The New Heaven and the New Earth – Revelation 21:1 – 22:5
Revelation chapters 19 and 20 concluded the saga of the seven-year Tribulation and exposed the major events surrounding the thousand-year reign of Christ so that by this point in the narrative Satan and all who rejected the Son have been judged and condemned forever to the lake of fire. The old heaven (sky) and earth (the ground beneath our feet) have been purged with fire so that they are once more pure. Neither evil nor anything that resulted from it any longer exists.
Chapter 21 contains John’s vision of the new (refreshed, or recreated) earth and those who dwell upon it. The promise of a new heaven and earth is but one aspect of the glorious hope anticipated by the people of God, and John’s vision recorded in chapters 21 and 22 give vision to the believer’s hope. Christ dwelling within us is described by Paul as “…the hope of glory” in Colossians 1:27, and throughout his writings Paul spoke not only of the blessed hope of Christ’s return but of the inheritance we believers, as God’s adopted children, will see eternally because of Jesus’ redemptive work on our behalf.
In considering that all things will be made new, we will discover seven ‘new’ things in this article: the new Heaven, the new earth, the new people, the New Jerusalem, the new Temple, the new light, and new paradise.
The New Heaven and New Earth (Revelation 21:1)
(Revelation Chapter 21)
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.
Some, including this writer, have concluded that prior to the original creation recounted in Genesis nothing material existed and that God miraculously issued forth a pure solution of previously-nonexistent elements from within Himself. The universe God spoke into existence from those elements surely has gone through many changes, such as when it was contaminated by sin (Romans 8:20-22). Considered in that way the fire of God melts the tainted material creation as we now know it and breaks it down into its original, essential elements once more. 2 Peter 3:10-12 describes the events this way and asks a pertinent question as well: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night (unexpectedly); in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye (we) to be in all holy conversation (manner of living) and godliness, looking for and hasting to the coming day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?” With the elements of creation purified by the fire of God, He will again use them to fashion the new heaven and earth John saw and described for us.
Although the Scriptures only mention the new heaven and new earth it is not unreasonable for one to conclude that this text includes the entire physical creation, such as the stars and planets, perhaps even the void of space. The word heaven (Greek ouranos) is singular, and likely then implies all physical things that exist in creation even beyond the atmosphere of the earth.
No More Sea
There will be no sea upon the new earth. Large amounts of water such as a flood or sea are often associated with sin and its results. This writer and some others believe that the earth was flooded in Genesis 1:2 in part if not in whole due to the rebellion of Satan and his banishment from heaven in the creative interim between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2, but that is a matter for a different study altogether. When God looked upon the extremity of wicked conditions prevalent upon the earth in the days of Noah, He destroyed the surface of the earth with a flood (Genesis 6). The absence of the sea here therefore may be symbolic of the absence of sin. The only water in the new earth – at least mentioned anywhere within the Scriptures – is the river of life.
Why New?
We might arrive at a three-fold answer to this question:
- The earth (Hebrew e-artz, or what we might describe as the ground upon which we walk and all we see around us) was blighted by the curse of sin at the time of the fall of Lucifer (Genesis 1:1-2), and the fall of man into sin (Genesis 3:1-10 and 3:17-19). God intends to cleanse His creation from the devastating results of sin;
- heaven (Greek ouranos, or sky) was also affected by the sin of Lucifer and those angels who attempted to overthrow the God of Heaven (Isaiah 14:12-17; Ezekiel 28:11-16; Genesis 1:1-2). Therefore, there is to be a new heaven after the present “heavens will pass away with a great noise,” all the “elements shall melt with fervent heat” and the “works…shall be burned up” (recall 2 Peter 3:10-12). They will not be annihilated and cease to exist altogether but will instead be “dissolved.” Like an aspirin is dissolved in water the heavens will likewise be dissolved. This indicates they can no longer be perceived with the eye, but they could certainly continue to exist in the atomic state or any other of God’s choosing. Out of this, then, God will create a new earth and a new heaven;
- there will be “no more sea.” The seas will cease to exist because there will be no more need for them in the process of sustaining life and because of what they represent – the troubled masses of humanity (see Isaiah 57:20-21).
A New People (Revelation 21:2-8)
(Revelation Chapter 21)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
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.
A New City
John saw a new city descending out of Heaven to the new earth and wrote of it as a secondary disclosure within this vision, as it does not appear to have been part of the process of creating the new heaven and new earth; it appears only after they are established.
