LESSON SEVENTEEN. CHAPTERS 21-22
The Holy City. Close
Chapters 21-22 now focus upon the holy community in which God dwells for eternity, followed by the closing remarks of the angel and John. Although the opening remarks of chapter 21 set forth a summary description of God's relationship and provision for the holy community in plain language (21:1-8), the balance of the actual description of the holy community is presented through the language of metaphor. Clearly our attention is directed by an angel to holy people (21:9), but the nature of this community is developed through the detailed presentation of a structure. The nature of the community, the means of inclusion, their relationship to each other and their relationship to God are all revealed through walls, foundation stones, gates, street, jewels, gold and measurements. Thus a statement that "the street of the city is pure gold" (21:21) is not a revelation about paving material in the eternal city, but is a statement instead about the holy and pure nature of communal activities in the holy city. The revelation that "its lamp is the Lamb" (21:23) is not a discussion about furniture, but reveals instead that the ability to see things in right relationship and perspective comes from the resident and indwelling Lamb spirit.
The revelation of the holy city is not without a reminder that this is an exclusive community, exclusive of the unholy. Three times during the revelation of the holy city we are reminded of those who will not be included in the holy city (21:8, 21:27, 22:15). We are reminded that their part is "in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone," they "shall never come into" the holy city, and they are "outside."
21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great voice out of the throne saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God: 4 and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away. 5 And he who sits on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he says, Write: for these words are faithful and true. 6 And he said to me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him who is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit these things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.
9 And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spoke with me, saying, Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb. 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God: her radiance was like a stone most precious, as it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal: 12 having a wall great and high; having 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: 13 on the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who spoke with me had for a measure a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 And the city lies foursquare, and the length thereof is as great as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs: the length and the breadth and the height thereof are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof, a hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 And the building of the wall thereof was jasper: and the city was pure gold, like pure glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the several gates was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof. 23 And the city has no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God illuminates it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb. 24 And the nations shall walk amidst the light thereof: and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it. 25 And the gates shall not be shut by day (for there shall be no night there): 26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it: 27 and there shall not enter into it anything unclean, or he who makes an abomination and a lie: but only they who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.All Things New.
As chapter 21 begins to unfold we witness the realization of God's statement, "Behold, I am making all things new" (21:5). In rapid succession we are informed that God creates (1) an entirely new environment for life, "new heaven and a new earth," (2) a new community of mankind, "new Jerusalem," (3) a new fellowship and relationship between God and mankind, "the tabernacle of God is among men," and (4) a new relationship of man with himself, "there shall no longer be death...mourning, crying, pain."
We are informed that in the new environment there is no longer a sea. That which had separated continents and nations, the natural boundary dividing mankind, is not present in the new creation.
The holy community in which God dwells comes down out of heaven, informing us that this is the product of God. This community is not a product of the sea or earth (13:1, 11).
God's People and Son, the Lamb's Wife.
Relationship between God and the holy community is clearly emphasized, and characterized in three different ways. First we are informed that "...they shall be His people..." (21:3). The holy people are the subjects of Him "...who sits on the throne..." (21:5). This emphasizes right relationship between the King and His kingdom. Next, the relationship is personalized when God says of His overcoming people, "...I will be his God and he will be My son" (21:7). Here the emphasis falls upon the fact that those of the holy community are sons, the offspring of God, those who bear His likeness. Finally, the holy community is presented as "... the bride, the wife of the Lamb..." (21:9 cf. 21:2). The picture here is of those who are now in intimate relationship with the very Lamb-nature of God. Thus, the holy community is subject to Him (His people), bear His likeness (His sons), and acts like Him (wife of the Lamb).
The Bride, the Holy City.
Here we see a bride, the perfect picture of one with whom God enters into permanent relationship, instead of the harlot with whom spiritual unity and relationship was/is impossible. The picture of the bride is appropriately presented by one of the angels involved in the destruction of the harlot (the unholy "great city").
John is spiritually moved to the location of the bride, "...a great and high mountain..." (21:10), the kingdom of God. This bride, the holy community of God's people, is a product of heaven, "from God." This community produced by God bears the glory of God.
The brilliance.
The jasper is a clear stone that allows light to pass through. The holy community, the community of the Light, now radiates the nature of the One with whom she is in union.
The wall.
The picture of a wall says that this is a definable community. This is the point at which one is included or excluded from the community. The fact that it is "great and high" says that there is no illegitimate entrance into this city. It is too high to crawl over, too thick to break through.
The gates.
Gates speak of access into the community. Those included in the holy city have entered "by the gates into the city" (22:14). Every point of access is tended by an angel; the standards of heaven are applied to those who enter. And each gate bears the name of a tribe of Israel. To Israel God had revealed Himself as holy. The experience of Israel with God taught that fellowship with God is on His terms, without sin, consistent with His nature. Thus the names of the tribes of Israel on the gates reports that only the holy are given access and included in this community.
