Table of Contents Chapters Overview Alan's Gleanings
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A New Heaven and A New Earth

Then John saw the first heaven (atmospheric heaven) and the first earth passed away ... burned up (21:1 cf., 2 Pet. 3:10); this was followed by the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. The new earth has no sea. Next John saw a new city, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven (21:2).

A voice from the throne announced that the old order of things has also passed away. There will be no more pain, no mourning or crying, no tears and no death. God Himself (He who sits on the throne) declared that He would make all things new (20:5). Though the new creation is still in the future, the words "It is done" state emphatically that it had already been accomplished (21:6).

And He made clear as to who's in and who's out of the new creation. The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars will not inherit this new creation instead they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur (20:8). This is the second death. The first death being their physical death.  

The New Jerusalem aka Bride of the Lamb

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and carried John away in the Spirit. There on a great and high mountain, John saw the heavenly city coming down (21:9-10).
  • The city is brilliant, shining brightly; the wall is made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, like clear glass (21:11,18).
  • It has a high wall with 12 gates, three gates on each side and with twelve angels at the gates (21:12-13).

    (a) The twelve gates are twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl (21:21a). On the gates (pearls) were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (21:12).  

    (b) The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (21:14). The foundations were decorated with every kind of precious stone (21:19).  
  • The city is laid out as a square, and its length is 1500 miles or 2414 km. It is as wide and high as it is long (21:15-16). To have a sense of the height of the New Jerusalem, compare it to the following: 

    (a) A 40-storey HDB apartment block is about 115m. This means that the city is as tall as 21,000 blocks stacked on top of each other. 

    (b) The cruising altitude of planes is up to 39,000 feet (12 km). The city is 200 times higher than the cruising altitude.  

    Note that the city is as wide and high as it is long; this is a great massive city. By the way, the physical dimensions could allow for either a cube or a pyramid shape.  
  • As John peered into the city, he could see that the great street of the city is pure gold like transparent glass (21:21). 

    (a) He did not see a temple in the city because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (21:22).  

    (b) There is no need for the sun or the moon to shine on it because the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp (21:23; 22:5).

The gates to the city are always open but nothing impure will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful; only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (21:25-27). 

Inside the New Jerusalem

Rev. 22 brings us into the city and we behold its beauty with John. There is the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing down the middle of the great street of the city. Its source is the throne of God and of the Lamb. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (22:1-2).

God will dwell with us and we will see His face ... we see God just as He is (1 Jn. 3:2). His name will be on our foreheads signifying that we will be His people, and God Himself be our God (21:3; 22:4).

Epilogue: Warning & Invitation

The angel who had been showing all the revelation to John said, "These words are trustworthy and true ... these things must soon take place." (22:6). Yes, Jesus is coming soon and He will give to each person according to what they have done (22:20,12). What do you want to do with the words of this revelation?

If you are thirsty and wish to take the free gift of the water of life then come and wash your robe (in the blood of Jesus) that you will have the right to go through the gates into the New Jerusalem and drink from the water of life (22:14,17). 

This is an invitation to you to believe in Jesus who died on the cross for your sins. Will you believe and trust Jesus right now? Just talk to Him. Tell Him that you have sinned and that you believe He died for you. Trust Him to forgive you. God bless. 

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

© Copyright January 2019 Alan S.L. WONG