Revelation 21
The New Heaven and New Earth
1I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.
2I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
3I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people; and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
4He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.”
5He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.”
6He said to me, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life.
7He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.
8But for the cowardly, unbelieving, sinners, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their part is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
The New Jerusalem
9One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls which were loaded with the seven last plagues came, and he spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
10He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,
11having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12having a great and high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
13On the east were three gates, and on the north three gates, and on the south three gates, and on the west three gates.
14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
15He who spoke with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its walls.
16The city is square. Its length is as great as its width. He measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand twelve stadia. Its length, width, and height are equal.
17Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
18The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass.
19The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
20the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
21The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
22I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
23The city has no need for the sun or moon to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it and its lamp is the Lamb.
24The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
25Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there),
26and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter.
27There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
John receives a vision of God's ultimate restoration: a new heaven and earth where the holy city, New Jerusalem, descends from heaven as a bride prepared for her husband. God promises to dwell eternally with his people, eliminating death, mourning, and pain while making all things new. The chapter provides an elaborate description of the New Jerusalem's magnificent architecture, featuring precious stones, pearl gates, and perfect dimensions that symbolize God's glory and the eternal home of the redeemed.
Context
Following the final judgment in chapter 20, this chapter presents the culmination of God's redemptive plan with the establishment of the eternal state.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2Vision of New CreationJohn sees a new heaven and earth with the holy city New Jerusalem descending like a bride.
- 3-5God's Promise of RestorationGod declares he will dwell with humanity, ending death and suffering while making all things new.
- 6-8Divine Declaration and WarningGod identifies himself as Alpha and Omega, promising life to overcomers but judgment to the wicked.
- 9-14The Bride City RevealedAn angel shows John the New Jerusalem with its walls, gates, and foundations representing Israel's tribes and the apostles.
- 15-21Measurements and MaterialsThe city's perfect cubic dimensions and construction of precious stones, gold, and pearls are described in detail.
The New Heaven and New Earth
21:1–21:8John's vision of the new heaven and earth where God dwells with his people, promising the end of death and suffering while warning of judgment for the wicked.
theme_rarity
John's vision uniquely combines the Greek word "kainos" (new/renewed) appearing four times with "protos" (first/former) three times, creating an unprecedented linguistic contrast between old and new creation.
The New Jerusalem
21:9–21:27Detailed description of the holy city New Jerusalem as the bride of the Lamb, adorned with precious stones and having no need for temple or sun because God and the Lamb are its light.
theme_rarity
John's vision uniquely combines architectural precision with bridal imagery, describing the New Jerusalem simultaneously as both the Lamb's wife and a geometrically perfect cube measuring 12,000 stadia.
Revelation 21:1
Revelation 10:5lexicalThe angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky
Revelation 3:12lexicalHe who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write…
2 Peter 3:13lexicalBut, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.
Acts 14:15lexical“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men of the same nature as you, and bring you good news, that you shoul…
Acts 4:24lexicalWhen they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the sky,…
Revelation 21:2
Revelation 3:12lexicalHe who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write…
Revelation 20:9lexicalThey went up over the width of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. Fire came down out…
Acts 11:5lexical“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great…
1 Peter 3:5lexicalFor this is how in the past the holy women who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own hu…
Acts 9:13lexicalBut Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
Revelation 21:4
Revelation 7:17lexicalfor the Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them and leads them to springs of life-giving waters. And God…
Hebrews 5:7lexicalHe, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able t…
Revelation 21:5
Revelation 19:11lexicalI saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it is called Faithful and True. In righteousness he ju…
1 John 2:8lexicalAgain, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the t…
Revelation 3:14lexical“To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creati…
Revelation 22:6lexicalHe said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to…
Revelation 19:9lexicalHe said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb.’” He said to me, “These are…
Revelation 21:6
Revelation 22:17lexicalThe Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires…
John 4:14lexicalbut whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will be…
Revelation 22:13lexicalI am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 1:8lexical“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 14:7lexicalHe said with a loud voice, “Fear the Lord, and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who ma…
Revelation 21:8
Revelation 20:14lexicalDeath and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
Revelation 22:15lexicalOutside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and prac…
Revelation 20:10lexicalThe devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also.…
Revelation 19:20lexicalThe beast was taken, and with him the false prophet who worked the signs in his sight, with which he deceived those who…
Revelation 8:8lexicalThe second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea beca…
Revelation 21:9
Revelation 17:1lexicalOne of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the judgment…
Revelation 15:1lexicalI saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God’s wrath i…
Revelation 15:7lexicalOne of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever…
Revelation 16:1lexicalI heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, “Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God…
Revelation 15:6lexicalThe seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around t…
Revelation 21:10
Matthew 4:8lexicalAgain, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
Revelation 20:9lexicalThey went up over the width of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. Fire came down out…
Acts 11:5lexical“I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision: a certain container descending, like it was a great…
Luke 3:22lexicaland the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form like a dove on him; and a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my b…
Hebrews 12:22lexicalBut you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable multitudes…
Revelation 21:11
Revelation 4:3lexicalthat looked like a jasper stone and a sardius. There was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald to look at.
Revelation 21:12
Matthew 19:28lexicalJesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man wi…
Luke 22:30lexicalthat you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Revelation 7:4lexicalI heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the children…
Acts 9:15lexicalBut the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the…
Revelation 21:13
Luke 13:29lexicalThey will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom.
Revelation 21:14
Matthew 10:2lexicalNow the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the so…
Revelation 21:15
Revelation 11:1lexicalA reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, “Rise and measure God’s temple, and the altar, and those who worship in…
Revelation 21:16
Ephesians 3:18lexicalmay be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth,
Revelation 11:1lexicalA reed like a rod was given to me. Someone said, “Rise and measure God’s temple, and the altar, and those who worship in…
Revelation 21:17
Mark 4:24lexicalHe said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and more will…
Luke 6:38lexical“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you.…
Matthew 7:2lexicalFor with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to…
Revelation 21:19
Revelation 4:7lexicalThe first creature was like a lion, the second creature like a calf, the third creature had a face like a man, and the f…
1 Corinthians 3:12lexicalBut if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw,
Revelation 18:16lexicalsaying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was dressed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold and prec…
1 Corinthians 12:28lexicalGod has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of h…
Acts 12:10lexicalWhen they were past the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city, which opened to…
Revelation 21:20
Matthew 20:5lexicalAgain he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.
Matthew 27:45lexicalNow from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour.
Luke 23:44lexicalIt was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Mark 15:33lexicalWhen the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
Revelation 21:21
Revelation 22:2lexicalin the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits,…
Revelation 21:23
Revelation 22:5lexicalThere will be no night, and they need no lamp light or sun light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign…
1 Corinthians 15:41lexicalThere is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from anot…
Luke 11:36lexicalIf therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp wi…
Revelation 21:24
Revelation 18:3lexicalFor all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her sexual immorality, the kings of the earth committed sexua…
Revelation 21:26
2 Peter 1:17lexicalFor he received from God the Father honor and glory when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, “This is my belo…
Revelation 21:27
Revelation 17:8lexicalThe beast that you saw was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss and to go into destruction. Those who d…
Revelation 20:12lexicalI saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and they opened books. Another book was opened, whi…
Revelation 22:19lexicalIf anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life, and…
Revelation 13:8lexicalAll who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world i…
Interlinear
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Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter