In all the children’s books and illustrations I can remember, there are the same physical attributes to Heaven.  It is a place where the streets are gold and majestic and, angels are flying around playing harps.  It’s almost too good to be true, and that’s exactly what John is trying to convey.  All the images we have seen of Heaven have been taken from this section in the Revelation.  It is a vision God gave to him so he could communicate to the church the magnificent place that awaits them and us if we remain faithful.  

 

When compared to Babylon, the harlot, we can see a clear difference between what the world has to offer verses what God has in store for all who are His.  When we gaze upon the once gloriously adorned prostitute, we now see the withered, run-down, weathered old hag she really is. Her glory didn’t last, and now she has the same fate before her as all the rest who oppose the Lamb – the lake of fire.  The physical appearance of Heaven in John’s vision is to serve as a way of comparison for believers.  It is the most precious and valuable place you can imagine.  Everything else one can think or imagine pales in comparison to the real deal of the heaven that awaits us.  God finishes what He started.

 

These visions are of good things for god’s people and his plan.  There is great detail and descriptions that have stuck with humanity for centuries – whether people really believe or not.  We must remember, going into this section that God is concerned about spiritual things rather than physical, and the physical descriptions are telling us symbolically of spiritual things.

 

Let’s look at what God’s original intent was for humanity and his creation.

 

Gen. 1:1-2 – God created -- darkness & chaos (seas /waters) – The Holy Spirit is hovering.

Gen.  1:3 --       God and the Holy Spirit bring order to chaos -- God is a God of order.

Gen. 1:27-31 -- God created people in his image and likeness -- provided for them

Gen. 2:7-8, 15-18 -- God creates a garden (work), man and woman

Gen. 2.24 -- marriage so not to be alone -- intimacy with each other.

Gen. 3:1-7-- humans deceived and sin against God’s command.

Gen. 3:8-9-- God dwelt among them in relationship -- sin separates -

“Where are you? -- God has been waiting to restore the relationship.

 

Rev. 21 is the restoration of God’s plan for fellowship with his creation! He picks up where he left off -- no more sea -- no more chaos --

 

            When we look at the beauty and splendor of God’s perfect creation, New Jerusalem, as a bride, it puts the condition of Babylon in previous chapters into perspective.  She was as a weathered and disheveled whore.  Her false beauty attracted some, but the truth has revealed her for who she really is.

 

 

Revelation 21:1-4 - - “God with them”

 

John reiterates that God is our consoler, and He will rid the lives of His people from the evils that once plagued us.  The first evil to go is Death – the one who carried the biggest fear for humanity over the centuries.  This is the reversal of the curse from Gen. 3.  The other evils will also be done away with because the old things of the old realm have passed away and all things are made new.  Life has been completely replaced by the new order.  Remember that no one was worthy to open the seals of the scroll of the destiny of humanity.  There is no answer to the earth’s evils, but the Lamb has conquered and is worthy – and only Him. 

 

v.1 --   “A New Heaven and a New Earth” --  Even in John’s heaven visions, God was always somewhat separated from His people.  Now finally, God is near --He is among His people as in the Garden.

 

John switches gears again starting in this chapter.  He stops dealing with the fate of evil and looks instead at the promise of good.  He sees a new heaven and a new earth.  He doesn’t mean “another” but rather a “different.”  There has been a complete transformation, and John doesn’t know how else to describe it except a “new” heaven and earth.  The concept has been predicted by the prophecies of Isaiah (65:17; 66:22).  John describes the new earth coming, and we can handle that (old = evil, new = pure), but what about a new heaven?  The old heaven still maintained a separation of God from humanity or inhabitants (see of glass separating the throne, etc.).  God’s objective is to dwell among the people He created.  The new heaven symbolized God’s nearness. 

 

There will no longer be any sea.  What has the sea represented since its first mention in Genesis 1:2? – It is a symbol of turbulence, chaos, fear, and darkness.  The sea is unpredictable and ever changing. It has been a source of evil in the Revelation – the sea beast comes from here, etc.  In the people’s minds of this time, the sea was an unknown evil power – storms suddenly came up – waves appeared – boats capsized – people disappeared and died.  It was evil, and no one lived on the sea.  You crossed the sea to get to the people and cities on the other side. The sea will be one of seven evil things John explains will disappear in the new environment (along with death, mourning, weeping, pain, curse, and night.

