Revelation 21 and 22

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

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–In Revelation 20, we saw Satan cast into the Pit for 1,000 years – vv 1-3. During this same 1,000 years, Jesus takes His turn as rightful ruler over this entire earth and all people, vv 4-6. Because He is perfect and perfectly righteous, righteousness reigns perfectly during this time as Jesus does what no human government was ever able to do. –Satan is finally released from the pit and he gathers humans and leads a final rebellious attempt against God in Christ, vv 7-10. Following this incident, the –Great White Throne Judgment of vv 11-15 occurs in which all non-saved people will be told why they are going to Lake of Fire and that it will be their final eternal abode because they consistently rejected Jesus and the only salvation that is offered.

Revelation 21:1-8 says, “1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”6 And He said to me, “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. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

John’s attention is drawn to a new heaven and earth. The world and cosmos above it are completely recreated and these new heavens and new earth will come into existence after the Millennial Kingdom concludes (and –The Great White Throne Judgment has taken place). Though God had created the first heavens and earth for a place for humans to live and thrive, the entire system became corrupted by sin. Since the current system is unsavable, God will create new heavens and new earth completely from scratch since the current ones will burn up with a fervent heat as noted in 2 Peter 3:10.

Ultimately, God brings humanity and all of Creation into the environment He had originally intended for us, but was essentially destroyed by sin and its corrupting influence. All of history up to that moment of new creation is essentially a parenthesis from the first creative event to the second and final creative event. There are differences between Isaiah’s vision and what John sees concerning the heavens and the earth. Some scholars believe Isaiah spoke of the Millennium and the time afterward, while John appears to be referring solely to the time after the Millennial Kingdom.

In Revelation 21:9-21, John describes the New Jerusalem and this new Jerusalem is part of the new creation, not the Millennial Kingdom. Use of the term “bride” here references either the New Jerusalem or the Church as represented by the New Jerusalem. In either case, it appears the Church in its entirety will live in the New Jerusalem.

This New Jerusalem is described to readers as John sees it. It is surrounded by a wall of great height. The wall has 12 gates, with 12 angels, each named after the 12 tribes of Israel. The 12 gates are twelve pearls; one pearl per gate, so they will be fairly large pearls. The streets of the New Jerusalem are made of gold, like transparent glass. The wall has 12 foundations with the names of the 12 apostles. The size of the city is approximately –1,500 miles on each side and –1,500 miles high and is either a cube or a pyramid (square base). It’s best to interpret these dimensions literally since they are so specific.

Notice there is NO temple in this New Jerusalem because the Lamb and the LORD Almighty are its temple. There is also no need of sun or moon because God’s glory illuminates it. Those of all nations who are saved shall walk in this city. It will be eternally day there, with no night. Nothing that is even remotely sinful will ever go into this city. Ultimately, this is what God meant for Eden to be but we know what happened there. From Eden, sin captured the entire world and Creation so God will “redo” what He originally began into perpetuity.

In Revelation 22:1-5, we see Eden Restored. A river of life runs through the city, coming from God’s own throne. The Tree of Life that existed temporarily in Eden, will exist forever in New Jerusalem and will provide 12 fruits every month perpetually. It’s purpose is to sustain immortality. The word “healing” here means “health-giving” (v 2) and partaking of this tree will be a regular part of our fellowship with God.

In the restored Eden, and newly created heavens and earth, there will be no more curse (v 3) because the curse that now exists over this current Creation has been lifted by God! There will be no more sin of any kind and we will serve Jesus perfectly and forever! We will behold His face! His Name will be on our foreheads – no current tattoo can compete with that! There will be no more night because the Lamb provides the Light through His glory.

Revelation 22:6-11 reminds us the time is near (v 6). This always means that God is always at the door; imminent when we compare the eternal state to our present physical state governed by time. Notice the promise: “Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book,” which reminds us we should always look forward to His eventual return and new Creation. We should study it, live by it, embrace it.

Revelation 22:10 is where John is told to not seal the book up as Daniel was (Daniel 12:4). John was to leave the book OPEN because the fulfillment of its contents was NEAR. Daniel was told to SEAL up the book because there was more prophecy to come (Daniel 8:26; Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:9-10 cf Rev 10:4). Artists tend to cover their in-progress work until it is complete and can be then unveiled. God is telling us that things are quickly approaching completion.

In Revelation 22:12-17 we read Jesus’ Words to the Church. He tells us He is coming quickly and He will reward based on their work – a reference to how we followed His will for our lives, not a reference to somehow “earning” salvation. The phrase “do His commandments” is better rendered “washed their robes” (referring to our salvation). All truly saved people WILL enter into His Kingdom and the New Jerusalem and v 15 is a reference to everyone “outside” or in the Lake of Fire for all eternity.

In Revelation 22:18-21, we see a warning and blessing. The warning is for anyone who adds to God’s Word, which will result in being cast out of God’s Presence. –This speaks of deliberate distortions and perversions of His prophetic Word. –Jesus is not talking about possible mechanical errors in transmission, or unintentional mistakes in judgment in interpreting His message. –He is speaking of those who will ADD to or DEDUCT from His message contained in this book. –God will send plagues on those people. –Believers will lose part of their reward. –Unbelievers will have no participation in the new creation.

In Revelation 22:20-21, Jesus reminds us He is “coming quickly” and because of that, we should always be ready for His return enough to say, “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” God’s grace is forever with us as His children in this life and throughout eternity. The last word of Revelation (and in essence, the entire Bible), is “Amen” – “so be it!”

This ends Revelation and we will soon be starting a teaching on the entire book of Daniel. Please join us for that here.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective