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New American Standard Bible
Revelation 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
Revelation 21:2
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
Revelation 21:4
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:5
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
Revelation 21:6
Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.
Revelation 21:7
He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
Revelation 21:8
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:9
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
Revelation 21:10
And he 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,
Revelation 21:11
having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.
Revelation 21:12
It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
Revelation 21:13
There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west.
Revelation 21:14
And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Revelation 21:15
The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall.
Revelation 21:16
The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal.
Revelation 21:17
And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements.
Revelation 21:18
The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
Revelation 21:19
The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
Revelation 21:20
the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
Revelation 21:21
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Revelation 21:22
I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Revelation 21:23
And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
Revelation 21:24
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.
Revelation 21:25
In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed;
Revelation 21:26
and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it;
Revelation 21:27
and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Cross References
Revelation 21:1: Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:11; Revelation 21:2: Isaiah 52:1; Revelation 11:2; 21:10; 22:19; Revelation 3:12; 21:10; Hebrew 11:10, 16; Revelation 21:10; Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:7; 21:9; 22:17; Revelation 21:3 : Leviticus 26:11; Ezekiel 37:27; 48:35; Hebrews 8:2; Revelation 7:15; John 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 21:4 : Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelatio 20:14; Revelation 21:4: Isaiah 35:10; 51:11; 65:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 12:27; Revelation 21:5: Revelation 4:9; 20:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 12:27; Revelation 19:9; 22:6; Revelation 21:6: Revelation 10:6; 16:17; Revelation 1:8; 22:13; Isaiah 55:1; John 4:10; Revelation 7:17; 22:17; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 21:7: Revelation 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 89:26; 2 Corinthians 6:16, 18; Revelation 21:3; Revelation 21:8: 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 9:21; 21:27; 22:15; Revelvation 19:20; Revelaiton 2:11; Revelation 21:9: Revelation 17:1: Revelation 15:7; Revelation 15:1; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 19:7; 21:2; Revelation 21:10: Ezekiel 40:2; Revelation 17:3; Revelation 1:10; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:11: Isaiah 60:1; Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 15:8; 21:23; 22:5; Revelation 4:3; 21:18, 19; Revelation 4:6; Revelation 21:12: Ezekiel 48:31-34; Revelation 21:15, 21, 25; 22:14; Revelation 21:14: Hebrews 11:10; Acts 1:26; Revelation 21:15: Ezekiel 40:3; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 21:12, 21, 25; Revelation 21:17: Deuteronomy 3:11; Revelation 13:18; Revelation 21:9; Revelation 21:18: Revelation 21:11; Revelation 21:21; Revelation 4:6; Revelation 21:19: Ex 28:17-20; Is 54:11f; Ezek 28:13; Revelation 21:19: Revelation 21:11; Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:20: Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:21: Revelation 21:12, 15, 25; Revelation 17:4; Revelation 21:18; Revelation 4:6; Revelation 21:22: Matthew 24:2; John 4:21; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 5:6; 7:17; 14:4; Revelation 21:23: Isaiah 24:23; 60:19, 20; Revelation 21:25; 22:5; Revelation 21:11; Revelation 5:6; 7:17; 14:4; Revelation 21:24: Isaiah 60:3, 5; Psalm 72:10; Isaiah 49:23; 60:16; Revelation 21:26; Revelation 21:25: Zechariah 14:7; Rev 21:23; 22; Revelation 21:12, 15; Isaiah 60:11; Revelation 21:26: Psalm 72:10f; Isaiah 49:23; 60:16; Revelation 21:27: Isaiah 52:1; Ezekiel 44:9; Zechariah 14:21; Revelations 22:14; Revelations 3:5
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A
Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, as Omega is the last. These letters occur in the text and are represented by Alpha and Omega respectively.
They mean the first and last. In the symbols of the early Christian Church these two letters are frequently combined with the cross or with Christ's monogram to denote his divinity.
Amethyst
Precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest and in the foundation of the New Jerusalem. The ancients thought that this stone had the power of dispelling drunkenness in all who wore or touched it, and hence its Greek name formed from privative, to get drunk.
Its Jewish name was derived by the rabbins from the Hebrew word to dream, from its supposed power of causing the wearer to dream. It is a pale blue crystallized quartz, varying to a dark purple blue. It is found in Persia and India, also in different parts of Europe.
Beryl
Precious stone; probably so called as being brought from Tarshish. It was one of the stones on the breastplate of the high priest, chalcedony. The color of the wheels in Ezekiel's vision was as the color of a beryl stone. render the word by chrysolite, which the Jewish historian Josephus regards as its proper translation. This also is the rendering given in the Authorized Version in the margin. That was a gold-colored gem, the topaz of ancient authors.
Bride
Frequently used in the ordinary sense. The relation between Christ and his church is set forth under the figure of that between a bridegroom and bride. The church is called the bride. Compare parable of the Ten Virgins.
Chalcedony
Precious stones in the foundation of the New Jerusalem. The name of this stone is derived from Chalcedon, where it is said to have been first discovered. In modern mineralogy this is the name of an agate like quartz of a bluish color. Pliny so names the Indian ruby. The mineral intended in Revelation is probably translated emerald. It is rendered anthrax and carbunculus.
Chrysoprasus
Golden leek, a precious stone of the color of leek's juice, a greenish golden color.
Crystal
Epithet terrible,. It is a stone of the flint order, the most refined kind of quartz. The Greek word here used means also literally ice. The ancients regarded the crystal as only pure water congealed into extreme hardness by great length of time.
