Revelation 21:1-27
Q.1. What makes the final Heaven and earth different? Where is the focus? Who qualifies for this new home? How special will it be? – (Rev.21:1-8)
Everything is brand new, and appropriate for our everlasting existence – 5 He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband … (Rev.21:5,1-2). The focus of our heavenly home is our God – He who sits on the throne … I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end (Rev.21:5-6). It will not just be about glory, but also relationships – 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (Rev.21:3-4). This place will be for those who have overcome by faith – 7 He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8 But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death (Rev.21:7-8). We will always be aware that we gained entrance by God’s amazing grace alone – … I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost (Rev.21:6).
Q.2. Where is the new Jerusalem located? How magnificent is the new city? Who makes up the Bride of the all-conquering Lamb? – (Rev.21:9-21)
The Holy City will be a new Jerusalem that has come down out of Heaven to earth (Rev.21:10 c.f. Rev.21:2; Is.2:2-4; Mic.4:1-5). The description is out of this world. The best John could do was to describe it as – having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper (Rev.21:11). The materials are the most glorious known to man. and our heavenly city enormous – The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal … The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass (Rev.21:16 & 18). The city could be either a pyramid or cube. In order, the great and high wall has – … twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel (Rev.21:12). Furthermore – the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Rev.21:14). The city combines the covenantal promises given to the twelve tribes of Israel. The foundation that it is built on is the Gospel of the apostles of Jesus.
Q.3. Why are the temple, sun and moon unnecessary? Will there still be distinguishable nations and rank? Where is the chief focus? Who qualifies for Heaven? – (Rev.21:22-27)
Truly, the presence of the Lord God Almighty makes a temple unnecessary. He is the Light of the heavens and the earth – the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb (Rev.21:23 c.f. Rev.21:23). God made each one of us unique. There will be distinguishable nations, kings, or people of rank in our eternal existence (Rev.21:24). However, the chief concern will be to bring honour and glory into the presence of the Lord. The open gates will remind us that we are in a perfect place with no restrictions and are free to explore the magnificence of the universe forever. John again repudiated the idea of universalism, because – nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Rev.21:27).