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Revelation Chapter Twenty-one

 

Revelation 21

But there was a new heaven and a new earth; but no more sea-no separation, nor part of the world not brought into an ordered earth before God. Here we do not find any mediatorial kingdom. The Lamb is not in the scene. God is all in all. No sorrow or crying more, no earthly people of God distinct from the inhabiters of the earth. These are God's people, and God is with them Himself, but withal His tabernacle is with them. This is the holy city, the New Jerusalem. The assembly has her own character, is the habitation of God in a special way, when the unchanging state comes, and all is made new. God is the end, as the beginning. Him that is athirst now God will refresh with the fountain of the water of life-the overcomer shall inherit all things. The world for the Christian is now a great Rephidim. This is the twofold portion of the final blessedness: he shall have God for his God, and be His son. Those who feared this path-did not overcome the world and Satan but had walked in iniquity-would have their part in the lake of fire. This closes the history of God's ways.

What follows is the description of the heavenly city, as before we had that of Babylon. Its heavenly character and millennial connection with the earth is revealed. One of the seven angels, as in the case of Babylon, comes to shew the prophet the bride, the Lamb's wife. The result of judgment on the earth is the introduction of better and higher blessings. The prophet is taken, like Moses, to see the scene of promise, and sees New Jerusalem descending out of heaven from God. This was its double character from God, divine in its origin, and also heavenly. (Compare 2 Cor 5:1) It might be of God and earthly. It might be heavenly and angelic. It was neither: it was divine in origin and heavenly in nature and character. It was clothed with divine glory: it must be as founded on Christ's work. It was transparent jasper, jasper being used as a symbol of divine glory. (Chap. 4:3) It is secure, having a wall great and high. It has twelve gates. Angels are become the willing doorkeepers of the great city, the fruit of Christ's redemption work in glory. This marked the possession too, by man thus brought in the assembly to glory, of the highest place in the creation, and providential order of God, of which angels had previously been the administrators. The twelve gates are full of human perfectness of governmental administrative power. The gate was the place of judgment. Twelve, we have often seen,denotes perfection and governmental power. The character of it is noted by the names of the twelve tribes. God had so governed these. They were not the foundation; but this character of power was found there. There were twelve foundations, but these were the twelve apostles of the Lamb. They were, in their work, the foundation of the heavenly city. Thus the creative and providential display of power, the governmental (Jehovah), and the assembly once founded at Jerusalem, are all brought together in the heavenly city, the organized seat of heavenly power. It is not presented as the bride, though it be the bride, the Lamb's wife. It is not in the Pauline character of nearness of blessing to Christ. It is the assembly as founded at Jerusalem under the twelve--the organized seat of heavenly power, the new and now heavenly capital of God's government. They had suffered and served the Lamb in the earthly, and under Him founded the heavenly. It is alike vast and perfect, and all measured and owned of God. It is not now a remnant measured; it is the city. It has not divine perfectness (that could not be), but it has divinely given perfectness. It is a cube, equal on every side, finite perfection. So the wall (they are merely symbols) was perfect, 12 x 12. The wall which secured it was the divine glory. As it is written of the earthly Jerusalem, "Salvation hath God appointed for walls and bulwarks."

The city was formed, in its nature, in divine righteousness and holiness-gold transparent as glass. That which was now by the word wrought in and applied to men below, was the very nature of the whole place. (Compare Eph.4:24.) The precious stones, or varied display of God's nature, who is light, in connection with the creature (seen in creation, Ezekiel 28; in grace in the high priest's breast-plate), now shone in permanent glory, and adorned the foundations of the city. The gates had the moral beauty, which attracted Christ in the assembly and in a glorious way. That on which men walked, instead of bringing danger of defilement, was itself righteous and holy; the streets, all that men came in contact with, were righteousness and holiness-gold transparent as glass.

There was no concealment of God's glory in that which awed by its display-no temple where men approached but where they could not draw nigh where God was hidden. The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were its temple. They were approached in their own nature and glory, surrounded only by that fully displayed.

Nor was there need of created light here; the glory of the divine nature lighted all, and the Lamb was the light-bearer in it.

Note here, we have not the Father as the temple. It is the revealed dispensational Ruler, the true God and the Lamb who has made good His glory. This was the character of the city.

The vision goes on to shew its relationship to those on the earth, and its inhabitants: a seeming inconsistency, but no real one; for the city is viewed as the estate of the bride. Where the inhabitants are spoken of, it is the individual blessing. The nations, spared in the judgments on earth, walk in the light of it; the world does, in a measure, in that of the assembly now, Then the glory will be perfect. The city enjoys the direct light within; the world transmitted light of glory. To it the kings of the earth bring their honour and glory. They own the heavens and the heavenly kingdom to be the source of all, and bring there the homage of their power. Night, there is not there, and its gates are ever open; no defense against evil is needed, though divine security leaves no approach to evil. The kings themselves bring their willing homage to it. But the glory and honour of the Gentiles is brought to it too. Heaven is seen as the source of all the glory and honour of this world. Hence these are now true. Nothing defiling enters there, nor what introduces idols and falsehood. Neither man's evil nor Satan's deceit can exist or produce any corruption there. How often, when any thing good is set up now, the considerate heart knows that evil will enter, and Satan deceive and corrupt! There we have the certainty that this can never be. It was not merely the absence of evil, but the impossibility of its entrance, which characterised the holy city. There was that which, having its source in perfect grace, involves all blessed affections in connection with the Lamb in those within the city. Those only whose names were in the Lamb's book of life found place in the city.

── John DarbySynopsis of Revelation

 

Revelation 21

Chapter Contents

A new heaven, and new earth: the new Jerusalem where God dwells, and banishes all sorrow from his people. (1-8) Its heavenly origin, glory, and secure defence. (9-21) Its perfect happiness, as enlightened with the presence of God and the Lamb, and in the free access of multitudes, made holy. (22-27)

Commentary on Revelation 21:1-8

(Read Revelation 21:1-8)

The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly. The old world, with all its troubles and tumults, will have passed away. There will be no sea; this aptly represents freedom from conflicting passions, temptations, troubles, changes, and alarms; from whatever can divide or interrupt the communion of saints. This new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, the church triumphant. Its blessedness came wholly from God, and depends on him. The presence of God with his people in heaven, will not be interrupt as it is on earth, he will dwell with them continually. All effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have often been in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church; but no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain. Christ makes all things new. If we are willing and desirous that the gracious Redeemer should make all things new in order hearts and nature, he will make all things new in respect of our situation, till he has brought us to enjoy complete happiness. See the certainty of the promise. God gives his titles, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, as a pledge for the full performance. Sensual and sinful pleasures are muddy and poisoned waters; and the best earthly comforts are like the scanty supplies of a cistern; when idolized, they become broken cisterns, and yield only vexation. But the joys which Christ imparts are like waters springing from a fountain, pure, refreshing, abundant, and eternal. The sanctifying consolations of the Holy Spirit prepare for heavenly happiness; they are streams which flow for us in the wilderness. The fearful durst not meet the difficulties of religion, their slavish fear came from their unbelief; but those who were so dastardly as not to dare to take up the cross of Christ, were yet so desperate as to run into abominable wickedness. The agonies and terrors of the first death will lead to the far greater terrors and agonies of eternal death.

Commentary on Revelation 21:9-21

(Read Revelation 21:9-21)

God has various employments for his holy angels. Sometimes they sound the trumpet of Divine Providence, and warn a careless world; sometimes they discover things of a heavenly nature of the heirs of salvation. Those who would have clear views of heaven, must get as near to heaven as they can, on the mount of meditation and faith. The subject of the vision is the church of God in a perfect, triumphant state, shining in its lustre; glorious in relation to Christ; which shows that the happiness of heaven consists in intercourse with God, and in conformity to him. The change of emblems from a bride to a city, shows that we are only to take general ideas from this description. The wall is for security. Heaven is a safe state; those who are there, are separated and secured from all evils and enemies. This city is vast; here is room for all the people of God. The foundation of the wall; the promise and power of God, and the purchase of Christ, are the strong foundations of the safety and happiness of the church. These foundations are set forth by twelve sorts of precious stones, denoting the variety and excellence of the doctrines of the gospel, or of the graces of the Holy Spirit, or the personal excellences of the Lord Jesus Christ. Heaven has gates; there is a free admission to all that are sanctified; they shall not find themselves shut out. These gates were all of pearls. Christ is the Pearl of great price, and he is our Way to God. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. The saints in heaven tread gold under foot. The saints are there at rest, yet it is not a state of sleep and idleness; they have communion, not only with God, but with one another. All these glories but faintly represent heaven.

