Revelation 21-22

Revelation 21

The New Heaven and New Earth

John sees:

• A new heaven.
• A new earth.

The first heaven and earth have passed away.

There is no more sea 

• Removal of chaos

The New Jerusalem

John sees the holy city, the New Jerusalem.

It descends from heaven, prepared “as a bride adorned for her husband.”

A loud voice declares “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.”

God will:

• Live with His people.
• Be their God.
• Wipe away every tear.

There will be:

• No more death.
• No mourning.
• No crying.
• No pain.

!!!

God says “Behold, I am making all things new.”

He also declares “It is done!”

He is:

• Alpha and Omega.
• Beginning and End.

The thirsty receive the water of life freely.

The overcomers inherit these promises.

The unbelieving (the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars) face the lake of fire (the second death).

 The New Jerusalem Described

One of the seven angels takes John to a high mountain and shows him the Bride, The New Jerusalem.

The city shines with God’s glory, like a clear jewel. 

Twelve gates: Each gate bears the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

• 3 gates North,East,South,West

Twelve foundations: Each foundation bears the name of one of the twelve apostles.

The city is a perfect cube.

• Approximately 12,000 stadia in length, width, and height (about 1,400–1,500 miles or 2,200-2,400 km on each side)
• This recalls the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle and temple, which was also a cube.

The foundations are decorated with twelve gemstones.

• The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst

The gates are twelve pearls.

The streets are pure gold.

John notices no temple as The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

There is no sun or moon as God’s glory provides light. 

The nations walk by God’s light. 

Nothing unclean enters the city. Only those written in The Lamb’s Book of Life

Revelation 22

John sees the river of the water of life. Flowing from:

• God’s throne.
• The Lamb’s throne.

On either side stands the tree of life. It produces:

• Twelve kinds of fruit.
• Fruit every month.
• Its leaves are for the healing of the nations.

There will be no more curse.

Believers will:

• See God’s face
• Serve Him
• Bear His name on their foreheads
• Need no light
• Reign forever

The angel confirms these words are faithful and true.

Jesus says “Behold, I am coming soon.”

A blessing is promised to those who keep the words of this prophecy.

John again attempts to worship the angel. (Why?) 

• The angel replies “Worship God.”

John is told not to seal up these words as the time is near. 

Jesus again declares “I am coming soon.”

He identifies Himself as:

• Alpha and Omega.
• First and Last.
• Beginning and End.

He also says: “I am the root and the descendant of David.”

• Quoted from Isaiah 11

The Spirit and the Bride say “Come.”

• Everyone who thirsts is invited to receive the water of life without payment.

John warns:

• Do not add to this prophecy.
  • Or they will be added to the plagues
• Do not take away from it.
  • Or they will be taken away from their share of the tree of life and holy city. 

Jesus says a third time: “Surely I am coming soon.”

• John responds “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”

The Bible closes with “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”

Application

We are given the most beautiful promise: a new heaven, a new earth, reigning with God forever and ever. There will be no more pain, no more disease. We must remain faithful until He comes. If anyone has made it this far, please receive His invitation to spend eternity with Him. Amen.