it by
His angel unto His servant John.
(Verse
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.
Plain and simple: John beholds the New Jerusalem, not
created, but already prepared for the redeemed, after the Millennium,
descending out of Heaven.
Fundamentally, there are three cities of Jerusalem in the
Bible:
1. The old
historic city of Jerusalem where David and the Jebusites resided, and later,
where Jesus walked amongst us during the Roman Empire under Herod the Great and
Antipas
a. The old
city – The Great city was spiritually called Sodom and Egypt, for there they
crucified the Lord (cf. Revelation 11:8)
2. The
Millennial city where Christ will sit on the throne of David and rule with a
rod of iron embracing one-thousand years of peace
a. A
satanic attack will ensue at the end of the Millennium and will be decimated by
God (cf. 2 Peter 3:10)
3. The New
eternal holy city of Jerusalem where Jesus and His Bride (The redeemed of all
ages) will reside, and God dwells amongst them
a. The
capital city of the new Heaven and Earth is also called the Bridal City
Jerusalem
Geography
Jerusalem
was one of the oldest cities in the world located on a plateau in the Judean mountains
between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea. It is surrounded by steep inclines
to the Kidron and Hinnom Valleys, giving it a great defensive advantage.
Origins
The
word Jerusalem was initially two Hebrew names, (1) yârâh (to flow)
and (2) shâlam [a
place of peace (cf. Isaiah 57:2 NB.] The
word Yᵉrûwshâlaim used
in its complete form is first mentioned in Joshua 10:1 – the City of flowing
peace.
History
Historically,
it is believed the area was named Salem by Cush, son of Noah. The first mention
of Salem in the Bible is found in Genesis 14:18 where Melchizedek was its king
and priest of the Most High God.
Settled by the Canaanites and other tribes, David conquered the city from the
Jebusites (cf. Exodus 3:7) and called it the
City of David (cf. 2 Samuel 5:9).
Jerusalem
was always loved by God (cf. Malachi 2:1a). However, its people frequently sinned
against God.
Prophesied
Hebrews 11:10 - For he (Abraham) looked (was
looking) for a city which hath foundations, whose
builder and maker is God.
Haggai 2:9 - The glory of this latter house shall be
greater than of the former, saith the LORD
of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
The Mystery of God should be
finished, as He hath
declared to His servants the prophets (cf. Revelation 10:7)
Isaiah 11:9 - They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Remember
the promise to the Church of Philadelphia:
Revelation 3:12 - Him that
overcometh will I make a pillar in the Temple of My God, and he shall go no
more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the
name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem,
which cometh down out of Heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.[emphasis
mine]
New Jerusalem,
coming down from God out of Heaven
The descent of New Jerusalem which will be the capital city
of the new Heaven and Earth is seen by John descending into the eternal state
from the Throne of God. It is an actual, literal, material city (fit for our
new redeemed bodies in Christ) in which the Church of Christ (comprising of
both saved Jews and Gentiles) will dwell and reign over the new earth forever
and ever. As later noted, the City will be magnificent beyond man's
comprehension.
Prepared as a bride
adorned for her husband
As later noted, the City will be also like an
indescribably beautiful bride. The imagery of marriage is used often in both
the Old and New Testaments. God and His people will join together in holy
matrimony as husband and wife. Again as a reminder, the Church is not the Bride
in this passage. Israel is considered the wife of Jehovah and the Church is
seen as the Bride of the Messiah.
Adorned (kosmeō)
in Greek means properly put in order, decorated, garnished,
embellished, and ornamentally made ready.
Not connected to the Millennium, the awe of Heaven is
contained in this New Jerusalem. And, the Heavenly Jerusalem is not created at
this point but was already prepared in Heaven, and John now views it in
its eternal state.
Jesus promised:
John 14:2-3 - In My Father's house are many
mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and
receive you unto Myself; that where I
am, there ye may be
also.
Then
Jesus also said:
John 14:23 - …If a man love Me, he will
keep My Words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.
For
your enjoyment listen to Jerusalem, City
of God by the FWC singers and musicians. Please use this URL:
And, in
anticipation of King Jesus play Soon and
Very Soon by Andre Crouch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxarZBxK0iQ [Continue to play live version - Skip
advertisements]
(Verse 3)
And I heard a
great Voice out of (the Throne of) Heaven saying,
Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with
men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people[s], and God Himself
shall be with them, and be their
God.
In the first two verses, John saw something. Now, he hears
something. The last of twenty times a great or loud voice will be ascertained
from the Throne of God. Moreover in this passage, the purpose of God is
fulfilled and the work of Christ is truly finished. God will no longer be a
mediator but be in a permanent relationship with God and His people. He will
abide with them, forever.
Behold, the
Tabernacle of God is with
men
John currently beholds the supreme joy of Heaven. The
fullness of joy and one’s highest and unabatable joy is to be with the Lord.
Now the Lord’s Tabernacle is ultimate with and among men.
The word Tabernacle
(skēnē) means a
tent or a dwelling place for habitation. Recollect, the Tent in the Wilderness
was fashioned after the pattern in which the Temple at Jerusalem was built (cf.
Hebrews 8:5). In the Old Testament God tabernacled among men as light and a
cloud shelter:
Exodus
13:21 - And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by
night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to
go by day and night.
