THE CONCLUSION TO THE BOOK OF REVELATION

THE CONCLUSION OF THE BOOK

Rev. 22:6-21

"And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

The grand story has come to an end. The vision is over. The record now stands. Only one thing remains, and that is a responsibility to impress men with the importance and the insistence of this message. That is what follows.

The Importance of These Things Recorded in this Book vs. 6-11

"And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still."

"filthy still" This startling pronouncement, apparently uttered by Christ Himself, indicates that the direction of one’s character, as developed in this present life, will continue the same trend in the future life. In fact, the word “still” could well be translated “more.” That is, those who refuse the righteousness of Christ in this life will not show regret or repentance when consigned to hell in the future life, but will increase in ungodliness and ugliness instead. That may even be a part of hell’s torment, existing forever in an environment of increasing corruption, in solitary confinement as well as no body with which to perform their lusts and desires. Those with Christ in the new Jerusalem, on the other hand, will continue to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

The are Faithful. That is, They are Sure to Happen vs. 6-7

"And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book."

"blessed" The promised blessing at the beginning of the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:3) is here repeated at its end, with an emphasis on the vital importance of keeping (that is, safeguarding against dilution or distortion or addition) the “sayings” (that is, the very words) of the book, right up to the always imminent coming of the Lord.

They are Fearful. That is, They are Soon to Happen vs. 8-9

"And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God."

They are Final. That is, they will Seal the Facts vs. 10-11

"And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still."

Fixed in their moral state at this point. Too late to change your moral, spiritual state as far as your relationship to the King. All believers must be glorified at this point for flesh and blood cannot enter the Kingdom. You cannot inherit in the fullest sense until you have a glorified body.

The Invitation to These Things Recorded in This Book vs. 12-17

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

His life conception. Destiny has been fixed by the choice of the human will.
There were things planned from the foundations of the world e.g. Matt 25:34; John 17:24; Heb. 2:5 4:3; Eph. 1:4; Rev. 13:8; 1 Pet 1:20 and He that laid those plans, Whose heart desired this outcome was Eternally the Ever-Present One. PERSONAL: See note on Alpha and Omega in Psalms 41:13.  The Alpha and Omega, mentioned also in Rev 1:8, 21:6 and 22:13, are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
"Blessed" This is the seventh and last of the “beatitudes” in Revelation. See also Revelation 1:3; 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7.
 "do his commandments" Some manuscripts read “wash their robes” instead of “do His commandments,” and it is true that men are not saved by the law but by grace through faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus. There is a reference (Revelation 7:14) to the tribulation saints who have “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,” and the latter rendering would be consistent with that particular verse. However, there are at least a dozen other references in John’s writings to keeping the commandments of Christ (John 14:15,21; 15:10 (2); 1 John 2:3-4; 3:22, 24; 5:2-3; Revelation 12:17; 14:12). Although no one is saved by keeping commandments, it is surely true that any person who is genuinely saved will love His commandments and seek to keep them. Jesus said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15), and John would add: “Hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar” (1 John 2:3-4). It seems that the strong weight of internal evidence, as well as textual evidence, favors the traditional King James rendering.
"dogs" The inclusion of “dogs” along with whoremongers, murderers, and other gross sinners would indicate that the sin of being a “dog” is also a flagrant perversion of God’s moral law. The most likely connotation of the use of such a pejorative here would be in reference to the sin of sodomy, commonly practiced by the licentious Gentiles of John’s time, even in their pagan temple worship (Romans 1:26-27). This meaning is derived from God’s command in Deuteronomy 23:17-18: “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” The sin of homosexuality, as well as prostitution of any kind, is “abomination unto the LORD,” and whatsoever “worketh abomination” shall not enter the city (Revelation 21:27).
"churches" This is the first reference to “churches” since the letters to the churches at the beginning of the book (e.g., Revelation 3:22). This is undoubtedly because there will be no true churches as such in the world during the events of the tribulation period, as recorded in Revelation 4-19. However, everything in the book is intended for the instruction of the churches in this present age—hence, this reminder.
"David" The Lord Jesus Christ is both David’s Creator and his descendant (Matthew 22:41-46). That can only be true if He is both God and Man, the God/Man.
"morning star" Satan had aspired to be “Lucifer, son of the morning” (Isaiah 14:12), where “Lucifer” can also be translated “Day-Star” (Hebrew haylel), referring to Venus, the bright star of the dawning. Here, however, after Satan has been forever banished to the lake of fire, Christ proclaims that He alone is “the bright morning star,” where “morning” in this case is the Greek orthoinos, always referring only to Venus, the star of early dawn. At the end of his Revelation, the Lord is reminding all readers that He, not Satan, is the harbinger of eternal light and life. The great conflict of the ages between Satan and Christ, the old serpent and the promised Seed of the woman, will soon be over. Christ is the true Day-Star, Son of the morning.
"whosoever will" This final invitation of the Bible urges “whosoever will” to come to Christ. The water of everlasting life is freely available to all who thirst for God and His righteousness. There is no need for anyone to go to hell, but salvation is given only to those who will to come. Then, those who have come in answer to the invitation, the Bride, through the indwelling Spirit, join in the invitation, but in addition will cry out for Christ to come. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