Death
May be simply defined as the termination of life. It is represented under a variety of aspects in Scripture: The dust shall return to the earth as it was. Thou takes away their breath, they die. It is the dissolution of our earthly house of this tabernacle; the putting off this tabernacle. Being unclothed. Falling on sleep. I go whence I shall not return; Make me to know mine end; to depart. The grave is represented as the gates of death. The gloomy silence of the grave is spoken of under the figure of the shadow of death. Death is the effect of sin, and not a debt of nature. It is but once, universal, necessary.
Jesus has by his own death taken away its sting for all his followers. There is a spiritual death in trespasses and sins, the death of the soul under the power of sin. The second death is the everlasting perdition of the wicked, and second in respect to natural or temporal death. THE DEATH OF CHRIST is the procuring cause incidentally of all the blessings men enjoy on earth. But specially it is the procuring cause of the actual salvation of all his people, together with all the means that lead thereto. It does not make their salvation merely possible, but certain.
Emerald
Glowing stone, probably the carbuncle, a precious stone in the breastplate of the high priest. It is mentioned as one of the foundations of the New Jerusalem. The name given to this stone in the New Testament Greek means live coal.
Faithful
Designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy. It is used also of God's word or covenant as true and to be trusted.
Fire
For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire. The ever burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven, and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon's temple. The expressions fire from heaven and fire of the Lord generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called. Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called strange fire. The victims slain for sin offerings were afterwards consumed by fire outside the camp. For domestic purposes, such as baking, cooking, warmth. But on Sabbath no fire for any domestic purpose was to be kindled. Punishment of death by fire was inflicted on such as were guilty of certain forms of unchastity and incest. The burning of captives in war was not unknown among the Jews. The bodies of infamous persons who were executed were also sometimes burned.
In war, fire was used in the destruction of cities, as Jericho, Ai, Hazor, Laish. The war-chariots of the Canaanites were burnt. The Israelites burned the images of the house of Baal. These objects of worship seem to have been of the nature of obelisks, and were sometimes evidently made of wood. Torches were sometimes carried by the soldiers in battle. Figuratively, fire is a symbol of Jehovah's presence and the instrument of his power. God's word is also likened unto fire. It is referred to as an emblem of severe trials or misfortunes, and of eternal punishment. The influence of the Holy Ghost is likened unto fire. His descent was denoted by the appearance of tongues as of fire.
Furlong
Stadium, a Greek measure of distance equal to 606 feet and 9 inches.
Garnish
Overlay with stones, adorn, deck with garlands, furnish, By his spirit the heavens are brightness, are bright, splendid, beautiful.
Gate
Cities, as of Jerusalem, of Sodom, of Gaza. Of royal palaces. Of the temple of Solomon; of the holy place; of the outer courts of the temple, the beautiful gate. Tombs. Prisons. Caverns. Camps. The materials of which gates were made were, Iron and brass. Stones and pearls. Wood probably. At the gates of cities courts of justice were frequently held, and hence judges of the gate are spoken. At the gates prophets also frequently delivered their messages. Criminals were punished without the gates. By the gates of righteousness we are probably to understand those of the temple. The gates of hell, are generally interpreted as meaning the power of Satan, but probably they may mean the power of death, denoting that the Church of Christ shall never die.
Glass
Known to the Egyptians at a very early period of their national history, at least 1500 BC. Various articles both useful and ornamental were made of it, as bottles, vases. A glass bottle with the name of Sargon on it was found among the ruins of the northwest palace of Nimrod, rendered in the Authorized Version crystal, is rightly rendered in the Revised Version glass. This is the only allusion to glass found in the Old Testament. The word rendered looking glass is in the Revised Version properly rendered mirror, of some metal.
Glory
Abundance, wealth, treasure, and hence honor; glory. Honor, dignity; of God; of the mind or heart. Splendor, brightness, majesty; of Jehovah. The glorious moral attributes, the infinite perfections of God. Jesus is the brightness of the Father's glory. The bliss of heaven. The phrase Give glory to God is a Hebrew idiom meaning, Confess your sins. The words of the Jews to the blind man, Give God the praise, are an adjuration to confess. They are equivalent to, Confess that you are an impostor, Give God the glory by speaking the truth; for they denied that a miracle had been wrought.
Jacinth
Properly a flower of a reddish blue or deep purple, and hence a precious stone of that color. It has been supposed to designate the first stone of the third row in the high priest's breastplate. The word is simply descriptive of color.
Jasper
A gem of various colours, one of the twelve inserted in the high priest's breastplate. It is named in the building of the New Jerusalem. It was most precious, clear as crystal. It was emblematic of the glory of God.
Lie
An intentional violation of the truth. Lies are emphatically condemned in Scripture. Mention is made of the lies told by good men, as by Abraham; also by the Hebrew midwives, and by David.
Light
The offspring of the divine command. All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light. Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts, and the glorious inheritance of the redeemed.
God is said to dwell in light inaccessible. It frequently signifies instruction. In its highest sense it is applied to Christ as the Sun of righteousness. God is styled the Father of lights. It is used of angels, and of John the Baptist, who was a burning and a shining light, and of all true disciples, who are styled the light of the world.
Pearl
The pearl oyster is found in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Its shell is the mother of pearl, which is of great value for ornamental purposes. Each shell contains eight or ten pearls of various sizes.
