FocusGod dwelling with His people
Connection to the wholeThe opening announces the removal of former sorrow and death, joining promises to the overcomer with a warning concerning exclusion.
interpretation Revelation 21:1
KJVAnd I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Read it in context
The New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem
Start reading at Revelation 21:1 (Revelation 21:1 to Revelation 22:5).
This unit describes the eternal state following the final judgment, beginning with the vision of the new heaven and new earth and continuing with the detailed description of the New Jerusalem where God dwells with His people.
- 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
- 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
- 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
- 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
- 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
- 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
- 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
- 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
- 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
- 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
- 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
- 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
- 21:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
- 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- 21:15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
- 21:16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
- 21:17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
- 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
- 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
- 21:20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
- 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
- 21:22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
- 21:23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
- 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
- 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
- 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
- 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
- 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
- 22:2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
- 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
- 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
- 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Who
- Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 21:1–22:21): John sees the new creation and New Jerusalem and hears angelic explanations. The closing words address the prophecy's hearers and the churches. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
- What is the main event or theme? The main event is the passing away of the old creation and the appearance of a new heaven and a new earth, where there is no more sea.
- What is God revealing? God is revealing the ultimate renewal of creation, where He makes all things new and will dwell with His people in the New Jerusalem, wiping away all tears, death, sorrow, crying, and pain.
- What is the literary style? The literary style of the book of Revelation is prophecy and apocalyptic.
When
- When was it written? The book of Revelation was written around A.D. 95.
- When does the event take place? The event described in Revelation 21:1 takes place in the future, after the first heaven and first earth have passed away, marking the beginning of the eternal state.
Where
- Where did it happen? The vision of the new heaven and new earth was seen by John.
- Where was the author located? The author, John, was located on the Isle of Patmos when he received this revelation.
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1 to Revelation 22:5). Start reading at Revelation 21:1. This unit describes the eternal state following the final judgment, beginning with the vision of the new heaven and new earth and continuing with the detailed description of the New Jerusalem where God dwells with His people.
How
- How does it fit the broader context? This verse marks the beginning of the eternal state, following the final judgment and the destruction of the old heaven and earth, introducing the new creation where God will dwell with humanity in the New Jerusalem. stated in the text
- How does it point to Christ? The new heaven and new earth are part of God's ultimate plan of redemption, fully realized through Christ, who is 'Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end,' and the light of the New Jerusalem, where He dwells with His people. interpretation
- How do I apply it today? Believers can find profound hope and comfort in the promise of a future perfect dwelling with God, free from sorrow, pain, and death, which motivates them to live faithfully in anticipation of this eternal inheritance. interpretation
Cited: Revelation 21:1, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 21:4, Revelation 21:5, Revelation 21:6, Revelation 21:7, Revelation 21:22, Revelation 21:23, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 1:11, Revelation 20:11, Revelation 22:8, Isaiah 65:17, 2 Peter 3:13
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names John four times as the one who saw and wrote these things.
Revelation 1:1Revelation 1:4Revelation 1:9Revelation 22:8
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debatedSome ancient and modern voices distinguish this John from the apostle because the Greek style differs from the Gospel.
Related passages
- a new Rev 21:5 Isa 65:17-19 Isa 66:22 2 Pet 3:13
- for Rev 20:11
- and there Rev 13:1 Isa 27:1 Isa 57:20 Dan 7:3
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 21
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Revelation 1:1 Revelation 1:4 Revelation 1:9
The holy city shown
Revelation 21:9–21FocusThe bride and the city's glory
Connection to the wholeThe angel shows the city through its gates, foundations, dimensions, and materials, developing the vision of God's dwelling with His people.
interpretation Life in the city's light
Revelation 21:22–27FocusGod and the Lamb
Connection to the wholeThe absence of a temple and the city's illumination are explained by God's and the Lamb's presence, with entry restricted to those written in the Lamb's book of life.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Revelation 1:1 Revelation 1:4 Revelation 1:9
The revelation introduced
Revelation 1:1–20FocusThe risen Christ and His churches
Connection to the wholeThe opening locates the prophecy among its first hearers and presents the vision of Christ who commands John to write.
interpretation The messages to seven churches
Revelation 2:1–3:22FocusHearing, repentance, and overcoming
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
interpretation The throne and the Lamb
Revelation 4:1–5:14FocusHeavenly worship and the sealed book
Connection to the wholeThe throne scene and the Lamb's reception of the book establish the heavenly setting for the judgments that follow.
interpretation The seals
Revelation 6:1–8:5FocusJudgment, witness, and the sealed servants
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
interpretation The trumpets and accompanying visions
Revelation 8:6–11:19FocusWarning, witness, and proclaimed reign
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
interpretation The conflict and contrasting allegiances
Revelation 12:1–14:20FocusThe dragon, beasts, and the Lamb's people
Connection to the wholeThe visions portray opposition and demanded worship alongside the Lamb's followers, proclamations, and harvest scenes.
interpretation The last plagues poured out
Revelation 15:1–16:21FocusGod's righteous judgments
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
interpretation Babylon judged and heaven rejoicing
Revelation 17:1–19:21FocusThe fallen city and the victorious rider
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
interpretation Final rebellion and judgment
Revelation 20:1–15FocusThe thousand years and the throne
Connection to the wholeThe vision includes Satan's restraint and release, the final defeat of rebellion, and judgment before the great white throne.
interpretation FocusGod with His people
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.