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Revelation: Chapter 21
The following is describing both the present state of the church on earth “as it is in Heaven”
along with those saints who have already overcome, living in the realm of Paradise. It is not to
be taken as in sequential order with the previous chapters since John stated he was “in the
tribulation and kingdom” (1:9) with those he addressed here. The kingdom existed before John
was exiled to Patmos. Chapters 21 and 22 are the epilogue and invitation of the Revelation.
Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had
passed away, and the sea was no more.

This is where John describes the church presently (under the New Covenant) on earth as
she is being “prepared” (v. 5). She is in a state of preparation for when Christ returns to
claim her as His bride (Jn 3:29).
Heb 12:27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken-that is, things that have been made (physical- 2 Pet 3:4-10)--in order that the things
that cannot be shaken may remain (Dan 2:44). 28 Therefore let us be grateful for
receiving (present future indicative; Gk.3880- Thayer: “to receive something
transmitted”) a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God
acceptable worship (Jn 4:24), with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a
consuming fire.
What was revealed to John here has to do with where Daniel spoke to Nebuchadnezzar of
the kingdom that would outlast all others; those who die faithful in the eternal kingdom
are the ones “coming out of the great tribulation” (7:14). Those who receive the kingdom
“earnestly from a pure heart” (1 Pet 1:22) through obedience (Act 2:38), having been
added to “the book of life” (20:12), and who are “faithful unto death” (2:10) are
continually being added to the 144,000 (7:14) since the Lord’s kingdom “cannot be
shaken”. The following passage deals with “the ultimate end of the world”- Steve C.
Singleton.
2Pe 3:12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the
heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they
burn! 13 But according to His promise we are waiting for (Gk.4328- Thayer- “one’s
coming or return) new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

This concerns the end of the physical realm right before the final judgment (20:11).
------new heaven and a new earth- here, is the spiritual kingdom that Jesus said was “within
you” (Lk 17:21- KJV), where salvation can only be found as the prophets “revealed…
things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news
to you by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven, things into which the angels long to look” (1
Pet 1:12; Eph 3:10). It is spiritual Israel from Old (the first heaven and the first earth)
that converted to spiritual Israel under the New Covenant (12:17- “the rest of her seed”).
Heb 11:13 These (O.T. believers) all died in faith, not having received the things
promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having
acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people
who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.
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
Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in Heaven (“Jerusalem above”- Gal 4:26), and from
it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
------no more sea- no more separation (spiritual) between God and His people.
Eph 3:11 This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus
our Lord, 12 in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our
faith in Him.
============
Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Only those who can enter this holy city are the faithful (spiritual Israel), the New
Jerusalem.
Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
Gal 4:26 ..the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
Gal 6:16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon
the Israel of God.

Rom 2:28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision
outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a
matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but
from God.
------down out of Heaven- origin. Examples:
Joh 3:13 No one has ascended into Heaven except He Who descended from Heaven,
the Son of Man.
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is He Who comes down from heaven and gives life to
the world."
Joh 6:38 For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will but the will of
Him Who sent Me.

The "coming down out of Heaven" in these passages refers to the incarnation of Christ.
His origin is the same as the city's origin (Heaven) except for the fact that Jesus always
existed (Jn 1:1-2), and that the New Jerusalem only came into existence on earth after
Pentecost (it existed prior to that “before the foundation of the world” since He had
“chosen us in Him” [His body the church] back then- Eph 1:4). Faithful Christians, who
make up the bride (1 Cor 3:16), constitute her citizenry once we have received (not that
we can’t lose it) “the guarantee of our inheritance” (Eph 1:14; 1 Jn 1:7). Only after Jesus
ascended did the place He went to prepare (the kingdom/church- Jn 14:2-3) come on
“the day of Pentecost” (Act 2:1). That place came down out of Heaven in the form of holy
city, New Jerusalem. Jesus said He would go (back to Heaven in order to “prepare a
place”; Gk.5117- a spot [limited by occupancy]- Mat 7:14, i.e. the church/kingdom, His
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
bride which He sent on Pentecost), would come back (to earth to receive her), receive
the faithful (the kingdom/church via the resurrection- 1 Thes 4:14-17) and take such
back to Heaven (His place of origin) with Him.
------prepared- Gk.2090- to prepare: -make ready. It is a prepared place for a prepared
people (Jn 14:3).
Rom 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of
Christ, so that you may belong to Another, to Him Who has been raised from the
dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

2Co 11:2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one Husband, to
present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
------The city, existing in both realms (Paradise and earth), is presently being prepared on
earth for the Lamb (Husband) via the Gospel (those in Paradise awaiting our
preparation) so that He can present His bride (which includes both realms since
Paradise will be part of the resurrection), the church, to Himself (Eph 5:27) after the
judgment and then to His Father.
1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father
after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For He must reign
(Rev 20:6) until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be
destroyed is death (Rev 20:14). 27 For "God has put all things in subjection under
His feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that He is
excepted Who put all things in subjection under Him. 28 When all things are
subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him Who put all
things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all.
============
Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is
with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be
with them as their God.