This city is identified as “the holy city, new Jerusalem.” These designations relate to the history of cities in general and the history of the old earthly Jerusalem particularly. Man began in his early history to build cities and gather populations into them. The first Biblical mention of one is in Genesis 4:17, “And Cain knew his wife, and she conceived, and bare Enoch; and he builded a city and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch.” Evil has often been associated with cities such as Sodom, Gomorrah, and Babylon. Las Vegas, Nevada proudly (and lamentably) advertises itself as “Sin City.” Even the city of Jerusalem has at times been associated with great evil when its inhabitants turned away from God to idols, such as in the days of King Manasseh, who built idolatrous altars in the house of God, “And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jerusalem will I put my name” (2 Kings 21:4). God, in the days of King David, declared the city of Jerusalem as the city where He would place his name. He spoke of David, “He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever” (2 Samuel 7:13). By this point in John’s vision the earthly city of Jerusalem has served its purpose and been destroyed along with everything else of the old earth.
The new city does, however, bear the name of the earthly city “Jerusalem,” as it is the name God has chosen to fulfill His promise to David, and the throne of David will continue in eternity in the New Jerusalem. Compare this to Isaiah 9:6-7. The word new is simply descriptive of Jerusalem itself and is not a part of the proper name, “new” emphasizing that God has made a city that is very different from the old. Also, because it is a city created by God and is without the presence of sin, it is appropriately called the “holy city.” This is the city sought by Abraham (see Hebrews 11:10) and many believe New Jerusalem is the fulfillment of Christ’s words to his disciples in John 14:2-3 when He said, “In my Father’s house (Greek oikia or home) are many mansions (Greek monai or abodes): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you (the new Jerusalem). 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.”
John makes reference to the appearance of the city in Revelation 21:2 but describes the city in detail later in the vision, as the angel speaks to him, “Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Revelation 21:9). This order of general introductions preceding more detailed explanations later is characteristic of the Revelation.
A Great Voice
The “great voice out of heaven” John heard announced certain conditions for the new heavenly age. The Tabernacle, or dwelling place of God, is “with men.” God and His people share a relationship far more intimate than any ever shared before as certain former things that applied to the old world will no longer apply in this heavenly existence. Man will experience no more regrets or remorse because God will have removed all memories of bad things; death will not exist in the new earth because all things will be in perfect harmony with God; no more sorrow will exist because the curse of sin that brought sorrow is forever banished; pain of any kind will be unknown. Never again will tears be shed. Time will never again be measured.
True and Faithful Words
John’s vision now returns to his vision of the throne as in chapter 4. The One who sits on the throne declares that He makes “all things new.” The Greek word translated all is panta, a term that excludes nothing. This is important in that the vision has turned to the heavenly age and the renewal of everything, and is to be taken literally. The One occupying the throne reminds John to write of the things he is seeing and hearing because these words are “true and faithful,” spoken by the One who is true and faithful (Revelation 3:14; 19:11).
A Promise to Believers
A basic comparison regarding the future of the saved and the lost is offered by the One on the throne beginning with a promise to believers. Revelation 21:6-7 describe the wonderful future awaiting those who in this life trust Christ. As in most Scripture, the text assumes that most of the saved will have been faithful to overcome, seeing that ‘overcoming’ usually applies to the faithfulness of God’s people (1 John 5:4; Revelation 2:11) through the power of Christ. The text here does not imply faithfulness is measured in the determination of one’s salvation but reminds us it is a personal responsibility after one’s salvation. Of the inheritance the Greek phrase klEronomEsei tauta (shall be holder of these things) is used, thus including the “all” of verse 5.
The Doom of Unbelievers
In contrast to verses 6 and 7, verse 8 describes the future of the lost: the lake of fire and the second death (Revelation 20:14). Although its occupants are in the lake of fire only for their rejection of Christ (John 3:16-18), the descriptive titles give insight into their actions. They are people whose works are described as “fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,” guilty of being murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters and liars. God determines the degrees of their punishment in the lake of fire “according to their works” as affirmed in Revelation 20:12.
The New Jerusalem Described (Revelation 21:9 – 22)
(Revelation Chapter 21)
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 shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12 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:
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16 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.
17 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.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 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;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 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.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
The Holy City
One of the seven angels that had the seven vials told John, “Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife,” and he showed John the holy city Jerusalem. The angel carried John in the spirit vision to a great and high mountain, probably representative of the throne of Christ. It may also be suggested that at this time John first saw the holy city descending from Heaven and that his statement in verse 2 is referring to what the angel showed him. The city that John saw is the same in verse 2 as in verse 10.
