Revelation 21:8

Abominable] i.e. those who join in heathen debaucheries: cp. Revelation 17:4.

Sorcerers] lit. 'poisoners': cp. Revelation 18:23; Revelation 22:15; Galatians 5:20 RV. There was much magic in heathenism, and it dealt in philtres and poisons. The lake] see on Revelation 19:20. Second death] see on Revelation 20:6.

9-27. Further description of the city. St. John has seen the city descending in the distance. Now it is shown him in full view by one of the angels of the bowls (Revelation 21:9.), probably the herald angel: cp. Revelation 17:1, see on Revelation 1:10. The visible cloud of God's glory is in the city (op. Revelation 21:3; Revelation 21:23 Ezekiel 43:2; Hebrews 9:5), and causes her to shine with glory as she descends (Revelation 21:11). Her walls represent her beauty and security, and, with the gates and foundations (cp. Numbers 2; Ezekiel 4:8; Ephesians 2:20), signify also that she is the home of the Church of both OT. and NT. The twelve Apostles are mentioned as a body, so that we need not ask whether the twelfth was Matthias or Paul (Revelation 21:12). The city is measured, but as the city is figurative, so are the measurements. All the dimensions are compounded of 12, the number of the OT. and the NT. (cp. Revelation 7:4.), the number which signifies that God is in the midst of His people: see on Revelation 1:12, The city is a cube, which, taken literally, would be monstrous, hut in its symbolical meaning says that the whole city is a sanctuary like the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle (Revelation 21:15). The magnificence of the city is figured by the most beautiful and precious things (Revelation 21:18). Her spiritual perfection is such that no special sanctuary is needed: cp. John 4:21. There is no one in the city who is not at one with God. All her people are united in His service. Thus 'there is no temple, because the city is all temple' (C. A. Scott) (Revelation 21:22). Earthly light and knowledge, which are imperfect and partial, have vanished in the full light and knowledge of God: cp. Isaiah 60:19; John 8:12; 1 Corinthians 13:9.; (Revelation 21:23). The prophecies of the gathering in of the Gentiles (cp. Isaiah 60:3) are fulfilled (Revelation 21:24), and redeemed humanity worships God within the open gates of the city (cp. Isaiah 60:11) in perpetual light and security (Revelation 21:25.); those only being shut out who are unclean through their separation from God to the service of the devil's agents (Revelation 21:27).