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Revelation 21:1–22:5
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (v. 2).
We have seen that the invisible church now is the city of God. But the city has not yet reached its full fruition. Thankfully, however, the Scriptures give us a picture of the shape of things to come, of what it will be like when sin is done away with, when believers are glorified, and we enjoy the unspeakable blessing of seeing Jesus as He is. We find this picture in the book of Revelation, in the description of the New Jerusalem. We will close this brief study of the city of God by looking at this description in today’s and tomorrow’s studies.
As he comes to the close of his account of his apocalyptic vision, John tells of seeing a new heaven and a new earth. God has brought history to a close, judged the world, and made all things new. John notes that there is no more sea (21:1), an assurance that the chaos so feared by God’s ancient people has been eliminated. Then he sees New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. He is seeing the great invisible church, the saints from all ages, finally gathered as one and glorified. They are being returned to the renewed earth, which is a paradise once more. Furthermore, John notes, this holy city is “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Here is the ultimate tip-off as to what John is describing—the church is referred to repeatedly in Scripture as “the bride of Christ.” At last the people redeemed by Christ have been made ready to be “wedded” to Him and to spend eternity with Him. They are magnificently adorned! John says the city has “the glory of God” within it (21:11). In addition, it has “light … like a most precious stone,” massive walls that are foursquare (perfect), 12 foundations decorated with precious stones, gates that are pearls, and streets made of gold. This city is altogether perfect, precious, and beautiful, for all its sin and stain have been removed, paid for and covered by the Lamb to whom it is about to be wed.
The underlying truth of this passage is that the city of man has been abolished. No longer is anyone in rebellion against God. No longer is anyone striving for autonomy. Now all creation is joyously submitting to Him and willingly serving Him in the city of God. Every knee has bent before Him. Those who sought to throw off God’s authority in this life are suffering the consequences of their rebellion (21:8). But the city of God is all made new.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
How often do you think about heaven and the new earth? Promises such as we find in today’s passage can bring comfort as we struggle with the effects of sin in our day-to-day lives. It is not pie-in-the-sky dreaming to think on these things; it is trust in God. Begin memorizing some of the Scriptural passages that address what lies ahead.
For Further Study
- Ps. 31:19
- 2 Cor. 5:2
- Col. 1:5
- 2 Tim. 4:8