When His disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Lk 11:1), one thing He said to pray
for at that time was for the kingdom (a.k.a. the church) and that it would come with its
aim at fulfilling God’s purpose for mankind. Since it, in the form of the church, did come
at Pentecost it ushered in God’s will being done “on earth as it is in Heaven” (Mat 6:10).
Now righteousness dwells on earth via the church, Christ’s body, “the temple of God”
since “God said, ‘I will make My dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will
be their God, and they shall be My people’” (2 Cor 6:16; Jer 24:7; 31:33; Eze 11:20). A
strong voice from God's presence proclaims that God can now dwell among men
(Gk.444-human beings) since before that time He could not “dwell” with evil (Psa 5:4).
The tabernacle (Gk.4633- tent) here is the type of the anti-type Moses built according to
the instructions given to him (Heb 8:5); the Holy Place representing the church, the
Most Holy where God dwelt. Christ (as “the curtain” between the Holy and Holiest- Heb
10:20) having washed away the sins of the saints (1:5), it is understood that the New
Testament priesthood, i.e. the victorious church (in Paradise along with the church
militant on earth), are now able to stand in the presence of God Himself.
============
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Rev 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither
shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed
away."

Comfort. Even knowing there will be those we will leave behind. This is speaking to “the
one who conquers” (v. 7) in the eternal realm of the church (4:6; 15:2) where they no
longer have to fear death. Loved ones will not come to mind but will be thought of with a
different understanding. Even their physical loss will not affect our future spiritual gain.
“When we have passed from this life we will have a much sharper view of sin and the
hideous nature of rebelling against God. Those of our loved ones who find themselves
lost will not appear to us in the same sympathetic light as we saw them through the
limitations of fleshly examination.”
Wayne Jackson- The Christian Courier/Will There Be Personal Recognition in Heaven

Death, i.e. separation from God, will only exist in Hell (20:14). All of the painful aspects
of life (as they no longer exist in Paradise- Lk 16:25) will perish with the future removal
of the physical creation.
============
Rev 21:5 And He Who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new."
Also He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Jesus Himself states: Everything is now new (Gk.2537-fresh) in answer to Mat 5:5 along
with the meek having inherited the earth (post Pentecost) and “the one who conquers
and keeps [His] works until the end, to him [Christ gives] authority over the nations and
he (the conqueror) will rule them with a rod of iron” (2:26-27). This is also Heb 8:13
with the ending of the Old Covenant bringing in the New. In other words, Christians
presently rule the earth! His words are genuine and reliable. He has always kept them.
============
Rev 21:6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the
end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.


It is done!- The new creation (via the testament in His blood- Lk 22:20) having come to
pass here, Christ again (as He did in 1:8) proclaims His eternal Being. This is assuring
that even though earthly kingdoms came and went (come and go- Ex 9:16, Dan 4:3435), it was/is God who allowed/allows their existence.
Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."
------To the thirsty- the one who hungered and thirsted for righteousness would be filled
(22:1) without charge in the kingdom since the price was paid in full.
Mat 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be
satisfied.
Act 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy
Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God (Christ, Who is God),
which He obtained with His own blood (the price of ransom).
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============
Rev 21:7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be My
son.



Those who are “faithful unto death” (2:10), either martyred or of natural causes (of both
Testaments), will receive their “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and
unfading, kept in Heaven for [them]” (1 Pet 1:4). See also Act 20:32; Eph 1:11, 14; Col
1:12; 3:24; Heb 9:15.
Heb 2:10 For it was fitting that He, for Whom and by Whom all things exist, in bringing
many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through
suffering. 11 For He Who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one
source. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, "I will tell
of Your Name to My brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your
praise." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in Him." And again, "Behold, I and the
children God has given Me."
------The conqueror here in particular is the martyr. (In general it is the saint who is faithful
up to and through the time of his death.) This was a message of hope, then, to the
persecuted church (the ones who would overcome).
------will have this heritage- This ‘inheritance’ is a place in Heaven with God which is only
given to the Father's children, those who received it (via obedience to the Gospel call- 2
Thes 2:14) since “the death of the One Who made it (New Testament) [was] established”
(Heb 9:16). Only the faithful take part in this familiar relationship.
Joh 14:2 In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you
that I go to prepare a place (the church) for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.
Eph 1:13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 Who is
the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the
praise of His glory.
============
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually
immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with
fire and sulfur, which is the second death."

