Verse 1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
As the vision continues, the Apostle John records seeing a new heaven and Earth. This must have been a fantastic event to behold. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.” Isaiah 65:17 The prophet Isaiah lived approximately 700 years before the birth of Jesus, and the creation of new heavens and a new Earth were revealed by God to him all those many years ago. What God says He will do. So each believer has a lot to look forward to. “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13
The Apostle John states in the verse above that he saw “a new heaven”, singular. In the natural, Scripture refers to two heavens. The first heaven is the one which mankind walks in and it is the dwelling place of the clouds and the winds. The third heaven is referred to by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up in the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” This event most likely occurred when the Apostle Paul was stoned and left for dead by the Jews as recorded in Acts 14 which would account for him not being sure if he was in his body when he was caught up or if it was his spirit that was caught up. Because an association is made between the third heaven and Paradise, it is thought to be the dwelling place of God Almighty. Jesus told the dying, repentant thief on the cross that, “Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43 And Revelation 2:7 states, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” So Paradise is a real place and appears to be located in the third heaven. And since God invented mathematics, it is reasonable to assume that there is also a second heaven. However, this writer has been unable to locate any Scripture that refers to a second heaven. So perhaps it is the dwelling place of Satan and his fallen angel followers. Don’t really know. But the Apostle saw a new heaven and earth and this writer believes he was seeing that with which mankind is already familiar, the earth and what is called the sky above the earth.
The Apostle John states that “there was no more sea”. The Greek word translated as “sea” is “thalassa” and it can mean the sea in general, the Mediterranean or Red Sea, or it can be metaphor for masses of people. Since the Apostle lived most of his life near the Mediterranean Sea, it could be this sea he is referring to. Or, since this book is metaphor or word pictures, it could mean that the new heaven and new Earth is without people at this particular time of the vision being shown to the Apostle John. This writer does not believe that it means that the new Earth is without bodies of water as the spirits of aquatic life have to go somewhere after physical death, and Jesus stated in Matthew 19:28, “. . . That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory. . . ” which indicates that there will be a restoring of creation to the state it was before sin entered. You decide.
Application: When was the last time your pastor preached about this fantastic promise? Have you, the reader, even heard a sermon about this promise from God Almighty? This writer has not heard a sermon from the pulpit about what the future holds for the believer in this new environment for at least 20 years. Why is this not mentioned more often? Do Christian believers believe what the Scripture teaches about life after the destruction of this Earth and its heavens? “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:7 As stated in Revelation chapter 20, at the “white throne” judgement of the ungodly the heavens and the Earth are no more, just as the Apostle Peter recorded in the verse quoted.
Verse 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
As stated before, the “bride of Jesus Christ” as it is referred to in most churches is this new city, spiritual Jerusalem, coming down from Heaven and it is not the church in general. The church is full of all kinds of people, some truly saved from sin, death and Hell, and some who are not saved. Only true converted believers whose names are written in the Book of Life make up this city of heavenly Jerusalem, the Church of Jesus Christ which is the spiritual Israel of God. When true conversion takes place, the man or woman becomes a new creature (born again) and their citizenship is then in Jerusalem which is above, which is free, and which is the mother of us all (Galatians 4:26), and their citizenship is no longer here on Earth. They live in their flesh on Earth until physical death, but their spirits are citizens of the new Jerusalem. Because Christian believers are spiritually washed by the blood of Jesus, they are metaphorically virgins and no longer spiritual whores and so they are compared to brides without sin. So the heavenly city of Jerusalem is in mount Zion, the city of God, and it makes up the tabernacle of God.
Verse 3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
This “great voice” out of Heaven is no longer a messenger angel, but the LORD God Himself talking to the Apostle John. Historically, Moses set up the first Tabernacle in the wilderness to house the religious furniture and implements used for worship as per God’s directions. Later, the Tabernacle was replaced with the Temple King Solomon built in Jerusalem. God’s presence was there for a time as evidenced by a pillar of cloud/fire. Eventually, God removed His presence from the Temple as it and the people became corrupted. The Temple was rebuilt several times and then destroyed in 70 AD at the siege of Jerusalem by Titus and the Roman army, never to be rebuilt again. With the coming of Jesus Christ, the sacrificial Lamb and final blood sacrifice for sin, the Old Covenant and its Temple worship was gone and the Church and a New Covenant replaced the old form set up by the prophet Moses under God’s direction. People, Christian believers, became/become God’s Tabernacle instead of physical stones as His presence was/is now in each believer in the form of the Holy Ghost/Spirit. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5 So all the saints in Heaven make up the tabernacle of God as they dwell with Him and He with them. And until life on this Earth is no more, all the saints alive and living in physical bodies also make up the tabernacle of God as His holy Ghost/Spirit dwells within them. This spiritual “building” will not be complete until time is no more and eternity is ushered in and all believers are in Heaven.
