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Revelation 21

World English Bible

WEB

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 am 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 which were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 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, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12having a great and high wall with 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. 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 chrysoprase, 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 or 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, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Revelation Chapter 21 presents a breathtaking vision of the new heaven and new earth, signifying the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to His people. The chapter begins with the declaration that the former things, including sin, sorrow, and death, have passed away. This transformation is a direct result of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, who makes all things new (Revelation 21:1-5). The imagery of a new creation emphasizes the hope and restoration that believers can expect in eternity, as God dwells among His people, wiping away every tear from their eyes. This promise of divine presence is a central theme throughout Scripture, echoing the covenant relationship established in the Old Testament with #Israel and fulfilled in Christ.

The chapter continues with a description of the New Jerusalem, adorned as a bride for her husband (Revelation 21:2). This city is characterized by its beauty, with streets of gold and gates of pearl, symbolizing the glory and majesty of God's eternal kingdom. The measurements of the city, given in precise detail, reflect perfection and completeness, reinforcing the idea that this new creation is a place of safety and divine order. Furthermore, the absence of the temple in the New Jerusalem signifies that God's presence is fully realized among His people, as He is their light (Revelation 21:22-23). The chapter concludes with a reminder of the eternal inheritance promised to those who overcome, contrasting the fate of the cowardly and unfaithful (Revelation 21:7-8). This powerful vision encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith, looking forward to the glorious future that awaits them in the presence of God.

Overall, Revelation 21 serves as a profound reminder of God's ultimate victory over sin and death, offering hope and assurance to all who trust in Him. #NewJerusalem #EternalLife #HopeInChrist

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Referenced by

  1. Exodus 29:45v3Exodus 29:45 promises God's dwelling among His people, a theme fulfilled in Revelation 21:3 where God dwells with humanity in the new creation.
  2. Psalms 48:8v2Psalm 48:8 speaks of the city of God, which is paralleled in Revelation 21:2 with the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven.
  3. Psalms 56:8v4Psalm 56:8 speaks of God recording tears, which connects to Revelation 21:4 where God wipes away every tear, emphasizing His compassion and care.
  4. Psalms 87:6v27Psalm 87:6 speaks of the Lord recording peoples, which is echoed in Revelation 21:27, where only those written in the Lamb's book of life enter the New Jerusalem.
  5. Psalms 101:7v27Psalm 101:7's exclusion of deceitful people from the house is mirrored in Revelation 21:27, where nothing impure will enter the New Jerusalem.
  6. Psalms 104:35v1Psalm 104:35 calls for the end of the wicked, which aligns with Revelation 21:1-4 where a new creation is described, free from sin and wickedness.
  7. Isaiah 4:3v27Isaiah 4:3 describes those who are left in Zion as holy, similar to Revelation 21:27, which speaks of the New Jerusalem where nothing unclean will enter, only those written in the Lamb's book of life.
  8. Isaiah 24:23v23Isaiah 24:23 describes the Lord reigning gloriously, with the moon and sun ashamed, which parallels Revelation 21:23 where the glory of God illuminates the New Jerusalem, negating the need for the sun or moon.
  9. Isaiah 30:26v23Isaiah 30:26 describes a time of great light and healing, which is echoed in Revelation 21:23 where the glory of God illuminates the New Jerusalem.
  10. Isaiah 35:10v4Isaiah 35:10 describes the everlasting joy and absence of sorrow for the redeemed, which is echoed in Revelation 21:4 where God wipes away every tear in the new creation.
  11. Isaiah 42:9v5Isaiah 42:9 declares new things before they spring forth. Revelation 21:5 echoes this theme of God making all things new, highlighting the continuity of God's redemptive plan.
  12. Isaiah 51:3v4Isaiah 51:3 speaks of the Lord comforting Zion and making her wilderness like Eden, which parallels Revelation 21:4 where God wipes away every tear, signifying restoration and comfort.
  13. Isaiah 52:1v2Isaiah 52:1 calls for Zion to awake and put on beautiful garments, symbolizing purity and redemption. Revelation 21:2 describes the New Jerusalem as a bride adorned for her husband, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment of Zion's redemption and purity.
  14. Isaiah 60:3v24Isaiah 60:3 speaks of nations coming to the light of Jerusalem. Revelation 21:24 describes the nations walking by the light of the New Jerusalem, highlighting the fulfillment of this prophecy in the eschatological vision.
  15. Isaiah 60:11v25Isaiah 60:11 prophesies that the gates of Jerusalem will always be open. Revelation 21:25 describes the gates of the New Jerusalem never being shut, indicating the eternal openness and accessibility of God's kingdom.
  16. Isaiah 60:19v23Isaiah 60:19 declares that the Lord will be an everlasting light, replacing the sun and moon. Revelation 21:23 echoes this by stating that the New Jerusalem has no need for the sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates it.
  17. Isaiah 65:17v1Isaiah 65:17 speaks of a new heavens and a new earth, a vision echoed in Revelation 21:1 as the ultimate renewal of creation.
  18. Isaiah 65:19v4Isaiah 65:19 promises the end of weeping and crying, a promise reiterated in Revelation 21:4 where God wipes away every tear.
  19. Isaiah 66:12v24Isaiah 66:12 speaks of peace flowing like a river and the wealth of nations coming to Jerusalem. Revelation 21:24 describes the nations walking by the light of the New Jerusalem, bringing their glory into it.
  20. Ezekiel 36:28v3Ezekiel 36:28 promises that God's people will dwell in the land He gave to their ancestors, and He will be their God. Revelation 21:3 speaks of God dwelling with His people in the new creation, fulfilling the ultimate promise of God's presence with His people.
  21. Ezekiel 37:26-28v3Ezekiel 37:26-28 promises a covenant of peace and God's presence among His people. Revelation 21:3 echoes this promise, describing God's dwelling with humanity in the new creation.
  22. Ezekiel 40:2v10Ezekiel 40:2 describes a vision of a high mountain and a city, which parallels John's vision in Revelation 21:10 of the New Jerusalem descending from a great and high mountain.
  23. Ezekiel 41:26v12Ezekiel 41:26 mentions the windows and palm trees, which can be seen as a precursor to the description of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:12-13, where the gates are described. This connection points to the eschatological hope and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
  24. Ezekiel 42:20v16Ezekiel 42:20 describes the measurements of the temple area, emphasizing its square shape, which is echoed in Revelation 21:16 where the New Jerusalem is described as a perfect square, symbolizing divine perfection and order.
  25. Ezekiel 48:31v12Ezekiel 48:31 lists the gates of the city named after the tribes of Israel, which is mirrored in Revelation 21:12 where the New Jerusalem has gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes.
  26. Ezekiel 48:35v3Ezekiel 48:35 concludes with the name of the city being 'The LORD is there,' which resonates with Revelation 21:3 where God dwells with His people in the New Jerusalem.
  27. Hosea 2:16v2Hosea 2:16 speaks of Israel calling God 'My husband,' which is echoed in Revelation 21:2 where the New Jerusalem is described as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband, symbolizing the intimate relationship between God and His people.
  28. Zechariah 2:10v3Zechariah 2:10 calls for rejoicing because God will dwell among His people, which is echoed in Revelation 21:3 where the ultimate fulfillment of God dwelling with humanity is described in the New Jerusalem.
  29. Zechariah 12:8v3Zechariah 12:8 describes the Lord defending the inhabitants of Jerusalem, making them strong. Revelation 21:3-4 speaks of God dwelling with His people, offering protection and strength in the new creation.
  30. John 4:14v6John 4:14 promises that whoever drinks the water Jesus gives will never thirst, a promise echoed in Revelation 21:6 where God offers the water of life freely.
  31. John 14:2v2John 14:2 mentions Jesus preparing a place for believers in His Father's house. Revelation 21:2-3 describes the New Jerusalem, where God will dwell with His people, fulfilling the promise of an eternal dwelling place with God.
  32. Hebrews 12:22-24v2Hebrews 12:22-24 describes the heavenly Jerusalem and the assembly of the firstborn, paralleling the vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:2-3.
  33. 2 Peter 3:13v12 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21:1 both speak of a new heaven and a new earth, pointing to the ultimate renewal and restoration of creation.
  34. Revelation 17:1v9Both passages involve one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, highlighting the contrast between the judgment of the great prostitute and the presentation of the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

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