Free Bible Commentary
“Revelation 21:1-4”
Categories: Revelation“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.’”
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Revelation chapters 21-22 comprise some of the most encouraging and comforting words in all the Bible. John shows us that remaining faithful to the Lord through all of life’s ups and downs, challenges and distresses, trials and temptations will be more than worth as the glories and splendors of an eternity in heaven are symbolically unfolded before our eyes. The everlasting dwelling place of the ransomed/redeemed will be a realm of God’s constant and abundant fellowship, protection and provision.
After Judgment is finalized and eternal sentences are decreed, after death and hades are thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15), there will be a new and everlasting arrangement, completely different from anything that now exists in the temporary realm. In eternity there will be “no longer any sea” of separation between the King of kings and His royal subjects (Revelation 4:6), or a sea of humanity from which arises corrupt nations and empires that rage against God and His elect (Revelation 13:1; 20:13).
In the current vision John is shown “a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away” (verse 1). Although many in the religious world have set their sights and hopes upon a splendid abode in a renewed and regenerated terrestrial planet, this terminology is just as symbolic as the vast majority of the rest of Revelation’s content. John describes in figurative terms what life will be like in heaven, which is the eternal dwelling place that God has appointed for those whose names are written in the book of life (John 14:1-4; 1 Peter 1:3-4).
Robert Harkrider wrote the following about the new heaven and earth: “Isaiah used this same imagery when he prophesied of the new order that was to replace the Mosaic economy (Isa. 65:17; 66:22). Isaiah and John did not prophesy about events of the same point in time, but both used the term ‘a new heaven and a new earth’ to describe a future destiny of the people of God. Isaiah was speaking of the period of the church age, the ‘new’ testament era (Heb. 9:15), whereas John spoke of the period that follows the church age. From Isaiah’s position in time, the covenant of which Christ is the mediator was ‘new’ and stood in contrast to the first covenant which became ‘old’ (Heb. 8:6-13). John’s prophecy in this vision was about things beyond final judgment (20:13).”
Next John was shown “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” (verse 2). This holy, heavenly city is comprised of all of God’s covenant people from all places and times, including His culminating covenant through Christ Jesus and His church (Hebrews 12:22-24). All those who have confessed that this world is not their home (Hebrews 11:13), but have chosen to serve God in the hopes of a better inheritance, are “looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10). “Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16). “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory…” (Philippians 3:20-21)
“This heavenly city is also prepared as a bride (19:7-8), dressed in spotless white, a picture of innocence purity, and love (2 Cor. 11:2; Rom. 7:4; Eph. 5:22-23).” (Harkrider) At the eternal uniting of Christ and His blood-bought bride, God Himself will “dwell among them, and they shall be His people” (verse 3). When the Word, who “was God” (John 1:1), “became flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), He only did so for a few, short years. But what He accomplished endures for eternity, and thus we will dwell with Him in heaven forever and ever and ever, nevermore to be estranged. Never again will we shed the bitter tears of fear, pain, heartache, death or separation (verse 4). “The first things have passed away,” behold, all things have truly become new, perfect, resplendent, eternally joyful! Won’t it be wonderful there?! I wouldn’t miss it for the whole wide world!!!
Please read Revelation 21:5-8 for tomorrow.
Have a wonderful day!
-Louie Taylor