The Invitation is Given with the Incentive of Prominence vs. 12-13

"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."

Rewards will be given to the energetic servant.

The Invitation is Given with the Incentive of Privilege vs. 14-15

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie."

The right will be given to the saved to partake of the tree of life and to enter the city.

"The tree of life" is one of the many allusions in Revelation to Genesis. In order to keep fallen man from eating of "the tree of life," God drove him from Eden and placed cherubim at the gate to guard the way to the tree (Gen 2:9; 3:22,24). "The tree of life" appears three times in Rev 22 (vv. 2, 14, 19 [Gk.] ), where the new paradise is described. Gen 2:9; Rev 22:2,14

The Invitation is Given with the Incentive of Price vs. 16-17

"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

The water of life will be given without price (freely) to any who desire to partake.
Promises from Rev. 21:6 has come about. Cf. Isa 55:1.

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."

 

The Inviolability of These Things Recorded in This Book vs. 18-21

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
"the words" Note the importance of the words! The conveyance of precise thoughts requires the use of precise words. Only the doctrine of verbal inerrancy adequately expresses the true nature of Biblical inspiration. This warning at the end of the book of Revelation (in fact, the end of the Bible) stresses the necessity of literal interpretation. Actually, a literal interpretation is not an interpretation at all, for it takes the words at face value, assuming that the Holy Spirit (using the thoughts and abilities of the human writer whose words He inspired) was able to say exactly what He meant to say. Any kind of allegorical or figurative interpretation of those words (unless directly indicated as required in the context) assumes that the interpreter knows better than the Holy Spirit what He should be saying, and such an attitude is presumptuous, if not blasphemous.

No revisions to the Revelation of Jesus Christ are needed. Any additions or deletions have to do with what are imperfections and that will not be tolerated from sinful creatures. The precision and faithfulness to detail with this revelation cannot be improved upon by men. See also Deut 4:2; Deut 12:32; Prov 30:5-6; Jer 26:2.

The Preservation of the Message is Guaranteed by the Sentence upon the Destroyer vs. 18-19

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

The Attestation of the Message is Guaranteed by the Person Who Gave the Message vs. 20

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

"come quickly" Here is Christ’s last, and greatest, promise. Although the promise was given over 2000 years ago, His coming has actually been imminent in every generation. In the scale of eternity, of course, even 2000 years is a very brief period of time. In any case, His coming is sure, and when He does come, all the events associated with it will indeed take place quickly, as described in this book. In the meantime, we must simply obey His command to “occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13).
 come, Lord Jesus. Here is the last, and most appropriate, prayer of the Bible. The Lord, indeed, taught us that our first request in praying should always be, in effect: “Thy kingdom come. They will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Our attitude always should be to “love His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8) and to “abide in Him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 John 2:28).

 These are the last words before the benediction. They are the words of the Lord Jesus and the words of those who bear His name, and wear His sign. The words of the Lord Jesus are the words of His confidence, and of His strength. To that glorious consummation He is coming, and that all the time. The word "quickly" must be interpreted, not by our finite lives, and our small almanacs, but by His age abiding life, and our age-abiding life in Him. By one reckoning of the years, well nigh two millenniums have gone since John heard these words, and certainly another millennium will pass before the City of God shall come. But to Him to Whom a thousand years are but as a day, surely He cometh quickly. The haste of God may seem slow to men if they measure by the small span of an earthly life. To them also it will be great haste, if they measure it by the eternal life. The one sure thing is that He cometh! Through patience, through wrath, through all the processes, He cometh. Nothing can prevent His coming. That very assurance gives urgency to the answering cry of His own- "Amen, come Lord Jesus"! That coming is the only hope of the world, and there is no desire so pure, so strong, so influential in all highest ways, as that He should come indeed.