Commentary on Revelation 21:22-27

(Read Revelation 21:22-27)

Perfect and direct communion with God, will more than supply the place of gospel institutions. And what words can more full express the union and co-equality of the Son with the Father, in the Godhead? What a dismal world would this be, if it were not for the light of the sun! What is there in heaven that supplies its place? The glory of God lightens that city, and the Lamb is the Light thereof. God in Christ will be an everlasting Fountain of knowledge and joy to the saints in heaven. There is no night, therefore no need of shutting the gates; all is at peace and secure. The whole shows us that we should be more and more led to think of heaven as filled with the glory of God, and enlightened by the presence of the Lord Jesus. Nothing sinful or unclean, idolatrous, or false and deceitful, can enter. All the inhabitants are made perfect in holiness. Now the saints feel a sad mixture of corruption, which hinders them in the service of God, and interrupts their communion with him; but, at their entrance into the holy of holies, they are washed in the laver of Christ's blood, and presented to the Father without spot. None are admitted into heaven who work abominations. It is free from hypocrites, such as make lies. As nothing unclean can enter heaven, let us be stirred up by these glimpses of heavenly things, to use all diligence, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Revelation

 

Revelation 21

Verse 1

[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.

And I saw — So it runs, Revelation 19:11; 20:1,4,11, in a succession. All these several representations follow one another in order: so the vision reaches into eternity.

A new heaven and a new earth — After the resurrection and general judgment. St. John is not now describing a flourishing state of the church, but a new and eternal state of all things.

For the first heaven and the first earth — Not only the lowest part of heaven, not only the solar system, but the whole ethereal heaven, with all its host, whether of planets or fixed stars, Isaiah 34:4; Matthew 24:29. All the former things will be done away, that all may become new, verses 4,5; 2 Peter 3:10,12.

Are passed away — But in the fourth verse it is said, "are gone away." There the stronger word is used; for death, mourning, and sorrow go away all together: the former heaven and earth only pass away, giving place to the new heaven and the new earth.

Verse 2

[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.

And I saw the holy city — The new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem, are closely connected. This city is wholly new, belonging not to this world, not to the millennium, but to eternity. This appears from the series of the vision, the magnificence of the description, and the opposition of this city to the second death, Revelation 20:11,12; 21:1; 2,5,8,9; 22:5.

Coming down — In the very act of descending.

Verse 3

[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.

They shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God — So shall the covenant between God and his people be executed in the most glorious manner.

Verse 4

[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.

And death shall be no more — This is a full proof that this whole description belongs not to time, but eternity.

Neither shall sorrow, or crying, or pain, be any more: for the former things are gone away — Under the former heaven, and upon the former earth, there was death and sorrow, crying and pain; all which occasioned many tears: but now pain and sorrow are fled away, and the saints have everlasting life and joy.

Verse 5

[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.

And he that sat upon the throne said — Not to St. John only. From the first mention of "him that sat upon the throne," Revelation 4:2, this is the first speech which is expressly ascribed to him.

And he — The angel.

Saith to me Write — As follows.

These sayings are faithful and true — This includes all that went before. The apostle seems again to have ceased writing, being overcome with ecstasy at the voice of him that spake.

Verse 6

[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.

And he — That sat upon the throne.

Said to me, It is done — All that the prophets had spoken; all that was spoken, Revelation 4:1. We read this expression twice in this prophecy: first, Revelation 16:17, at the fulfilling of the wrath of God; and here, at the making all things new.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end — The latter explains the former: the Everlasting.

I will give to him that thirsteth — The Lamb saith the same, Revelation 22:17.

Verse 7

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

He that overcometh — Which is more than, "he that thirsteth." Shall inherit these things - Which I have made new.

I will be his God, and he shall be my son — Both in the Hebrew and Greek language, in which the scriptures were written, what we translate shall and will are one and the same word. The only difference consists in an English translation, or in the want of knowledge in him that interprets what he does not understand.

Verse 8

[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.

But the fearful and unbelieving — Who, through want of courage and faith, do not overcome.

And abominable — That is, sodomites.

And whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters — These three sins generally went together; their part is in the lake.

Verse 9

[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.

And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven phials — Whereby room had been made for the kingdom of God.

Saying, Come, I will show thee the bride — The same angel had before showed him Babylon, Revelation 17:1, which is directly opposed to the new Jerusalem.

Verse 10

[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,

And he carried me away in the spirit — The same expression as before, Revelation 17:3.

And showed me the holy city Jerusalem — The old city is now forgotten, so that this is no longer termed the new, but absolutely Jerusalem. O how did St. John long to enter in! but the time was not yet come. Ezekiel also describes "the holy city," and what pertains thereto, xl.-xlviii. Ezekiel 40:1-Eze but a city quite different from the old Jerusalem, as it was either before or after the Babylonish captivity. The descriptions of the prophet and of the apostle agree in many particulars; but in many more they differ. Ezekiel expressly describes the temple, and the worship of God therein, closely alluding to the Levitical service. But St. John saw no temple, and describes the city far more large, glorious, and heavenly than the prophet. Yet that which he describes is the same city; but as it subsisted soon after the destruction of the beast. This being observed, both the prophecies agree together and one may explain the other.

Verse 11

[11] Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

Having the glory of God — For her light, verse 23, Revelation 21:23; Isaiah 40:1; Zec.

Her window — There was only one, which ran all round the city. The light did not come in from without through this for the glory of God is within the city. But it shines out from within to a great distance, verses 23, 24. Revelation 21:23,24

Verse 12

[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:

Twelve angels — Still waiting upon the heirs of salvation.

Verse 14

[14] And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb — Figuratively showing that the inhabitants of the city had built only on that faith which the apostles once delivered to the saints.

Verse 15

[15] And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

And he measured the city, twelve thousand furlongs — Not in circumference, but on each of the four sides. Jerusalem was thirtythree furlongs in circumference; Alexandria thirty in length, ten in breadth. Nineveh is reported to have been four hundred furlongs round; Babylon four hundred and eighty. But what inconsiderable villages were all these compared to the new Jerusalem! By this measure is understood the greatness of the city, with the exact order and just proportion of every part of it; to show, figuratively, that this city was prepared for a great number of inhabitants, how small soever the number of real Christians may sometimes appear to be; and that everything relating to the happiness of that state was prepared with the greatest order and exactness. The city is twelve thousand furlongs high; the wall, an hundred and forty-four reeds. This is exactly the same height, only expressed in a different manner. The twelve thousand furlongs, being spoken absolutely, without any explanation, are common, human furlongs: the hundred forty-four reeds are not of common human length, but of angelic, abundantly larger than human. It is said, the measure of a man that is, of an angel because St. John saw the measuring angel in an human shape. The reed therefore was as great as was the stature of that human form in which the angel appeared. In treating of all these things a deep reverence is necessary; and so is a measure of spiritual wisdom; that we may neither understand them too literally and grossly, nor go too far from the natural force of the words. The gold, the pearls, the precious stones, the walls, foundations, gates, are undoubtedly figurative expressions; seeing the city itself is in glory, and the inhabitants of it have spiritual bodies: yet these spiritual bodies are also real bodies, and the city is an abode distinct from its inhabitants, and proportioned to them who take up a finite and a determinate space. The measures, therefore, above mentioned are real and determinate.

Verse 18

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

And the building of the wall was jasper — That is, the wall was built of jasper.

And the city — The houses, was of pure gold.

Verse 19

[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;

And the foundations were adorned with precious stones — That is, beautifully made of them. The precious stones on the high priest's breastplate of judgment were a proper emblem to express the happiness of God's church in his presence with them, and in the blessing of his protection. The like ornaments on the foundations of the walls of this city may express the perfect glory and happiness of all the inhabitants of it from the most glorious presence and protection of God. Each precious stone was not the ornament of the foundation, but the foundation itself. The colours of these are remarkably mixed. A jasper is of the colour of white marble, with a light shade of green and of red; a sapphire is of a sky-blue, speckled with gold; a chalcedony, or carbuncle, of the colour of red-hot iron; an emerald, of a grass green.

Verse 20

[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.

A sardonyx is red streaked with white; a sardius, of a deep red; a chrysolite, of a deep yellow; a beryl, sea-green; a topaz, pale yellow; a chrysoprase is greenish and transparent, with gold specks; a jacinth, of a red purple; an amethyst, violet purple.

Verse 22

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

The Lord God and the Lamb are the temple of it — He fills the new heaven and the new earth. He surrounds the city and sanctifies it, and all that are therein. He is "all in all."

Verse 23

[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 — Infinitely brighter than the shining of the sun.

Verse 24

[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.

And the nations — The whole verse is taken from Isaiah 60:3.

Shall walk by the light thereof — Which throws itself outward from the city far and near.

And the kings of the earth — Those of them who have a part there.

Bring their glory into it — Not their old glory, which is now abolished; but such as becomes the new earth, and receives an immense addition by their entrance into the city.

Verse 26

[26] And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

And they shall bring the glory of the nations into it — It seems, a select part of each nation; that is, all which can contribute to make this city honourable and glorious shall be found in it; as if all that was rich and precious throughout the world was brought into one city.

Verse 27

[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.

Common — That is. unholy.

But those who are written in the Lamb's book of life — True, holy, persevering believers. This blessedness is enjoyed by those only; and, as such, they are registered among them who are to inherit eternal life.

── John WesleyExplanatory Notes on Revelation

 

Chapter 21. A New Heaven and a New Earth

Dressed Beautifully
Prepared for Her Husband

I. The Holy City Coming Down from Heaven

  1. All Things Change
  2. God Lives with Men
  3. No More Death

II. The Glory of God in the Holy City

  1. Its Brilliance
  2. Its Wall and Gates
  3. Its Measurement

III. God and the Lamb Are the Temple

  1. The Lamb Is Its Lamb
  2. Walk by Its Light
  3. Prohibition of the City

── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament

 
Chapter Twenty-one General Review
                             
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To consider the eternal destiny of the redeemed, in terms depicting
   fellowship with God and protection by God
 
2) To be amazed at the glory of the holy city, the New Jerusalem, the
   Lamb's wife, as revealed to John
 
SUMMARY
 
Following the Judgment scene at the end of the previous chapter, the
eternal destiny of the redeemed is now revealed.  The motif of a new
heaven and new earth, along with the New Jerusalem, is used to provide
great hope and comfort to Christians.  This is certainly nothing new,
for both the Old and New Testaments provided similar pictures to
increase anticipation of the future (cf. Isa 65:17-25; 66:22-24; He 11:
10,13-16; 13:14; 2 Pe 3:13).  In each case, the eternal destiny of
God's faithful is described in terms that provided the greatest meaning
and encouragement to the people of that dispensation.  Here we see the
destiny of the redeemed in terms depicting fellowship with God and
protection by God.
 
John first sees all things made new.  There is a new heaven and a new
earth, for the first heaven and first earth are no more (cf. 20:11).
He sees the holy city, New Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from
God.  A loud voice from heaven declares that God will dwell with His
people and be their God.  God, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the
Beginning and the End, will comfort His people by removing all that
causes pain, and provide the fountain of the water of life freely to
him that thirsts.  While those who overcome inherit all things and
enjoy the blessings of being God's children, the wicked and unfaithful
have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone (cf. 19:20; 20:10,
14-15) which is defined as the second death (1-8).
 
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls (cf. 15:7; 16:1) then
carries John to a great and high mountain, to show him "the bride, the
Lamb's wife".  This is none other than the great city, the New
Jerusalem, which is seen descending out of heaven from God. It is a
city having the glory of God, and the bulk of the chapter describes its
prominent features.  A great and high wall surrounds the city. Standing
about 72 yards high and made of jasper, the wall has twelve pearly
gates upon which are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, with an
angel at each gate.  The wall has twelve foundations, made of
precious stones, upon which are the names of the twelve apostles.  The
city itself, made of pure gold like clear glass, is 1500 miles long in
its length, breadth, and height.  The street of the city is also pure
gold, like transparent glass (9-21).
 
The glory of the holy city is described further by noting that there is
no temple, for God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.  There is no
need for the sun or moon, for the glory of God and the Lamb illuminate
the city.  Its gates are never shut, there is no night there, and the 
nations of the saved along with the kings of the earth bring their
honor and glory into it.  Only those written in the Lamb's book of life
enter this glorious city, ensuring that it remains free from any
abomination and defilement (22-27).
 
OUTLINE
 
I. ALL THINGS MADE NEW (1-8)
 
   A. THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH (1)
      1. John sees a new heaven and a new earth
      2. The first heaven and earth had passed away, and there was no
         sea
 
   B. THE NEW JERUSALEM (2)
      1. John saw the holy city coming down out of heaven
      2. It was prepared as a bride adorned for her husband
 
   C. THE PROCLAMATION FROM HEAVEN (3-4)
      1. "The tabernacle of God is with men"
         a. "He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people"
         b. "God Himself will be with them and be their God"
      2. "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes"
         a. "There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying"
         b. "There shall be no more pain, for the former things have
            passed away"
 
   D. THE PROCLAMATION FROM THE ONE WHO SAT ON THE THRONE (5-8)
      1. "Behold, I make all things new"
         a. "Write, for these words are true and faithful"
         b. "It is done!"
      2. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End"
         a. "I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to
            him who thirsts"
         b. "He who overcomes shall inherit all things"
            1) "I will be his God"
            2) "He shall be My son"
      3. "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, 
         sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars..."
         a. "Shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire 
            and brimstone"
         b. "Which is the second death"
 
II. THE NEW JERUSALEM (9-21)
 
   A. JOHN IS SHOWN THE HOLY CITY (9-11)
      1. By one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with
         the last plagues
         a. Who offered to show John "the bride, the Lamb's wife"
         b. Who carried him away in the Spirit to a great and high 
            mountain
      2. He sees the great city, the holy Jerusalem
         a. Descending out of heaven from God
         b. Having the glory of God
         c. With light like a jasper stone, clear as crystal
 
   B. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CITY AND ITS WALL (12-21)
      1. It had a great and high wall with twelve gates
         a. With twelve angels at the gates
         b. With the names of the twelve tribes of Israel
         c. With three gates each on the east, north, south, and west
         d. With twelve foundations, on which were the names of the
            twelve apostles of the Lamb
      2. The measurement of the city, the gates, and the wall
         a. The angel had a golden reed to measure them
         b. The city is laid out as a cube, its length, breadth, and
            height are each 12,000 cubits
         c. The wall is one hundred and forty-four cubits
      3. The construction of the city, the wall, its foundations, and
         the gates
         a. The wall was of jasper; the city was pure gold, like clear
            glass
         b. The twelve foundations of the wall were adorned with 
            precious stones:
            1) Jasper         5) Sardonyx        9) Topaz
            2) Sapphire       6) Sardius        10) Chrysoprase
            3) Chalcedony     7) Chrysolite     11) Jacinth
            4) Emerald        8) Beryl          12) Amethyst
         c. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate one pearl
         d. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent 
            glass
 
III. THE GLORY OF THE HOLY CITY (22-27)
 
   A. ILLUMINATED BY THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND THE LAMB (22-23)
      1. Its temple are the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb
      2. It is illuminated by the glory of God and the Lamb
 
   B. ENHANCED BY THOSE WHO ENTER IT (24-27)
      1. The nations of the saved shall walk in its light
      2. The kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it
      3. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day, and there is no
         night there
      4. The nations shall bring their glory and honor into it
         a. Nothing that defiles, causes an abomination or a lie, shall
            enter it
         b. Only those written in the Lamb's book of Life enter it
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - All things made new (1-8)
   - The New Jerusalem (9-21)
   - The glory of the holy city (22-27)
 
2) What did John see? (1)
   - A new heaven and new earth
 
3) What happened to the first heaven and first earth? What of the sea?
   (1)
   - They had passed away
   - It was no more
 
4) What did John see coming down out of heaven from God? (2)
   - The holy city, New Jerusalem, prepared as bride adorned for her
     husband
 
5) What is said about the dwelling of God? (3)
   - The tabernacle of God is with men
   - He will dwell with them and they shall be His people
   - God Himself will be with them and be their God
 
6) What will God do?  What shall be no more? (4)
   - Wipe away every tear from their eyes
   - Death, sorrow, crying, pain
 