But- on the other hand. The cowards who did not overcome but participated in Rome's
fornication (or any other persecution against God’s people including those who deny
Christ- Mat 10:33) and those who were faithless in the presence of the beast along with
all others who participate in “like” sinful behaviors (Gal 5:21) without repentance, their
portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur , along with all others whose
loyalty was (and is) to the dragon (Jn 8:44). Their eternal lot would (will) be the second
(eternal) death (i.e. separation from God)- Hell.
============
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Rev 21:9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last
plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb."


In contrast to his pouring out God's wrath on Rome (Rev 16), this angel shows John
another site. She is first called the bride (Gk.3565-young married woman/ as veiled,
bethrothed, by impl. A son's wife. This is her present distinction.) in anticipation
(Rom 7:4) and wife (Gk.1135) in realization (her future distinction).
Eph 5:29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as
Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31
"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the
two shall become one flesh." 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it
refers to Christ and the church.
------the Lamb- (5:6) the One Who paid the bride's (church's) dowry (ransom) for her that
she might be His.
============
Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in [spirit] to a great, high mountain, and showed me the
holy city Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from God,

in spirit- (1:10; 4:2; 17:3) not "the". Here, John had to be in the right mindset (Gk.4151)
to perceive what it was the angel was about to show him; the church, but here as holy city
Jerusalem.
-------

mountain- authority. The mountain and the city are synonymous. Again, the city's
origin is Heaven. The pilgrimage of the earthly kingdom is the church (Col 1:13). The
church's true citizenship (1 Pet 1:1, 2:11; Heb 11:13) is the heavenly kingdom described
here where “if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided
we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him” (Rom 8:17). Both
aspects of the kingdom (earthly/heavenly) require change (Col 1:12) before admission
(Rom 6:4; 1 Cor 15:51-53; 2 Cor 5:17; Phil 3:20-21).
Isa 2:2 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the
LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted
up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, (This speaking of the
church.)
Dan 2:44 And in the days of those kings the God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that
shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall
break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand
forever, (Again speaking of the church.)
Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the
assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in Heaven, and to God, the Judge
of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect (shows the dual nature
of existence in the kingdom/ both in Paradise and on earth) , 24 and to Jesus, the
Mediator of a New Covenant (Rev 14:1), and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a
better word than the blood of Abel.
============
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Rev 21:11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as
crystal.

glory- the city has God's majesty and honor. The radiance of her glory from God’s
presence is like that of a precious stone, the present kingdom and final home of the
resurrected saints.
G1391 δόξα doxa dox'-ah
From the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literally or
figuratively, objectively or subjectively): - dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.
Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
============
Rev 21:12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the
gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed—
Rev 21:13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the
west three gates.

Since Jesus came through Israel and salvation was offered “to the Jew first” (Rom 1:16)
what a fitting way to honor Israel by naming the twelve gates after the twelve tribes to
whom “belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship,
and the promises” (Rom 9:4). See notes on 12:1.
------Eze 48:29 This is the land that you shall allot as an inheritance among the tribes of
Israel, and these are their portions, declares the Lord GOD. 30 "These shall be the
exits of the city: On the north side, which is to be 4,500 cubits by measure, 31
three gates, the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi, the gates
of the city being named after the tribes of Israel. 32 On the east side, which is to be
4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, and the gate
of Dan. 33 On the south side, which is to be 4,500 cubits by measure, three
gates, the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun. 34 On
the west side, which is to be 4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Gad, the gate of
Asher, and the gate of Naphtali. 35 The circumference of the city shall be 18,000
cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There."

Ezekiel's gates were exits from which the twelve tribes went out to possess the land.
Here, they are entrances that are open for the nations to enter.
------angels- (2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14)

G32 ἄγγεγγεος
aggelos ang'-el-os
From ἀγγεγγέςς aggellō (probably derived from G71; compare G34; to bring tidings); a
messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication a pastor: - angel, messenger.
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Isa 62:6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the
night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no
rest,
============
Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names
of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

twelve- complete/perfect. These foundations support the walls of the church. As “the
twelve tribes” were honored so here the twelve apostles by naming the twelve
foundations after them. It is upon their taking the inspired Gospel into every nation via
the great commission that the church “was being built up” (Act 9:31) with “living
stones… as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 2:5). See notes on 12:1.
------Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with
the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone,
Mat 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His
disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say
John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15
He said to them, "But Who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter replied, "You are
the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are
you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My
Father Who is in Heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will
build My church, and the gates of hell (Gk.86-Hades) shall not prevail against it.
(The foundation of the kingdom/church is Christ's deity.)
============
Rev 21:15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and
its gates and walls.