 To His glorious consummation He is coming, and that all the time. Quickly is not interpreted by our finite lives but by His age-abiding life. The haste of God may seem slow to men if they measure by the small span of an earthly life. To them also it will be of great haste if they measure by eternal life.
The Apocalypse is also the Book of the Second Coming of Christ. After six verses of introductory material, the main body of the book opens with the glad announcement: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him" (Rev. 1:7). And the final word from Christ Himself, uttered from His present throne of grace in heaven, is the promise, "Surely I come quickly"; to which John responds with the last prayer recorded in Scripture, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Rev. 22:20).

The Benediction of the Message is the Assurance that it Will be Realized  "Grace." vs. 21

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

Paul always began and ended his epistles with reference to the grace of Christ, and so did John here in Revelation (note Revelation 1:4). It is all of grace—we live, are saved, live and die—all by the grace of God in Christ. And that isn’t all. “In the ages to come,” our God of all grace will “shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 2:7). In the words of John’s benediction, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will indeed be with us all throughout the eternal ages to come, and we can only whisper in awe and thanksgiving: “Amen!”

THE EXPERIENCE OF ETERNAL BLESSEDNESS (BEING SAVED FOREVER)

The Experience of Eternal Blessedness  

Rev. 22:1-5

"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. 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. 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: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 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."

Here again the imagery is actual. There is a real river, tree, throne, face, and light in this celestial city now among men. Each one of these things is a constant reminder of the grace of God experienced by them.

The River of the Water of Life vs. 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."

This is a constant reminder of regeneration, God in them by the Holy Spirit who proceeds from the Father and from the Son.

The primeval river emerging from Eden (Genesis 2:10) seems to have been a type of this eternal river proceeding from the throne of the Lamb. Like the former river, this also will probably part into four directions, watering the whole city and on out into the whole earth. Since there will be no sea, there will be no rain. This wonderful river of water of life, however, will surely support an abundance of vegetation everywhere—with enough water for the whole world, and with none wasted. Presumably, the Lord will continue to create an unending supply of water from His throne for all these needs.

The Tree of Life and the Twelve Fruits vs. 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."

This is a constant reminder of preservation, God for them, providing the needed sustenance and protection from harm.

"tree of life" The cherubim had once been directed by God to prevent sinful men from eating the fruit of the tree of life and living forever in their sins (Genesis 3:22-24). In the New Jerusalem, however, the tree of life will always be freely accessible to all; it will probably also grow alongside the river wherever its distributaries flow throughout the whole earth.
"twelve manner of fruits" Herein is a marvelous thing! Instead of twelve different kinds of fruit trees, each bearing its fruit only in its particular season, God has programmed this tree to bear all of them, each in its proper time.
"every month" There will still be a flow of time in the new earth, and some means (perhaps astronomical, as at present) of measuring time. Even though there will be no night in the city itself, since the glory of God perpetually illumines it, the sun and moon will still be in the sky, and may well continue the normal procession of days, months and years which God had originally established in His “very good” creation in the beginning (Genesis 1:14,31). It is not that time will cease, as some teach, but just that time will never end, “throughout all ages, world without end” (Ephesians 3:21).

The Throne of God and the Removal of the Curse vs. 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:"

This is a constant reminder of Divine presence. God is among them and over them as Lord and Sovereign. Where He is, there is no curse and His servants willingly submit to His dominion.
"
no more curse" The primeval curse (Genesis 3:17-19) will be completely lifted from the new earth (see notes on Revelation 20:11; 21:1,4-5).
"serve him" Life in the new earth will be far more than mere rest and fellowship. There will be ample time for these also, as well as for harps and singing, but there will also be work to do. This work will no doubt be referenced in some appropriate way to our service here in this life (note Revelation 22:12), but will surely be satisfying and fruitful work. In an infinite universe, with an eternity of time, we can never run out of something to do!

The Face of the Lamb and the Name He Gives vs. 4

"And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads."

This is a constant revelation of the glory of God. God is before them in the Lamb. We shall behold His glory with its transforming power throughout eternity.

"they shall see His face" This is the last reference in the Bible to the face of Jesus Christ. We shall finally see Him face to face! The gospel writers frequently mention His face, but they never give a description. After His arrest and trial, the Roman soldiers “struck Him on the face” (Luke 22:64), apparently so severely and repeatedly that “His visage was so marred more than any man” (Isaiah 52:14). But when He comes again, and we see Him, we shall rejoice forever in “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).
"their foreheads" Note Revelation 3:12; 7:3

The Light of the City is the Lord God vs. 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."