Each of the walls of the holy city has three gates: three gates in every compass direction. Thus the city provides equal access in every direction; this city is composed of people who have entered from every nation.
The wall which defines this holy community stands on 12 foundation stones bearing "the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb" (21:14). It was through the twelve apostles that the message of redemption and grace was delivered. The holiness required by God to be His people (the message delivered through Israel) depended upon the function and operation of His grace (the message delivered by the apostles). Here our attention is focused on the relationship between holiness realized and grace. The walls and gates defining this holy community and inclusion in it, stand upon the foundation stones of God's work in the Lamb. There is no definable holy community, walls and gates, apart from the operation of God's grace in the Lamb.
The measure.
The angel now measures the holy city in John's presence. The means of measuring is a gold reed. Gold speaks about the nature of the standard being applied. The first thing John notices is symmetry; there is no inequality here. This symmetry is expressed in equal multiples of 12.188 We have previously noticed that the number 12 is used in the Bible to demonstrate the government of God. Thus, the standard of God's rule is equally true in every dimension of this holy community. This standard of God's rule is human and angelic (21:17). Men and angels are now governed according to the same standard.
The material.
John now describes the material of the city. The nature of the community is in view here. Transparent jasper, now with gold, is used to describe the wall of the city. Our attention is called to purity here, a nature which is without the taint of any sin. The foundation stones are adorned with precious stones, portraying here the realized glorious nature of each one who delivered the grace upon which purity stands. The twelve gates are pearls. The pearl is a jewel produced from a living organism, ultimate beauty that begins as an irritation and imperfection. The names of the tribes of Israel on gates that are pearls stand as a monument to the promise that "...those whom He called...He glorified..." (Rom. 8:30).
The street of the city is pure gold, "like transparent glass" (21:21). We learned earlier that "the street" is a picture of the business, the activity of the community. This word describes the place of social interaction. The gold and the glass speak of purity in the activity of the holy community. The activity of this community is not driven by the lust for money and power. The holy community now operates from the resource of Lamb-nature, the heart of God that selflessly created and redeemed. The work of the holy community now reflects the work of the One who created her and now dwells with her.
The Marriage provisions.
John next sees and describes the provisions inherent in the relationship of the holy city with the Lamb (21:22-22:5). The new provisions are explained in relationship to, and by contrast with, the old provisions: temple, sun, river, throne, street, food, medicine, service, knowledge, identity, rule. The needs of man inherent in his very existence and creation, are now addressed in a new way that reflects the reign of the Lamb and absence of sin.
The temple had been the place where man came to worship and have contact with his Creator. It stood as the representative of God's own person, speaking through its ceremonies of the Holy God, who tolerated no sin in His creation, and the forgiving God, who redeemed sinful man through the Lamb. In the new creation the need for the temple has passed away. Mankind, no longer separated from God, now lives in fellowship with "...the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb..." (21:22). The need for an intermediary place of instruction is gone. The Glory, no longer mediated through symbols, blazes in full strength.
The sun and moon had provided light, day and night, for man as he performed his activities. The sun had spoken of God's glory and man's need to function in right relationship to that light. The message of the sun had been that there is no life, movement or functioning relationship between the creatures and creation without the perspective provided by light. Now, that which spoke of the Light necessary for life is replaced by the Light. In the new creation every step of man is guided by the blazing truth of God's person and nature. Right perspective for man's activity is lighted by Lamb-light. As mankind views and moves about the new creation he does so in the light of who God really is. This is qualitative light, light that establishes not only where we are, but how we act.
"The kings of the earth bring their glory into it."
A king's glory is his authority and dominion. The picture here is not that kings will somehow add their own glory to the glory of the holy city, but instead that their authority is exercised in right relationship to the holy city. Further, "they (the kings) bring the glory and honor of the nations into it" (21:26). Again, the picture is that the organized existence of man ("nations") is now consistent with the holy city. The conduct of kings and nations is gloriously consistent and in concert with the holy city.189 This glorious relationship between kings, nations and "holy city" is continuous and uninterrupted; gates never close and sun never sets.
22 And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the midst of the street. And on this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, yielding its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no curse any more: and the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be there: and his servants shall serve him; 4 and they shall see his face; and his name shall be on their foreheads. 5 And there shall be night no more; and they need no light of lamp, neither light of sun; for the Lord God shall give them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.
"6 And he said to me, These words are faithful and true: and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angels to show to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass. 7 And behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. 8 And I John am he who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 And he says to me, See you do it not: I am a fellow-servant with you and with your brethren the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book: worship God. 10 And he says to me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand. 11 He who is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he who is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he who is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he who is holy, let him be made holy still. 12 Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 14 Blessed are they who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loves and makes a lie. 16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright, the morning star. 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And he who hears, let him say, Come. And he who is thirsty, let him come: he who will, let him take the water of life freely. 18 I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book: 19 and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book."20 He who testifies these things says, Yes: I come quickly. Amen: come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with the saints. Amen.