Verses 4-5 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
It has been taught that when a Christian physically dies and goes to Heaven to be with the LORD Jesus Christ, they no longer have sorrow. This writer will dispute this as it is apparent that saints in Heaven are well aware of what is happening here on Earth. As such, they would still have sorrow at the plight of their left behind loved ones and at the condition of mankind in general. As long as there is a Devil and sin, there will be sorrow. It has already been shown in this study that departed saints are like the created angels and that they are messengers as shown by the Apostle John’s experience as recorded in chapter 19. As such, they know what is happening on Earth as well as in Heaven. Remember that in chapter 6 of this book the saints are inquiring of God how long it will be before there will be judgement. Read the parable of Jesus recorded in Luke 16:19-31 regarding the rich man and Lazarus the beggar. But according to the above verses, when everything is made new and Satan and the host of fallen angels are judged and cast into the lake of fire along with all the people who have followed him, sin will be no more and therefore all tears, death and sorrow will be a thing of the past.
Application: Jesus Christ has always made all things new. He will make a new city, a new Heavens and a new Earth. But before all of this, He has made a New Covenant with any one from any nation, tribe, or tongue who is willing to accept His lordship and who is willing to be obedient to His commandments. Each Christian believer is a new man or woman and their old sin nature is replaced with His spirit. So He has and is making all things new, one individual at a time.
Verses 6-7 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
The LORD is letting the Apostle John know that the visions he has been given are finished. Because Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end, He created all things which started life on this Earth and He will end all things which will end life on this Earth. But the promise remains as long as time remains that all those who want life in Jesus Christ and who are willing to turn from sin will be given their inheritance as children of God: life eternal in Heaven.
Verse 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Again, the second death is the one that comes after physical death when an unrepentant individual is judged and found guilty and sentenced to the Lake of Fire. So just where is the Lake of Fire? It will not be anywhere near the new Heavens and the new Earth. Scripture does not reveal its location as far as this writer can discern. However, pastor David Meyer from Last Trumpet Ministries believed that this Lake of Fire, which appears to be uninhabited until after the final judgement referred to as the white throne judgement at which time Satan, his angels, death and Hell are all cast into it along with unrepentant people, is actually this Earth in which mankind lives right now. When it is destroyed by fire, it is possible that it becomes the Lake of Fire and that it will house for eternity all those who tried to usurp the authority of God and to destroy His creation. Just a thought.
The list above is very specific and so should be looked at closely. The Greek word translated as “fearful” is “deilos” and it means timid or fearful. The Greek word translated as “unbelieving” is “apistos” and it means unfaithful, not to be trusted, perfidious (deceitful and untrustworthy), or without trust in God. The Greek word translated as “abominable” is “bdelusso” and it means to render foul, to cause to be abhorred, to turn one’s self away from on account of the stench, or metaphorically to abhor (regard with disgust and hatred) or detest. The Greek word translated as “murderers” is “phoneus” and it means a murderer or a homicide. The Greek word translated as “whoremongers” is “pornos” from which comes the word pornography and it means a male prostitute, a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, or a fornicator. This is not the same as a female prostitute where the Greek word is “porne”. The Greek word translated as “sorcerers” is “pharmakeus” and it means one who prepares or uses magical remedies or who is a sorcerer which is witchcraft. The Greek word translated as “idolaters” is “eidololatres” and it means a worshiper of false gods or any one who participates in any way in the worship of the heathen. The Geek word translated as “liars” is “pseudes”from which comes the word pseudo (not genuine, a sham) and it means lying, deceitful or false. So anyone possessing any one of these traits or characteristics and refusing to repent and stop sinning is guaranteed eternal life in the Lake of Fire. This writer can think of both individuals and of corporations that possess most if not all of these traits or characteristics. God’s promises are true. There will be eternal punishment for engaging in the above listed behaviors. If you, the reader, are fearful and unbelieving in God and in His Word, there is still time to repent and accept His mercy and grace. Then any other sins will be dealt with by the power of His Spirit and forgiveness will be yours. Think about it.
Verses 9-11 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
This angel could have been the same as the one in chapter 17 who came to show the Apostle John the judgment of the great whore or it could have been a different angel. This time, the Apostle was to see the bride or the Lamb’s wife. In Jewish culture a bride and a wife could be a betrothed or engaged woman of any age. In this case, they are metaphor for holy Jerusalem which is descending out of heaven. This is a spiritual city where is the presence of God. The Greek word translated as “jasper” is “iaspis” and it means a precious stone of various colors such as purple, blue, green, brass or clear like a diamond. This is metaphor for something that is glorious in color and radiant with light.