This is a constant illumination that continues and increases. He is the physical light, the mental light, the moral light, and the spiritual light. For God is light. Every day the light will grow and our wonder shall increase.
Cf. Isa 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."
John saw this from the prophecy in Zechariah 14:7.

"But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light."

THE DELIGHTS OF NEW JERUSALEM

The Delights of the Holy Jerusalem  

Rev. 21:24-27

"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 honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 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."

This city will have a direct blessing upon the nations in the earth.

Salvation Will be One of the Delights, for all Nations will be Saved vs. 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 honor into it."

Sanctification will be Another Delight, for the Nations will Walk in the Holy Light of the City vs. 24b

"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 honor into it."

Satisfaction will be Another Delight From this City, for the Gates will Never be Shut. Ready and Easy Access all the Time. Go and Come at Will vs. 25

"And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there."

Separation From all Wicked Creatures and Things will be Another Delight

vs. 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."



This means that those who occupy the city as the bride and the kings and nations of earth which have access will all be saved. Sin and sinners will be banished from the earth.
That is why He told Hid disciples that where He was going, they could not follow Him at that point. John 13:53. Where I go flesh and blood cannot survive long enough. The flesh has desires it needs to be rid of, for they cause death and where I go is an eternal place.

Salutations to God will be Another Delight, for the Nations and Kings will bring their Glory and Honor to the Lamb vs 24c, 26

"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 honor into it".
"And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it."

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW JERUSALEM

The Description of the Holy Jerusalem  

Rev. 21:11-23

"Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 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: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 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. 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. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 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; 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. 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. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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."

This is the city for which Abraham looked, a city which hath foundation whose builder and maker is God. This is a real city, the home where the heavenly bridegroom and his bride will dwell throughout eternity. This city is going to come down upon the earth. The earth is the proper sphere and abode of man, and therefore is the place where this city will finally be placed. But this is God's building. As far as I can see, everything about this city is literal. When it says gold, it means gold. A sevenfold description follows.

Jasper is the symbol of conflict, and includes a new order.

The Effulgence of the City vss. 11, 23

"The glory of God."

This is holiness and it streams from the Son of God, the Lamb.

The Entrance of the City vss. 12, 13, 21

"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."
"On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates."
"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."

Angels are at the gates, and the names of the 12 tribes of Israel are upon them. That is to remind us that "salva­tion is of the Jews." The pearl is to remind us that the only way into the city is through the risen side of a crucified savior.

"twelve pearls" The pearly gates, each consisting of 1380 miles of solid pearl, are never closed (Revelation 21:25), thus providing access to the city at every level throughout its great height.
"street of the city" The “street of the city” must be an inter-connected complex of both horizontal streets and vertical streets (like elevator shafts), all of translucent gold. The glorified bodies of the saints will be like that of Christ (Philippians 3:21), capable of moving at great speed through space (note John 20:17; also Daniel 9:21-23), and therefore can easily move both horizontally and vertically about the city. How it is that the streets of pure gold can also be like transparent glass we do not yet understand. However, “the gold is mine, saith the LORD” (Haggai 2:8), and He can do with it as He will. The city will be of indescribable beauty in its total aspect (1 Corinthians 2:9).

The Foundations of the City vss. 14, 19-20

"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.""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; 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."

These twelve foundations are adorned with all manner of precious stones, and each foundation is made of a particu­lar precious stone. On each foundation is a name of one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. This is to remind the saints that the apostles are the foundation of the church, being so placed by the Son (Eph. 2:20-22).

"And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

The Magnitude of the City vs. 15-16

"And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 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 1500-mile cube, or a pyramid with a square base of 1500 miles and with a height of 1500 miles. At the top of the pyramid the capstone will appear, the chief cornerstone, the light of the city, and the temple.

"twelve thousand furlongs" The Greek word here is stadia, and the equivalent of 12,000 stadia is approximately 1380 miles, which is the length of each side of this gigantic cubical city (some writers have suggested that the city might be of pyramid shape, but pyramid-shaped towers—ever since Babel—have been associated with pagan idolatry, whereas the cube, beautifully suggesting the divine Trinity (see note on Romans 1:20) is the shape specified by God for the holy place in the temple (1 Kings 6:20).

1377 miles x 1377miles x 1377 miles.

The Enclosure for the City vs. 17-18

"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. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass."