Resurrection of the Dead
Will be simultaneous both of the just and the unjust. The qualities of the resurrection body will be different from those of the body laid in the grave; but its identity will nevertheless be preserved. It will still be the same body that rises again. As to the nature of the resurrection body, it will be spiritual, a body adapted to the use of the soul in its glorified state, and to all the conditions of the heavenly state. Glorious, incorruptible, powerful that is like the glorified body of Christ, and immortal.
Christ's resurrection secures and illustrates that of his people. Because his resurrection seals and consummates his redemptive power; and the redemption of our persons involves the redemption of our bodies because of our federal and vital union with Christ. Because of his Spirit that dwells in us making our bodies his members because Christ by covenant is Lord both of the living and the dead. This same federal and vital union of the Christian with Christ likewise causes the resurrection of the believer to be similar to as well as consequent upon that of Christ.
Sanctuary
Holy Land; the temple; the tabernacle; the holy place, the place of the Presence the temple house, which is the temple area, with its courts and porches; God's holy habitation in heaven. In the final state there is properly no sanctuary, for God and the Lamb are the sanctuary. All is there hallowed by the Divine Presence; all is sanctuary.
Sardonyx
A species of the carnelian combining the sard and the onyx, having three layers of opaque spots or stripes on a transparent red basis. Like the sardine, it is a variety of the chalcedony.
Topaz
A golden yellow or green stone brought from Cush or Ethiopia. It was the second stone in the first row in the breastplate of the high priest, and had the name of Simeon inscribed on it. It is probably the chrysolite of the moderns.
Wall
Cities were surrounded by walls, as distinguished from unwalled villages. They were made thick and strong. Among the Jews walls were built of stone, some of those in the temple being of great size. The term is used metaphorically of security and safety.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
A new heaven, and new earth: the new Jerusalem where God dwells, and banishes all sorrow from his people. The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly. The old world, with all its troubles and tumults, will have passed away. There will be no sea; this aptly represents freedom from conflicting passions, temptations, troubles, changes, and alarms; from whatever can divide or interrupt the communion of saints.
This new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, the church triumphant. Its blessedness came wholly from God, and depends on him. The presence of God with his people in heaven, will not be interrupt as it is on earth, he will dwell with them continually. All effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have often been in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church; but no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain.
Christ makes all things new. If we are willing and desirous that the gracious Redeemer should make all things new in order hearts and nature, he will make all things new in respect of our situation, till he has brought us to enjoy complete happiness. See the certainty of the promise. God gives his titles, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, as a pledge for the full performance.
Sensual and sinful pleasures are muddy and poisoned waters; and the best earthly comforts are like the scanty supplies of a cistern; when idolized, they become broken cisterns, and yield only vexation. But the joys which Christ imparts are like waters springing from a fountain, pure, refreshing, abundant, and eternal. The sanctifying consolations of the Holy Spirit prepare for heavenly happiness; they are streams which flow for us in the wilderness. The fearful durst not meet the difficulties of religion, their slavish fear came from their unbelief; but those who were so dastardly as not to dare to take up the cross of Christ, were yet so desperate as to run into abominable wickedness. The agonies and terrors of the first death will lead to the far greater terrors and agonies of eternal death.
Its heavenly origin, glory, and secure defense. God has various employments for his holy angels. Sometimes they sound the trumpet of Divine Providence, and warn a careless world; sometimes they discover things of a heavenly nature of the heirs of salvation. Those who would have clear views of heaven, must get as near to heaven as they can, on the mount of meditation and faith.
The subject of the vision is the church of God in a perfect, triumphant state, shining in its luster; glorious in relation to Christ; which shows that the happiness of heaven consists in intercourse with God, and in conformity to him. The change of emblems from a bride to a city, shows that we are only to take general ideas from this description. The wall is for security. Heaven is a safe state; those who are there, are separated and secured from all evils and enemies.
This city is vast; here is room for all the people of God. The foundation of the wall; the promise and power of God, and the purchase of Christ, are the strong foundations of the safety and happiness of the church. These foundations are set forth by twelve sorts of precious stones, denoting the variety and excellence of the doctrines of the gospel, or of the graces of the Holy Spirit, or the personal excellences of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heaven has gates; there is a free admission to all that are sanctified; they shall not find themselves shut out. These gates were all of pearls. Christ is the Pearl of great price, and he is our Way to God. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. The saints in heaven tread gold under foot. The saints are there at rest, yet it is not a state of sleep and idleness; they have communion, not only with God, but with one another. All these glories but faintly represent heaven. We have here a more general account of the happiness of the church of God in the future state, by which it seems most safe to understand the heavenly state. Its perfect happiness, as enlightened with the presence of God and the Lamb, and in the free access of multitudes, made holy.
Perfect and direct communion with God, will more than supply the place of gospel institutions. And what words can more full express the union and co-equality of the Son with the Father, in the Godhead? What a dismal world would this be, if it were not for the light of the sun! What is there in heaven that supplies its place? The glory of God lightens that city, and the Lamb is the Light thereof.
God in Christ will be an everlasting Fountain of knowledge and joy to the saints in heaven. There is no night, therefore no need of shutting the gates; all is at peace and secure. The whole shows us that we should be more and more led to think of heaven as filled with the glory of God, and enlightened by the presence of the Lord Jesus. Nothing sinful or unclean, idolatrous, or false and deceitful, can enter. All the inhabitants are made perfect in holiness. Now the saints feel a sad mixture of corruption, which hinders them in the service of God, and interrupts their communion with him; but, at their entrance into the holy of holies, they are washed in the laver of Christ's blood, and presented to the Father without spot. None are admitted into heaven who work abominations.
