Light is of the Kingdom of Christ. The combined number of believers in Christ are the true temple of God, of whom Christ is Head. I don’t believe that this new creation will be merely a renovation of the old. in God himself. (Witham), To report dead links, typos, or html errors or suggestions about making these resources more useful use the convenient, George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary. Canaan was a type of the promised land that is to come in eternity. It’s called the “holy” city because we are holy in Christ. Paul spoke of the present condition and how it awaits the new in Romans 8:19-23: NET – (Ro 8:19-23) – 8:19 For the creation eagerly waits for the revelation of the sons of God. 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now. (Rev 21:6) – 6 And he said unto me, They are come to pass. Spirit. NET – (He 11:14-16) – 11:14 For those who speak in such a way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. By the city we must understand its citizens, the Angels and saints. The Catholic party appears to have felt itself the superior. That idea falls so short of the glory that God wants us to see in Christ and His Church. 11:16 But as it is, they aspire to a better land, that is, a heavenly one. Commentary on Revelation 21:1-6. Can you image giant oysters producing giant pearly gates for our eternal city? (Rev 21:7) – 7 He that overcometh shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. In his presence, earth and sky vanished, leaving no trace. The nation of Israel continues in Christ and His Church as a spiritual nation—which is composed of both believing Jews and believing Gentiles. So this city is both a people and a glorious dwelling place for God’s people. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. The “holy city,” the “New Jerusalem,” is both the Church and the actual eternal city, or Eternal Kingdom….just as we call a church building a church, it’s not actually the church, but it’s the people who are the Church. CHAPTER 3. These “words are faithful and true.” We can count on it, for God Himself is faithful and true. When determining whether a description is literal of symbolic (or figurative), we have to consider the context. We do know, however, that it’s a place of total joy, absent of pain and suffering, absent of all sin, where we will dwell in the glorious presence of God forever and ever. However, I think it’s certain that we will dwell together with the angels of God, serving God side by side—although, I believe the type of service will be different for angels than they will be for us. (Rev 21:25) – 25 And the gates thereof shall in no wise be shut by day (for there shall be no night there): NET – 21:25 Its gates will never be closed during the day (and there will be no night there). Darkness is of the kingdom of Satan. Revelation 21 Commentary Summary: Read Revelation 21 KJV along with a helpful commentary. It can’t be worked for, nor do we need to. Our eternal dwelling place is referred to as a “city,” because there are no separate continents or countries or counties, etc. 21. The only way that those eternal land promises are fulfilled, are in the Eternal Kingdom of the “New Earth,” given not to ethnic Israel, but to the Church, which is the true Israel in Christ—who is Himself, True Israel. (Witham). A wall this size would likely have gates that are also very large. A new heaven, and new earth: the new Jerusalem where God dwells, and banishes all sorrow from his people. NET – (Rev 3:12) – 3:12 The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never depart from it. Faithfulness is the by-product of faith. The whole eternal kingdom of God will be illuminated by His glory. Thus this world and all creation has to be purified, and this will be done by way of, Heaven is the throne and dwelling place of God. Coming down from God out of heaven. (Read about the Shekinah glory here and here). We’re given but a glimpse of its reality, and that is all. He’s describing the indescribable. A variety of the gem of which that called topaz (the ninth stone) is another kind. 8:23 Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. # 21.17 In verses 16 and 17 the Greek text speaks of “12,000 furlongs” and “144 cubits” which may have symbolic significance. Therefore, the eternal city is both now (as the Church) and yet to come as the “New Jerusalem,” as the “bride, the wife of the Lamb” (Rev 21:2-3,9; He 12:22-23). Through Christ, we are made “clean.”, CategoriesCommentary on Revelation, Eschatology/Prophecy, Featured Articles, Fulfillment Theology, Israel and the Church, Kingdom of Christ, True Israel, Therefore, what’s actually being described in this chapter of Revelation is, The land promises to Israel were to be an, The only way that those eternal land promises are fulfilled, are in the Eternal Kingdom of the, When sin entered the human race via Adam and Eve, all creation – which includes the universe – was contaminated or corrupted. This refers to unbelievers, those who die in their sins (examples mentioned in this verse) without Christ as their Lord and Savior. In other words, by overcoming, we reveal true faith in Christ. Revelation 21:1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth. Perfect in glory and beauty and completeness. 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city with firm foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Therefore, this square is actually symbolic for a kingdom that is perfect! First and last letters of the Greek alphabet. 22 I could not see any temple in the city since the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were themselves the temple, Thus John is describing the relationship that God has with His people, both now and throughout eternity. Spiritual thirst is produced through the work of the Holy Spirit. For the first heaven and the first earth was gone: and the sea is now no more. The state of Christ's Church on earth, and in this world, is now finished; and the time is come to reward the good, and to punish the wicked in the lake burning with fire and brimstone, in hell, with the devils for all eternity. The fact that this gold is like “transparent glass,” reveals that this is no ordinary gold, but is totally unique and of unusual value. He measured the city with the measuring rod at fourteen hundred miles (its length and width and height are equal). 19:8 She was permitted to be dressed in bright, clean, fine linen”(for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints). In a world of uncertainty, this we know for sure will “come to pass” (vs 6). God is the “Alpha and the Omega,” the “beginning and the end” of all things. The Woman in Revelation 12 is part of the fusion imagery/polyvalent symbolism that is found in the book. All people are accountable to Him. That goes for the so-called third temple of premillennialism, which teaches that God will raise up a third temple where animal sacrifices will again be practiced in the so-called earthly, millennial kingdom. God’s ultimate plan for Israel was never of an earthly, physical nature, but of a spiritual nature, which is realized in Christ and His Church. However, true faith will be evidenced by faithfulness to the One who provided this free gift. - The fifth, sardonyx.A variety of agate - a kind of onyx, valued for its use in engraving into cameos.The name onyx appears to be owing to the resemblance in colour to the fingernails. However, what they (Jesus) do teach is that true faith will produce the, In the context of this passage, I believe this is symbolic of God’s eternal care and watchfulness over His people. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. O Jesus! They will never be allowed entrance into the eternal city. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. God destroys Babylon: Revelation 17:1-19:5: The *beast and the evil woman. 00. Contrary to popular apocalyptic thinking, there is no “rapture” or a future snatching of Christians up from the earth in Revelation. He dwells in us and among us, therefore He and we are the holy and eternal temple. Premillennialism diminishes the glorious nature of those promises. True salvation is characterized by a life that is sincerely and genuinely devoted to Christ and the Christian faith—which involves the Christian way of living our lives in a sinful world that is hostile to Christ. It’s a “heavenly” city, for it begins in the Heaven that now is, and continues in this eternal kingdom of the “new earth.”, Therefore, just so we’re clear, the description of this “holy city” is a description of the people of Christ—the Church, but it’s used to reveal the nature of the literal city of our eternal dwelling. These are gates that we “enter” (Rev 21:26-27; Rev 22:14), but never leave in the opposite direction. NET – 21:21 And the twelve gates are twelve pearls – each one of the gates is made from just one pearl! Thus every aspect of this city is made of the highest quality materials (we are a new creation in Christ), a place of indescribable value. NET – (He 11:8-10) – 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place he would later receive as an inheritance, and he went out without understanding where he was going. Again, these gates are one-directional (vs. 25). Mensura hominis, quæ est Angeli; Greek: metron anthropou, o estin aggelou. When sin entered the human race via Adam and Eve, all creation – which includes the universe – was contaminated or corrupted. To him that overcometh, to him will I give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and upon the stone a new name written, which no one knoweth but he that receiveth it. NET – (He 12:22-23) – 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the assembly 12:23 and congregation of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous, who have been made perfect. In other words, the actual city is a reflection of the Church, the “the bride, wife of the Lamb.” Thus John describes the Church to reveal the character and quality of the city. To be clear, contrary to what many Christians believe, it’s not the physical appearance that’s being described, but the glorious nature of it. NET – 21:16 Now the city is laid out as a square, its length and width the same. In our eternal state, the people of Christ will finally be one with Him, and “the glory of God” will shine through us. The more pure a pearl is and the greater the size and the more perfectly round the pearl is, the greater its value. Revelation 18:1-24. 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. (Rev 21:23) – 23 And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. The OT temple gave way to the NT temple. More Isaiah with the promise of water to the thirsty. Our salvation places us into a right relationship with God and into His eternal presence. Nowhere in these last two chapters of Revelation is there a mention of going out of the gates. What role angels actually have among us in the “New Jerusalem” of this “new earth,” Scripture doesn’t say. Whatever Heaven is like now, I believe will be much like what this Eternal Kingdom will be like, if not exactly the same. It’s just that it continues on this “new earth.” The glory and beauty of this Heaven on earth is so wonderful and so beyond our comprehension, that I don’t believe there is any description that would do justice to it. The seventh, chrysolyte. Their place is in the lake of fire. As discussed in those passages, that number is symbolic for the Church (see commentaries). Again, this refers to the purity of the Church of Christ, and of the actual city itself. All things are not only, This is a reference to the Holy Spirit, through whom we are regenerated, indwelt by, and given eternal life to those who are spiritually, God’s promise to mankind is that those who are, Forgiveness of sins and eternal life is a, Lest there be a misunderstanding, none of these passages teach that our salvation depends on our faithfulness (works). In regard to the comparison between the measurement of a man and the measurement of an angel, I believe this simply means that this angel used the same system of measuring that is employed by humankind. However, I will not be giving a commentary on the entire book. Are there more comforting words than this in all of Scripture? 22. The Apostle Peter spoke of this same event: (2 Peter 3:10-13) – 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up. At all events it was the first to take up arms." That God will dwell among us forever and ever, in a place where there will be no more sin or pain or suffering or hardship or disappointment or frustrations, etc., is glorious beyond our comprehension. All things are not only new, but they are wonderful beyond our comprehension. As I’ve been saying throughout this chapter, what’s primarily in view here is not the physical features of this eternal city, but the quality and nature of it, which characterizes the Church of Christ. We will finally and forever dwell the very presence of our God, Savior and King. Revelation 21 Commentary, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary was originally compiled by priest and biblical scholar Rev. It may also symbolize the character of what’s being measured. Revelation 19:1-5 . I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. The physical appearance is left to our imagination, for it’s too wonderful to get an accurate picture of it with our finite minds. However, what they (Jesus) do teach is that true faith will produce the fruit of faith, which is an enduring devotion to the One we profess to believe in. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true. 1 Interpreting Revelation, p. 101. The New Testament doesn’t teach such an idea. The main street of the city is pure gold, like transparent glass. NET – (Rev 11:2) – 11:2 But do not measure the outer courtyard of the temple; leave it out, because it has been given to the Gentiles, and they will trample on the holy city for forty-two months. The mention of a “street” or streets, essentially completes the picture of a city. (Ro 6:23; Eph 2:8-9). Father of the world to come, render us worthy of this new and everlasting world, and give us a disgust, a mortal hatred, for that which perishes, and which is the cause of our perdition. (Rev 21:18-20) – 18 And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto pure glass. Also, this square gives us the picture of total protection—every side closing us in from every form of sin and evil, which overall, pictures our eternal security in Christ. This is to be understood as the heavens (universe), and not as the Heaven where God dwells (Is 65:17). 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