The wall about the city is for the purpose of reminding all that this is the private home of the bride. This wall reminds one that the Lord provides protection for His people. The character of the protection is indicated by the material of which the wall is made, namely, jasper, which is clear as crystal, like diamond, and is the glory of God, His holiness (vs. 11, 23).

The Material of the City vs. 18, 21

"And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.""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."

Within the city limits the buildings are all made of pure gold (vs. 18), so pure that it is like glass. Even the streets are made of pure gold, so pure that it is trans­parent. With all this gold about, it reminds the saints of the absolute righteousnes of Christ that was made available at the cross, upon which we must stand, and with which we must be clothed throughout eternity.

The Worship of the City vs. 22

"And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it."

There was no temple within this city, for God was there in the person of the Lamb. The saints can look upon His face directly and adore His wonderful Person. Symbols, signs, sacraments, and systems of worship will be done away forever.

THE EXHIBITION OF THE ETERNAL BLESSEDNESS

The Exhibition of the Eternal Blessedness  

Rev. 21:9-27

"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. 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, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 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: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 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. 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. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 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; 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. 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. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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. 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 honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 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."
 

 

 

The Descending of the Holy Jerusalem vs. 9-10

"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. 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,"

 That great city, the holy Jerusalem.  -Rev. 21:10
 It is interesting to observe that, while the account of the new universe is confined to a single verse, no less than twenty-five verses are used to describe its great city in detail. The record speaks of its "glory" (Rev. 21:11), its "gates" (Rev. 21:12-13, 21, 25), its "wall" (Rev. 21:14, 18), its "measure" (Rev. 21:15-17), its "foundations" (Rev. 21:19-20), its "street" (Rev. 21:21), its "temple" (Rev. 21:22), its "light" (Rev. 21:23), its "nations" (Rev. 21:24), its "river" (Rev. 22:1), its wondrous "tree" (Rev. 22:2), and its "throne" (Rev. 22:3).
 The name of the city, as in common usage, refers to both the structure and those who dwell there. According to the angelic word, the "holy Jerusalem" is "the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev. 21:9-10). The members of the Church will be its honored citizens (Phil. 3:20, ASV) where they live in their prepared mansions He promised them. But the saved of all ages will have free access to its glories and benefits (Rev. 21:24,26).
 Although the details of its description suggest many very precious symbolical meanings, we must not lose sight of the literality of the city. For it is a place, "prepared" by the Lord of glory Himself (Rev. 21:2; John 14:1-3). Surely, it would be foolish to argue that, because in the Holy Communion service its symbolism is the thing of highest importance, therefore it is of no consequence whether or not we have a literal bread and a literal cup. If the King of the New Jerusalem and also its inhabitants are literal, there is no reason for balking at the literality of the city itself. While some details of its structure may not be fully understood, none of them are wholly outside the realm of sober possibility. If there were twelve apostles and twelve tribes of Israel, why should not the new Jerusalem have its twelve foundations and twelve gates, bearing these historic names? (Rev. 21:12-14). These details have an anchor in the facts of history.
 The dimensions of the New Jerusalem are admittedly gigantic "twelve thousand furlongs" in breadth, and length, and height (Rev. 21:16). Even if we interpret this language as indicating the shape of a perfect cube, however, the concept is not inconceivable. In this case, its lines and equal dimensions would suggest that exquisite simplicity toward which modern architecture is moving. But on the other hand, as it may be, if the height of the city refers to the eminence upon which the city is set (possibly formed by the twelve foundations arranged in pyramid fashion), then again the literal concept would be one of great architectural splendor. The 144-cubit wall seems to harmonize better with this interpretation of the city's dimensions. What a sight such a city would be gradually rising toward the sky by the great step-backs of its twelve-jeweled foundations. It is true that this concept would be totally out of proportion with the dimensions of our present earth. But there is to be a "new earth." And if the earth is to be made the eternal dwelling place of Christ and His redeemed people, a's the passage suggests, then the earth will become the center of all things. Surely there would be a divine fitness in this, for here the great drama of sin and redemption will have been played out before an awed universe. And in that case, doubtless, the new earth will be so constituted, both as to size and glory that it will harmonize perfectly with its eternal city.

The Submissiveness of the Bride vs. 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."

"Bride," "the Lamb's wife." Certainly that wife is not completely submissive to the husband today. That explains the difficulties in the church. The true bride is more submissive than the spurious bride, the professing church.

The Sinlessness of the Bride vs. 10
"That great city, the Holy Jerusalem."

The Lamb has finally presented it to Himself without spot or wrinkle or any such thing (Eph. 5:25). Surely that ought to be inducement for God's people to be now engaged in the most important of all tasks, getting ready to meet the Bridegroom.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"

 

THE PROHIBITION FOR THE FINAL ORDER

The Prohibition From the New Order

Rev. 21:8

"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."

There may be some doubt in the minds of men, so earthbound as we are, about the presence of sinful men in this new order. Satan has certainly tried to confuse the minds of men with his perversions of the truth. Just do the best you can and you will be saved. Just belong to this lodge, or give to the community chest, etc.

The People Prohibited From Entering

"The fearful," "the unbelieving," "the abominable," "the murderers," "the fornicators," "sorcerers," "idolaters," "all the liars."
This describes their nature and their conduct. This does not point to occasional slips, but to practice. The practice points to character that is unchanged and in full control.

"fearful" This fear refers not so much to physical cowardice as to lack of true faith which faith must be evidenced by public commitment to Christ. Note Mark 4:40; 2 Timothy 1:7; Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10).
"unbelieving" Final, unchanging, refusal to believe on Christ as Son of God and personal Savior is the only ultimately unforgivable sin (John 3:18).
"whoremongers" The “abominable” are those who practice “abominations”—that is, the blasphemous and licentious practices associated with idolatry.
“Murderers” are those guilty, not of manslaughter or of slayings in warfare of self-defense, but of willful criminal homicide.
“Whoremongers,” in the meaning of the Greek pornos, refers not only to pimps but to any who practice or promote sexual activity outside of marriage.
"sorcerers" The “sorcerer” (Greek pharmakeus) is one who uses drugs to induce pseudo-religious fantasies and occult experiences.
"idolaters" “Idolaters” are those who are devoted to any object, spirit, person or practice which takes the place of God in their lives.
"liars" “Liars” are those who practice deception and falsehood, especially false teachers (2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 4,13).
"fire" This is the last reference to “fire” in the Bible. The first was in Genesis 19:24. Both also involve brimstone (see on Revelation 20:10) and both involve divine judgment on sin.
"second death" See note on Revelation 20:14

The Portion Promised to These Sinners

"Part" points to the proper and promised place and condition that such as these shall inherit. Having shown their relationship, they are then entitled to enter in upon their inheritance.

The Condition Promised to Sinners

 "Second death."

This is a state of death as opposed to a state of life. They enter this condition by the second physical death, which destroys the body they used as an instrument to express their sinful desires and appetites.

The Penalty Which They Will Experience

"Burning."

"The lake which burneth with fire and brimstone." The appetites without expression will grow more intense as time passes, until the victim is burned up. In one sense of the word he is reaping precisely what he has sown. It should never be forgotten that it is divine execution.

THE PROVISION FOR THE FINAL ORDER

The Provision for the Final Order  

21:5-7

"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. 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. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

 

The Program of the New Order vs. 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."

He is now completing a process of making things new. Throughout eternity he will be in the process of renewing. Thus, nothing will ever grow old. Youth will never grow into old age.

God is always the God of new beginnings in the history of failure. The ultimate statement is found here in the Apocalypse in the words: "Behold, I make all things new." All such new beginnings are founded on plenteous Redemption, conditioned in persistent Righteousness, and issue in perfect Realization. God had redeemed His people from slavery.

 

The Perfecting of the New Order vs. 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."

That which was in process during the ages has now been completely finished. It is done. It has come to pass and it will be permanent.

"beginning and the end" The Lord Jesus Christ is both Creator (Colossians 1:16) and Consummator (Colossians 1:20) of all things (Romans 11:36). Note also Revelation 1:8,11; 2:8; 3:14; 22:13).
"water of life" This is both literal water (Revelation 22:1, 17) and the spiritual water of everlasting life (John 4:14; 7:37-39).

The Proffer of the New Order vs. 6b

"I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

This is a parenthesis. The Lord Jesus cannot refrain from making his age-long offer again. Perhaps the reader is now filled with desire for this eternal bliss. It is offered to anyone without a cause in himself. All he needs to do is accept by faith.

There were things planned from the foundations of the world e.g. Matt 25:34; John 17:24; Heb. 2:5 4:3; Eph. 1:4; Rev. 13:8; 1 Pet 1:20 and He that laid those plans, Whose heart desired this outcome was Eternally the Ever-Present One.

The Possession of the New Order vs. 7

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

For the one who does accept the offer and drinks deeply at the fountain of the water of life, such a one is an overcomer in this life. He is a victor, which qualifies him to inherit everything someday and especially to enjoy the intimate fellowship of God.