 

v.2 --   “The Holy City, the new Jerusalem” -- new and holy -- distinguishes it from the present world.  Perfected by God and for God and His people.   “Coming down out of heaven from God”.  -- Makes sense that the perfect would come from God, but come down to where?  Heaven comes to earth and God dwells with a humanity wholly devoted to Him.  The perfect relationship has finally been established -- and it is a beautiful thing -- like a bride on her wedding day -- radiant! Glowing! Perfect! The Bride of Christ!  A “radiant church without spot or wrinkle.”

 

John sees a New Jerusalem a Holy city coming down from heaven to earth.  There is a distinction here – new and holy contrast with the existing Jerusalem on earth.  The new will be pure and holy, uncorrupted.  Once the New Jerusalem arrives on the scene, there is no longer a distinction between heaven and earth.  God now dwells with humanity and both are one.  John may be giving the people a vision to press on toward and hope for, but which will become a reality somewhere in the future.  Whether we go there, it comes here – at some point all will be in one place in the presence of God and the Lamb. Heaven is the bride of God – adorned and prepared for her husband for the wedding. (Is. 61:10)

 

In verse 3 there is the great announcement of the completion of God’s will for creation…

 

v.3 -- John “Hears” a loud voice (again) -- from the throne -- The dwelling or tabernacle of God is with men – among humanity.

 

 “Behold the (“Shekinah”) dwelling of God is among men” (tabernacle – dwelling of God – then temporary – now permanent).  God will dwell among His people, and they will be His people and God Himself will be their God.  Ezekiel saw this in a vision and called the place “The LORD is There” Yahweh Shammah! (Ez.48:35).   This is the fulfillment of what Ezekiel saw.  God is with them – 3 times -- in v.3 -- What is the point of the verse? God with us!

 

 

v.4 -- God comforts His people now that the relationship is restored and perfect.  There is a reversal of the curse from Gen. 3 -- death is no more.  Mourning and crying, and pain are gone.  The old order of things is gone.  John cried in 5:4 that no one was worthy to open the seals of the book of the destiny of evil humanity.  Now and through his previous visions, the questions have been answered.  The Lamb has conquered.  At this point even tears are gone forever.

 

 

Rev. 21:5-8 -- God Speaks

 

5.         God said …   “I am making everything new!”  These were the words the church in John’s day needed to hear.  Present tense is used --- God is continually making al things new.  The voice instructs John -- “WRITE THIS DOWN!” The words about to be spoken are trustworthy and true.  They must be recorded!

 

6.         This is a reassurance that God is always in control and has been.  Alpha and Omega -- He was the beginning -- God is the Originator and Completer of all things.  Satisfaction of man’s deepest spiritual needs is found in Him (drink freely).  Admit your thirst and drink!  You will be deeply satisfied.

 

7.         “He who overcomes” --         Remember the letters to the Seven Churches?    

Here the promise is assured -- Overcome and God will be with you.  He is yours and you are His!  A special relationship as motivation.

 

8.         However, there is an evil fate that awaits sinners…the cowardly…courage is very important to John’s readers--

 

·        Cowardice that chooses self and safety before CHRIST!

·        Fears the threats of the BEAST rather than trust the love of CHRIST.

·        Their cowardice is not from God (2Tim.1:7) but against God.

 

Unbelieving -- “NOT TO BE TRUSTED”-- Those who lack all faith -- a general term covering a multitude of defilements.

 

Murderers -- all homicide is covered in this category.

 

Sexually Immoral -- male prostitutes in this day -- sexual sin in general -- N.T. concept -- idol worship

 

Those Who Practice Magic Arts -- magic of old -- making images -- spells - etc.  Those who make the image of the beast speak -- (13:15) -- Good Luck Charms and other superstitious acts.

 

Idolaters -- putting anything in place of God alone --There is only one  

FIRST PLACE in our heart and mind.

 

All Liars -- Truth is to be earnestly sought -- and here is provided --- all liars deserve their place in the Lake of Fire (2^nd death).