Although all believers living on the new earth will enjoy entrance to the New Jerusalem the city seems to be primarily the home of the Bride of Christ. Various opinions exist as to whom or what may constitute the bride. One opinion widely held among some denominations is that the Bride of Christ is, or will be, the sum of all New Testament churches that have steadfastly held their distinctive identities through the ages from the institution of the church by Jesus until His second coming. In conjunction with that teaching they emphasize the importance of the individual’s standing as a member of a New Testament church requiring not only salvation but baptism and faithfulness, while some teach that the Bride of Christ will be determined at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10). Other Bible students consider the Bride of Christ to include all believers; others view the Bride in ways completely different from any of these positions. Nonetheless, the city and the Bride are uniquely associated.
John wrote of three identifying features of the New Jerusalem. First, he identified the city as “a bride adorned for her husband.” He also recorded the angel as referring to the city as “the bride.” While some may suggest that the city itself is the bride it seems much more reasonable to conclude that the city is the home of the bride. Isaiah 62:4 refers to the land called “Beulah,” meaning the land of marriage, the land the Jews will inherit according to God’s promises to Abraham in Genesis chapters 12 through 17. Beulah does not imply that God marries the land, of course, but that the land is the place of marriage. Beulah then is the home of two divine marriages, God and His wife Israel, and Christ and His bride.
Second, John identified the city as descending out of Heaven “from God.” John’s specific description that the city descended “from God” emphasizes that this is the city “whose builder and maker is God” written of in Hebrews 11:10.
Third, John also identified the city as having the “glory of God.” The presence of God’s glory implies His divine presence. Examples of the presence of God’s glory in such a manner are the glory that dwelt in the Tabernacle (Chronicles 7:1-3) and the empowering of the New Testament church as discussed in John 14:16, Acts 2:1-4 and Ephesians 3:21. Where God’s Spirit rests, there rests His glory. The reference to her (the bride city’s) light being like “a jasper stone, clear as crystal” refers to the light shining through the transparent walls John saw.
The Measurement of the City
The angel speaking to John had a golden reed, a rod to measure the city, its gates and its wall. The city was foursquare – a cube shape – measuring twelve thousand furlongs, or approximately fifteen hundred statute miles in width, length, and height as converted from measurements with which John was familiar. Envision for comparison the distance from the Canadian-American border to the Mexican-American border. Equally, the city would then stretch from San Francisco to Kansas City and will be so tall as to reach about 1/16th the distance to the moon.
The Wall About the City
In addition to a measurement of the city John was instructed to measure the wall, finding it to be one hundred forty-four cubits, or approximately 200 feet thick and consisting of jasper which appears as a clear and transparent stone. Such transparency allows the light of the city to shine through the wall to all the earth and no doubt is a splendorous sight in and of itself.
The Foundations of the Wall
Any massive structure must be well supported if it is to stand, and this beautiful jasper wall which will stand in eternity is no exception. Upon strong foundation footings, each bearing the name of one of the twelve apostles, the wall stands forever. If only those Jesus personally called and ordained are memorialized on the foundations, the list then most-likely excludes Judas but includes the only other apostle Jesus personally called, Paul. Bearing the names of the apostles, representative of the work Christ accomplished in beginning His New Testament church (John 1:35-39; Acts 1:21-22), each foundation is garnished with precious stones representing the timeless and incalculable value of the New Testament church.
The Gates in the Wall
Three gates existed in each of the four sides of the wall for a total of twelve gates, to each of which is attached the name of one of Israel’s twelve tribes. These twelve names are the original sons of Jacob with the notable exceptions of Ephraim and Manasseh taking the place of their father Joseph and the absence of Levi who, being of the priestly order, had no particular inheritance in the land because he and his descendants lived among all the tribes and served as priests. These same tribes inherited the land of Canaan when the children of Israel returned from Egyptian bondage.
Israel is portrayed by these gates as dwelling at the edge of the city or as being the way into the city; anyone desiring entrance to the city must gain it by going through Israel. This is an exalted position from which the nation will be honored. Being located on the edge of the city compares to being camped about the Tabernacle of the Old Testament. Compare three tribes as gates on each side of the city with the three tribes camping on each side of the Tabernacle. Israel, as the gates, is here seen as the possessor of the land surrounding Jerusalem and is the fulfillment of God’s promise in Genesis 12:7 that Abraham and his descendants would inherit the “Canaan land.”