Overcomers are not ones that are still struggling with the same sins over and over again. By grace they are given strength to rid themselves of that sin and God grants grace for the next. Many sins encompass an individual until they come to the stature of Christ and have His mind, that think and act as He.
As Sons of God we are given the family name (Rev. 3:12 with 21:7).
The Evidence of Sonship. Sons of God are:
Led by the Spirit (Rom 8:14) This is not the cause but the evidence of our Sonship.
Separated from the world (2 Cor. 6:14-18)
Live the overcoming life (Rev 21:7; 1 John 4)
Subject to the Father's chastening (Heb. 12:6-8)
Bear the likeness of the Father (Matt. 5:9)

"sons"  Legal adoption as "sons." Grk. word huios. New status at this point.

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ETERNAL BLESSEDNESS

The Establishment of Eternal Blessedness

 21:1-8

"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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. 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. 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. 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. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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."

 The Presence of the Final Order

 

The Passing of the Old Order vs. 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."

This does not mean that the earth will be annihi­lated. If it were, there would be no place for beings who must occupy space. The order and arrange­ments of things which are sinful will be completely rearranged and changed (cf. 2 Pet. 3:5-7, 10-13). The sea will be gone, for there will no longer be any need for separating peoples and nations. The earth will again be watered by a mist as it was in the beginning (Gen. 2:6).

"But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground."

The Presence of the Bride vs. 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."

The bride and the groom are going to make their home in the earth. The Holy City is that home. The city of many mansions, prepared for her. For those who look at that city see it as the city of the ruling class by the homes He built there for her. This bride, all prepared and completely adorned by His grace, is to be the object of the intimacies of the Son throughout eternity (Eph. 2:7), and the eternal display of the wisdom and glory of God to the nations (Eph. 3:10).

"That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."
"To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,"

 

At last the city of God is seen, coming. It is the city which was in the counsel of God when He gave man a garden containing all its potentialities; the city which was in His purpose for man when He confused his Babel project; the city to reach which, Abraham left Ur of the Chaldees; the city whose walls have ever been before Him. It is the metropolis of tbe realized ideals of God for humanity, the center of the true social order. Let us observe carefully the time of its coming. After the thousand years, Satan is to be loosed. Even the millennial reign will not have finally overcome evil in humanity. It will have held it in check, reigned over it. And so the master-spirit of evil is loosed to gather together to himself all those in whom this principle of evil still remains. The last earthly expression of it will be the futile gathering of these to war against the saints and the city of the Divine purpose. They are only gathered that they may be cast, with Satan, from the earth. So evil passes from the world for ever. Then follows the great assize a period of august and awful silence in which the records reveal the righteousness of the Divine government. It should be remembered that the purpose of everything in these visions is such unveilings of Jesus Christ as show Him in His relation to this earth. Hades is cast into tbe lake of fire. Then the new heaven and the new earth. Then the City of God, and the nations walking in the light thereof. Then the full answer to the prayers of the saints: "Thy name be hallowed Thy Kingdom come Thy will be done: As in heaven so on earth"! 

The Presence of the Lord vs. 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."

The age-long desire of men will finally be realized. God will dwell with men in the person of His son. With God going in and out among them, they shall be satisfied.
"tabernacle" The ancient tabernacle in the wilderness, where God “dwelt,” and occasionally communicated with His earthly people Israel, was merely a type of the eternal tabernacle, the new Jerusalem, where God will personally dwell forever with all His people from every nation. Compare Leviticus 26:11; Zechariah 2:11. Also remember that when Jesus “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14) in the days of His flesh, He was “Emmanuel,” meaning “God with us,” this also being a type of His future continual dwelling among us (Matthew 1:23).

The Passing of the Effects of Sin vs. 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."

Emotion and tears from sin will pass away. Sepa­ration of body and soul will cease. Deep grief at the loss of loved ones will depart. Loud cries of pent-up feelings will be gone. Distress and toil will also be done away.

