Revelation Lesson 14

Chapter 21

Comments, Questions and Discussions

Comments

Introduction:

Chapter 21 begins the picture of where everything has been leading. We have seen the waiting, the hope, the punishment, the destruction and that the hosts of heaven are in anticipation of a completion of all that is old. We have seen the judgment and the rewards and the condemnation.

Now we have arrived at the anticipated glory and beauty of those things God had already planned in the beginning. Picture the anticipation. There is no more Death, no Hades. The Book Of Life has been opened and the righteous of the ages identified. Those not in the book have received their just punishment. John looked and saw a new heaven and a new earth. He notes the first heaven and first earth had passed away. Then the holy city, the new Jerusalem, was seen. The scene was awesome and the excitement must have been almost uncontrollable. The bride had arrived and she was beautiful. This was the moment for which all the faithful awaited and John had been blessed to preview the scene.

Until we understand the beauty of that scene, we will never understand the glory of God and the lamb in the church. Keep in mind that it wasn't just the church of the first century, but the faithful of all the ages, all those found in the book of life. Just thinking about it makes one want to jump up and sing about salvation and sing "glory to God and Christ" and sing praises to God's mercy and love. But also, one is humbled and prays for mercy, strength, faith, endurance.

O God, my father

O Lamb, my light, my Lord and King

O to call you Father, softly in my prayers

O Lord God almighty and precious lamb upon the throne,

For Your glory, power and honor,

Loose my tongue to abound in praise.

21:1 - A new heaven and a new earth.

In my mind, there is no doubt that John sees the fulfillment of the prophecies of Isaiah. In fact the first few verses of Revelation 21 point to these prophecies.

Isaiah 65:17-19
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.

Isaiah 66:22
"For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me," says the Lord, "So shall your descendants and your name remain."

Peter remembers these prophecies as he describes the end. In II Peter 3:13 he says:
Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

The text in Peter shows that the fulfillment of those promises was being anticipated as he was writing. Israel did go through a prolonged time of relatively good behavior during the period of the Macabees, but Peter said that the new heavens and new earth were still awaited. One to sit on the throne of David (Isaiah 9:7 and 16:5) had to come before the promises could be completely fulfilled. Someone might question the apparent worship in accord with the Law in Isaiah 66, but one must remember that Christians did come to Jerusalem to worship and that those in Jerusalem were zealous for the law. Christians worshipped regularly and their worship was not limited to a day or time of the year. In Acts 21:20 Paul is told by the elders at Jerusalem,
You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.

What could be a better fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy than that recorded in Acts 22. Jesus refers to the prophecy in regard to the impending destruction in his warnings in Mark 9. He directly refers to the last verse of Isaiah.
And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

Mark 9:43-47
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched "where `Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- "where `Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- "where `Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.

21:1 "and there was no more sea"

We have mentioned this verse before. I believe the sea represents a separation from God that has been taken away. When a sea separates a land mass, it is seen as a protector and an isolator. In chapter 4, verse 6, we find a sea of glass before the throne and in 15:2 we find those who overcame standing on the sea of glass. See notes in lessons 4 and 9 on those verses.

21:2 "New Jerusalem, . . prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

We have already noted the beauty of the city. New, as in New Jerusalem, makes a lot more sense if the rest of the book has been about the destruction of the old Jerusalem. It really doesn't make a lot of sense to call something new if there was not an old. Many think this is heaven, but here and other places, we list 5 sound, solid reasons why this is impossible.
1. It came down out of heaven - 21:2 It didn't go up; it came down.


2. The tabernacle of God was with men - 21:3


3. We noted the fulfillment of prophecy when discussing the new heavens and new earth.


4. The kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it - 21:24


5. Outside the city are dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. - 22:15


How many times did Jesus talk about being the bridegroom? When did this marriage take place? On Pentecost? No it didn't take place on that first Pentecost. Churches were still waiting for the great event during the time that Paul wrote. He told the Corinthians that he had betrothed them to one husband to present them as a chaste virgin to Christ. It was still in the future.

21:3 "a loud voice"

I believe the loud voice is to make an announcement of important events. We have a loud voice being used twenty one times in this book. Every such announcement is important. This no doubt adds to the awesomeness of that which John witnesses. Note the use of a "loud voice" in the following significant events.
Revelation 1:10 - This is at the very first of the visions. The Voice says: "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last. . . ."
Revelation 5:2 - "Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?"
Revelation 5:12 -"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. . ."
Revelation 6:10 - The souls under the altar cry out, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth"
Revelation 7:2 -"Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." was spoken in a loud voice to the four angles to whom power was granted to harm the earth and sea.
Revelation 7:10 - "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."
Revelation 8:13 - "Woe, woe, woe . . ."
Revelation 10:3 - A loud voice summons the seven thunders to sound.
Revelation 11:12 - The two witnesses are raised from the dead and hear a loud voice. "Come up here."
Revelation 11:15 - "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever."
Revelation 12:10 - The casting down of Satan is announced."
Revelation 14:2 - The singing of a new song, as it were, before the throne.
Revelation 14:7 - "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come . . ."
Revelation 14:9 - A warning about worshipping the beast and his image is made.
Revelation 14:15 - The summons to reap the harvest is made.
Revelation 14:18 - The summons to gather that designated for God's wrath is given.
Revelation 16:1 - Another announcement of wrath, "Go and pour out the bowls of the wrath of God on the earth."
Revelation 16:17 - Announcement of the time for the end is given, "It is done."
Revelation 18:2 - The fall of Babylon is announced.
Revelation 19:17 - The call is given for the birds to gather for the great feast.
Revelation 21:3 - A loud voice says, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men."


All are significant events and announcements. The last announcement in 21:3 is likewise important and significant.

21:3 "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men."

But, wasn't the tabernacle of God always with men since it was built by Moses? First let's consider that only the priests could enter the tabernacle under Moses law, so in a general sense it was not with men. But there are also other considerations. The tabernacle on earth was regarded as a type of the heavenly, but not the real thing. The Hebrew writer brings this out in chapter 8, verses 1-5.
Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."


This is also brought out in Revelation chapter 11. After the city, Jerusalem, was ravaged, the heavens opened and there for John to see was the temple of God. At the time of judging of the dead and rewarding the faithful we find the Temple of God opened in heaven. Steven pointed out the difference in Act 7 in his defense - verses 48-50:
However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: "Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me?" says the Lord, Or, "What is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?"


It might be well to point out that according to Classical Greek terminology, the temple was the inner place where diety (or image) actually was. The tabernacle was the whole structure. In Revelation 15:5 we find "the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened." In Revelation 11:1-2, John is told, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it." In I Corinthians 3 we find that God's fellow workers, verse 9, are God's building. In verse 17, Paul tells the Corinthians, "For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."
In this verse, 21:3, I believe the expression, "The tabernacle of God is with men" can be drawn out to mean that which contains God's dwelling place is among men. This is in harmony with the passage in I Corinthians chapter 3 above. It is no longer limited to heavenly places. It might still include heavenly places as it came down out of heaven, but it is with men. This is contingent on the former things passing away and God making all things new (verse 5). It is also contingent on thirsting for the water of life and heeding the invitation to drink. It is a contrast with the tabernacle of old which was not approachable by any but the priest.

21:4 "God will wipe away every tear from their eyes".

The text goes on to say:
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.


We address this often. There is no greater calamity that has come upon man than sin. In the nation of Israel's past history, sin caused them grief. They were in captivity having suffered defeat on Israel's soil, because of their sins. David said, "My sin is always before me," Psalms 51:3. Remember since Adam, sin has dominated man's eternal state. Man was dead in sin and could only look in hope for forgiveness. Jesus brought that forgiveness and thus the greatest cause of tears and sorrow was taken away. Anyone who does not view sin realizing tragedy of eternal death being the consequence, has not understood the Bible record nor God's plan for man's forgiveness. God wiping away every tear will not have the significance that it should have.
Too many think of this passage as sorrow over earthly things such as loss of loved ones, infirmity, and hunger. Such hardships cause woe and sorrow; they always will, but the tragedy of sin is far greater than any earthly woe.

21:4 "the former things have passed away"

This requires that all be made new, verse 5. We must ask what former things? And, we must ask in respect to whom the letters and the book were addressed. The only former things that come to my mind are the old system of Jewish worship, the law of Moses, and the earthly Jerusalem as a center for worship -- in essence the old heavens and earth. Nothing else fits into the understanding of the book as presented in these lessons.
There had to be an end to those things. The last days had to come to an end. Note just a few passages of scripture.
Acts 3:18-21
But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.


In this passage Peter is addressing his Jewish brethren. He clearly associates Jesus as the one foretold by the prophets. Peter then speaks of the Lord sending Jesus after the times of the restoration of all things. This once again is that "which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. This passage looks forward to the completion, the end, the time when all had been completed and the new could come into existence.
Matthew 5:17-18
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.


Does anyone notice the little phrase, "till heaven and earth pass away." It says one jot or tittle will not pass from the law until two events take place: all is fulfilled and heaven and earth pass away. All things would be fulfilled in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem, Luke 21:22. Peter says they were looking forward to the new heavens and new earth. John in Revelation records that this came about after the destruction of Jerusalem. How well the pieces fit when we understand that Revelation is about the completion of God's plan in that generation. This leads to just one more passage to consider.
Matthew 24:34-35
Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.


Jesus is talking about the destruction of Jerusalem which he says will take place in that generation and then He says, Heaven and earth will pass away. Surely all can see the connection in this prophecy with what Jesus reveals to John in Revelation.

21:7 "He who overcomes shall inherit all things."

In this verse we see the inheritance and we see the Father/Son relationship. A number of scriptures could be given concerning this. We do want to notice that looking forward to the inheritance was part of the message of the apostle Paul. Paul said on two occasions some "will not inherit the kingdom of God," Galatians 5:21, I Corinthians 6:9-10 and that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, I Corinthians 15:50.

21:8 "All Liars"

Liars are mentioned in Revelation 2:2.
And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.


