Revelation 21
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1I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. 2I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. 3I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.” 5He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.” 6He said to me, “I have become the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son. 8But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” 9One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the wife, the Lamb’s bride.” 10He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 13On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb. 15He who spoke with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls. 16The city is square, and its length is as great as its width. He measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal. 17Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass. 19The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst. 21The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. 23The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 25Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there), 26and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter. 27There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
World English Bible (public domain)
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“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:4
Summary
Revelation 21 portrays a vision of a new heaven and a new earth, highlighting the renewal of all creation. John witnesses the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, descending from heaven, beautifully adorned. This chapter emphasizes God's presence dwelling among His people, marking the end of suffering, pain, and death. The Lord proclaims, 'Behold, I am making all things new,' signifying the complete restoration of His creation. The chapter also describes the glory and purity of the New Jerusalem with vivid imagery, using precious stones and pure gold to depict the city, and emphasizing the absence of a temple since God's presence illuminates everything. This passage offers profound hope, portraying a future where God's people will eternally dwell with Him in peace and joy.
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Chapter outline
How Revelation 21 unfolds
Revelation 21:1–2 The New Heaven and Earth
John describes a vision of a new heaven and earth, indicating the end of the former creation, which has passed away.
Revelation 21:3–4 God's Presence Among People
A loud voice announces that God will dwell with His people, eliminating tears, death, and pain, marking a transformative new reality.
Revelation 21:5–8 The Alpha and Omega
God declares His eternal nature as Alpha and Omega, offering life to the thirsty and warning against those who reject Him.
Revelation 21:9–14 The Bride of the Lamb
One of the angels leads John to see the New Jerusalem, described in relational terms as the bride prepared for her husband.
Revelation 21:15–21 Measurements of the Holy City
The angel measures the city with precise dimensions and materials, emphasizing its grandeur and beauty, including gates of pearl and streets of gold.
Revelation 21:22–23 Absence of a Temple
The New Jerusalem has no temple because God's presence radiates throughout the city, highlighting a direct relationship between God and His people.
Revelation 21:24–27 The City’s Purity and Inclusion
The nations will walk in the city's light, but only those written in the Lamb's book of life will enter, emphasizing purity.
Key verses
Revelation 21:4Revelation 21:4 captures the essence of God's promise to eliminate suffering, making it a focal point of hope in this chapter.
Main themes in Revelation 21
renewal of creation
The theme of renewal of creation surfaces when John sees the new heaven and earth (verse 1), symbolizing the complete transformation of existence. This renewal signifies the end of despair associated with the old creation, as God restores and revives His creation completely, offering a fresh start devoid of the limitations of the past.
presence of God
The presence of God is emphasized when a voice proclaims that He will dwell with His people (verse 3). This marks a profound shift from the distant relationship experienced previously, emphasizing intimate fellowship. The chapter develops this theme through the absence of a temple, indicating that God's glory permeates the New Jerusalem, ensuring His people live in direct communion with Him.
victory over suffering
Victory over suffering is a central theme in verse 4, where God promises to wipe away every tear and eliminate death and pain. This assurance reflects the total defeat of suffering and grief, as the new reality is characterized by peace and joy. The chapter presents this victory as part of God's transformative work in creating a new existence for His people.
eternal hope
Eternal hope is vividly portrayed in the vision of the New Jerusalem, where God's promises are fulfilled, and His people dwell in everlasting peace (verse 2). The promise of renewal and the removal of suffering fosters a sense of hope that transcends current struggles. The descriptions of the city reinforce this hope, projecting a future of unending joy and security in God.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Revelation 21
- 2 Corinthians 6This passage connects by reflecting the theme of God dwelling with His people and the call to holiness.
- Revelation 22This echoes the imagery of the New Jerusalem and the promise of eternal life with God.
- Isaiah 44This develops the theme of renewal, as God promises restoration and a new creation for His people.
- Isaiah 60This connects through the depiction of glory and light, highlighting God's presence and the nations coming to Him.
- John 1This echoes the theme of God’s presence among people, as Jesus embodies the divine dwelling with humanity.
- Revelation 7This connects by portraying the gathering of God's people and the promise of protection from suffering.
Study questions
Questions for studying Revelation 21
- What do the new heaven and earth signify in Revelation 21?
- How does the imagery of the New Jerusalem convey its significance?
- What roles do God and the Lamb play in the chapter?
- What does the absence of a temple suggest about God's presence?
- How does verse 4 reflect the theme of suffering's end?
- What is the significance of the measurements of the city?
Revelation 21: frequently asked questions
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What is the key verse in Revelation 21?+
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Studied in
Where Revelation 21 comes up on ScriptureDepth
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Covenant: Key Passages Explained
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Death: Key Passages Explained
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Grief: Key Passages Explained
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Heaven: Key Passages Explained
- ArticleWhat the Bible Says About Hope: Key Passages Explained
- TopicDeath
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