 The complete victory of Love and His accomplishment through His suffering. Life without death, singing without mourning, content without crying, pleasure without pain. He summoned him to behold the Bride in the glory of the great city. Radiant indeed is the revelation. It is a city of exclusion, having a wall great and high; and of inclusion, having gates opening in every direction. The names of the tribes on the gates suggest the varied temperaments of human life made pure as incorporated in the new social order. The names of the apostles of the Lamb on the foundations signify that the service of suffering has been the very foundation on which the city is built. No temple of localized worship is found, but the presence of God is everywhere known and felt. Beyond the city is the new earth, with nations and kings walking in the light of the glory of God. Excluded from it are all unclean things.
Sorrow is not the companion and ally of God, but the quick messenger following in the track of sin; a sense of loss. Sorrow is a deep sense of loss, the consciousness of lack, the natural experience of a God-forsaken life. Had not the King been dethroned, there could have been no sorrow, for the whole being, still and quiet in Him, could have no sense of loss. When man committed the act of high treason, by listening to a voice that called in question the love and wisdom of the Divine authority here on earth, there sprang up in that instance, the first sense of lust, boredom, hunger and sorrow, and it took the form of a desire to know what God had not revealed. And when following that desire, instead of returning then and there to allegiance, man passed through the door, seeking liberty, finding himself in a great darkling void, captive, without God, and yet possessed of a nature making demands perpetually, that neither he himself or any other could satisfy.
Sorrow, then, is the result of sin, and it is the tender, benevolent, purposeful messenger of the Eternal Love, Who cannot see His offspring loose all, without causing within these this sense of loss, and so ever by that means attracting them homeward to Him. Isaiah 53:3-4 is where our King experienced that same loss so that He might minister for us, and then know personally the darkest moment of sin. "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"The Conqueror next lays down His life. Sin is put away, sorrow is recalled. Righteousness commences her new reign and joy follows in her wake.
The heart comes to leisure with itself. It has become so knowledgeable of Jesus as to rejoice in exactly the same circumstances that in the old life would have caused the deepest sense of sorrow. Here we see the mission of sorrow.
Take two persons:
One whose will is rebellious and whose heart is unregenerate. The other a disciple of Jesus-and let them both pass through identical experiences of bereavement and affliction, failure and disappointment. In the one case, the spirit becomes embittered and callous and the character degenerates. In the other, gentleness, love, tenderness, are the results, and the very face catches a new glory and beauty, the one defiantly faces sorrow, and looks upon God's messenger as an enemy, attempting to destroy and banish it, and so sinks into hardness and hatred; the other is drawn to the heart of God, and finds the very pain is but God's fire for the destruction of dross, and so rises into sweetness and love which is such a revelation to the power of the God of love.

CHRIST AS THE LAMB AMONG THE REDEEMED

THE REVELATION OF CHRIST AS THE LAMB AMONG THE REDEEMED 21:1-22:5

 

"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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 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. 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. 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. 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. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 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. 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. 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, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 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: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 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. 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. And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 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; 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. 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. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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. 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 honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 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. 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. 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. 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: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 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."

 

 

Introduction

The Time:

1. The millennium is now finished (20:3, 5, 7). The final state now follows the millennium. There seems to be no reason why these two chapters should be regarded as describing something during the millennium.
2. The paragraph beginning with 20:11 continues right on through 21:8. This seems to be a picture of historical narrative with events taking place in order. The millennium has come to a close. Satan is loosed and destroyed. Sinners are raised and judged. The new heaven and new earth are ushered in.
3. The historical references are marked by the use of the aorist tenses, "I saw," "passed" (1); "there is no more sea" (1).

The Change:

1. The order of things is now changed for eternity. "The former things are passed away" (21:4). "First heaven and first earth were passed away" (21:1). The aorists are resultant or effec­tive, marking the completion of a process. In verse 5, Christ declares, "I am making all things new." This was begun at the Revelation of Christ and is now consummated at the close of the millennium (Isa. 65:17; 66:22.; 2 Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 21:1).
2. The doom of sinful man is fixed for eternity (20:10; 21:8). This also includes Satan.
3. The portion of the saints is also fixed for eternity (22:5). Though the saints are said to reign for 1000 years (20:4, 6), this kingdom will be merged with eternity and the saints will continue on forever and ever (Dan. 2:44; 7:14, 18, 22, 27).

The Purpose:

One feature of our blessed Lord becomes prominent during this period. While Christ was viewed as the Lord of the churches during the age and the Judge and Ruler of the nations during the tribula­tion and millennium, He is unveiled as the Lamb of God during the eternal state. Seven times this fact is called to our attention during the course of these chapters (21:9, 14, 22, 23, 27; 22:1, 3). This is the number of completeness and perfection and reminds us that throughout eternity the saints of earth and sky will remember one supreme event that made it possible to enjoy supreme and eternal bless in fellowship with God. This will be the complete realization of Ephesians 1:5-6, 12, 14; and John 17:24.

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
"That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ." "Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."

"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."