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CHAPTER 21:

This is an exciting and beautiful chapter all about heaven.

1. Is there a new Jerusalem and if so where is it?

2. How many Jerusalems are described in Chapter 21?

3. Why are there two kinds of bodies during the Millennium?

4. Will we travel as fast as the speed of light during the Millennium?

5. When do funeral processions and burials end?

6. What’s the greatest fact about the Holy City?

7. What does the term “it is done” mean?

8. Who misses the blessings of living in God’s celestial city?

9. What does the Holy Spirit say to us about the brilliance and the size and the beauty of the holy city?

10. What significance does the wall around the Holy City have to do with it all?

11. Some people have mocked the idea that the streets are made of real gold? Is it perhaps or are the streets paved with real gold?

12. Is the new Jerusalem large enough for all who have ever lived and died upon the earth?

13. How will the glory of God be revealed in God’s city?

14. Who lights up the holy city, and who walks in the light of that wonderful light in heaven?

15. Are the gates of this beautiful city ever locked and if you say no, why not?

The next two chapters tells us of the glorious place where Jesus is preparing us. Remember he said “ I go to prepare a place for you. Well let us see what it is like.

These two chapters presents the glorious future that awaits every believer of all dispensations and ages. The eternal state of both the saved and lost are described in the first eight verses of this chapter. In addition verses 9-27 presents a glowing description of the new Jerusalem. The view is absolutely breathtaking.

Verse 1 “ and I saw a new heaven ….” The passing away of the first heaven and earth took place at the conclusion of the great white throne judgment. This was part of the renovation of the world which Jesus predicted in Matt 24 v 35 when he said “heaven and earth shall pass away” The time and method are described in 2^nd Peter 3 v 7 and verses 10-13. Did you notice that in this new world the sea is eliminated. Possibly because of its connotation with wickedness. See Isaiah 57 v 20, another reason could be the ocean’s vegetation is no longer necessary.

Verse 2 “ and I John saw the holy city…….” Two Jerusalems are mentioned in the scripture, Galatians 4 v 25 - 26 and Hebrews 12 v 22. One is earthly and the home of the believers during the Millennium period and the other is heavenly the new Jerusalem or celestial city which hovers over the earth eternally following the post millennium creation of the new heaven and earth. The new Jerusalem is undoubtedly the one Christ has been preparing for over two thousand years as the Savior said in John 14 v 2. This magnificent masterpiece descending toward earth, reminds one of the elegant beauty of a bride on her wedding day.

Verse 3 “ and I heard a great voice……” To this point in time, God’s Tabernacle has been located in heaven, now we discover a change of address. The Almighty descends to earth with his heavenly entourage, which become situated in the New Jerusalem, to begin global operations from this satellite city. The redeemed in their glorified bodies live in the New Jerusalem. Those with bodies of flesh, who were born and saved during the Millennium hour enters the eternal state with their natural physical bodies. They live on earth IN and under the light OF the Holy City, chapter 21 v 24. The true beauty of the entire scene is that God dwells in the midst of his people, for a voice cries 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.

Another exciting fact is that believers with their glorified bodies will be able to travel as fast as the speed of light, as fast as their thoughts, thus they will traverse back and forth to earth from their city in space, the new Jerusalem in a moment of time. Presently. It’s uncanny that earth scientist have always predicted that man will live in space in some future time. They think they will be implementing this, however they don’t know half of it!!!

Verse 4 “ and God shall wipe away all tears….” This verse should be a favorite among God’s people. Think of it, pain sorrow death eternally eliminated from this land of eternal life. No wonder the redeemed are able to triumphantly shout, “ oh death where is thy sting, oh grave where is thy victory”, 1^st Cor 15 v 55. Never again will a funeral procession take place, the last enemy will have been destroyed 1^st Cor 15 v 26. Everything associated with death is also eliminated for time and eternity. No more disease, heart attacks, automobile accidents, wars, they are all finished. Although these truths are wonderful in themselves, the greatest fact is that the Lord’s people see his face.

Chapter 22 v 4. In addition sin has ceased to exist. Satan is eternally incarcerated in the lake of fire, Gehenna chapter 20 v 10. A new day, a new heaven suspended above a new earth has arrive because verses 5 & 6 declares “ he that sat upon the throne……..” God -speaks to John saying “it is done”. As Christ completed his redemptive work on the cross for sinners, he cried “ it is finished.” Now God who has made all thing new says It is finished or done. His will as accomplished through his son Jesus Christ namely that the earth should be free from the curse of sin and that its inhabitants shall be conformed to his very likeness. God adds “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Hence the explanation the beginning and the end. What does it mean? In Christ all creation began WITHOUT sin, Colossians 1 v 15-19. Now in Christ it has ended without sin.

In this glorious city, the New Jerusalem, the spiritual thirst of God’s people will be satisfied forever. While on earth Jesus said to the woman at the well, in John 4 v 13 & 14 “who so ever drink of this water in the well shall thirst again……” That time has come and God says I will give to him that thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Its ours to possess throughout the ages of ages. However make no mistake about it, the eternal prize of being in the presence of God in the New Jerusalem, where there is no more death, sorrow or pain or thirst is only for those who trusted in the merits of the shed blood of Christ.

Verse 7 “ He that over cometh….” Who is the over comer? The one who believes that Jesus is the son of God, 1^st John 5 v 4. Be sure of your salvation because the next verse mentions a group of sinners who miss the eternal paradise upon earth.

