Chapters 21 - 22
Chapters 21 - 22
Chapter 21
The New Heaven and Earth
“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.”
These last two chapters are precious for all who overcome as true believers. In them lies the blessing of eternal bliss in heaven with God. The promise of a perfect everlasting life where there are none of the trials, failures and disappointments of our earthly existence.
These last chapters also bring debate; are they to be taken literally, are they solely symbolic, to what time do they apply, who lives were and when do they live there, are just a few of the common questions.
Before we continue, I will attempt to explore the most common ideas and to draw some conclusions. We must consider all of Scripture when we examine the possibilities. I have discovered that some scholars are inconsistent. For example when they express themselves on 2 Peter 3:10 they have a literal view of the passing away of heaven and earth but here in Chapters 21 & 22 they have a totally symbolic view. So, let’s begin our discussion with 2 Peter.
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10)
In verse 1, John makes a simple observation that he “saw a new heaven and a new earth”. He sees them because, “the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.” On the surface a simple statement, but it is far from it.
2 Peter 3:10 supports verse 1 with its promises “the heavens will pass away with a great noise”, “the elements will melt with fervent heat”, and “both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up”.
There are a few that believe these two events are not connected. They state that the “day of the Lord” of 2 Peter is for a different time period.
Think about what has happened in God’s judgment of man-kind. We have seen all manner of judgment both on earth and in the heavens. These are certainly consistent with Peter’s remarks.
Therefore, I believe 2 Peter and verse 1 are clearly speaking of a single time and/or event. Are they literal or symbolic? I consistently believe that Revelation uses both literal and symbolic statements to bring about literal results. In consideration of 2 Peter with verse 1, God purges the earth with literal fire during the Great Tribulation leading up to the Millennium Reign.
Verse 1 speaks of two events; a new heaven and earth, and the passing away of the old. We now see (pass to) the new heaven and earth (Eternal State). This is not to be confused with the new heaven and earth of Isaiah 65:17-25. Isaiah refers to the Millennium because sin and death are still present. The question becomes does this new heaven and new earth become part of our Eternal State following the Millennium. I believe it does.
Let’s see if I can summarize my thoughts. When the Second Coming of Jesus occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennium, the church comes with Him as His bride. We reign with Him during the Millennium. We are in our glorified bodies and therefore will not be changed again. At the conclusion of the Millennium, Satan is bound forever and final judgment comes. Following this final event we move into our Eternal State. Heaven and earth are now free of sin. They and all who occupy God’s presence are holy and pure. Those who have rejected Him are in Hell forever doomed. Heaven and earth have been forever changed and exist in their glorified state too. Exactly what that is we can not know. It is not for us to know because it is beyond our ability to understand.
To be fair, many teach that this is a literal recreation of a new planet earth and they hold that God annihilates nothing. They believe that during the Millennium the earth is renovated and that the new heaven will be the home of believers of this age and that the new earth will be the home of redeemed ones apart from the church.
“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.”
Some teach that this is a literal city that hovers above millennium Jerusalem as a midway meeting place for all redeemed. In popular thinking all mentions of Jerusalem refer to the same city. Not true.
There are many examples that do not refer to the earthly “city of David”. In Galatians 4 Paul speaks of “Jerusalem which now is” (vs. 25) and “Jerusalem which is above” (vs. 26). He is not speaking of cities at all but in contrasting the principles of law and grace. (Liberty Bible Commentary)
New Jerusalem is adorned as a bride. I believe this to be a reference to the church, The Bride of Christ. I see this New Jerusalem as the residence of God and as we will see later the place of the throne of God. It is beyond our ability to fully comprehend what this is or what it means. What is heaven really like --- how vast is it --- where do we live? There are lots of questions that we may not fully understand until we are there.
“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.”
The purpose of the tabernacle of the time of the exodus was to allow man to commune with God. It was built in the image of the original in heaven. Now the redeemed will be free to enjoy the original tabernacle of God. Overcomers will fellowship with Him as never before.
“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.”
