Read or listen The Book of Revelation, chapter 21 online (ESV, YouVersion)

New Heaven and New Earth 21:1-8

This world began with creation (Genesis 1-2) and will end with creation. God will destroy the present evil and in many ways ruined world and create in its place a new heaven and earth, a new world. This is not the only passage in the Bible that speaks of this. The Old Testament already promises the same thing:

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind."
(Isaiah 65:17, ESV)

The Second Epistle of Peter describes this as follows:

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved..."
(2 Peter 3:10, ESV)

The first two chapters of the Bible contain a description of paradise: Creation was pure and flawless, it was good for man to live, and man's relationship with his Creator was fine. Much of what John sees now is the same. God creates a new world, and it is at least as wonderful as paradise once was.

Verse 1 says that there will be no sea in the new creation. The sea is a symbol of death or evil in at least some places in the Bible. The fact that it will not be in the new creation apparently means that there will be no death or any other evil there. They belonged to the old world after the fall into sin, but God will destroy them when He creates the new world. Life in the new world will continue indefinitely and no one will have to taste the fruits of evil.

Then John sees the new Jerusalem, which is beautiful as a bride. The new Jerusalem now probably refers to the church of Christ, which God has cleansed and thus prepared for the great feast. Chapter 19 spoke of the marriage feast of the Lamb, which will be celebrated in the new creation. In that context, too, the church of God was described as a bride dressed in bright, clean linen (Rev. 19:7-8).

The New Jerusalem also means the capital of heaven, the center of the new creation. This is shown in the section beginning with verse 10. Apparently, John means two things by the New Jerusalem – the church of God that has arrived and the capital of the new world. These two belong so closely together that they can be called by the same name.

John hears the voice of God from the throne. The voice tells us what the new creation will be like. God dwells among His own people, and this brings tremendous good: Those who have entered the new creation will not feel sorrow, death, pain, or anguish. The new creation is different from the fallen world. It is hard to imagine a life without sin because sin has permeated everywhere in this world. Sin is gone from the new creation and that is why life there is so different. There are no wars, no selfishness, no unloving actions, no hurtful words, and not even bad thoughts. Eternal life is life without sin and therefore so wonderfully good.

At the beginning of the book of Revelation, John heard God say, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” (Rev. 1:8). From him all things began and to him all things end. Now John has seen this. At no point has the world been out of God's hands. Everything has proceeded according to his plans and served his purposes. God is the Creator and Sustainer of the world, and he will bring an end to this world when he sees the right time has come.

The voice from the throne tells us what two possibilities there are after the final judgment. All who want the "water of life" will receive it as a gift. God's gift - eternal life in the new creation - is offered to all. Everyone who wants to receive it will receive it and will one day be where Almighty God is among His own people.

Then we are reminded of the second option, which is again called "the second death" and is described as a lake of fire. It is the final destination for those who have not served the living God and whose lives have shown it. God himself tells us that there are only two possibilities: either to go where God is, or to go where the Devil is.

New Jerusalem 21:9-21

An angel comes to John and shows him the Lamb's wife. The Lamb's wife probably refers to Christ's own people, who have arrived in the new creation. However, John begins to describe the city. As we have already noted, John does this apparently on purpose. He teaches his readers that the triumphant, arrived Church and the new creation belong so closely together that they should be spoken of simultaneously and use the same name.

John finds it difficult to describe what he sees. He compares the glory of the new Jerusalem to the splendor of jewels. God dwells in the city and that is why it radiates light.

The number twelve is an inseparable part of the architecture of the New Jerusalem. The chosen people were divided into twelve tribes. The chosen people were divided into twelve tribes. Names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel are written on the twelve gates of the city. The city wall has twelve foundation stones with the names of the twelve apostles on them. This reminds us that God’s plan included two phases: the old covenant and the new covenant. Even in the new creation, what God did to save humanity will be remembered - and the names of the tribes of Israel and the apostles on the gates and walls tell of this.

John is commanded to measure the length, breadth, and height of the city. John has been given the same task before. In chapter 11 he was commanded to measure "the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there" (Rev. 11:1). In that connection, we referred to the book of Zechariah (Zech 2:1-5) and noted that measuring meant more than just finding out the length. Measuring meant marking it for protection. This is probably the case now as well. The New Jerusalem is under God’s protection and therefore no calamity will befall it. God will protect the city from all evil and its happiness will continue forever.

John tells us the results of the measurement. The city is in the shape of a cube, one side of which is 12,000 stadia, which is about 2,300 kilometers. The dimensions of the city are enormous. Perhaps the purpose is not to tell us the size of the city, but to declare its greatness and grandeur: it is more than anyone can imagine. This is also indicated by the height of the wall: 144 cubits, about 72 meters. The wall of an ordinary city was only a few meters high. Both numbers reported by John can be divided by the number 12. Again, we are reminded of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles.

In the Old Covenant temple, the Holy of Holies was in the shape of a cube. John also says that the New Jerusalem is in the shape of a cube. This contains a great message. During the Old Covenant, it was taught that the Holy of Holies of the Temple was the place where God dwells. In the New Jerusalem, what was believed about the Holy of Holies is true: God dwells there. The shape of the city reminds us of this. Only the high priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place of the Temple once a year. Every one of God's people is allowed to enter the New Jerusalem. Jesus has opened the way there. His blood has washed us clean and therefore we can go where God is.

John describes the city and lists its details. The city is marvelous. Its streets are of gold, its wall is adorned with precious stones, and its gates are each made of a single pearl. The twelve precious stones that John lists in detail are the same stones that the high priest wore in his breastplate. Even during the old covenant it was understood that the most precious and best belongs to God. That is why the finest jewels were dedicated to him. The New Jerusalem in all its glory proclaims this same thing: God is the King of kings and therefore the greatest treasures belong to him.

The Dwelling Place of God is with Man 21:22‑27

There is no temple in the new Jerusalem. The temple was the place where sacrifices were made for the sins of the people. After the death of Jesus, these sacrifices are not needed, especially not in the new creation, where sin no longer exists. The temple was also a place of encounter with God. In the New Jerusalem, God dwells among His own, and therefore we do not need a special place there to encounter God. Nor are lights needed in the city. God, who dwells in the city, is the glory and illuminates the city.

In this world of ours, there is also good - that which brings joy. There are good gifts that God has given us. Perhaps these are what John means in verse 26 when he speaks of "the glory and the honor of the nations." They will be brought to the New Jerusalem and will be enjoyed there as well. But nothing evil, filthy, or dirty can enter the city. The city remains closed to all who are not worthy to enter the city. Jesus’ parable of the wedding of the king’s son tells the same thing (Mt 22:1-14). Only those dressed in wedding garments are eligible to enter the holy city. The wedding garment is the forgiveness of sins in the blood of Jesus. It covers our wickedness and filthiness.