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SERVANTS' MINISTRY
www.godcannotlie.org
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The
Book of Revelation
Chapter 21
The New Jerusalem
. . . Revelation 21:1-27
Rev. 21:1 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. [KJV] Now John sees an amazing
scene, a new Heaven and a new Earth, for the old Heaven and the
old Earth were gone. And he saw no more sea.
Jesus said the present Heaven and Earth would pass away (Matthew
24:35); also Isaiah (Is.65:17; 66:22), and Daniel (Dan.2:44),
and Peter (2 Pet.3:7, 10-13), and the writer of Hebrews (Heb.11:13-16).
The main difference of the new Earth will be “no more
sea.” Why no sea? It could represent freedom from temptations,
troubles, changes, or whatever can divide or interrupt the fellowship
of saints. The sea has also been a barrier and/or border in the
past. It also was used in judgment (Flood). I know it’s
a wise decision, because it comes from an all-wise God!
Rev. 21:2 And I John saw the holy city,
new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as
a bride adorned for her husband. [KJV]
And he saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from
God out of Heaven like a beautiful bride dresses for her husband.
I think that this Holy City is where God’s children will
spend eternity. This is NOT the old city of Jerusalem, but the
place God has prepared for the church.
Rev. 21:3-4 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. [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. [KJV] John
heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home
of God is now among His people! He will live with them, and they
will be His people. God Himself shall be with them. He will cast
away all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or
sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and all its evils
are gone forever."
Have you ever wondered what eternity will be like? The “Holy
City, the new Jerusalem” is described as the place
where God will “wipe every tear from their eyes.”
There will be no death, no pain, no sorrow, or no crying. No matter
what you are going through now, God has written the final chapter,
and it’s true fulfillment and eternal joy for those who
love and obey Him. It is enough to know that eternity with God
will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine. The Presence
of God with His people in Heaven will go on forever. All effects
of former troubles shall be gone, never to be remembered again.
Rev. 21:5 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. [KJV] And the majestic
One sitting on the throne said, "I am making all things new!"
And then he said to me, "Write, for what I tell you is trustworthy
and true."
Christ makes all things new. God is the Creator. The Bible begins
with the majestic story of His Creation of the universe, and it
ends with His creation of a new Heaven and a new Earth. This is
tremendous hope and encouragement for all believers. All His Words
are true and faithful! Believe Him!
Rev. 21:6-7 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.
[7] He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be
his God, and he shall be my son. [KJV] And He also said,
"It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning
and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give the springs of
the water of life without charge! All who overcome will inherit
all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be
my children.
Just as God finished the work of Creation (Genesis 2:1-3) and
Jesus finished the work of redemption (John 19:30), so too, will
the Trinity finish the plan of salvation by inviting the redeemed
into a new creation. When we are with God, with our sins forgiven
and our future secure, we will be like Christ. We will be made
perfect like him.
Rev. 21:8 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. [KJV] But cowards who turn away from Me, and unbelievers, and
those who are corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those
who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars, have
a place in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which
is the second death.
The “fearful” are not those who sometimes doubt or
question, but those who refuse to follow God. They have no trust,
no faith and are not brave enough to stand up for Christ; they
are not humble enough to accept His authority over their lives.
They are put in the same list as the unbelieving, the vile, murderers,
liars, idolaters, the sexually immoral, and those who practice
the occult.
People who “overcome” (stand firm
to the end, Mark 13:13) shall receive the blessings that God promised:
- eating from the tree of life (Rev. 2:7),
- escaping the Lake of Fire (the “second
death,” Rev. 2:11),
- receiving a special name (Rev. 2:17),
- be included in the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5).
Those who can endure the testing of evil and remain
faithful, those who obey God by serving Him, will be rewarded by
God. The second death is spiritual death (Hell), meaning eternal
destruction; it’s permanent.
Rev. 21:9 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. [KJV]
Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing
the seven last plagues came and spoke to John, "Come with
me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
If you want a clear view of Heaven, you must get as close to
Heaven as you can, by faith, prayer, meditation and Bible study.
