CHAPTER 21
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
SUMMARY
Following the Judgment scene at the end of the previous chapter, the eternal destiny of the redeemed is now revealed. The motif of a new heaven and new earth, along with the New Jerusalem, is used to provide great hope and comfort to Christians. This is certainly nothing new, for both the Old and New Testaments provided similar pictures to increase anticipation of the future (cf. Isa 65:17-25; 66:22-24; He 11: 10,13-16; 13:14; 2 Pe 3:13). In each case, the eternal destiny of God's faithful is described in terms that provided the greatest meaning and encouragement to the people of that dispensation. Here we see the destiny of the redeemed in terms depicting fellowship with God and protection by God.
John first sees all things made new. There is a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and first earth are no more (cf. 20:11). He sees the holy city, New Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. A loud voice from heaven declares that God will dwell with His people and be their God. God, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, will comfort His people by removing all that causes pain, and provide the fountain of the water of life freely to him that thirsts. While those who overcome inherit all things and enjoy the blessings of being God's children, the wicked and unfaithful have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone (cf. 19:20; 20:10, 14-15) which is defined as the second death (1-8).
One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls (cf. 15:7; 16:1) then carries John to a great and high mountain, to show him "the bride, the Lamb's wife". This is none other than the great city, the New Jerusalem, which is seen descending out of heaven from God. It is a city having the glory of God, and the bulk of the chapter describes its prominent features. A great and high wall surrounds the city. Standing about 72 yards high and made of jasper, the wall has twelve pearly gates upon which are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, with an angel at each gate. The wall has twelve foundations, made of precious stones, upon which are the names of the twelve apostles. The city itself, made of pure gold like clear glass, is 1500 miles long in its length, breadth, and height. The street of the city is also pure gold, like transparent glass (9-21). The glory of the holy city is described further by noting that there is no temple, for God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. There is no need for the sun or moon, for the glory of God and the Lamb illuminate the city. Its gates are never shut, there is no night there, and the nations of the saved along with the kings of the earth bring their honor and glory into it. Only those written in the Lamb's book of life enter this glorious city, ensuring that it remains free from any abomination and defilement (22-27).
OUTLINE
I. ALL THINGS MADE NEW (1-8)
A. THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH (1)
B. THE NEW JERUSALEM (2)
C. THE PROCLAMATION FROM HEAVEN (3-4)
D. THE PROCLAMATION FROM THE ONE WHO SAT ON THE THRONE (5-8)
II. THE NEW JERUSALEM (9-21)
A. JOHN IS SHOWN THE HOLY CITY (9-11)
B. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CITY AND ITS WALL (12-21)
III. THE GLORY OF THE HOLY CITY (22-27)
A. ILLUMINATED BY THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND THE LAMB (22-23)
B. ENHANCED BY THOSE WHO ENTER IT (24-27)
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
2) What did John see? (1)
3) What happened to the first heaven and first earth? What of the sea? (1)
4) What did John see coming down out of heaven from God? (2)
5) What is said about the dwelling of God? (3)
6) What will God do? What shall be no more? (4)
7) What did the One on the throne say to John in verse 5?
8) What did He say in verse 6?
9) What is promised to those who overcome? (7)
10) Who shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone? What is this called? (8)
11) Who offered to show John the bride, the Lamb's wife? (9)
12) Where is John taken, and what does he see? (10)
13) What was the general description of the city? (11)
14) What surrounded the city? (12)
15) What stood at each of the gates? What was written on the gates? (12)
16) How many foundations did the wall have? What was written on the foundations? (14)
17) What was the length, breadth, and height of the city? (16)
18) How tall was the wall? (17)
19) What was the construction of the wall? Of the city? (18)
20) What were the foundations of the city adorned with? (19)
21) What were the twelve gates? What was the street of the city? (21)
22) Why was there no temple in the city? (22)
23) Why was there no need for the sun or moon to shine in it? (23)
24) Who shall walk in its light? Who shall bring their glory and honor into it? (24)
25) What shall not be shut at all day? What about at night? (25)
26) Who will by no means enter the city? Who will enter the city? (27)
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