However,
in eternity God is again existing with men as He once was with Adam and Eve
thus realizing His name, Emmanuel, God with us (cf. Matthew 1:23). And, His government will rest upon His shoulders (cf.
Isaiah 9:6).
And He will
dwell with them, and they shall be His people[s], and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Precedents
God
dwelling with His people is not a new experience. The model was set at Creation
and the following:
1. God
first dwelt with man in the Garden (cf. Genesis 3:8)
2. God
dwelt with Israel in the Tabernacle (cf. Exodus 29:45)
3. God
dwelt with Israel in the Temple (cf. 1 Kings 6:11)
4. God
dwelt among His people in the flesh (cf. John 1:14)
5. God
dwells in the body of believers (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19)
6. God
will dwell in the millennial Temple (cf. Ezekiel 43:4)
7. God
will dwell forever in eternity with His people (cf. Revelation 21:3ff.)
They shall be
His people[s], and God Himself shall be with them and be their God
Old
Testament Promises
God
shall dwell with His, properly interpreted, “peoples.” Peoples
represent all the redeemed believers from the beginning of time.
The
dreams of the ancient prophets of God returning to dwell with His people again
are:
Leviticus 26:11-12- And I will set My
Tabernacle among you: and My soul shall
not abhor you. And I will walk among
you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people.
Song of Solomon 6:3 – I am my
Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine: He feedeth (His flock) among the lilies.
Ezekiel 37:27 - My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[For
extra study, read these verses: Exodus 25:8; 29:45; Ezekiel 48:35; 2
Corinthians 5:1; 6:16; and 2 Peter 1:14]
New
Testament Promises
Verse
three of Revelation is also the fulfillment of these prophecies:
Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the
pure in heart: for they shall see God.
John 14:23b - If a man love Me, he will
keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him.
2 Corinthians 6:16b - Ye are the Temple of the living God; as God hath said, I
will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My
people.
And so, the presence of God will include the
visible manifestation of His presence before our eyes:
Psalm 16:11 - Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness
of joy; at Thy right hand there
are pleasures for evermore.
God
speaks of the glorious joy which will be ours. Now the hope of every believer
is realized:
Revelation 7:15 - Therefore are they before
the Throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His
Temple: and He that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them.
1 John 3:2 - Beloved, now are we the sons
of God, and it doth not
yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.
Continuing…
(Verse 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.
Conditions of the New Heaven and Earth
Everything the way God originally intended His creation will
be accomplished in the new Heaven and Earth. The past has been entirely removed
and all things are made new. Nothing is improved, repaired, or refurbished. Passed away is interpreted, as departed out
of existence. Not a trace. Anything related to the original creation is absent forever.
A new world order has now been established – A Theocracy, ruled by God. There
is not a thing but the divine grace of God for His comfort.
The text then itemizes a few negatives as such:
1. No more sea (Verse 1)
a. Previously discussed, the sea has always been a symbol of
unrest, chaos, evil or foreign nations in the Bible
2. No more tears [tear
is singular in Greek] – God shall
wipe away every tear
a. Drops of clear salty liquid spilling from the eyes in an act
of weeping
b. Isaiah 25:8b - The Lord GOD will
wipe away tears from off all faces; and the
rebuke of his people shall he
take away from off all the earth: for the
LORD hath spoken it.
c. Revelation 7:17 - For the Lamb which is in the midst of the Throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
3. No more death
a. Physical or spiritual death
b. Isaiah 25:8a - He will swallow up
death in victory.
c. I Corinthians 15:54c - Death is swallowed up in victory.
4. No more sorrow
a. Sorrow results in grief or mourning and deep distress
b. Isaiah 35:10 – And the ransomed of the
LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their
heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
c. Isaiah 51:11 – Therefore the redeemed of the
LORD shall return, and come with
singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.
d.
5. No more crying
a. Crying is an outcry or a clamour
b. Isaiah 65:19 - And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in Her, nor the voice of
crying.
c. Galatians 4:6 - And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
[A joyful kind of crying]
6. No more pain
a. Intense anguish; mental or physical discomfort
b. Jeremiah 31:12 - They will come and shout for joy on the height of Zion, And they will be radiant over the bounty of the LORD…And their life will be like a watered garden, And they will never
languish again. (NASB)
c. Matthew 11:28 - Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.
7. No more night
a. Isaiah 60:20 - Thy sun shall no
more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall
be thine everlasting light, and the days of
thy mourning shall be ended.
b. Revelation 22:5 - 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.
c. Jesus said I Am the
Light [cf. John 8:12 (see also Isaiah 45:7; John 9:5; 12:46; 1 John 2:8)]
For the former
things are passed away
In the New Heaven and Earth, God's divine grace is
preeminent. And, as kings and priests, we shall see Him face to face.
Revelation 1:6 – And [JESUS] hath made us
kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever
and ever. Amen.
Encounter what is revealed to John in the following Bible study.
QUESTIONS:
1. What does John see and hear in the above verses?
2. What does the Holy City resemble?
3. What does the word tabernacle mean?
4. How did God live among His people in the past?
5. Why will there be no need for a Temple?
6. How will we worship in Heaven? (see Revelation 4)
7. What will be missing in the new Heaven and Earth?
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