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Introduction to Chapter 21

A new heaven, and new earth: the new Jerusalem where God dwells, and banishes all sorrow from his people. (1-8) Its heavenly origin, glory, and secure defense. (9-21) Its perfect happiness, as enlightened with the presence of God and the Lamb, and in the free access of multitudes, made holy. (22-27)

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.
Mt:24:35: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

2^nd Peter 3:

12: Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13: Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Peter saw the earth and heavens that we know being destroyed by fire and being replaced by new heavens and a new earth that are filled with righteousness.

John sees a similar thing only not with as much detail on the passing of the first earth.

Mt:5:5: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

This passage is speaking of the new earth that we see in this verse.

The old earth is passed away but there is a new heaven and a new earth. These two will be together in such a way that they will never be separated from one another. I have always believed that Christ is making all things one in him, not only the Church and their God but creation itself. That the natural and spiritual worlds will become one in him.

Eph:1:10: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:

Although this scripture gives the impression that the old heaven and earth are completely destroyed we must realize that this is only in part. The earth will simply be renovated, which means that the atmosphere and earth will be burned off with fire and then renewed and restored to a state such as the Garden of Eden in the beginning. The reason we know that this will still be the old earth mass is because God promised Israel the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession. If he completely destroyed the earth’s mass he would be breaking his promise to Abraham. God cannot lie (Genesis 17:8, 48:4). God said that he was going to destroy the earth at the time of Noah where in reality he simply destroyed the surface of the earth with a flood (Genesis 6:13).

"There will be no more sea," not speaking of oceans or seas such as the Sea of Galilee or the Pacific ocean, but a sea of a carnal nature (Jude 1:13, Revelation 13:1) speaking of the sinful nations of the world. There will be no more nations troubled by wars and division. There will be no more sin and corruption with heartaches and sorrow. The world that God often compared to being a sea full of waves of sorrows and winds that were contrary to his nature and the desires of his people is passed away. Now nothing can interrupt our fellowship and joy in our relationship with him because the world or sea of misery and suffering is gone.

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.
This New Jerusalem is not only the Church in its glorified state but also includes all of the people who have been in God’s kingdom from the very beginning. People such as Adam, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, all who are and have ever become part of the kingdom of God.

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 is to be two fold in reality. Although we realize that that the tabernacle of God is speaking of Jesus Christ and he will live with his people forever it is important to remember that we are in him and he is in us. The New Jerusalem will become the Tabernacle or dwelling place of God. God’s people will become the place that he will live. God’s people will enjoy his presence from then on, to never be separated from him in any way.

4: 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.
God will remove all the sorrow from our hearts. He will also remove the source of all the sorrow caused by death and other things in this world. The former things that were in this world were the reasons for all the suffering that was brought on by sin, sickness, Satan and his demonic influences. These things will no longer exist; they will be gone forever.

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 is the Father who is sitting on the throne. And he says "Behold, I make all things new." God started making all things new when he redeemed his people through Jesus Christ. Paul said in 2Cor:5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Now we see the final renewing of all things, including heaven and earth. It is a fresh or brand new start, creation itself has a new beginning.

He then tells John to write because what he was hearing was true and it was from God.

6: 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.
Here we see a reminder that God is the A to Z of the all things, he is the beginning and the end of it. We are also reminded that he that is thirsty can receive freely from the fountain of the water of life. We are able to enjoy the presence and life through the Holy Spirit now and a more abundant blessing of this when we are living in the New Jerusalem.

7: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
This is a reminder that we must be overcomers and that in order to be overcomers we must be born again.

1Jn:5:4: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1Jn:5:5: Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

We are now the sons of God according to 1^st John chapter 3.

1: Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

2: Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

In reference to Satan, Revelation 12: 11: And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

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.
This is speaking of the secular world that for various reasons are either afraid of persecution or scorn or for simply not believing they fail to accept Jesus as their Savior to be born again by the Spirit of God. Because they refuse to believe in Jesus they remain in their sins and will end up, not only in Hell itself, but to add to their misery will meet their final destination in the Lake of fire, called the second death.

9: 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.
God has various angels to do specific jobs for him. This angel was one of the angels that had administered one of the plagues poured out on the Antichrist and his nations. This reminds me of the sweet and bitter that is found in the Word of God. Cursing and blessing through God’s judgments. Jesus endured the suffering of the cross for the joy that was set before him. That Joy was to see all of those who are redeemed through his blood make it to heaven itself and be with him for eternity.

The angel says come closer and I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife. Often times we must get closer to God than our present state in order to receive some of the things that God would like to reveal to us.

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,
The subject of the vision is the church of God in a perfect, triumphant state, shining in its luster; glorious in relation to Christ; this shows that the happiness of heaven consists in our relationship with God, and in conformity to him. The change of emblems from a bride to a city shows that we are only to take general ideas from this description.

11: Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
The light coming from the city was like a jasper stone.

Strongs Concordance says this:

jasper: 2393 i[aspiß Iaspis (ee'-as-pis); Noun Feminine, Strong #: 2393 jasper, a precious stone of various colours (for some are purple, others blue, others green, and others the colour of brass)

There is one kind called the Aeizusa, like to air and another Crystallizusa, clear as crystal.

12: 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:
The wall has 12 gates guarded by twelve angels, over the gates are the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. It is only fitting that the gates should have the names of the 12 tribes of Israel seeing as the promise for the salvation of nations should begin with Abraham and his seed that would become significant to identify with the 12 children of Jacob. The Gospel came to the Jew first and then the Gentile in order for God to come to the nations to grant salvation.