A reference back to this verse would certainly be appropriate. It is also noted that the list of sins here probably includes all immorality, but we must ask why "all liars" and not just "liars?" Consider the following. The Jews, to protect themselves, sometimes lied. Many times in the Bible's history books we find such lies without comment. We can probably note that if God's people had kept themselves moral, they would have been strong and their influence through God would have been so great that they would never need to lie to protect themselves because no one would have dared to hurt them. This is especially true of them as a nation. They should have been a holy nation but in fact were, for the most part, evil and self-serving. They may have justified their lies with the protection clause, but they would never justify their unrighteousness. The time came for their demise as a nation and no protection would be provided, therefore, all liars would receive their just punishment in the lake of fire.

21:8 "the second death" See notes on 2:11

The first death must be something or there could not be a second. From a human standpoint we view death as conclusion of this physical life. Other than in a symbolic sense, as in baptism when we die to sin and rise to walk in newness of life, physical death is the first death we experience. Hebrews 9:24-28 must come to mind.
For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another -- He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.


I believe we can conclude, since we find judgment in Revelation 20 and 21 and since we also find death, namely the second death, that the second death of Revelation is for those who are condemned after living this physical life. Note the passage says "it is appointed for men to die once." That first death is our one physical death. But notice also that Christ puts away sin by the "sacrifice of Himself." It is sin that brings and has always brought death, but this is not physical death. As we have mentioned, Adam did not physically die in that day. But he did die and we find him separated from God. Sin cannot exist with God. After this life if we have sin, we cannot exist with God, therefore we will have part in the second death. The second death is eternal, not a moment in time. II Thessalonians 1:9 describes it as "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord."
Now catch this carefully. If we don't get rid of sin in this life, we will face the second death in the eternal realm. Sin does not exist with God. Romans 6:5-6 says:
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.


Put this passage with the Hebrews' passage above. Jesus died to put away sin. We are united together in the likeness of His death by being baptized. This is how we get rid of sin in this life so that we need not fear or have part in the second death. Revelation 2:11 says "He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." We must overcome sin in this life, if we hope to be with God throughout eternity.

21:9 "the Lamb's wife"

Finally, the marriage has taken place. It was spoken of by Jesus while on earth. It was anticipated by Paul in his writing to the Corinthians and the Ephesians. The marriage supper was noted in Revelation 19. Now John is allowed to view the beauty of the bride who by now had become the wife of the lamb. When did the marriage take place? Note Revelation 19:2-7. Verse 2 says:
He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.


Then verse 7 says:
". . .the marriage of the Lamb has come. . . ."


Now I ask you, "Who is the great harlot who shed the blood of his servants and by whose judgment brought the time for the Lamb's marriage? Could it be Rome? Could it be yet in the future? Could it be Jerusalem? Jerusalem's rulers? Yes, that's who Jesus said would be held accountable, Matthew 23:29-36. That's why we have "New Jerusalem."

21:12-14 - "twelve gates, twelve foundations"

The gates are named for the tribes, and the foundations for the apostles. The faithful, those in the book of life are now united in the everlasting kingdom. John is finally allowed to view the long awaited New Jerusalem. It is the Jerusalem which needs no temple, no sun or moon. God and Jesus are in the city and such things are just not needed.

21:16 - "he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlong"

The city's length, breadth, and height were all 12 thousand furlongs." A furlong is reported to be 600 feet. In cubit feet that would be 12,000 times 600, times 12,000 times 600, times 12,000 times 600. Now that's big. Of course the numbers are possibly symbolic, since 12,000 is used, perhaps the numbers denote some kind of perfect size as in 3 times 4 times 1000 which are all special numbers equals the 12,000. What ever the case, no one should worry about the city not being large enough.
It's wall was 144 cubits high as measured by an angel. What a city!

21:18-21 The city is filled with valuable stones and minerals.

These are part of the structure, the streets and the foundation. The city is a heavenly one, so the symbolism is not in earthly wealth, but in spiritual wealth. No doubt that city contains an abundance of all things that have spiritual value.

21:27 "Lamb's Book of Life"

Paul mentions the "Book Of Life" in Philippians 4:3:
And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.


These names included those worthy from the foundation of the world. Revelation 17:8:
The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.


The lamb was slain from the foundation of the world, Revelation 13:8. See also the notes on Chapter 20, verse 12
Questions

1. In verse 1, what is "no more" and what is the significance?

2. In verse 4, what is "no more?" Why? What is the significance?

3. Is the scene depicted in verse 3 a change from what has been prior? Why?

4. The water of life is free to all in verse 6. When does this verse imply that this water has become available?

5. Is the lake of fire literal? When does the second death occur?

6. Describe the gates of the city.

7. How man cubic furlongs was the city? If a furlong is 600 feet, how many cubic feet did the city have? 12000 times 600 times 12000 times 6000 times 12000 times 6000 equals. How many square miles? 12000 times 600 divided by 5280 times 12000 times 600 divided by 5280.

8. What did the city not need?

9. Who dwells in the city?