7) What did the One on the throne say to John in verse 5?
   - "Behold, I make all things new"
   - "Write, for these words are true and faithful"
 
8) What did He say in verse 6?
   - "It is done!"
   - "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End"
   - "I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him
     who thirsts"
 
9) What is promised to those who overcome? (7)
   - He shall inherit all things
   - "I will be his God and he shall be My son"
 
10) Who shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and
    brimstone?  What is this called? (8)
   - The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually 
     immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, all liars
   - The second death
 
11) Who offered to show John the bride, the Lamb's wife? (9)
   - One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls
 
12) Where is John taken, and what does he see? (10)
   - To a great and high mountain
   - The great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from
     God
 
13) What was the general description of the city? (11)
   - It has the glory of God
   - Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, 
     clear as crystal
 
14) What surrounded the city? (12)
   - A great and high wall with twelve gates
 
15) What stood at each of the gates?  What was written on the gates?
    (12)
   - An angel
   - The names of the twelve tribes of Israel
 
16) How many foundations did the wall have?  What was written on the
    foundations? (14)
   - Twelve
   - The names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb
 
17) What was the length, breadth, and height of the city? (16)
   - 12,000 furlongs (about 1500 miles)
 
18) How tall was the wall? (17)
   - 144 cubits (about 72 yards)
 
19) What was the construction of the wall?  Of the city? (18)
   - The wall was of jasper
   - The city was of pure gold, like clear glass
 
20) What were the foundations of the city adorned with? (19)
   - All sorts of precious stones
 
21) What were the twelve gates?  What was the street of the city? (21)
   - Twelve pearls, each gate of one pearl
   - Pure gold, like transparent glass
 
22) Why was there no temple in the city? (22)
   - The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple
 
23) Why was there no need for the sun or moon to shine in it? (23)
   - The glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light
 
24) Who shall walk in its light?  Who shall bring their glory and honor
    into it? (24)
   - The nations of those who are saved
   - The kings of the earth
 
25) What shall not be shut at all day?  What about at night? (25)
   - The city's gates
   - There shall be no night there
 
26) Who will by no means enter the city?  Who will enter the city? (27)
   - Anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie
   - Only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life

 

--《Executable Outlines

 

A new heaven and a new earth

Dressed beautifully

Prepared for her husband

 

I.  The holy city coming down from heaven

1.    All things change

2.    God lives with men

3.    No more death

II.The glory of God in the holy city

1.    Its brilliance

2.    Its wall and gates

3.    Its measurement

III.       God and the Lamb are the temple

1.    The Lamb is its lamp

2.    Walk by its light

3.    Prohibition of the city

── Chih-Hsin Changan Outline of The New Testament

 

The Great City, the Holy Jerusalem (21.10)

I. Contrast to man’s cities on earth—

   1. Enoch, the first city, built by the first murderer, Cain had—

         (1) Supplies of food by Jabal-Cain

         (2) Metal Industries by Tubal-Cain

         (3) Musical Entertainment by Jubal-Cain

         (4) It was destroyed by the Flood (Gen. 4.17, 21)

   2. Babel, the city built after the flood had Skyscrapers, but the citizens were scattered and it too was destroyed (Gen. 11.1~9)

   3. Ur of the Chaldees, that Abram left—

Wholly given to idolatry (Josh. 24.2~3)

II. The City Foursquare is in Heaven, and its citizens, the Bride, the Lamb’s Wife, are identified with their city.

   1. The Eternal City—the city for which Abraham and the patriarchs looked, and for which all believers look )Heb. 11.10, 16; 13.14)

   2. An Impregnable City—has foundations with the apostles’ names in them (Heb. 11.10; Rev. 21.19)

   3. A Planned City—has an infallible Builder, God (Heb. 11.10)

   4. A Constructed City—has a Perfect Architect, God (Heb. 11.10)

   5. A Resplendent City—has the Glory of God (21.11)

   6. An Accessible City—has twelve open gates of pearl (21.21)

   7. An Undefiled City—‘Nothing that defileth’ shall enter it (21.27)

   8. A Perfect City—perfect in every dimension, the height, breadth and length being equal

── Archibald NaismithOutlines for Sermons