Revelation 21

Chapter 21 THE LORD OF THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH A. NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH. 21:1-8 B. NEW CITY. 21:9-23 C. NEW ORDER OF NATIONS. 21:24-27

1. New Creation of God. 21:1-8

2. New City of God. 21:9-22

3. New Canopy of God. 21:23-27

4. Descend of the New Jerusalem. 21:1-8

5. Description of the New Jerusalem. 21:9-27

I. Chapters 21 and 22 are chapters that happen after the Millennium period and move us out of the time period into eternity; everything in these chapters is forever.

II. Revelation Ch.21-22 has many parallels to Isaiah Ch.60 and 65, Ezekiel Ch.40-48.

III. Chapters 1-3 are the age of Grace.

Chapters 4-20 are the age of Righteousness. Chapters 21-22 are the age of Glory.

IV. Contrasts between Genesis and Revelation.

In Genesis Heavens and earth were created 1:1 and in Revelation we see the new heavens and earth. 21:1 In Genesis the sun were created 1:16 and in Revelation there is no need of the sun. 21:23 In Genesis the night were made 1:5 and in Revelation there is no night. 21:25; 22:5 In Genesis the seas were created 1:10 and in Revelation there is no more sea. 21:1 In Genesis the curse were announced 3:14-17 and in Revelation there is no more curse. 22:3 In Genesis death entered 3:19 and in Revelation there is no more death. 21:4 In Genesis man is driven from the tree 3:24 and in Revelation man is before the tree. 22:14 In Genesis sorrow and pain began 3:17 and in Revelation there is no more mourning, crying or pain. 21:4

Revelation 21:1-8

1. New heaven and earth. 21:1-8 V.1 a) New Creation of God -

I. New Creation Divinely created.

A. The old universe will pass away. Isaiah 51:6; Matt.24:30; 2.Peter 3:7, 10-12 B. A new universe will be created. Isaiah 65:17 C. Why would God destroy the old universe and create a new?

1. The old universe has been contaminated by sin from man and fallen angels - He creates a new pure universe.

2. The old universe has been created as a temporary place, God knew that some of the angels and man would fall away from Him and created the universe with many limitations, to limit the sin of man - He creates a new universe with greater possibilities.

a. The new universe will not be limited like this we are living it.

b. The new universe will be made according to the possibilities of the resurrected bodies.

D. The Sea perhaps exist no more because of:

1. There is no need to divide the countries.

2. There is the River of Life that the people can enjoy.

3. No more need of the waters cleansing action.

II. No Countries Divided again.

A. The waters on the earth covers about 75 % of the earths surface.

B. Because of no more evil and a peace on the earth, there is no need for water to divide peoples anymore.

III. No more Sea, no more Sailors, no more Ships. Fishers and boat builders cannot use their skills on the new earth for the sea does not exist. IV. Because there is no more sea means that there no longer exist:

A. Rain.

B. Typhoon, storm and thundering and lightning.

C. Clouds.

V.2 b) New City of God - The location of the city.

I. The Chambers that Jesus prepares is the New Jerusalem. John 14:2-3 II. The City of God shown.

John is having a vision of a future event; He sees the city of God coming down, perhaps it will come down on the new earth or remain in the air.

III. The Coming down

A. C.S.Lewis said:

If heaven is real nothing else matters, if not, nothing matters at all.

B. The New Jerusalem is in heaven waiting to come down; this city is called the mother of us all. Gal.4:26; Heb.12:22 IV. The Clothed bride of Christ.

A. The New Jerusalem is representing the collective Church - The bride of Christ. Rev.21:9-10 B. The New Jerusalem is a City and the Church, a Building and a Bride.

V.3 c) New Canopy of God - The worship centre of the earth.

I. Tabernacle of God Inhabits - His Presence.

The New Jerusalem is God’ s Tabernacle, the Church is His living Temple, built with living stones. Eph.2:19-22; 1.Peter 2:5; Ezek.37:27 II. Triune God Inherits - His People. The Church and the saints is God’ s inheritance, He created them in Christ, He paid the price for them and now He inherits them. Eph.1:18; Psalms 2:8 V.4 a) No mores - The city’ s joy.

I. Comfort of God. Isaiah 25:8; 65:19 A. God will heal the interior wounds of man.

B. Man will die no more, for death experienced the 2nd death. 20:14

C. There will be no more reason to be sorrowful or to cry, evil and sin does not exist anymore.

D. There will be no more pain for man has received a glorified resurrected body. 1.Cor.15:35-49 II. Chaotic Cursed world has Ceased.

This chaotic world under curse, sin, pain and death will be gone; it lasted less than a second in light of the eternal life man experiences on the new earth.

V.5 b) No more old things -

I. New Creation.

A. God will make all things new, the old universe will perish and a brand new universe will be created - A fresh start.

B. Is God going to copy the old universe or make a brand new with greater opportunities, greater glory and with lesser limits.

II. Notes from the Creator.

God is now confirming His promise to make a brand new universe, He want everyone who reads it to know, that He will cause this universe to cease and a new one to be created.

V.6 c) No more thirst -

I. Titles of God.

A. The Greek word Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.

The Greek word Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet. Isaiah 44:6 B. He is the beginning of all things; all things were created through Him, by him and for Him. Col.1:16-17; Heb.1:2 C. He is also the end of the old universe, He will cause it to cease to exist - It is done.

II. Thirst of man.

A. Fountain of living water.

There will be a fountain that proceeds from God’ s throne; it’ s water that lives and that continual gives life to its drinker. John 4:13-14; 7:37-39; Rev.22:1-2, 17 B. Freely given the thirsty.

The water is free, man has nothing that can pay the price for this water and therefore its free, only one requirement is needed - Thirst.

V.7 d) No more poverty -

I. Overcomers.

A. Our faith has overcomed if we continue to believe. 1.John 5:4 B. All things belong to the saints. 1.Cor.3:22 C. Promises to the overcomers:

1. Eat of the tree of life. 2:7

2. Not hurt by the 2nd death. 2:11

3. Hidden manna and a new name. 2:17

4. The morning star and rod of power. 2:26-28

5. White garment, remain in the book of life and his name confessed by Christ. 3:5

6. A pillar in the temple of God; God’ s, Christ’ s and the city’ s name written on him. 3:12

7. Sit with Christ on His throne. 3:21

8. Heir of all things. 21:7 II. Ownership of God.

A He will be the God of the overcomers.

B. The overcomers will be the sons of God. Rom.8:14-23; 2.Sam.7:14 V.8 e) No more sinners -

I. Description of sinners.

8 categories of sinners are mentioned.

II. Destruction by the 2nd death.

A. These sinners have no part in the River of Life but in a different place - The Lake of Fire.

B. Man can either chose between:

1. The Lake or the River.

2. The life from His Throne of the death from the lake.

3. The Fountain of Life or the Fiery Lake.

C. He who is born twice dies once (Natural and spiritual birth), he who is only born once dies twice (Natural and spiritual death).

D. The 3 wonders of on the new earth:

1. Who is there?

2. Who isn’ t there?

3. We are there?

Revelation 21:9-23

2. New city. 21:9-23 V.9 a) Groom’ s wife - Identification of the city.

I. Bowl angel.

A. The messenger of the Bowl of Judgment now brings a message about the Bride and the New Jerusalem.

B. Christ is both a Lion and a Lamb. Rev.5:5-6 II. Bride of Christ.

John receives an invitation to see the wife of Christ.

III. This is the first of seven references to the lamb in Chapters 21-22. 21:9, 14, 22, 23, 27; 22:1, 3

V.10 b) Great city - Heb.11:10, 13-16 I. Ascend of John.

John is lifted up in the Spirit to a high mountain to behold the New Jerusalem. Ezek.40:2 II. Descend of the New Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is now ready to descend for the wife of Christ has made herself ready. Rev.19:7 V.11 c) Glory of God on the city - The light source of the city.

I. Glory of God.

The glory of God is on the city and shines with a glorious light, not with neon light but glory light. Ex.40:34; Num.9:15-23; 1.Kings 8:11; 2.Chron.5:14; Isaiah 24:23; 60:1; Ezek.43:5; John 12:41; Acts 26:13 II. Glance of Gemstone.

A. Jasper is perhaps a diamond like stone; diamonds in gold settings fits a bride. B. God is in appearance like a jasper stone 4:3; the presence of God appears on the city. C. The city is not made with red or yellows bricks but with a transparent material - The City is Crystal Clear.

V.12-13 d) Gates of the city - The gates of the city. Ezek.48:31 I. Great wall.

It’ s a high transparent wall.

II. Gates of the city.

A. There are 12 ways to enter the city.

B. The encampment of Israel in the wilderness was just like the gates in the city - 3 tribes on each direction. Num. Ch.2 III. Guardian angels.

12 angels are watching the gates, one angel for each gate. Gen.3:24 IV. Graven names.

A. The 12 tribes of Israel are written on the 12 gates, one name on each gate. Ezek.48:31-34 B. The 12 tribes of Israel where the ones God used to cause the Messiah to enter the earth, they labored in Prayer and Persecution until the Messiah entered through one of their people named Maria - Now their 12 tribe names are on the gates.

C. Access to the city though Israel.

D. Perhaps the Old Testament saints are partakers of the city as seen through their names on the gates.

V.14 e) Graven names on the city - The wall of the city.

I. City wall’ s 12 foundations.

The gates of the city have the 12 tribes of Israel on it and the foundation of the city has the names of the 12 apostles on it (Perhaps between each gate). Heb.11:10 II. Christ’ s 12 apostles. The 12 apostles are the foundation; they laid the apostolic structure in Christ. Eph.2:20 V.15 f) Golden reed to measure -

I. Messenger with the golden reed.

The angel comes to measure the city. Zech.2:1; Ezek.40:3 II. Measuring the city.

Everything has a Divine standard of God also this city, so an angel makes sure it meets this standard with a pure golden reed.

V.16-17 g) Geometry of the city and the wall - The size of the city.

I. Geometry of the city.

A. The city is a square and cube all the sides are equal.

B. The most holy place was also a square and a cube - 10x10x10.

II. Grandeur of the city.

A. It Isaiah 12.000 furlongs on each sides and its wall 144 cubits wide.

Perhaps a city with many floors.

B. The size of the city:

1. A furlong equal to about 200 meters.

2. 12.000 times 200 = 2400 km or 1500 miles (2400 Km.)

3. 1500 X 1500 x 1500 = 3,375,000,000 cubic miles for the whole city.

4. Perhaps a city with many stories.

a. If the cube has stories and one story were 100 m. high, it would contain 240 floors.

b. If each floor Isaiah 10 feet high, then, there are 792,000 floors: 1500 miles high

1 mile Isaiah 5280 feet = 7,920,000 feet high. 7,920,000 times 10 feet high = 792,000 floors. c. If each mansion on each floor Isaiah 500 feet times 500 feet = 250,000 square feet. d. If each floor Isaiah 1500 times 1500 = 2,250,000 square miles per floor.

e. 7,920,000 floors times 7,920,000 floors = 62,726,400,000,000 square feet per floor.

f. 62,726,400,000,000 square feet per floor divided by 250,000 square feet per mansion = 250,905,600 mansions per floor.

g. If there are 792,000 floors and 250,905,600 “mansions” per floor, then there could potentially be 198 trillion, 717 billion, 235 million, and 300 thousands mansions in “my Father’s house.