The City in the vision is the church of God in a perfect, triumphant
state, shining in its glorious relation to Christ. It shows that
the happiness of Heaven consists in intimacy with God, and in
being conformed to Him. The City will not be empty, but filled
with the Bride of Christ (Rev.19:7-9).
Rev. 21:10 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, [KJV] He took John in spirit to a big, high mountain, and showed
me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven from God.
The rest of the chapter is a stunning description of the new
City of God. The vision shows us that our new home with God will
defy description. We will not be disappointed by it in any way.
The picture changes from a Bride to a City. The City comes down
out of Heaven; it does not say it comes to Earth. This verse leaves
the City ‘hanging in mid-air.’ A planet? A satellite?
It does not say!
Rev. 21:11 Having the glory of God: and
her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper
stone, clear as crystal; [KJV] The city was filled with the
brilliant glory of God, sparkling like a precious gem, crystal
clear like jasper.
Two facts make this Holy City reveal the glory of God:
- God’s Presence.
- The presence of the saints who have been
conformed to the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:29-30).
Rev. 21:12-13 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: [13] On the east three gates; on the north
three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. [KJV] Its walls were wide and high, having twelve gates guarded
by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel
were written on the gates. There were three gates on each side,
east, north, south, and west.
The wall is a symbol of security.
Heaven is safe! Those who are there, are separated and secured
from all evils and enemies. There are 12 gates;
3 on the east, west, north and south. Each gate is guarded by
an angel of God. The gates are named after the 12 tribes of Israel.
Rev. 21:14 And the wall of the city had
twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles
of the Lamb. [KJV] The wall of the city had twelve foundations,
on each of them were written the names of the twelve apostles
of the Lamb.
The City’s wall has 12 foundations, named after the 12
apostles. The church today is built on the foundation of the apostles
and prophets; with Christ being the “chief cornerstone”
(Ep.2:20).
Rev. 21:15-16 And he that talked with me
had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof,
and the wall thereof. [16] And the city lieth foursquare, and
the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city
with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth
and the height of it are equal. [KJV] The angel who talked
to John had in his hand a golden measuring stick to measure the
city, its gates, and its wall. When he measured it, he found it
was a square, as wide as it was long, about 1500 miles each way.
The City seems to be a cube (foursquare); although some say a
pyramid, while others say a cube within a sphere. To me, arguing
over this is nonsense. It is created by our all wise and powerful
God, and it will be where the saints live. That’s good enough
for me!
Rev. 21:17-18 And he measured the wall thereof,
an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure
of a man, that is, of the angel. [18] And the building of the
wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto
clear glass. [KJV] Then he measured the walls and they were
about 216 feet high.
The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear
as glass.
The wall itself is about 216 feet high. It is built of crystal
clear jasper, a most beautiful gemstone, possibly like a diamond.
The City is pure gold — like clear glass.
Rev. 21:19-20 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; [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. [KJV] The wall of the
city was built on foundation stones of twelve gems: the first
was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,
the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the
eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh
jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.
The foundation of the wall is not only named after the
apostles, but are 12 special precious stones:
- Jasper — clear; reflects light and
color.
- Sapphire — blue, or opaque with gold
specks.
- Chalcedony — greenish agate.
- Emerald — green.
- Sardonyx — red perhaps with white layers.
- Sardius — fiery red.
- Chrysolite — golden yellow
- Beryl — sea green.
- Topaz — greenish-yellow.
- Chrysoprasus — gold-green.
- Jacinth — violet.
- Amethyst — purple.
You must have light to have color; and the City
has Light! God is Light, and He is there! The brilliance and beauty
of this City cannot be put into words. Every color of the rainbow
will be there!
Rev. 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve
pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of
the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. [KJV]
The twelve gates were made of pearls, each gate was one, single
pearl! And the main street was of purest gold, as clear as glass.
Each of the 12 gates was a single pearl. What massive oysters
these must have been. The “pearl” is a symbol
for the “bride” (the church). The “pearl
of great price” (Matthew 13:45-46) has been purchased
at a great price! Most people interpret this parable wrongly.