Living as the wife of God, Israel will occupy that Beulah land toward which Abraham and his descendants looked (Hebrews 11:13-16). The New Jerusalem sits in the midst of the Promised Land even as it did on the old earth. The people of Israel will not live inside the city any more than they lived within the Tabernacle but they are its twelve gates or entrances. The city, thus, is their Tabernacle or Temple of worship; they will enter to worship as they did the Tabernacle during their desert wanderings. One great change worthy of note from that form of worship, however, is that no veil will ever again separate man from the glory of God.
Each gate is a pearl representing the value God places upon Israel and depicting how precious is the experience of entering God’s city. A cherubim, always associated with protection, was stationed at each gate. One may remember that it was cherubim who protected both the way to the tree of life after Adam sinned and stood guard over the ark of the covenant.
The Street of the City
We do not find the street of the New Jerusalem described as narrow. Rather, it seems to involve the entire floor or base of the city that lies within the walls so that wherever one may walk he treads upon this street of gold so pure it is described as being like transparent glass.
The Temple of the City
The Old Testament Temple was a meeting place for man and God. There is no need for a physical Temple in the new city because Jesus Christ is the Temple of the city. Man meets with God through Jesus alone. It is He who is the divine mediator.
The New Light (Revelation 21:23)
(Revelation Chapter 21)
23 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.
The Glory of God
No moon or sun shines in the city where the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, is the light. The glory of God radiates from the Lamb much like the Old Testament examples in which God’s glory radiated like a light or fire. The burning bush of Exodus 3:2, the pillar of fire of Exodus 14:24 or the shining face of Moses recorded in Exodus 34:30 are but a few examples we can cite in comparison 2 Thessalonians 2:8 which speaks of “…the brightness of his (Jesus’) coming.” The light of the glory of God will be unveiled; no mortal man could bear it, but the glorified souls of the new earth will rejoice and bask in it.
The Lamb of God
The light of the Lamb of God will shine through the jasper walls of the city so that Jesus’ glory will be a beacon or light upon the whole surface of the earth. There is no sun, moon or night; every soul on earth will continually walk and live in the glorious light of the Lamb. This is a new heaven and new earth, and nothing evil will ever exist in the place where the Lamb of God shines so brightly.
The New Worship (Revelation 21:24 – 27)
(Revelation Chapter 21)
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 honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
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.
Nations to Worship
“The nations of them which are saved…” live outside the city all over the new earth. There is no place on on the face of the new earth that is not a heavenly dwelling place, as Jesus described in John 14:2. These nations will consist only of people who are saved, as all the unsaved people remain in the eternal lake of fire which is not located on the surface of the new earth. Wherever on earth these nations of saved may live or travel, they will walk in the light of the Lamb that shines from the city.
The people of the earth are organized into nations and they have kings that rule over them. Christ who rules the new earth has ordained it so, and He sets the kings. They enter the city to worship their God and Savior. The kings of these nations bring their glory and honor into the city to glorify the King of kings. Although none is specified here it is likely that there is some designed order to their worship, since God is orderly in all He does.
A Note on the Number Twelve:
The number twelve is the number of God’s government. It is discovered many times in both the Old and New Testaments in reference to many things:
- There were twelve tribes in Israel. (Genesis 29:1-35; 30:1-24; 35:22-26)
- Jesus chose twelve men to be apostles. (Luke 6:13-26; Matthew 10:2-4 and 13-19)
- There will be twelve gates to the city of New Jerusalem, twelve angels at the gates and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are inscribed upon the gates. (Revelation 21:12)
- The city of New Jerusalem will have twelve foundations, in which the names of the twelve apostles will be engraved. (Revelation 21:14)
- New Jerusalem will be built foursquare and will measure twelve thousand furlongs on each side; the length, breath and height of it will be equal. (Revelation 21:15)
- The wall of the city will be one hundred forty-four cubits thick, that is, 12×12. (Revelation 21:17)
- Twelve precious stones will garnish the foundation of the city. (Revelation 21:19-20)
- The twelve gates will be twelve pearls. (Revelation 21:21)
Thus there can be no doubt that in the consummation of all things God’s government will eternally be seated in and rule from New Jerusalem.
Nothing to Hinder the Worship
At no time will the gates of the city be closed. The tribes of Israel gladly welcome all who will come to worship the Son, Jesus our Christ, even as they themselves worship Him. The way to the Lamb is never barred and there is no night to hinder worship because the light of the Lamb shines continually to show everyone the way to the Temple, the Lamb Himself.