A reed is a standard of measure (11:1-2), gold making it pure. (Act 7:44; Heb 8:5)
============
Rev 21:16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city
with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.

height/width/breadth- 12,000 stadia (or ‘furlongs’- KJV). It, like the Most Holy Place
(15' x 15' x 15') is a cube (Ex 26:15-37). Those of the Holy Place (the church) are with God
in His temple, He in the Most Holy Place (whether in Heaven or on earth), since the Veil
(Heb 10:20) serves as Mediator between them (Jn 14:6).
Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of Heaven,
but the one who does the will of My Father Who is in Heaven.
============
Rev 21:17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an
angel's measurement.
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

144 cubits- 216 feet. We are not told if this measurement concerns thickness or height
but having a wall is indicative of separation, gates indicating the only access into the city.
Either, or, the gates are always open (v. 23).
------human measurement, which is also an angel’s- a cubit equals approximately 18". On the
average man it would extend from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. By this it is
implied that an angel's apparent size is that of an average man thus it is the same as an
angel's measurement (22:9).
============
Rev 21:18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass.

Once again the city radiates, in the same manner as God Who sits on His throne in
Heaven, like a precious stone- jasper (4:3), thus once again indicating His presence in it.
Gold so pure as though polished glass (v. 21), like in Solomon’s temple where “the floor
of the house he overlaid with gold” (1 King 6:30).
============
Rev 21:19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The
first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald,
Rev 21:20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth
topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

Twelve stones make up the foundation just as twelve stones made up the high priest's
breast plate, twelve being a number of perfection (Eph 2:20). See also 1 King 5:17.
Exo 28:17 You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and
carbuncle shall be the first row; 18 and the second row an emerald, a sapphire,
and a diamond; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20
and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree.
21 There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons
of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve
tribes.
============
Rev 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl,
and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.

The twelve gates of pearls so large an entrance is made through each of them. Pearls like
precious stones were of great value.
Mat 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest
they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Mat 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls,
46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and
bought it.
------The (singular) street of gold polished beyond mirror finish. Gold here is like was “silver
as common in Jerusalem as stone” that King Solomon had in such abundance (1 Kings
10:27). Thus walking on it indicating our faith is “more precious… though it is tested by
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fire” (1 Pet 1:7; see also Rev 15:2). In the church we are “devoted to [God]” and thus
“cannot serve God and money” (Lk 16:13). Our wealth comes from a different source
(Rev 3:18), physical gold being so insignificant in comparison.
============
Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the
Lamb.


in the city- (where those who “walk in the light as He is in the light”- I Jn 1:7) the
presence of a temple would denote separation between God and His people.
Num 18:22 so that the people of Israel do not come near the tent of meeting, lest they
bear sin and die.
------Before Pentecost and the inception of New Jerusalem a temple existed that separated
worshipers from God through the priesthood. The temple on earth now refers to the
N.T. priesthood (1:6; 5:10), a.k.a., the church (1 Cor 3:16-17; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 2:21; 1 Pet
2:5). God here dwells with His people (21:3). He and Christ replace the O.T. temple
with the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27). In the Old Testament the focal point of worship
was the temple (1 Kings 8:41-43; Dan 6:10). That focus here is changed since before
this, man “[could not] see [God] and live” (Ex 33:20). Here, God and the Lamb are the
center of the church’s attention.
============
Rev 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it
light, and its Lamp is the Lamb.
Isa 60:19 The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your
glory. 20 Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the
LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.