The throne.
John sees "...a river of the water of life, bright as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb" (22:1). The picture of "...a river of the water of life...coming from the throne..." says, 'life flows from the rule of God.' The river is most probably a picture of the active word of God. The death of mankind had begun when Adam and Eve rejected the word of God concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3). Jesus demonstrated to us where life comes from when He said to Satan, "MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD” (Matt. 4:4), This same sense of the words of Jesus equaling living water is present in the conversation of Jesus with the woman at the well (John 4:10-15). The fact that the river is bright as crystal portrays the glory of God's word as it goes forth. The picture of water flowing speaks about continuous sufficient supply for the satisfaction of thirst. In that this is "the water of life," the picture says that mankind's thirst for life is now satisfied in the rule of God and the Lamb.
John further sees that this river of life flows "in the middle of its street." Keeping in mind the meaning of "street," we understand that "a river of life in the middle of the street" speaks of the life of God characterizing the business of mankind. Holiness and mercy, the rule of God's nature in man's heart, now characterizes every social dimension.
The tree of life is seen (1) "on either side of the river," (2) bearing fruit continually and (3) having leaves that heal the nations. The tree of life, first seen in Genesis, was that which was present to sustain life and teach mankind his dependence upon God for life. As long as the tree was available man could "eat and live forever" (Gen. 3:22). Mankind's biological life is sustained by the food provided by God, just as mankind's spiritual life comes from the rule of God. Thus we see a picture of the life-giving word of God (river from the throne) adjacent to the means of sustaining biological life (tree of life). That the fruit is available every month of the year speaks of God's unlimited provision of that which mankind continually needs. That "...the leaves of the tree [are] for the healing of the nations..." is probably a somewhat ironic reference to the proper use of the tree for its created purpose, as opposed to the improper use of leaves with which Adam and Eve apparently attempted to clothe their nakedness (Gen. 3:7)..
In the holy city there is "no longer any curse." Vain labor (Gen. 3:17-19) is now replaced with purposeful service. Now living in the presence of the throne, man's labor is meaningful.
To see His face and bear His name is the promise to know God as He means to be known, and have a personal identity that reflects His person. Here is the realization of the restoration of God's image in man (2 Cor 3:18; Rom. 8:29). The old fallen desire "to be someone," to establish identity, to "find ourselves," had been man's effort to create a substitute for that which could only be realized here. In the original creation mankind had been given power, relationship and voice, all meant to function within the bounds of love as defined by obedience to God. In the eternal kingdom man now realizes what it means to exercise power creatively, experience right relationships in all dimensions (with God, self, others, creation) and reveal the uniqueness with which we were endowed by God.
There will be no night, no need of the sun or a lamp, "...because the Lord God shall illumine them..." (22:5). This is not a simple repetition of the promise already made (21:23). The promise made to the corporate holy city is now focused on individuals. No one is in the dark here.
"They shall reign forever and ever." This is apparently the realization of the promise discussed by the apostle Paul (Rom. 5:17). This reign is not the enforced will of good or powerful people over bad or weak people. Such a meaning imports all the present conditions of fallen mankind. Instead we have here a word that summarizes man's new condition as he realizes all in life for which he was created. He is no longer on the defense, suffering the results of sin. Existing in right relation to his God, he now leads the creation in righteousness.
The Close.
The closing remarks of Revelation are a brief summary on the "words" of the Revelation. We see here the (1) the source of the words, (2) the subject of the words, (3) the benefit of the words, (4) the implication of the words and (5) the danger of the words. In rapid-fire fashion we are reminded that God is the source (22:6,16),192 the coming of Jesus is the subject (22;7, 12, 20), blessing (and cleansing) is the benefit for those who heed (22:7, 14), righteous living now is the implication (22:11),193 and judgment is the danger (12, 15, 18-19).
The theme of the book, "Worship God!" is again reinforced as John attempts to worship the angel who communicated the Revelation to him.
There is a call for consistency of the nature of God's people with their actions. God does not encourage sin (22:11), but simply says, 'Act like who you are.' Let sinners be sinners and righteous by righteous--not the other way around. The quick coming of Jesus is indeed a fact to the churches addressed in the time-frame of the Lord's day (1:10), and will be the occasion of reward for the consistent, righteous life.
&We are reminded that the book of Revelation is for the churches, and immediately warned not to corrupt its message.
"Come, Lord Jesus." John's response to the statement of Jesus that He is coming is "Come on!" The Spirit of the church says, "Come" (v.17). Therefore the "spirit" of the church should be for the coming of Jesus.
Our relationship with the Lord Jesus, or the sinful world, is directly reflected by the presence or absence of these words from our hearts and mouths.
Are you crying out "wait" or "come"?