Nothing to Defile the City
It was possible for sinful man to defile the Tabernacle of God on the old earth, as found in Leviticus 15:31. Man defiled the old earth with his sinfulness but on the new earth nothing will exist that can corrupt this glorious place of God’s new creation. Anything that could corrupt or pollute it is forever absent. Those whose names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life will never be present anywhere in this scene or on the earth so that they will never enter or even longingly gaze upon this glorious city. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book will be present to enter the New Jerusalem. All others will be suffering their eternal, self-chosen damnation. These statements about the limited access to the city highlight its purity and God’s choice of righteousness over sinfulness.
The New Life (Revelation 22:1 – 5)
(Revelation Chapter 22)
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
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.
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:
4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
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.
Drinking from the River
The “river of water of life” flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. There are not two thrones, but one throne upon which the Lamb sits. The river is pure because there is nothing within it that flows from any source except the throne of God. It is as clear as crystal, perhaps similar in appearance to the city’s walls and street of gold in that way.
This is the water of life. One may recall that at the outset of this series I expressed my perception that at least in many ways The Revelation is the most evangelical book of the Bible. Its conclusion here begins with an invitation for everyone to partake of the water of life freely and there is no good reason to refuse. In Revelation 21:6 the One on the throne said, “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely (Greek dOrean, or gratuitously).” Although John saw an actual river flowing from the throne, it is symbolic of the life that flows from Jesus to whosoever will believe. In John 4:13-14 Jesus told the woman at the well, “Whosoever drinketh of this water (from the well) shall thirst again; but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
As described in Revelation 22:2 the river of life flows from the roots of the tree of life and continually runs as a river, serving to remind us of the eternal security of our condition.
Eating from the Tree
“In the midst of the street” stands the tree of life. If we understand that the street is actually the floor of the city with the tree in the middle and the river flowing from under its base, the tree is said to be “on either side of the river.”
The tree of life gives off two things for the benefit of the people. It bears twelve kinds of fruits monthly. While time as we know it will not be measured, this reminds the people that Christ sustains them eternally and in all ways. The number twelve, as we’ve studied, represents the government of Christ, the continued fulfillment of Isaiah 9:7. His rule is as perpetually nourishing and refreshing to the new world as are fruits to the body.
This tree also bears leaves that are good for the “healing of the nations.” The leaves may be associated with the Word of God and are the spiritual food of the Word. The inhabitants of the new earth will gladly feed upon and be nourished by the Word in eternity.
No More Curse
Adam sinned against God while in the Garden of Eden, and two curses resulted from his sin. First, the curse of death came on all mankind as a result of Adam’s sin (Genesis 2:17; Romans 3:23; 5:12 and 6:23) and second, God also cursed the ground (Genesis 3:17). Neither of these curses will exist in the new city. There will be no more sin or death, and the earth will have been regenerated anew without the curse on the ground.
Ruling with Christ
Revelation 22:3-5 summarize conditions within the city but also reveal facts about servants ruling with Christ. “…His servants shall serve him” and “…they shall reign for ever and ever.” They shall see His face as a people because there will be no veil between them and their God. They joyfully and thankfully bear His name in their foreheads, their inheritance resulting from Christ’s redemptive work. To His glory they are forever identified with their redeemer.
Summary (Revelation 21:1 – 22:5)
The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Indeed God will make a new heaven and earth, a new people, a New Jerusalem, a new light, a new worship and a new life. In the new world there are no more tears or death, neither will there be any sorrow. No one will experience pain. The curse is gone and His people enjoy the blessings of serving the Lord with gladness.
Christ has by this point in the Revelation defeated Satan and cast him into the lake of fire, and demons also find no place in the new world. Prior to their condemnation those who rejected Jesus have acknowledged Him and bowed before His face. Though sin reigned for ages and tore at the souls of men in the old world, in the new world those in Christ are fully free to walk and live in glory with the One who loved them and paid all their debt, and they shall bring glory and honor into the city to worship the One who sits on the throne forever.
In the next and final article of this series we will consider the end of the age as we conclude our overview of the book of Revelation. Until then it is my sincere prayer that we be ever more encouraged by the glorious future awaiting us as believers and ever more urgently motivated to share the Gospel. Let us pray and labor together to rescue the souls of those around us from the eternal lake of fire.
Tom