Intro:

The theme of these two chapters is stated in (21:5) - "Behold, I make all things new!" While it would be interesting and edifying to go into the many details of these chapters, we will have to confine ourselves to the main lessons. Note the "new things" here.

 

I. THE NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH (21:1-2)

Note (2 Pet. 3:7-10), where we are told that a fiery judgment brings about this renewal of the old creation. The fact that there is "no more sea" is significant, since John was exiled on an island and separated from those he loved. Two-thirds of the globe today is water; so that in the new creation, there will be a whole new system for watering the earth.

 

II. THE NEW PEOPLE OF GOD (21:3-8)

What wonderful changes there will be when we enter the eternal state! God will dwell personally with men in a glorious and intimate way. There will be no more tears, death, or sorrow. All of these came into the world through sin (Gen. 3); but now the curse is removed (22:3) God's "It is done!" parallels Christ's "It is finished!" the same Lord who started creation will also finish it; He is Alpha and Omega (the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet).

But (vs. 8) solemnly declares that there are some people who will not enter into this new creation. They are: the fearful, or the cowards who would not confess Christ; those who "went along with the crowd" and practiced sin. Note that God puts "cowards" at the head of the list! When a man is afraid to take his stand for Christ, he is liable to commit any kind of sin as a result.

 

III. THE NEW JERUSALEM (21:9-27)

Verse 2 suggests that this heavenly city will hover over the earth during the millennium, and then descend when the new creation is ushered in. The city is identified with God's people; she is looked upon as a Bride. You will recall that the Babylonian system of chapter 17 was a city pictured as a harlot. After all, the city is not the buildings; it is the people who live in it. In (Gen. 4:17), rebellious Cain went out from God's presence and built',. a city; but believing Abraham "looked for a city... whose builder and maker was God." (Heb. 11:10) This is that city. Note that the city unites the people of God of the Old Testament and the New Testament, Israel and the Church; for the tribes of Israel are named on the gates, and the apostles are named on the foundation stones. On the apostles, see (Eph. 2:20 and Matt. 19:28).

The dimensions and description of the city stagger our imagination. "Four square" means equal on all sides; which may mean the city is a perfect cube, a "holy of holies" with the presence of God. Or, it could be a double pyramid. In either case, the city measures about 1,500 miles each way, or two-thirds the size of the United States! The beautiful colors of gems (18-20) suggests the "manifold (many-colored) grace of God" in (1 Pet. 4:10). Check your dictionary for colors of these jewels.

Several things are missing from the city: a temple, natural light, and night. Since God dwells personally with His people, no temple is necessary. His glory replaces the glory of the sun, moon, and stars. Night in the Bible symbolizes death, sin, sorrow; so there can be no night when death, sin and sorrow are banished from the city forever. The gates will never be shut, so that God's people will have access to the city from every part of God's renewed universe! There will be nations on earth (21:24, see 22:2 also). All the glory of the nations will be brought to God where it belongs.