It is free from hypocrites, such as make lies. As nothing unclean can enter heaven, let us be stirred up by these glimpses of heavenly things, to use all diligence, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God. A new world now opens to our view: I saw a new heaven and a new earth; that is, a new universe; for we suppose the world to be made up of heaven and earth. By the new earth we may understand a new state for the bodies of men, as well as a heaven for their souls. This world is not now newly created, but newly opened, and filled with all those who were the heirs of it. The new heaven and the new earth will not then be distinct; the very earth of the saints, their glorified bodies, will now be spiritual and heavenly, and suited to those pure and bright mansions. To make way for the commencement of this new world, the old world, with all its troubles and commotions, passed away. In this new world the apostle saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, not locally, but as to its original: this new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, beautified with all perfection of wisdom and holiness, meet for the full fruition of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory.
The blessed presence of God with his people is here proclaimed and admired: I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men. Observe, The presence of God with his church is the glory of the church. It is matter of wonder that a holy God should ever dwell with any of the children of men. The presence of God with his people in heaven will not be interrupted as it is on earth, but he will dwell with them continually. The covenant, interest, and relation, that there are now between God and his people, will be filled up and perfected in heaven. They shall be his people; their souls shall be assimilated to him, filled with all the love, honor, and delight in God which their relation to him requires, and this will constitute their perfect holiness; and he will be their God: God himself will be their God; his immediate presence with them, his love fully manifested to them, and his glory put upon them, will be their perfect happiness; then he will fully answer the character of the relation on his part, as they shall do on their part.
This new and blessed state will be free from all trouble and sorrow; for, 1. All the effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have been often before in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church; but now all tears shall be wiped away; no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain, any further than to make their present felicity the greater. God himself, as their tender Father, with his own kind hand, shall wipe away the tears of his children; and they would not have been without those tears when God shall come and wipe them away. All the causes of future sorrow shall be for ever removed: There shall be neither death nor pain; and therefore no sorrow nor crying; these are things incident to that state in which they were before, but now all former things have passed away. The truth and certainty of this blessed state are ratified by the word and promise of God, and ordered to be committed to writing, as matter of perpetual record. The subject matter of this vision is so great, and of such great importance to the church and people of God, that they have need of the fullest assurances of it; and God therefore from heaven repeats and ratifies the truth thereof.
Besides, many ages must pass between the time when this vision was given forth and the accomplishment of it, and many great trials must intervene; and therefore God would have it committed to writing, for perpetual memory, and continual use to his people. Observe, The certainty of the promise averred: These words are faithful and true; and it follows, It is done, is as sure as if it were done already. We may and ought to take God’s promise as present payment; if he has said that he makes all things new, it is done. He gives us his titles of honor as a pledge or surety of the full performance, even those titles of Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. As it was his glory that he gave the rise and beginning to the world and to his church, it will be his glory to finish the work begin, and not to leave it imperfect. As his power and will were the first cause of all things, his pleasure and glory are the last end, and he will not lose his design; for then he would no longer be the Alpha and Omega. Men may begin designs which they can never bring to perfection; but the counsel of God shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure. The desires of his people towards this blessed state furnish another evidence of the truth and certainty of it.
They thirst after a state of sinless perfection and the uninterrupted enjoyment of God, and God has wrought in them these longing desires, which cannot be satisfied with any thing else, and therefore would be the torment of the soul if they were disappointed but it would be inconsistent with the goodness of God, and his love to his people, to create in them holy and heavenly desires, and then deny them their proper satisfaction; and therefore they may be assured that, when they have overcome their present difficulties, he will give them of the fountain of the water of life freely. The greatness of this future felicity is declared and illustrated, By the freeness of it—it is the free gift of God: He gives of the water of life freely; this will not make it less but more grateful to his people. The fulness of it. The people of God then lie at the fountain head of all blessedness: they inherit all things; enjoying God, they enjoy all things. He is all in all. By the tenure and title by which they enjoy this blessedness—by right of inheritance, as the sons of God, a title of all others the most honorable, as resulting from so near and endeared a relation to God himself, and the most sure and indefeasible, that can no more cease than the relation from which it results. By the vastly different state of the wicked. Their misery helps to illustrate the glory and blessedness of the saints, and the distinguishing goodness of God towards them. Here observe, The sins of those who perish, among which are first mentioned their cowardliness and unbelief. The fearful lead the van in this black list.
They durst not encounter the difficulties of religion, and their slavish fear proceeded from their unbelief; but those who were so dastardly as not to dare to take up the cross of Christ, and discharge their duty to him, were yet so desperate as to run into all manner of abominable wickedness—murder, adultery, sorcery, idolatry, and lying. Their punishment: They have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. They could not burn at a stake for Christ, but they must burn in hell for sin. They must die another death after their natural death; the agonies and terrors of the first death will consign them over to the far greater terrors and agonies of eternal death, to die and to be always dying. This misery will be their proper part and portion, what they have justly deserved, what they have in effect chosen, and what they have prepared themselves for by their sins. Thus the misery of the damned will illustrate the blessedness of those that are saved, and the blessedness of the saved will aggravate the misery of those that are damned.
Revelation 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.
Revelation 21:2
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:3
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them,
Revelation 21:4
and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:5
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.”
Revelation 21:6
Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.
Revelation 21:7
He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
Revelation 21:8
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
Revelation 21:9
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
Revelation 21:10
And he 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,
Revelation 21:11
having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper.
Revelation 21:12
It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.
Revelation 21:13
There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west.
Revelation 21:14
And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
Revelation 21:15
The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall.
Revelation 21:16
The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal.
