All is made new! There will be a new heaven and a new earth together. The new Jerusalem has been prepared by God as a bride for His people. The new city is even better than the Garden of Eden.
3And 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. – Revelation 21:3 KJV
God and men will be together in the tabernacle. In the Garden, God only came down to Adam and Even periodically. In the time of Moses, special places were established for him to worship and spend time with God, places where others could not go due to their unrighteousness. Now, we will all be able to join in close proximity to worship God! We will be with Him and Christ in the tabernacle!!
There will be no more tears, death, sorrow or crying, as what is known today will pass away.
God continues His promises to us.
5And 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. 6And 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. – Revelation 21:5-6 KJV
We will thirst no more!
8But 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.
The third word of this verse inflicts pause, “fearful”. If we are operating out of fear or lies, room for Holy Spirit will cease to exist in our spirit. We run the risk of tuning out or quenching Holy Spirit with our sin. Failing to trust God and living in fear is sin. Be mindful of these areas of weakness and attack them with repentance. Leave no room for the devil to creep in and deceive in your life.
The second death is again mentioned. This is when the books will be opened and souls will be judged with their eternal state determined. Those who reject Christ and relish earthly abomination will ultimately be cast in to the lake of fire.
The new Jerusalem is shown to John by the angel in beautiful detail.
22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And 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. – Revelation 21:22-23 KJV
God and Christ are the temple of and the light for the new city.
24And 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. – Revelation 21:24 KJV
The sun is no longer necessary for warmth, as those in God’s kingdom will live in the light and peace of God and the Lamb. There will again be nations and kings on earth, but this time, there will only be praise and glory from these nations to God. They will be devout in their love, passion and commitment to God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son. There will be no more abominations or lies, as all the new creation will forever glorify both the Father and the Son!
Chapter 22 begins with the “pure river of water” flooding from the throne of Father God is presented. The tree of life will bare different fruit each month and leaves of healing for the nations.
3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. – Revelation 22:3-4 KJV
The curse of sin will be no more. We will serve God and the Lamb directly, sealed on our foreheads with the name of God! We will live in light forever and ever!
We are again given a promise.
7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. – Revelation 22:7 KJV
The command is to keep the prophecy in order to receive the blessing.
John is again overwhelmed and falls at the feet of an angel.
9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. – Revelation 22:9 KJV
John is again reprimanded for this mistake. Angels partner with us as “fellowservants”. They too only have power from God, just as we do.
Remember, the way to blessing is following God’s commandments.
14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. – Revelation 22:14 KJV
God is true and constant! We are taught to follow His commands and those who do will enter the gates of the new Jerusalem!
16I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. – Revelation 22:16 KJV
Jesus has sent His angel to give this prophecy.
17And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. – Revelation 22:17 KJV
The Spirit invites all to come and take the water of life freely.
There is one final warning to all regarding the prophecy of Revelation, a warning called out in the opening prayer of this study.
18For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. {THE END.} – Revelation 22:18-21 KJV
To God alone be the glory! Amen!
Revelation 21-22 – Elements to Remember
- New heaven, new earth.
- God communing with His creation continuously.
- No more fear, unbelieving, abomination, murder, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, or liars.
- God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son will provide eternal light in the new Jerusalem.
- We will eternally glorify God the Father and Jesus Christ the Son!
- New heaven will have:
- water of life
- no more curse
- his name on our foreheads
- Blessed are those who keep the sayings of this prophecy and follow God’s commandments.
- Do not worship angels! They only have strength through the power of God!
- We will be rewarded according to our works.
- Jesus is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.
- Jesus is the “bright and morning star”.
- Do not add to or take away a word from the prophecy in the book of Revelation!!
- “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. THE END.” – Revelation 22:21 KJV