December 31

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Revelation 21-22

By Ron

December 31, 2023

Gen-Rev, Revelation

What I Noticed Today (Revelation 21-22)

Revelation 21

In verses 1-2, I (John) saw a new heaven and a new earth.

  • For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
  • The sea no longer existed.
  • I also saw the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, like a bride adorned for her husband.

In verses 3-8, then I (John) heard a loud voice from the throne.

Note: This is the last of 20 times John used the phrase “a loud voice.”

  • God will dwell with His people, God Himself will be with them, and He will be their God.
  • He will wipe away every tear.
  • Death will no longer exist.
  • Neither will grief, crying, or pain exists any longer.
  • Because these things have passed away.

Then the One seated on the throne said:

  • I am making everything new.
  • He commanded me to write,
    • It is done.
    • I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End.
    • I will give water as a gift to the thirsty from the spring of life.
    • The victor will inherit these things.
    • But cowards, unbelievers, murderers, sexually immoral, isolators, and liars will be in the lake of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

Note: Works are evidence of salvation; they are not the basis of salvation.

In verses 9-27, John describes the New Jerusalem:

  • One of the seven angels who held the bowls offered to show John the bride, the wife of the Lamb.
  • He carried me away in the Spirit to a high mountain and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.
  • It was arrayed with God’s glory.
  • Its radiance was like precious stones, bright as crystal.
  • It had massive high walls and 12 gates.
  • Twelve angels were at the gates.
  • The names of the 12 tribes of Israel were inscribed on the gates: three on each side.
  • The city had 12 foundations, and the names of the twelve apostles were on the foundations.
  • The angel who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and the walls.
  • It is laid out in a square; 12,000 stadia (about 1,400 miles) on each side and 1,400 miles high.
  • The wall was 144 cubits (216 feet) thick.
  • The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold like clear glass.
  • Each foundation was adorned with a precious stone: 1 – jasper, 2 – sapphire, 3 – chalcedony, 4 – emerald, 5 – sardonyx, 6 – carnelian, 7 – chrysolite, 8 – beryl, 9 – topaz, 10-chrysoprase, 11 – jacinth, and 12 – amethyst.
  • The 12 gates are 12 pearls. Each gate made of a single pearl.
  • The broad street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
  • There was no sanctuary in the city because God and the Lamb are its sanctuaries.
  • The city does not need the sun or the moon for light because God’s glory illuminates it, and the Lamb is its lamp.
  • Its gates will never close because it will never be night.
  • They will bring honor and glory of the nations into it.
  • Nothing profane will ever enter it.
  • No one who does what is vile or false will live there — only those whose name is in the Lamb’s book of Life.

Note: Of the six references in Revelation to the “Book of Life” (3:5, 13:8, 17:8, 20:12, 20:15), the reference in verse 27 is the only one in which the owner is identified as the Lamb.

Revelation 22

In verses 1-5, John continues with additional details about the New Jerusalem:

  • Then he (the angel) showed me (John) the river of living water flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the broad street.
  • The tree of life was on both sides of the river, bearing 12 kinds of fruit that it produced every month.
  • The leaves were for healing the nations.

Note: The Greek word (therapeian) translated "healing" carries the meaning of health-giving. Since there is no sickness in New Jerusalem, the tree of life apparently contributes to our physical well-being.

  • There will no longer be any curse.

Note: Adam’s curse is lifted.

  • The throne of God and the Lamb will be in the city, and His slaves [servants] will serve Him.
  • They will see His face, and His name will be on their forehead.
  • The night will no longer exist because the Lord will give them light.
  • And they will reign forever.

In verses 6-13, John is commanded not to seal the scroll:

  • Then he (the angel) said these words are faithful and true.
  • The Lord, the God of the prophets, sent His angel to show his slaves [servants] what is to take place.
  • I (Christ) am coming quickly, the one who keeps the words of this book are blessed.

Note: Verse 7 is the sixth blessing announced in the book of Revelation.

  • I (John) fell down to worship the angel, but the angel rebuked him again, saying he was a fellow slave [servant] with you, your brothers, the prophets, and those who keep the word of God. Worship only God.
  • He (the angel) also said not to seal the prophetic words of the book because the time is near.
  • Let the unrighteous go on in unrighteousness; let the filthy go on being filthy; let the righteous go on being righteous, and let the holy go on being holy.

Note: The point of the exhortation in verse 11 is not to condone sin but that those who do not repent will continue in sin. However, those who are righteous/holy will continue to be righteous/holy.

  • I (Jesus) am coming quickly, and I will reward each person according to their deeds (for Christ).
  • I am the Alpha and the Omega; the First and the Last; the Beginning and the End.

In verses 14-17, the final blessing and invitation:

  • Blessed are those who wash their robes so they have the right to the tree of life and to enter the City.

Note: Verse 14 is the last of the seven blessings in the book of Revelation (1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, and 22;14).

Note: “Those who wash their robes” is a reference to the righteous who obey the Lord’s commandments.

  • Outside [of the City] are the dogs, sorcerers, sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.

Note: A similar description of the unsaved is in Revelation 21:8.

  • I, Jesus, sent My angel to tell you these things for the churches.
  • I am the Root, the Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.

In verses 18-21, Jesus issues a final warning and a benediction:

  • I (Jesus) testify that if anyone adds to the words of this book, God will add to him the plagues of this book.
  • If anyone takes away from the words of this book God will take away his share of the tree of life and the holy city.
  • He who testifies says, I am coming quickly.
  • John responds, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.”
  • The grace of our Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.

Note: Revelation begins with grace (1:4), and ends with grace (22:21). Despite all the deception from Satan, God’s grace abounds.

What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.

All the notes for the book of Revelation have been compiled into a single pdf document. You can download it by clicking here.

Prayer Request? It is our honor to pray for you. You may write to us with your prayer requests at prayer@biblestudydaily.org.

Congratulations!

However, much of the Bible you were able to read this year, I pray that God's Word and this study have been a blessing to you.

Tomorrow: Genesis 1-3

  • Observation & questions:

    I never noticed the details about heaven before and the
    new Jerusalem only now.

    What will happen to other nations?
    Will they be seeing the new city? Will
    they be aware of it?

    Please clarify about God’s rewards for good deeds.

    At this time, the good deeds of men
    are required?

    Details of God’s promises:
    -He will dwell with His people in
    the new city
    -No more sickness, thirst, pains, death, crying, fear

    Repeated phrase: God will dwell with
    them; God Himself will be with them; He will be their God.

    So God will be here on earth?

    Only talking of God & the Lamb..where could be the
    Holy Spirit?

    Will there no more conviction at this time? And if there will be no more conviction, so there will be no more chance for the wicked to change themselves forever?

    Is this the final judgment? And the wicked will be in
    hell?

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