Revelation 21:17
And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements.
Revelation 21:18
The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
Revelation 21:19
The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
Revelation 21:20
the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst.
Revelation 21:21
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
Revelation 21:22
I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Revelation 21:23
And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
Revelation 21:24
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.
Revelation 21:25
In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed;
Revelation 21:26
and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it;
Revelation 21:27
and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Cross References
Revelation 21:1: Isaiah 65:17; 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; 2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:11; Revelation 21:2: Isaiah 52:1; Revelation 11:2; 21:10; 22:19; Revelation 3:12; 21:10; Hebrew 11:10, 16; Revelation 21:10; Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:7; 21:9; 22:17; Revelation 21:3 : Leviticus 26:11; Ezekiel 37:27; 48:35; Hebrews 8:2; Revelation 7:15; John 14:23; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Revelation 21:4 : Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelatio 20:14; Revelation 21:4: Isaiah 35:10; 51:11; 65:19; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 12:27; Revelation 21:5: Revelation 4:9; 20:11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Hebrews 12:27; Revelation 19:9; 22:6; Revelation 21:6: Revelation 10:6; 16:17; Revelation 1:8; 22:13; Isaiah 55:1; John 4:10; Revelation 7:17; 22:17; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 21:7: Revelation 2:7; 2 Samuel 7:14; Psalm 89:26; 2 Corinthians 6:16, 18; Revelation 21:3; Revelation 21:8: 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 9:21; 21:27; 22:15; Revelvation 19:20; Revelaiton 2:11; Revelation 21:9: Revelation 17:1: Revelation 15:7; Revelation 15:1; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 19:7; 21:2; Revelation 21:10: Ezekiel 40:2; Revelation 17:3; Revelation 1:10; Revelation 21:2; Revelation 21:11: Isaiah 60:1; Ezekiel 43:2; Revelation 15:8; 21:23; 22:5; Revelation 4:3; 21:18, 19; Revelation 4:6; Revelation 21:12: Ezekiel 48:31-34; Revelation 21:15, 21, 25; 22:14; Revelation 21:14: Hebrews 11:10; Acts 1:26; Revelation 21:15: Ezekiel 40:3; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 21:12, 21, 25; Revelation 21:17: Deuteronomy 3:11; Revelation 13:18; Revelation 21:9; Revelation 21:18: Revelation 21:11; Revelation 21:21; Revelation 4:6; Revelation 21:19: Ex 28:17-20; Is 54:11f; Ezek 28:13; Revelation 21:19: Revelation 21:11; Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:20: Revelation 4:3; Revelation 21:21: Revelation 21:12, 15, 25; Revelation 17:4; Revelation 21:18; Revelation 4:6; Revelation 21:22: Matthew 24:2; John 4:21; Revelation 1:8; Revelation 5:6; 7:17; 14:4; Revelation 21:23: Isaiah 24:23; 60:19, 20; Revelation 21:25; 22:5; Revelation 21:11; Revelation 5:6; 7:17; 14:4; Revelation 21:24: Isaiah 60:3, 5; Psalm 72:10; Isaiah 49:23; 60:16; Revelation 21:26; Revelation 21:25: Zechariah 14:7; Rev 21:23; 22; Revelation 21:12, 15; Isaiah 60:11; Revelation 21:26: Psalm 72:10f; Isaiah 49:23; 60:16; Revelation 21:27: Isaiah 52:1; Ezekiel 44:9; Zechariah 14:21; Revelations 22:14; Revelations 3:5
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A
Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, as Omega is the last. These letters occur in the text and are represented by Alpha and Omega respectively.
They mean the first and last. In the symbols of the early Christian Church these two letters are frequently combined with the cross or with Christ's monogram to denote his divinity.
Amethyst
Precious stones in the breastplate of the high priest and in the foundation of the New Jerusalem. The ancients thought that this stone had the power of dispelling drunkenness in all who wore or touched it, and hence its Greek name formed from privative, to get drunk.
Its Jewish name was derived by the rabbins from the Hebrew word to dream, from its supposed power of causing the wearer to dream. It is a pale blue crystallized quartz, varying to a dark purple blue. It is found in Persia and India, also in different parts of Europe.
Beryl
Precious stone; probably so called as being brought from Tarshish. It was one of the stones on the breastplate of the high priest, chalcedony. The color of the wheels in Ezekiel's vision was as the color of a beryl stone. render the word by chrysolite, which the Jewish historian Josephus regards as its proper translation. This also is the rendering given in the Authorized Version in the margin. That was a gold-colored gem, the topaz of ancient authors.
Bride
Frequently used in the ordinary sense. The relation between Christ and his church is set forth under the figure of that between a bridegroom and bride. The church is called the bride. Compare parable of the Ten Virgins.
Chalcedony
Precious stones in the foundation of the New Jerusalem. The name of this stone is derived from Chalcedon, where it is said to have been first discovered. In modern mineralogy this is the name of an agate like quartz of a bluish color. Pliny so names the Indian ruby. The mineral intended in Revelation is probably translated emerald. It is rendered anthrax and carbunculus.
Chrysoprasus
Golden leek, a precious stone of the color of leek's juice, a greenish golden color.
Crystal
Epithet terrible,. It is a stone of the flint order, the most refined kind of quartz. The Greek word here used means also literally ice. The ancients regarded the crystal as only pure water congealed into extreme hardness by great length of time.