This is a poetic way of expressing the absence of the trials of life. We will no longer experience sorrow or stress. We will no longer have reason to worry or be concerned.
God tells John he can write these things down because He has made it a promise to those who overcome and are worthy.
“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.”
This is clear evidence that we have transitioned into the Eternal State. God’s purposes on earth have been completed and now the victory dance is begun. Can’t you feel the joy that the Creator expresses? I see this as a joyous statement!
“7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.”
The celebration continues. I get goose bumps when I read these verses. I can just feel the joy and excitement with which they are made. Once again God restates His blessing on he who overcomes.
Sometimes I am asked about my repeated use of the term “overcomers”. Verse 7 is the backbone of my position. The reward is to those who have been tired, tested, and who have overcome through the blood of Jesus.
“8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Heaven is not for everyone. Not everyone is an overcomer. All those who have not been washed in the blood and remain in their sin will face the second death --- the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.
Like it or not, God’s judgment brings consequences and they share Satan’s punishment.
“9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowels filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
I find in pleasing that an angel used in judgment is given the honor of showing John the residence of the bride of the Lamb. The following verses give us a look into our final home.
Some teach that this is not our final home but a temporary city, New Jerusalem of the millennium period.
“10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,”
“11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.”
How do you describe the indescribable? There are not words for what we will see.
As stated in notes for verse 9, there are some that teach this is not heaven but a mid-way point that exists during the Millennium reign. They point to the statements that is descends from heaven; thereby, can not be heaven but is heaven like in its appearance.
I believe it to be the House of God.
“12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel;”
“13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.”
The great high wall implies security and the gates are symbolic of places of judgment. Access is from all directions for those who are allowed to past.
“14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
The foundation of the church is in the apostles who where men of Israel. The number 12 in used twenty-one times in this book and seven times in this chapter. It is commonly understood to represent government or administration.
“15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.”
“16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed; twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.”
“17 Then he measured its wall; one hundred and forty-one cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.”
Big place! Whether it is shaped like a cube or pyramid is debated. In any case, its length, width and height are 1,500 miles. Just its massive size seems to me to make it unlikely to be some earth bound building.
A cubit is the distance from the tips of the fingers to the elbow and is widely held to be about 18”. So, the walls would be approximately 216 feet.
“18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.”
It is impossible for us to clearly visualize the construction. I believe it is safe to say it’s a nice place. Its magnificence is like nothing ever seen.
“19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones; the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the forth emerald”
“20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.”
“21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.”
All the stones named are known for their value, beauty and enduring quality. Gold speaks of glory.
“22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”
“23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.”
No need for substitutes! No temple is needed nor or there mention of priests. Free access to the real thing! The glory of the Lamb lights up this place of indescribable beauty. And not just physical beauty but that of purity of though and deed as well.
“24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.”
Those who believe this to be New Jerusalem of the millennium point to this verse to support their view. Their interpretation is that it is the seat of government as is evidence by the kings bringing their glory and honor to it.
First, I get excited to see the “saved” walking in the light of Jesus. For me this is the important point in the verse. I see the kings and their glory this way. There is no glory but the glory of God. There is no honor due anyone except the honor due to God.
“25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).”
There will be free access without limits of time to God.
“26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.”
As with the kings, no nation is due honor and glory except God.
“27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
A restatement of verse 7 & 8 concludes Chapter 21. No evil, no sin nor anyone who causes them to be will be allow into the city. If your name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life you can not enter into the presence of the Almighty and the Lamb.
Chapter 22
The Eternal State
The saints have ruled with Christ throughout the Millennial Reign and now we move past the time of Satan’s temporary release and final doom. We now fade into the eternal state of overcomers.
We are not given details as to exactly how this happens so legitimate debate continues. We do know that the saints came with Jesus to rule during the Millennial Reign. Therefore, they were in heaven. We also believe that they have faced the judgment seat of Christ where they are judged for the reward or loss of crowns and blessings.