With the physical luminaries being insufficient, the city is lighted by God (Ex 34:29-35;
Lk 2:9) and Christ as her Lamp (Ps 119:105; Jn 1:1-4). Remember, God created the
“lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night” (Gen 1:14-18)
after He said “let there be light” (v. 3). Why then would Heaven on earth (Mat 6:10- not
with reference to any of the false ‘millennial’ doctrines) need anything physical (sun,
moon, stars) to light it? See 2 Cor 4:4 and 2 Tim 1:10.
============
Rev 21:24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into
it,
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The nations- Through “the twelve gates”, via “the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ”
(2 Cor 4:4), named after “the twelve tribes” of Israel (“the Jew first”) came the preaching
of the kingdom “also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16). They are those “from every nation” (Jew
and Gentile) who are daily being received into the kingdom (7:9), and whose numbers
expanded rapidly once Paul stated “I will go to the Gentiles” (Act 18:6).
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
kings of the earth- (those of 1:6 and 5:10, i.e., saints who possess it as per Dan 7:27)
received their honor and dignity from God (Rom 2:7, 10; Heb 2:7) and are thus in this
scene carrying such into the city with them.
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Rev 21:25 and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there.
Neh 13:15 In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and
bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs,
and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day.
And I warned them on the day when they sold food. 16 Tyrians also, who lived in the
city, brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the
people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself! 17 Then I confronted the nobles of Judah
and said to them, "What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath
day? 18 Did not your fathers act in this way, and did not our God bring all this
disaster on us and on this city? Now you are bringing more wrath on Israel by
profaning the Sabbath." 19 As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of
Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut
and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I
stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might be brought in on
the Sabbath day. 20 Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged
outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 But I warned them and said to them, "Why do
you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that
time on they did not come on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites that
they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the
Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me
according to the greatness of your steadfast love.
Mat 24:20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.

The gates of Jerusalem were closed because of the Sabbath, a day of rest that God held as
a sign between Him and the Israelites.
Exo 31:12 And the LORD said to Moses, 13 "You are to speak to the people of Israel
and say, 'Above all you shall keep My Sabbaths, for this is a sign between Me
and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD,
sanctify you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone
who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul
shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but the
seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any
work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. 16 Therefore the people of Israel
shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a
covenant forever. 17 It is a sign forever between Me and the people of
Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day
He rested and was refreshed.'"

Mar 2:27 And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the
Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."
------The Sabbath was between God and Israel. Jesus, here, made a statement of equality with
God (Php 2:6) by changing the Law (Heb 7:12) of the Sabbath as it would pertain to the
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New Covenant. Another sign between God and Israel was the sign of circumcision that
He gave to Abraham.
Gen 17:9 And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and
your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant, which
you shall keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among
you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins,
and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 He who is eight
days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations,
whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is
not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought
with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall My covenant be in your flesh
an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the
flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."
Rom 4:8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." 9 Is this
blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that
faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him?
Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was
circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness
that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him
the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would
be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who
are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our
father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

But that also was to be done away with once the Law became “obsolete” (Heb 8:13).
Act 15:5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said,
"It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses." 6
The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And
after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you
know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the
Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, Who knows the
heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, 9
and He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by
faith.
Act 15:24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled
you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it
has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to
you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the
sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who
themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed
good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these
requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from
blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep
yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell."
Col 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by
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canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set
aside, nailing it to the cross.


As “Minister” (Heb 8:2) “in the true tent” (the church), the Old Testament one only the
shadow of it, He exchanged the physical day of rest for the one that is to be eternal (Heb
4:8-9; 8:1-6). The significance of the gates never shutting; in Nehemiah the nations
profaned the Sabbath thus the city was to be closed to them during its length. Here, in
the New Jerusalem, they remain open since the nations are daily being received thus
bringing their glory into it.
------no night- darkness (ignorance) obscures the light (of the Lamb). The day, here, is an eternal
one in both realms since the saints on earth already possess it having “the guarantee of our
inheritance until we acquire possession of it” (Eph 1:14).
Eph 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
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Rev 21:26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.
(See notes on verse 24.) Whatever glory and honor the nations had they received from
God and would only be returning what is rightfully His (4:9-11).
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Rev 21:27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or
false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

In order to be written in the Lamb’s book of life a person has to be “qualified… to share in
the inheritance of the saints of light” and be “transferred” into “the kingdom of [God’s]
beloved Son” (Col 1:13) here on earth (the church) and be “devoted… to the apostles’
teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Act 2:42). Just being
baptized (Gk.907- to make whelmed) does not save unless a person is committed to the predenominational church/kingdom and her inspired teachings (2 Pet 1:21). So in order to be
“qualified” a person needs to be found “in Christ” having “put [Him] on” by being “baptized
into [Him]” (Gal 3:26-27). Being covered with the “Lamb without blemish or spot” (1 Pet
1:19) is accomplishing spiritually what God did with Adam and Eve in covering their shame
in Gen 3:21. Anyone who has not been washed of their sin is unclean and cannot enter the
kingdom/church described here. The great commission (Mat 28:19-20) explains the
invitation. That invitation is offered in 22:17.
Updated May 12, 2017
www.truthdiscovered.net
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