Death
May be simply defined as the termination of life. It is represented under a variety of aspects in Scripture: The dust shall return to the earth as it was. Thou takes away their breath, they die. It is the dissolution of our earthly house of this tabernacle; the putting off this tabernacle. Being unclothed. Falling on sleep. I go whence I shall not return; Make me to know mine end; to depart. The grave is represented as the gates of death. The gloomy silence of the grave is spoken of under the figure of the shadow of death. Death is the effect of sin, and not a debt of nature. It is but once, universal, necessary.
Jesus has by his own death taken away its sting for all his followers. There is a spiritual death in trespasses and sins, the death of the soul under the power of sin. The second death is the everlasting perdition of the wicked, and second in respect to natural or temporal death. THE DEATH OF CHRIST is the procuring cause incidentally of all the blessings men enjoy on earth. But specially it is the procuring cause of the actual salvation of all his people, together with all the means that lead thereto. It does not make their salvation merely possible, but certain.
Emerald
Glowing stone, probably the carbuncle, a precious stone in the breastplate of the high priest. It is mentioned as one of the foundations of the New Jerusalem. The name given to this stone in the New Testament Greek means live coal.
Faithful
Designation of Christians, means full of faith, trustful, and not simply trustworthy. It is used also of God's word or covenant as true and to be trusted.
Fire
For sacred purposes. The sacrifices were consumed by fire. The ever burning fire on the altar was first kindled from heaven, and afterwards rekindled at the dedication of Solomon's temple. The expressions fire from heaven and fire of the Lord generally denote lightning, but sometimes also the fire of the altar was so called. Fire for a sacred purpose obtained otherwise than from the altar was called strange fire. The victims slain for sin offerings were afterwards consumed by fire outside the camp. For domestic purposes, such as baking, cooking, warmth. But on Sabbath no fire for any domestic purpose was to be kindled. Punishment of death by fire was inflicted on such as were guilty of certain forms of unchastity and incest. The burning of captives in war was not unknown among the Jews. The bodies of infamous persons who were executed were also sometimes burned.
In war, fire was used in the destruction of cities, as Jericho, Ai, Hazor, Laish. The war-chariots of the Canaanites were burnt. The Israelites burned the images of the house of Baal. These objects of worship seem to have been of the nature of obelisks, and were sometimes evidently made of wood. Torches were sometimes carried by the soldiers in battle. Figuratively, fire is a symbol of Jehovah's presence and the instrument of his power. God's word is also likened unto fire. It is referred to as an emblem of severe trials or misfortunes, and of eternal punishment. The influence of the Holy Ghost is likened unto fire. His descent was denoted by the appearance of tongues as of fire.
Furlong
Stadium, a Greek measure of distance equal to 606 feet and 9 inches.
Garnish
Overlay with stones, adorn, deck with garlands, furnish, By his spirit the heavens are brightness, are bright, splendid, beautiful.
Gate
Cities, as of Jerusalem, of Sodom, of Gaza. Of royal palaces. Of the temple of Solomon; of the holy place; of the outer courts of the temple, the beautiful gate. Tombs. Prisons. Caverns. Camps. The materials of which gates were made were, Iron and brass. Stones and pearls. Wood probably. At the gates of cities courts of justice were frequently held, and hence judges of the gate are spoken. At the gates prophets also frequently delivered their messages. Criminals were punished without the gates. By the gates of righteousness we are probably to understand those of the temple. The gates of hell, are generally interpreted as meaning the power of Satan, but probably they may mean the power of death, denoting that the Church of Christ shall never die.
Glass
Known to the Egyptians at a very early period of their national history, at least 1500 BC. Various articles both useful and ornamental were made of it, as bottles, vases. A glass bottle with the name of Sargon on it was found among the ruins of the northwest palace of Nimrod, rendered in the Authorized Version crystal, is rightly rendered in the Revised Version glass. This is the only allusion to glass found in the Old Testament. The word rendered looking glass is in the Revised Version properly rendered mirror, of some metal.
Glory
Abundance, wealth, treasure, and hence honor; glory. Honor, dignity; of God; of the mind or heart. Splendor, brightness, majesty; of Jehovah. The glorious moral attributes, the infinite perfections of God. Jesus is the brightness of the Father's glory. The bliss of heaven. The phrase Give glory to God is a Hebrew idiom meaning, Confess your sins. The words of the Jews to the blind man, Give God the praise, are an adjuration to confess. They are equivalent to, Confess that you are an impostor, Give God the glory by speaking the truth; for they denied that a miracle had been wrought.
Jacinth
Properly a flower of a reddish blue or deep purple, and hence a precious stone of that color. It has been supposed to designate the first stone of the third row in the high priest's breastplate. The word is simply descriptive of color.
Jasper
A gem of various colours, one of the twelve inserted in the high priest's breastplate. It is named in the building of the New Jerusalem. It was most precious, clear as crystal. It was emblematic of the glory of God.
Lie
An intentional violation of the truth. Lies are emphatically condemned in Scripture. Mention is made of the lies told by good men, as by Abraham; also by the Hebrew midwives, and by David.
Light
The offspring of the divine command. All the more joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations of the frame, all the happy hours of domestic intercourse were habitually described among the Hebrews under imagery derived from light. Light came also naturally to typify true religion and the felicity it imparts, and the glorious inheritance of the redeemed.
God is said to dwell in light inaccessible. It frequently signifies instruction. In its highest sense it is applied to Christ as the Sun of righteousness. God is styled the Father of lights. It is used of angels, and of John the Baptist, who was a burning and a shining light, and of all true disciples, who are styled the light of the world.
