AM Bible Study Group; December 23, 2009

Revelation 21:1-8

Theme: This passage describes the the nature of the new heaven and the new earth.

At this point in Revelation, 1,000 years of the reign of Jesus on earth has come to pass. The grievous but brief rebellion against Him has been brought to an abrupt end, and the devil is—at last—cast into the lake of fire forever. We’re told that the old heaven and the old earth fled away from the face of Him who sat on the white throne; and the final judgment has been completed. And now, what follows is the creation of a new heaven and a new earth. The Old Testament hints of this (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22); but no where else is it spoken of in such great and glorious detail as we find in the closing chapters of Revelation.

I. WHAT JOHN SAW CONCERNING IT (vv. 1-2).

A. John declares that he saw “a new heaven and a new earth”. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away. We’re given greater detail about this “passing away” in 2 Peter 3:10-13. Were told also that “there was no more sea”. Perhaps this is an indication that the natural divisions among the peoples that we now experience in this world will not be present in the next.

B. As a centerpiece of this new heaven and new earth, the “holy city, New Jerusalem”, was made to come down out of heaven from God (see Hebrews 11:10). This city must, in some sense, be in existence right now (Hebrews 12 :22-23). Perhaps it is that place which the Lord says He has gone away to prepare for us (John 14:1-3). Its appearance is glorious—as a bride adorned for her husband”. Much detail of this new city is given us in verses 9-27.

II. WHAT JOHN HEARD CONCERNING IT (vv. 3-4).

A. A loud voice from heaven spoke, and declared, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell (or ‘tabernacle’) with them.” This is what God intended, ultimately, to bring about through sending His Son to redeem us! The glorious closeness of this relationship is described in terms of their being His people, and He Himself being with them and being their God. We enjoy intimacy with God now through His Son; but what glorious intimacy we’ll enjoy with Him then! We will actually behold God as He is (1 John 3:2)!

B. The joy of that intimacy is described in terms of the things that will be missing from the picture. There will be no more tears—because God will wipe them all from our eyes. There will be no more death that separates us from one another. There will be no more sorrow, or crying, or pain; because “the former things have passed away” (see Romans 8:18).

III. WHAT JOHN WAS TOLD TO WRITE ABOUT IT (vv. 5-8).

A. The next four verses must be taken as something uttered to John in the context of this present age; because it speaks of those who have yet to be cast into the lake of fire. John is spoken to directly by the One who sits on the throne (see 20:11)—almost as if the vision is interrupted for a moment in order for an important message to be conveyed. The one who speaks declares, “Behold, I make all things new.” Not only are the former things passage away; but what they were is now made new because of our Savior!

B. John may have been stunned by it all; and had to be told to write. But it may also be that the assertion is given that they must be written because the One will sit as Judge on the white throne is also a God of great mercy in the present; and wishes for no one to perish but that all come to repentance. John is told that these words are faithful and true; that is, they can be counted on to be fulfilled. All things truly will be made new. What’s more the One speaking declares, “It is done!”; and as if to give further confidence that it is so, He declares, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” All of this was a part of His purpose and plan from the beginning. And the mercy of this present age is that, in all of it, grace is declared; “I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely (that is, “for nothing”; free of charge) to him who thirsts” (see also 22:17).

C. Note the serious exhortation given at the end. He who overcomes (that is, through Christ; see Revelation 13:11; 1 John 5:5) shall inherit all things, “and I will be his God and he shall be My son”. One would hope that, in hearing all this, all men would come to drink freely of the waters of life; but sadly this isn’t so. The cowardly (those who will not profess Christ), unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” How important it is, then, to be an overcomer in Christ now!