So here we are facing eternity with our God. This last chapter gives us a limited glimpse into our heavenly reward. The fellowship with God that was destroyed in the Garden of Eden is now restored.
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
“2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of nations.”
Genesis 2:9 gave us our fist look at the tree of life. God placed it in the garden along with other trees that are described as “every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food”. Of course we know that the garden also contained another tree, the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
In verse 10 of Genesis 2 it speaks of a river that flowed out of Eden, but here the river flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It brings forth life and God provisions. Even the leaves of the tree have healing power.
“3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.”
“4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.”
“5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”
I like A. T. Pierson’s summarization of verses 3-5;
“And there shall be no more curse,” perfect sinlessness;
“but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it,” perfect government;
“and His servants shall serve Him,” perfect service;
“They shall see His face,” perfect communion;
“and His name shall be on their foreheads,” perfect resemblance;
“And there shall be no night there,” perfect blessedness;
“And they shall reign forever and ever,” perfect glory.
“6 Then he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true.’ And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.”
John is reminded once again of the purpose of his vision. The Revelation of Jesus Christ if faithful and true and is given to us as a promise, a promise that brings both blessings and curses.
“7 Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Jesus now speaks a warning and blessing. Jesus’ Second Advent will be sudden and unexpected. Blessed is he who is prepared for His coming. We prepare by repenting of our sins and allowing Jesus to become both Lord and Savior of our hearts and lives.
“8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.”
“9 Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
Worship the Creator not the created! Only God is worthy of our worship. This has always been Satan’s problem. Satan wants to be worship and gave up his place in heaven to seek it. Man-kind too seeks to elevate himself as the all important one. We place many things in our lives above God’s will. What do we worship with our lives?
“10 And he said to me, ‘Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.”
John is instructed not to delay in his disclosure of the prophecy he had seen. The time for disclosure was now so that man-kind could benefit from its teachings, blessings and warnings.
“11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”
The Coming of the Lord and physical death fix our nature for eternity. It will be forever too late for repentance once we die or the Lord comes back. This is not permission to continue in sin during our life time!
“12 And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work,”
“13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Once again Jesus tells us His is coming quickly or suddenly. He is bringing reward (judgment) “to every one according to his work”. For the believers, our reward (judgment) comes at the Judgment Seat of Christ. For those who have rejected Christ, it comes at the Great White Throne Judgment.
Jesus reminds us He is the Beginning of all things and as Creator with the Father and Holy Spirit has the authority and power to bring and end to all things.
“14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city,”
“15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”
Verse 14 does not mean the salvation comes by works! I know some that wish it to be true because they continually fail to see the need to be washed by the blood of Jesus.
This is a warning to unbelievers of the seriousness of their condition and a great promise to those who have overcome as true believers.
“16 I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
Jesus is both the root (beginning) and the offspring of David. This ties closely with verse 13. “The Bight and Morning Star” connects Him to the church. So, here He is clearly identifying Himself and His position both with Israel and the church.
He began His revelation with the seven letters to the churches and now he concludes by reminding us this is a message for us, his church. As recipients of His testimony we now carry the responsibility to share it with the world. We are guardians of the Word of God.
“17 And the Spirit and the bride say; ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirst come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”
One last call to repentance for the unbeliever! The convicting power of the Holy Spirit calls us to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. The church calls (or should call) unbelievers to repentance. All that receive Christ and are washed by His blood of the cross shall take freely of the water of life.
Too often the church becomes complacent in its heart for evangelism. I pray that your church has not. Seeking the lost and bringing them to a salvation commitment should be the most important ministry in every church.
“18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book; If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;”
“19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
The message of Scriptures is complete. It needs no additions or corrections. No other document or discovery can change its truth. It needs no new insight nor does it need to be amended to provide political correctness. The changing needs of society have not power over God’s truth.
How serious does God take His Word? Altering it can remove your name from the Book of Life!
“20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus!”
“21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
The Old Testament closes with a curse but the New Testament closes with a benediction asking for Jesus, our Lord and Savior, to come. Come quickly Lord Jesus! Amen.