They think that the “pearl” is Christ. The
merchant man sold all He had to buy the pearl. Can you tell me
what a sinner is to offer, to pay for Christ? Nothing! The pearl
in this parable is the church. Christ (the merchant man) indeed
did pay a great price (His life), to ransom the church. We are
NOT required to sell anything to buy salvation. The street (not
streets) is built of pure gold just as is the City. Gold so pure
it is transparent. What an awesome place this is!
Rev. 21:22-23 And I saw no temple therein:
for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. [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. [KJV] No temple was in the city, for the Lord
God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no
need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city,
and the Lamb is its light.
In the Old testament, the Temple was the center of God’s
Presence among His people, and it was the primary place of worship.
No temple is needed in this City because God’s Presence
will be everywhere. He will be worshiped all throughout the city;
nothing will interfere with us from being without our awesome
heavenly Father. There will be no sun nor moon in this City; for
the glory of God and the Lamb’s Light is all that will be
needed. Their glory will by far outshine the sun and moon. (See
Isaiah 60:19-20).
Rev. 21:24 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. [KJV] The
nations of the earth will walk in its light, and the rulers of
the world will come and bring their honor and glory to it.
The “nations” are those people who live
on the Earth. This to my thinking is Old Testament and Tribulation
saints. Only the ‘church’ (from the time of Christ
to the Rapture) will live in this fabulous City. Those living
on Earth will travel to the City to worship the living God.
Rev. 21:25 And the gates of it shall not
be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. [KJV] Its gates never close, there is no night.
The gates of the cities were always shut at night, for protection;
but here in this wondrous City, there is no night, so the gates
will never be shut!
Rev. 21:26-27 And they shall bring the glory
and honour of the nations into it. [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. [KJV] And all the nations will
bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be
allowed to enter, no one who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty,
no one who lies, only those whose names are written in the Lamb's
Book of Life.
So many people think that everyone will go to Heaven. This is
NOT so! That is NOT what the Bible teaches. The Bible actually
teaches just the opposite, that only a "few"
(Mat.7:13-14) believe God (1 John 5:10-12) and accept Christ as
their Saviour and Lord (John 1:12-13; 3:3) and have their name
written in the "book of life." I believe that
God invites everyone, but only a "few"
are chosen (Mat.20:16; 22:14), meaning that they refuse to do
it God's way! Every person has a free will, and can choose Jesus
OR refuse Jesus. If you choose Jesus, Heaven awaits. If you refuse
Jesus, you will never even see Heaven (John 3:3), let alone live
there. NOT everyone will be allowed into the
New Jerusalem (Heaven); only those whose names are written in
the Lamb’s Book of Life. Don’t flatter yourself by
thinking that you will get in because of your background, your
parents, your personality, or good behavior. Eternal life is available
to you only because of what Jesus, the Lamb, has done. Only Jesus
can secure your citizenship in this marvelous City (Heaven). Trust
Him today to make you God’s child. The Book of Life contains
the names of all the redeemed throughout the ages. If you have
not trusted Jesus to save your soul, you are NOT one of the redeemed,
and your name is NOT in the Lamb’s Book of Life. You will
never be permitted entrance to this amazing City, for there is
a “great gulf fixed” between the saved and
the lost (Luke 16:26).
The greatest joy of Heaven, by far, will be that the awesome
Presence of our Saviour and Lord abides with us day by day for
eternity (John 14:3). To me, Heaven is to be with Him!
Again, the “nations” are those living on
Earth who come to the City to worship God, bringing their honor
and glory to Him. Residents and tourists alike are redeemed of
their sin.
Book of Revelation
Ch.1. . Ch.2 . . Ch.3 . . Ch.4 . . Ch.5. . Ch.6 . . Ch.7 . . Ch.8 . . Ch.9 . . Ch.10 . . Ch.11 . . Ch.12 . . Ch.13 . . Ch.14 . . Ch.15 . . Ch.16 . . Ch.`17 . . Ch.18 . . Ch.19 . . Ch.20 . . Ch.21 . . Ch.22 . . Special Comments
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