Revelation 21
SIBVer. 1. Sea donotes tumultuous passions, mischievous enemies. 2 and distressing calamities
Revelation 21:6
The fountain of the water of life denotes abundant and never-failing satisfaction in the familiar and immediate enjoyment of God in Christ, and all the blessings of the new covenant
Revelation 21:8
The fearful are they who, through cowardice, or fear of reproaches, and sufferings, are ashamed or afraid to own and honour Christ
Revelation 21:9
All professing Christians appear as persons devoted to, and received by, Jesus Christ as their husband; and all true believers are truly and spiritually married and united to him for ever. 11-13, 21. Her light of knowledge, purity, honour, and joy, was illustriously bright. Her jasper wall, great and high, may denote the invincible power, infinite wisdom, and love, of Christ, and his great salvation, powerful providence, and regular government. Her twelve gates of pearl, each inscribed with the name of an apostle, guarded by an angel, and three towards each quarter, may denote Christ’s being preached to all the ends of the earth by faithful ministers, according to the New Testament; and that holy angels are ready to minister to every one that enters
Revelation 21:14-21
Her being measured denotes her conformity to the oracles of God. Her four-square form denotes her perfections, stability, and uniformity. Her twelve foundations of different precious stones are the infinitely precious Redeemer in his unnumbered excellencies and glories, answerable to the different cases of men. The houses being built, and streets paved, with pure gold, represent its amazing riches, glory, and purity. 22, 23. In heaven they have no need of instituted ordinances, or of created comforts, as the immediate enjoyment of God in Christ renders them perfectly happy; and even in the Millennial state there will be no need of ceremonies or external pomp, &c. as the powerful presence of Christ and his Father will render ordinances delightful, and men satisfied with their lot. 24, 26. In the Millennial state church members will improve their wealth, honour, and power, for the glory of Christ and the benefit of souls; and in heaven they will have inexpressibly greater glories and honours than could be had on earth, and shall receive the gracious reward of their right improvement of the benefits they received on earth
Revelation 21:25
Gates never shut denote perfect safety and perpetual freedom of access. No night is no darkness, ignorance, or trouble
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXI.—Transcendant are the glories of the Millennial, but especially of the heavenly, state of the church. Spiritual light, beauty, honour, grandeur, wealth, safety, satisfaction, and pleasure, meet together. How new is all far surpassing any thing found or imagined before; and gloriously and firmly founded on Jesus Christ, and correspondent to the doctrine of his apostles and prophets! Abundant, delightful, and glorious, is the access into this state by him, as the door, the way, the truth, and the life. Multitudes, chosen and redeemed, called and faithful, of all ranks, Jews and Gentiles, are admitted into it. And in what honour they appear therein as the beloved, the espoused, bride of Christ! Complete, secure, and immortal, is their blessedness, where sin, darkness, trouble, and death, are fully and for ever passed away. Familiar and immediate is their fellowship with, and enjoyment of, God: and pure and glorious their holiness in heart and life.—But, alas! how inexpressible is the misery of those wicked and impenitent sinners who, by the purpose, the word, the providence, of God, are for ever excluded therefrom!