Revelation 21 - Introduction

Revelation 21:1-27

Introduction

We have now seen the final end of Satan and his three generals. We have witnessed the fate of persecuting governments; the fate of false religions and false spiritual teachers; the fate of immoral activity; the fate of Satan himself; AND the fate of all participants in such is eternal, spiritual death. Fire and brimstone is the final end of all the wicked.

Now we turn to the God’s view of the righteous. There are some important points to remember as we begin to study the blissful state of the faithful.

1. The language is still Figurative. The beauty of God’s faithful must be described in feeble language. How can you describe the place of the immortal in terms mortals can understand? “The writer was faced with the task of painting the unpaintable, and expressing the inexpressible.” (2, 20)

2. Two important things are discussed - Heaven and the church. While the two are now separate and distinct they will be merged into one. Those who are now faithful in their service in the church of their Lord, will be rewarded with eternal life in Heaven.

3. We know that heaven will also include the faithful from among the patriarchs (including Noah, Enoch, and Abraham) and the faithful from the dispensation of the Law of Moses (Including Moses, David, Daniel). However, the focus in the book of Revelation is on the last dispensation, the Christian Age.

4. We also see the “holy city”, the “new Jerusalem” coming down OUT OF heaven. This holy city is the church. It is clear that the city is within heaven but separate from it. The church, the faithful and loyal believers, marked with the seal of God. (7:4-8) Some of the descriptions in these last two chapters are about heaven itself. But, some of the pictures painted here are about the whole of heaven.

5. Woodruff applies the remainder of the book as a description of the church here on earth. He argues correctly that the holy city, the New Jerusalem are figurative terms for the church. He writes, “These statements figuratively describe our spiritual situation today under the law of Christ as compared to the situation of those who lived under the law of Moses. Under the law of Moses, the children of Israel experience the pain and sorrow of sin. The law of Moses was a law of spiritual death because it could not provide the forgiveness of sins.” (1, 384)

What will heaven be like? If we remain faithful, if we keep our garments white, if we do not bow down to the beast or receive the mark of the beast, we will be with God and receive the reward He has prepared. “This section of Revelation … describes, in terms which we can understand, how God views his kingdom, the church. It is a spiritual city whose value and beauty is beyond comparison. Those who are residents of that city are the wealthiest people on earth.” (1, 392)

The patriarchs and the faithful of those under the Law of Moses will be in heaven. Jesus is coming back for a pure church to be his bride. Heaven will be the wedding feast. We, the church, are the bride of Christ.

What is the holy city, the New Jerusalem?

Before we can appreciate the beauty described in this chapter, we must understand the symbol of the holy city, the New Jerusalem. (21:2)

I here borrow the outline from Woodruff. (1, 390-392)

21:9 - The symbol is defined here. The bride, the Lamb’s wife, is the church. (Romans 7:4)

21:14 - The foundation of this city rests on the 12 apostles. (Ephesians 2:20)

21:24 - Citizens of this city walk in light. (1 John 1:5-7)

21:25 - The gates are never closed. A person may come into this city at any hour.

21:27 - Occupants of this city are written in the book of life. (1 Peter 4:3)

22:1 - Tree of life to heal nations. After the judgment, there will be no nations to heal.

22:14 - To enter this city you must obey the commandments of God. (1 John 5:3)

22:19 - Our name can be removed from the book of life. We can be removed from the holy city.

God wants us to see the value He sees in the church. “This city, the church, is the spiritual city built by God. It is the place where those people who have their sins forgiven by the blood of Christ dwell.” (1, 392)

Christ did not come to set up a physical kingdom. He came to establish his spiritual kingdom, the church. (Matthew 16:18) The tree of life is located in this spiritual kingdom. (22:14) As long as we are in that beautiful city and partake of that tree of life, we shall live spiritually forever.