5. The city is roughly half the size of U.S.A.

C. A cubit is equal to about 45 cm. 144 times 45 = 65 m thick wall. Ezek.40:5; 42:20 D. John measured the earthly Jerusalem and the angel the New Jerusalem. Rev.11:1 V.18 h) Golden construction -

I. Construction of the wall.

A. Jasper is perhaps a diamond like stone.

B. The city wall is not made with red or yellows bricks but with a transparent material, jasper is build in the wall - The City wall is Crystal Clear.

II. City of golden glass.

A. The city shines with God’ s Glory and is of pure Gold.

B. The gold is transparent like glass,

C. The city looks like one Giant Golden Glass cube.

V.19-20 i) Gemstones of the foundation - Isaiah 54:11-12 I. Adorned foundations. The foundation is beautified because of the wonderful work of Christ, it’ s a multi coloured foundation. Col.2:3 II. All kinds of gemstones.

A. The 12 gemstones represent the 12 apostles.

B. The 12 stones in the high priest’ s breastplate are very similar to these. Ex.28:17-20 (Only 8 gemstones are equal to these.)

C. The colours of the 12 stones:

1. Jasper - Clear diamond.

2. Saphire - Blue with golden specks.

3. Chalcedony - Blue with other colours in it.

4. Emerald - Greenish.

5. Sardonyx - White stone with red layers.

6. Sardius - Red colour.

7. Chrysolyte - Golden yellow colour.

8. Beryl - Greenish colour.

9. Topaz - Green golden colour.

10. Chrysoprasus - Blue green colour.

11. Jacinth - Violet colour.

12. Amethyst - Purple colour.

D. The New Jerusalem is a city of light but also a city of colours, if the city hangs in the air these colours will reflect on the earth because of the light from the city.

V.21 j) Gates of pearls and the Golden streets - The streets of the city.

I. Pearly Gates.

Huge pearls are the gates of the city.

II. Pure Gold streets. The streets are not made of stone but of pure transparent glass like gold.

V.22 a) The city Inhabited by God - The worship centre of the city.

I. Temple Program of God not among man.

A. The temples served to teach man about the Plan and Program of redemption.

B. The temples served to Protect man from God’ s Presence.

II. Transcendent Presence of God among man.

Now all evil and sin has been removed and finally God can dwell among His children and people. Ezek.48:35; Matt.12:6

V.23 b) The city Illuminated by God - The light source of the city.

I. No Sun to Shine.

The city is not dependent on any external source it has God in it.

II. Glory of God.

A. God’ s glorious presence causes the whole city to be full of light forever. Isaiah 60:19-20 B. In the most holy place the glory of the Lord shined and in this city the glory of the Lord shines too.

III. Light of the Lamb.

The glorious city needs no sun for it has the Son in it. John 14:3

Revelation 21:24-27

3. New order of nations. 21:24-27 V.24 c) The city Illuminates the nations - The wealth of the city.

I. The Walk of the saved Illuminated by the city.

The city is going to light upon the earth, like one giant lampstand. Isaiah 60:3 II. The Wealth of the kings Impacts the city.

The kings will be blessing their capital city with the best they possesses. Isaiah 60:11 V.25 d) The city’ s Immunity from danger - The security of the city.

I. Day of the open gates.

The new earth will be a new day of man - The day of open gates and doors. No more thieves and no more cheating.

II. Darkness overcomed by the Day.

The day of the Lord will have overcomed the night of Satan, God’ s light will forever enlighten the earth.

V.26 e) The city Impacted with Goods by the nations -

I. Plenty goods given to the city.

The city will be blessed by the nations. Psalms 68:29; 72:10-11 II. Precious goods given to the city.

The best will be given to it.

V.27 f) The city Inhabited only by the Good - The citizens of the city.

I. Sinners do not enter the city.

All the sinning unbelievers are in the Lake of Fire so they will never enter this city. Isaiah 52:1; Ezek.44:9 II. Saved enters the city.

A. The saved by grace will enter this precious Capital City of God.

B. All who are saved can enter the city.

III. The city is inhabited by God and by the Good and impacted with Goods.