Verses 12-13 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
Historically, the physical city of Jerusalem has had 4 to at least 10 gates, the number changing as the wall was rebuilt or extended over the centuries. Here the number is 12 which, as stated above, represents the 12 tribes of Israel. When the Hebrew people were traveling in the wilderness after leaving Egypt, they camped in a specific manner around the Tabernacle, three tribes on each side of the Tabernacle as directed to Moses by the LORD. Although the names are not listed here, is it possible that the names are in the same order as listed in Numbers chapter 2. Judah, Issachar and Zebulun were on the East side. Reuben, Simeon, and Gad were on the South side. Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin were on the West side. Dan, Asher and Naphtali were on the north side. Since this book is written in metaphor, there may or there may not be gates in the heavenly city with names on them. But these names tell a story regarding the LORD Jesus Christ and so they represent Him. The meaning of the names, when put together in a sentence, say, “Praise to God for a price is paid for sin because dwelling amongst mankind behold a son of God, hearing Him, a troupe or a great company of believers has come, being fruitful and adding to their numbers, forgetting the sins of the past and having joy in the son of God’s right hand, who is to judge and will bless all who are over-comers.” The words in bold are the meanings of the names listed above.
Verse 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone, In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” Ephesians 2:19-22 The twelve apostles represent the Church and are the foundation upon which the Christian Faith rests.
Verses 15-16 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
Remember that God invented mathematics. Here this heavenly city is describes as being completely square in shape because it is as long as it is wide. So there are four 90 degree angles. The number 9 in Scripture represents judgement. In order to be in this city, all must be judged righteous. The number 4 in Scripture represents the Earth. Since this city is coming down from Heaven, it will be presumed that it is to rest on/in the new Earth. The Greek word translated as “furlongs” is “stadion” from which comes the word stadium. It means a space or distance of about 600 feet based on Greek measurements, or a race course. 600 feet X 12,000 = 7,200,000 feet or 2,400,000 yards or 1,363.64 miles long and wide. Of course, these calculations are not accurate as a Roman furlong was 660 feet and a mile was 8 furlongs resulting in 1,500 miles, and so an accurate measurement based on today’s measurements is not possible or necessary. All that needs to be understood is that this heavenly city represents a very big space and that the number 12 in twelve thousand furlongs is consistent with the twelve gates, the twelve foundations and then the length and breadth.
Verses 17-18 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
Here again is the number 144 which is representative throughout Scripture of all of God’s people, the Old Testament saints and the New Testament saints. Gold represents purity. Gold is refined by fire and does not oxidize and rust. God’s people are/have been purified by fire (presence and power of the Holy Spirit/Ghost as on the day of Pentecost, metaphorically trials and tribulations and Satanic attacks) and they do not rust or break down and lose their luster or shine.
Verses 19-20 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
Go to Exodus 28 to see the list of precious stones that were used in the making of the high priest’s breastplate. This breastplate, like the description of the city, was also four square but measured in a span which was the width of a man’s hand. This is representative of the LORD Jesus Christ, who is the believers’ high priest, carrying at His breast or heart His people as represented by these precious stones.
Verse 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
Pearls are formed by an irritant being covered by a substance made by the oyster making the pearl. The whiteness of a pearl and the gold represent purity, both being made beautiful through trial and tribulation. All these jewels and the gold are metaphor for the value placed upon the people of God through the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary. He paid the ultimate price for the salvation of His people. And His people paid/are paying a price by dying to self, to the things of this world, and to the Devil, and following Jesus only.
Verse 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
In the Old Testament age, God had a temple for His people. In the New Testament age, God has a people for His temple.
Verse 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
God is light. Light was present before the creation of the sun, the moon, and the stars. Just as God provides light in the present Heavens and on this present Earth, He will be the light in the new Heavens and the new Earth by the sheer presence of His glory.
Verses 24-27 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Revelation 21)
Notice that it is only the nations “which are saved” that shall be present in this heavenly city. The Greek word translated as “nations” is “ethnos” and it means a multitude associated or living together, a company, a troop or a people group. It does not represent a geographical location like it often means today such as the nation of India. Kings like King David and other righteous leaders down through time will be present also. This is a picture of all the saints gathered in the place Jesus went to prepare for them. Unlike the physical cities of old that had to have high walls and guarded gates to keep the enemy out, this will be a place of free travel and no enemies will be there as sin, death, Hell, Satan, and the fallen angels are all in the Lake of Fire for eternity. Only the saints who have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life will dwell in eternity with the LORD Jesus Christ, God Almighty who is Alpha and Omega.