Pearl
The pearl oyster is found in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea. Its shell is the mother of pearl, which is of great value for ornamental purposes. Each shell contains eight or ten pearls of various sizes.
Resurrection of the Dead
Will be simultaneous both of the just and the unjust. The qualities of the resurrection body will be different from those of the body laid in the grave; but its identity will nevertheless be preserved. It will still be the same body that rises again. As to the nature of the resurrection body, it will be spiritual, a body adapted to the use of the soul in its glorified state, and to all the conditions of the heavenly state. Glorious, incorruptible, powerful that is like the glorified body of Christ, and immortal.
Christ's resurrection secures and illustrates that of his people. Because his resurrection seals and consummates his redemptive power; and the redemption of our persons involves the redemption of our bodies because of our federal and vital union with Christ. Because of his Spirit that dwells in us making our bodies his members because Christ by covenant is Lord both of the living and the dead. This same federal and vital union of the Christian with Christ likewise causes the resurrection of the believer to be similar to as well as consequent upon that of Christ.
Sanctuary
Holy Land; the temple; the tabernacle; the holy place, the place of the Presence the temple house, which is the temple area, with its courts and porches; God's holy habitation in heaven. In the final state there is properly no sanctuary, for God and the Lamb are the sanctuary. All is there hallowed by the Divine Presence; all is sanctuary.
Sardonyx
A species of the carnelian combining the sard and the onyx, having three layers of opaque spots or stripes on a transparent red basis. Like the sardine, it is a variety of the chalcedony.
Topaz
A golden yellow or green stone brought from Cush or Ethiopia. It was the second stone in the first row in the breastplate of the high priest, and had the name of Simeon inscribed on it. It is probably the chrysolite of the moderns.
Wall
Cities were surrounded by walls, as distinguished from unwalled villages. They were made thick and strong. Among the Jews walls were built of stone, some of those in the temple being of great size. The term is used metaphorically of security and safety.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
A new heaven, and new earth: the new Jerusalem where God dwells, and banishes all sorrow from his people. The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly. The old world, with all its troubles and tumults, will have passed away. There will be no sea; this aptly represents freedom from conflicting passions, temptations, troubles, changes, and alarms; from whatever can divide or interrupt the communion of saints.
This new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, the church triumphant. Its blessedness came wholly from God, and depends on him. The presence of God with his people in heaven, will not be interrupt as it is on earth, he will dwell with them continually. All effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have often been in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church; but no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain.
Christ makes all things new. If we are willing and desirous that the gracious Redeemer should make all things new in order hearts and nature, he will make all things new in respect of our situation, till he has brought us to enjoy complete happiness. See the certainty of the promise. God gives his titles, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, as a pledge for the full performance.
Sensual and sinful pleasures are muddy and poisoned waters; and the best earthly comforts are like the scanty supplies of a cistern; when idolized, they become broken cisterns, and yield only vexation. But the joys which Christ imparts are like waters springing from a fountain, pure, refreshing, abundant, and eternal. The sanctifying consolations of the Holy Spirit prepare for heavenly happiness; they are streams which flow for us in the wilderness. The fearful durst not meet the difficulties of religion, their slavish fear came from their unbelief; but those who were so dastardly as not to dare to take up the cross of Christ, were yet so desperate as to run into abominable wickedness. The agonies and terrors of the first death will lead to the far greater terrors and agonies of eternal death.
Its heavenly origin, glory, and secure defense. God has various employments for his holy angels. Sometimes they sound the trumpet of Divine Providence, and warn a careless world; sometimes they discover things of a heavenly nature of the heirs of salvation. Those who would have clear views of heaven, must get as near to heaven as they can, on the mount of meditation and faith.
The subject of the vision is the church of God in a perfect, triumphant state, shining in its luster; glorious in relation to Christ; which shows that the happiness of heaven consists in intercourse with God, and in conformity to him. The change of emblems from a bride to a city, shows that we are only to take general ideas from this description. The wall is for security. Heaven is a safe state; those who are there, are separated and secured from all evils and enemies.
This city is vast; here is room for all the people of God. The foundation of the wall; the promise and power of God, and the purchase of Christ, are the strong foundations of the safety and happiness of the church. These foundations are set forth by twelve sorts of precious stones, denoting the variety and excellence of the doctrines of the gospel, or of the graces of the Holy Spirit, or the personal excellences of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heaven has gates; there is a free admission to all that are sanctified; they shall not find themselves shut out. These gates were all of pearls. Christ is the Pearl of great price, and he is our Way to God. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. The saints in heaven tread gold under foot. The saints are there at rest, yet it is not a state of sleep and idleness; they have communion, not only with God, but with one another. All these glories but faintly represent heaven. We have here a more general account of the happiness of the church of God in the future state, by which it seems most safe to understand the heavenly state. Its perfect happiness, as enlightened with the presence of God and the Lamb, and in the free access of multitudes, made holy.
Perfect and direct communion with God, will more than supply the place of gospel institutions. And what words can more full express the union and co-equality of the Son with the Father, in the Godhead? What a dismal world would this be, if it were not for the light of the sun! What is there in heaven that supplies its place? The glory of God lightens that city, and the Lamb is the Light thereof.
God in Christ will be an everlasting Fountain of knowledge and joy to the saints in heaven. There is no night, therefore no need of shutting the gates; all is at peace and secure. The whole shows us that we should be more and more led to think of heaven as filled with the glory of God, and enlightened by the presence of the Lord Jesus. Nothing sinful or unclean, idolatrous, or false and deceitful, can enter. All the inhabitants are made perfect in holiness. Now the saints feel a sad mixture of corruption, which hinders them in the service of God, and interrupts their communion with him; but, at their entrance into the holy of holies, they are washed in the laver of Christ's blood, and presented to the Father without spot. None are admitted into heaven who work abominations.