Verse 8 “ But the fearful and unbelieving…..” This text plainly states that those who were condemned at the judgment in chapter 20 v 11-15, have been cast into the lake of fire or Gehanna, they are not given a second chance or a reduced sentence as some sentimentalist teach. Revelation 21 is the eternal state, no more change is possible, those who stood before God’s great white throne did not make it. Who are these?

The fearful- Those who rejected Christ to escape the ridicule of men.
The unbelieving- Those who rejected the doctrine of Christ Deity and the shed blood as the only means of obtaining eternal life. Jesus said “you shall die in your sins if you believe not that I am he or that I am God, John 8 v 24, and again in John 5 v 40.
The abominable- Those who engage in wicket practices. They spoke the language but never lived it. They professed that they knew God but in their lives they denied him doing abominable rebellious practices. Titus 2 v 16.
The murderers including those who carried hatred in their hearts for others. 1^st John 3 v 15.
The whoremongers – Those who engage in fornication, homosexuality, adulterous sins or perverted sex.
Those who practice drug usage for kicks and highs.
The idolaters those who worshipped or revered anyone or anything other than the living and true God or who use idol worship. (statues, icons). Remember God’s warning 1^st John 5 v 21.
All liars those who deceive others, distorted the truth and destroyed mankind by lies.

Verse 9 “ and there came unto me…….” Here one member of the angelic host who had administered the final seven judgments now speaks to John saying come here I want to show you the bride, the lamb’s wife, the one who has made herself ready in fine linen clean and white in chapter 19 v 7 & 8 and of course will return with him for the one thousand year honeymoon, chapter 19 v 11-16. At this point the bride is envisioned in her final resting place.

Verse 10 “ and he carried me away….” The bride is pictured as the “city” of the new Jerusalem because a city is composed of people. Buildings streets and lights are simply aids to the residents. For example one refers to a city as “clean or wicked”, why? Because of its people. Now as John views God’s heavenly creation, he is impressed by:

1. The brilliance of the city verse 9-14.

2. The size of the city verses 15 –17.

3. The beauty of the city verses 18-21.

The eternal city described in verses 11-14, is flooded with the glory of God. Her light is like unto a stone most precious even like a Jasper stone, clear as crystal. It also had a wall, great and high, with 12 gates, and at the gates 12 angels……….” In bible times walls were erected for protection, however since war is forever finished, but this wall serves as a reminder that the God of love protected his people while on earth. This wall is an eternal memorial to the fact that our lives have been hidden, with Christ in God, Colossians 3 v 3. The city also has 12 gates, each inscribed with one of the names of the 12 tribes of the children of Israel. The gates are staffed with angels who welcome those possessing the right privilege of entering the city, chapter 22 v 14.

Lets consider the size of the city. Verses 15-17…..The angel measures the city with a golden read or measuring rod. Verse 16 informs us that the New Jerusalem is four squared shape. It is a perfect cube because its width, length and height are equal. In fact the angel discovers its exact dimension to be 12 thousand furlongs wide, long and high. Most scholars believe this to be a distance of 1,500 miles square. In fact the major cities of the world, are mere villages in comparison with the New Jerusalem because it extends 1, 500 miles upwards into space. It can contain every person who have ever been born, plus additional billions. The wall extends around the city and is approximately 216 ft in height, for cubit is the distance from the elbow to the end of the middle finger, approximately 18 inches.

Verses 18 – 21. “ and the building….” Notice first that the walls of “Jasper” represents Christ in his radiant glory surrounding the saints. Next the “pure gold city” typifies the righteousness of God’s holy nature and then precious colorful stones startlingly brilliant, picture the Lord’s attributes as well as various aspects of his redemptive work. Imagine the scene when the light of the city, the Lord Jesus Christ shines through the brilliance of these stones. It is at this time, when John’s vision becomes reality, that then and only then we will begin to understand the term “GLORY OF GOD” The beautiful city also pictures the saints of all ages join together in love for we see that the names of the twelve tribes of Israel are coupled with the names of the apostles, this means that all of God’s people from all dispensations have finally been joined together in one truly ecumenical brotherhood. No longer will we be Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Nazarenes, Presbyterians. Instead we will be UNITED BRETHRENS. What a glorious day when we lay aside eternally the tags that so often divide us.

Verse 22 “and I saw no temple area…….On earth God always had a dwelling place, a temple or a tabernacle, where men could come to worship him, such a place is no longer needed, for the tabernacle of God is now with men, he has chosen to dwell with men. Chapter 21 v 3.

Verse 23 “ and the city had no need of the sun……” Jesus said while on earth “I am the light of the world” John 8 v 12, now in the eternal we see Christ in all his radiance splendor and glory shines forth so magnificently, that darkness is an impossibility. No wonder there shall be no night there.

Verses 24 – 26 …..These verses undoubtedly picture the multitudes who came through the millennium as born again regenerated believers. They did not follow Satan upon his final rebellion upon his release from the bottomless pit. Therefore they entered the eternal state in bodies of flesh. Their rulers, kings and presidents, also born again and still living in earthly bodies, now bring their glory and honor into the New Jerusalem as well. They come to praise him who is all in all. As they arrive there is no fear of assassination , terrorism, such events are no longer possible, God is present, Satan is destroyed, temptation is forever past, the gates of the city are never locked. Security is needless in the land of eternal day, where there is no night. At this point a definitive statement .

Verse 27 “ and there shall in no wise….God is saying “ Be sure” How tragic it would be to miss God’s best. Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.

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This site was last updated Monday June 07, 2004 01:04:52 PM -0400