the new jerusalem revelation 21:1-4 - then i saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven...
TRANSCRIPT
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:1-4 - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:1-4 - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.“
This is the seventh of seven visions begun in chapter 19
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:1-4 - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.“
This is the seventh of seven vision begun in chapter 19
There is no longer any evil – remember that to most people in John’s audience, the sea was a bad place.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:1-4 - Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.“
This is the seventh of seven vision begun in chapter 19
There is no longer any evil – remember that to most people in John’s audience, the sea was a bad place.
This is Eden restored. God’s original design for humanity.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:5 - 9 - He who was seated on the throne said, “[Behold] I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." 9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:5 - 9 - He who was seated on the throne said, “[Behold] I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." 9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
This may not be new in the sense that the old is destroyed. New with the idea that the old is being transformed. Use of present tense (am making) suggests that the transformation is underway. The promises of God are so certain that their effects are felt long before they are accomplished.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:5 - 9 - He who was seated on the throne said, “[Behold] I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." 6 He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars-- their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." 9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
Sadly, there will be those who will not “make it.” John retains the notion of the lake of burning fire.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:9-21
John gives us a detailed description of the New Jerusalem. It is the thirdand final time that John is taken “in the Spirit” to witness a vision (1:10; 4:2).
John affirms that the Bride of the Lamb (21:9) and the Holy City, Jerusalem (21:10) are the same.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:9-21
The Pearly Gates
Revelation 21:21 - The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate being made of a single pearl, and the main street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:9-21
But, why a city? Cities did not enjoy the best of reputations in John’s dayCities were places where people felt secure.Cities were where people gathered together and interacted.Cities were how people identified themselves.
The city “coming down” is a metaphor not a spatial relocation. It symbolizesthe city coming from God and thus “coming down” is a reflection of its nature.
The perfect cube (21:16) illustrates the perfection of the city (the people ofGod). The use of precious stones and gold as building materials servestwo purposes.
The “new city” will have a completely different set of valuesThe “new city” will be much more splendid than anything on earth
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:22-17 - I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:22-17 - I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
There is no temple, no place of worship, because God is with mankind (21:3). It is a state of perfect communion.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:22-17 - I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
Earthly cities always closed their gates at night for protection. In the New Jerusalem:
- there is no night- nothing impure will enter, therefore no need for protection.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:22-17 - I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
The city (people of God) are illuminated by God and the Lamb (Jesus). There is no need for any other light.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:22-17 - Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
The curse of sin (Gen. 3) has been undone. God provides for his children as was God’s original intention all along.
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:22-17 - Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
Mankind will live in perfect communion with God.
“You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” - God (Ex. 33:20)
The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:22-17 - Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
God’s people will have his seal upon them. In contrast to the “mark of the beast,” God’s people will have his name written upontheir foreheads.
Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God. Rev. 7:3
The New Jerusalem
“Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book.” Rev. 22:7
Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Rev. 22:10
"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. "I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.“ Rev. 22:12-16
He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Rev. 22:20
John closes with remarkable artistry. He reaffirms the prophetic nature of his book.(22:7, 10); calls for it to be read in the churches (22:16). In contrast to Daniel, who was told to seal up the words of prophecy, John is told to place them before the believers (22:10) . The book closes with a three-fold repetition of the statement “I am coming soon!”
So What did we learn?The end of time is a person – Jesus Christ
That person can be trustedJesus is among the “lampstands.” That is he is with us in our suffering
So What did we learn?The reign of evil came to an end on Easter morning.
Satan (the dragon) continues to fight as though he had a chance to winThe battle has already been decided – Jesus 1 Satan 0Rome is only the current (1st Century) form of evilEvil has its roots in SatanGood triumphs over evil
So What did we learn?How do we live in a world that has literally gone to “hell”
Remain faithful to JesusContinue to be a faithful witness in our daily livesDo not be carried away by the culture – emperor worship
So What did we learn?GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!
Even when things seem to be their worst – God is in controlEvil is bounded by God – God will never let things spiral out of controlThere is time for repentance – at every stage repentance was an option
As we continue to study Revelation
Be particularly careful about the images and symbols - Remember that John’s original audience would have had to have understood what he was talking about - The context and events behind these images have been long lost to us - Read the images broadly – be careful trying to assign a meaning to each detail - Be careful interpreting time – John probably did not write in chronological sequence
Remember that Revelation was written to encourage God’s people in times of trouble - Jesus is in the midst of his church today (among the lampstands) - Persecution may come, we may be challenged physically but we are safe spiritually - GOD IS IN CONTROL!
Evil has boundariesEvil will not triumph in the endWe may not see the end of evil – but it is certain
- Repentance is always an option – it’s almost never too late
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people.
Amen.