Although salvation was so apparent through Abraham, all who trusted God as did Abraham, before and after the promises made to Abraham, were saved as well, by faith.

Men such as Enoch who walked with God and God took him. This also includes Adam, Noah and others who trusted God.

The wall is for security. Heaven is a safe state; those who are there, are separated and secured from all evils and enemies. This city is vast; here is room for all the people of God. The foundation of the wall; the promise and power of God, and the purchase of Christ, are the strong foundations of the safety and happiness of the church.

13: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
It is almost certain that the three gates on each side of the city were named after the encampment of Israel in the wilderness in which there were three tribes on each of the four sides of the Tabernacles.

Dan,Asher and Naphtali were on the North side, Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin were on the West side, Reuben, Simeon and Gad were on the South side, with Judah, Issachar and Zebulun being on the East side.

14: And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Although the foundations of this city are twelve they all refer to the one and true foundation that was preached. Which was Christ in the Gospel that was preached by all 12 of the apostles. They all preached the same Gospel which was to become the foundation of the Church. These foundations are set forth by twelve sorts of precious stones, denoting the variety and excellence of the doctrines of the gospel.

15: And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
The angel that held the golden reed is in readiness to measure the city and will soon reveal to John what it’s dimensions are.

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.
It was a cube in shape and is very symbolic of something shown to us in Solomon’s Temple that will reveal the meaning of this. We are speaking of the Holy of Holies that was the inner sanctuary of the Temple. This room was a cube, all the sides and height were the same. It was built over the exact spot the Dome of the Rock sits today. It sit over the very rock that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice to God. This is the place in the Temple where the presence of God was found to dwell continually. The Ark of the Covenant was kept in this room. This is symbolic of the Church since the city is the bride this symbolizes the Church being the same as the Holies of Holies in which the presence of God was to be continually. In this case, unlike Solomon’s Temple that was only temporary, God will dwell there in the midst of his people forever.

According to Strong’s Concordance;

furlongs: 4712 stavdion Stadion (stad'-ee-on);
Word Origin: Greek, Noun Neuter, Strong #: 4712 a space or distance of about 600 feet (185 m).

With this measurement we are able to determine how long the walls were. This figures to somewhere in the area of 1,364 miles. I had always been taught that it was 1,500 miles but according to these calculations that is not true.

17: 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.
The angel then takes the golden reed and measures the wall of the city and gives the measurement to John in the measurements used by mankind. It was 144 cubits, a cubit is taught to be 18 inches, this figures out to be 216ft. This is determined to be the thickness of the walls.

18: And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
The walls of the city were made of jasper, but the city within the walls was made of pure gold, so refined and precious it appeared as clear as glass.

19: 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;
All 12 of these foundations were made of precious stones and is a very important allegory concerning the 12 apostles and Israel itself.

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.
All twelve of these stones were used on the Ephod that was worn by the High Priest when doing service in the Tabernacle or Temple. These 12 stones represented Israel as a treasure. If you were to take the 12 stones from the Ephod and place them together in container they become a treasure and this is what this symbolizes, Israel as a treasure to God.

Exodus 19:5: Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Ps. 135:4: For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.

What is even more interesting is that God chose a treasure out of Israel for himself that would take the Gospel to the world. It was the 12 apostles themselves, they were the treasure hidden in the field.

Matthew 13:44: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

Jesus was crucified for these and all who would believe their message of salvation.

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.
These gates were all of pearls each gate was a single pearl in itself. This is very revealing because although many teach the pearl of great price as Christ himself. We must see that there is a different view to be considered.

Matthew 13:45: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

This: the pearl has been purchased by Christ: we are the purchased property of another! You are not your own, but "bought with a price" (1 Cor. 6:20). To what extent is that Divine truth regulating our lives? How far is that fact dominating our daily walk? We are not our own; we belong to Christ!

Just as there is only one true foundation and yet Christ allows the 12 Apostles to be the foundations of the City. So is there only one gate and yet we see 12 gates made of one pearl each. The Church is symbolized by the 12 Pearls that make of the gates of this city. Ps:24:7: Lift up your head, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.

22: And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
The city itself is the Temple of God. Remember it has become the Most Holy Place, the dwelling place of God. Perfect and direct communion with God will be eternal and will bring eternal happiness to those who are saved and walk in the light of it.

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.
Although the city has no need of the sun or the moon to give her light it doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be no sunshine on the new earth. Remember we are speaking of the city of God that is made up of all the Saints. The glory of God and his son Jesus will be enough to light the city.

24: 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.
"The nations which are saved" is speaking of all the people who have been saved during the gospel era from the former earth. They shall all be given a place in the new city. Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you. This was speaking of the many mansions that belonged to those who trusted in his grace.

25: And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
I feel that it is possible that we are not talking about a physical darkness but that of a spiritual. That there will be no sin and darkness found in heaven. One of the things that attribute to God’s glory and grander is the heavens at night with all of the beautiful stars that testify to his glory. There will be no need of shutting the gates; all is at peace and secure.

26: And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
The glory and honour of the nations are those who have trusted in Christ for his salvation and have been given a robe of righteousness so that they might enter into his glory.

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.
Nothing sinful or unclean, idolatrous, or false and deceitful, can enter. All the inhabitants of the new city have made themselves perfect in holiness by faith in the blood of Jesus.

God Bless You
Tommie Spurgeon

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