It is free from hypocrites, such as make lies. As nothing unclean can enter heaven, let us be stirred up by these glimpses of heavenly things, to use all diligence, and to perfect holiness in the fear of God. A new world now opens to our view: I saw a new heaven and a new earth; that is, a new universe; for we suppose the world to be made up of heaven and earth. By the new earth we may understand a new state for the bodies of men, as well as a heaven for their souls. This world is not now newly created, but newly opened, and filled with all those who were the heirs of it. The new heaven and the new earth will not then be distinct; the very earth of the saints, their glorified bodies, will now be spiritual and heavenly, and suited to those pure and bright mansions. To make way for the commencement of this new world, the old world, with all its troubles and commotions, passed away. In this new world the apostle saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven, not locally, but as to its original: this new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, beautified with all perfection of wisdom and holiness, meet for the full fruition of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory.
The blessed presence of God with his people is here proclaimed and admired: I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men. Observe, The presence of God with his church is the glory of the church. It is matter of wonder that a holy God should ever dwell with any of the children of men. The presence of God with his people in heaven will not be interrupted as it is on earth, but he will dwell with them continually. The covenant, interest, and relation, that there are now between God and his people, will be filled up and perfected in heaven. They shall be his people; their souls shall be assimilated to him, filled with all the love, honor, and delight in God which their relation to him requires, and this will constitute their perfect holiness; and he will be their God: God himself will be their God; his immediate presence with them, his love fully manifested to them, and his glory put upon them, will be their perfect happiness; then he will fully answer the character of the relation on his part, as they shall do on their part.
This new and blessed state will be free from all trouble and sorrow; for, 1. All the effects of former trouble shall be done away. They have been often before in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction, of the calamities of the church; but now all tears shall be wiped away; no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain, any further than to make their present felicity the greater. God himself, as their tender Father, with his own kind hand, shall wipe away the tears of his children; and they would not have been without those tears when God shall come and wipe them away. All the causes of future sorrow shall be for ever removed: There shall be neither death nor pain; and therefore no sorrow nor crying; these are things incident to that state in which they were before, but now all former things have passed away. The truth and certainty of this blessed state are ratified by the word and promise of God, and ordered to be committed to writing, as matter of perpetual record. The subject matter of this vision is so great, and of such great importance to the church and people of God, that they have need of the fullest assurances of it; and God therefore from heaven repeats and ratifies the truth thereof.
Besides, many ages must pass between the time when this vision was given forth and the accomplishment of it, and many great trials must intervene; and therefore God would have it committed to writing, for perpetual memory, and continual use to his people. Observe, The certainty of the promise averred: These words are faithful and true; and it follows, It is done, is as sure as if it were done already. We may and ought to take God’s promise as present payment; if he has said that he makes all things new, it is done. He gives us his titles of honor as a pledge or surety of the full performance, even those titles of Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. As it was his glory that he gave the rise and beginning to the world and to his church, it will be his glory to finish the work begin, and not to leave it imperfect. As his power and will were the first cause of all things, his pleasure and glory are the last end, and he will not lose his design; for then he would no longer be the Alpha and Omega. Men may begin designs which they can never bring to perfection; but the counsel of God shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure. The desires of his people towards this blessed state furnish another evidence of the truth and certainty of it.
They thirst after a state of sinless perfection and the uninterrupted enjoyment of God, and God has wrought in them these longing desires, which cannot be satisfied with any thing else, and therefore would be the torment of the soul if they were disappointed but it would be inconsistent with the goodness of God, and his love to his people, to create in them holy and heavenly desires, and then deny them their proper satisfaction; and therefore they may be assured that, when they have overcome their present difficulties, he will give them of the fountain of the water of life freely. The greatness of this future felicity is declared and illustrated, By the freeness of it—it is the free gift of God: He gives of the water of life freely; this will not make it less but more grateful to his people. The fulness of it. The people of God then lie at the fountain head of all blessedness: they inherit all things; enjoying God, they enjoy all things. He is all in all. By the tenure and title by which they enjoy this blessedness—by right of inheritance, as the sons of God, a title of all others the most honorable, as resulting from so near and endeared a relation to God himself, and the most sure and indefeasible, that can no more cease than the relation from which it results. By the vastly different state of the wicked. Their misery helps to illustrate the glory and blessedness of the saints, and the distinguishing goodness of God towards them. Here observe, The sins of those who perish, among which are first mentioned their cowardliness and unbelief. The fearful lead the van in this black list.
They durst not encounter the difficulties of religion, and their slavish fear proceeded from their unbelief; but those who were so dastardly as not to dare to take up the cross of Christ, and discharge their duty to him, were yet so desperate as to run into all manner of abominable wickedness—murder, adultery, sorcery, idolatry, and lying. Their punishment: They have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. They could not burn at a stake for Christ, but they must burn in hell for sin. They must die another death after their natural death; the agonies and terrors of the first death will consign them over to the far greater terrors and agonies of eternal death, to die and to be always dying. This misery will be their proper part and portion, what they have justly deserved, what they have in effect chosen, and what they have prepared themselves for by their sins. Thus the misery of the damned will illustrate the blessedness of those that are saved, and the blessedness of the saved will aggravate the misery of those that are damned.
Genesis to Revelation Verse by Verse
Brands For Jesus Christ
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