Revelation Chapter 21 & 22

I combined these two chapters into one as 22 continues where 21 left off in the descriptions of the New Jerusalem and we being in the kingdom of God called the New Jerusalem. I am not listing the verses in this chapter as you can read through them as I give explanation between the literal and symbolic of the descriptions given.

Revelation Chapter 21-22 is very symbolic in the character and quality of the holy city “New Jerusalem” as no one could could even fathom what it will look like. The description is that of the nature of this glorious kingdom of God where His true church, being the Bride of Christ, will dwell with Her Bridegroom for eternity basking in the glory of the Lord.

What is described in the literal description is that of the spiritual as with God all things are spiritual in nature. The literal description shows us the splendor of the magnificants of what has been prepared for those who are Christ own.

What God was promising in that of the literal land of Canaan given to the Israelites was symbolic of the promise of a new heaven and new earth as this present will pass away and be made Spiritually new again in the characteristics of God’s nature, not for Israel, but for the church being the Bride of Christ as we are then united to Him for all eternity. All things of God and the prophecies will be fulfilled in the new kingdom, “New Jerusalem”. The height and the length is given in the literal, but yet symbollically could never be measured. It’s all beyond our comprehension.

A thousand year kingdom in the millenium where Christ will reign here on this present earth is not an everlasting kingdom, but for a specific time, which is God’s timing. It could not possibly be a literal 1000 years that we will have to wait for Satan and his army to be cast into the Lake of fire. What would even be the purpose of another literal thousand years when Christ returns.

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

God’s promise was not the literal land of Canaan, but that of a new Spiritual heaven and earth as all things will be made new again. This is what we hope for, Romans 8:19-23. In my minds eye I see it all as being like the garden of Eden where we will dwell in peace and harmony with each other as God and His Son Christ Jesus are the temple of the New Jerusalem and the light as there will be no more darkness, tears, sorrow or pain.

The “holy city”, New Jerusalem, does not make up nations or continents on the new earth, but is the community of God’s people who are caught up to Christ when He returns. It’s not a new earth with a city in the midst of it, but that of the new earth being the holy city called New Jerusalem.

The height, the breathed and the length of the holy city written in the scripture being a literal 1,377 miles is symbolic in its measuring as all from the begining of time until Christ returns that are God’s children could never fit within this literal perimeter. The literal description of this city can not describe the physical features, but only the quality and character of it.

The true church being the Bride of Christ is New Israel/New Jerusalem neither Jew nor Greek making up the holy city of God that is ushered down from heaven after this present world and heaven will be made new again. Our Spiritual rebirth is from up above and as we are caught up to Christ as we are gathered in the clouds to meet Him in the air when He returns, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, we will ever be with Him until will are ushered down to live in the new earth/New Jerusalem. Notice in Rev 21:2 Jorn describes the holy city new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

There is no plan of God for the nation of Israel that is separate from the Church as we read in scripture there is no Jew nor Greek there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise, Galatians 3:24-29, Revelation 21:3, 4.

The physical literal description of the holy city like the wall’s foundation being precious stones and the streets being pure gold is symbolic of the purity of the true Church of God that reflects the glory of the Lord who brought us through the refiners fire and made pure in order to enter that which has been made holy unto us.

Revelation 22:6-21 concludes with an epilogue which reassures the readers that Christ is coming quickly and invites all who wish to take the water of life freely to come to the alpha and Omega, the bright and Morning star.

John concludes with a warning from God, For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18, 19.

There are four major visions through out Revelations.

1. Christ the glorified Lord – 1:10-3:22

2. Christ the Lamb as judge of the earth – 4:1-16-21

3. Christ the King as victor over His enemies – 17:1-21:8

4. Christ as the Bridegroom claiming His Bride 21:9-22:5

Now is the time of Salvation as I pray after reading this book that you would make that decision to repent and be baptized in the Holy Spirit making Christ Jesus your personal Lord and Savior before the door of salvation is closed forever when He returns for His Bride.

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Romans 8:19-23 (LEB)

For the eagerly expecting creation awaits eagerly the revelation of the sons of God.19For the eagerly expecting creation awaits eagerly the revelation of the sons of God.20For the creation has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it, in hope20For the creation has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it, in hope21that the creation itself also will be set free from its servility to decay, into the glorious freedom of the children of God.21that the creation itself also will be set free from its servility to decay, into the glorious freedom of the children of God.22For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers agony together until now.22For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers agony together until now.23Not only this, but we ourselves also, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves while weHere “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“await eagerly”) which is understood as temporal await eagerly our adoption, the redemption of our body.23Not only this, but we ourselves also, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves while weHere “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“await eagerly”) which is understood as temporal await eagerly our adoption, the redemption of our body.

Galatians 3:24-29 (LEB)

So then, the law became our guardian until Christ, in order that we could be justified by faith.24So then, the law became our guardian until Christ, in order that we could be justified by faith.25But afterHere “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“has come”) which is understood as temporal faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.25But afterHere “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“has come”) which is understood as temporal faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,Or “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith”26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,Or “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith”27for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.27for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if you are Christ’s, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.29And if you are Christ’s, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (LEB)

Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.17Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.

2 Peter 3:10 (LEB)

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a rushing noise, and the celestial bodies will be destroyed byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being burned up”) which is understood as means being burned up, and the earth and the deeds done on it will be disclosed.10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a rushing noise, and the celestial bodies will be destroyed byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being burned up”) which is understood as means being burned up, and the earth and the deeds done on it will be disclosed.

2 Peter 3:11 (LEB)

BecauseHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are being destroyed”) which is understood as causal all these things are being destroyed in this way, what sort of people must you be in holy behavior and godliness,11BecauseHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are being destroyed”) which is understood as causal all these things are being destroyed in this way, what sort of people must you be in holy behavior and godliness,

2 Peter 3:12 (LEB)

whileHere “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“waiting for”) which is understood as temporal waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being burned up”) which is understood as means being burned up and the celestial bodies will melt as theyHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are consumed by heat”) which is understood as temporal are consumed by heat!12whileHere “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“waiting for”) which is understood as temporal waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being burned up”) which is understood as means being burned up and the celestial bodies will melt as theyHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are consumed by heat”) which is understood as temporal are consumed by heat!

2 Peter 3:13 (LEB)

But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides.13But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides.

Revelation 22:6-21 (LEB)

The Time of Fulfillment is NearAnd he said to me, “These words are faithful and true, and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his slaves the things which must take place in a short time.”6The Time of Fulfillment is NearAnd he said to me, “These words are faithful and true, and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his slaves the things which must take place in a short time.”7“And behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”7“And behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”8And I, John, am the one who heard and who saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed these things to me.8And I, John, am the one who heard and who saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed these things to me.9And he said to me, “Do not do that!“do not see to it” I am your fellow slave, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”9And he said to me, “Do not do that!“do not see to it” I am your fellow slave, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”10And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near!10And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near!11The one who does evil, let him do evil still, and the defiled, let him be defiled still, and the righteous, let him practice righteousness still, and the holy, let him be holy still.”11The one who does evil, let him do evil still, and the defiled, let him be defiled still, and the righteous, let him practice righteousness still, and the holy, let him be holy still.”12“Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what his deeds are!12“Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what his deeds are!13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”14Blessed are the ones who wash their robes, so that their authority will be over the tree of life and they may enter into the city through the gates.14Blessed are the ones who wash their robes, so that their authority will be over the tree of life and they may enter into the city through the gates.15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral people and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who loves and who practices falsehood.15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral people and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who loves and who practices falsehood.16“I, Jesus, sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”16“I, Jesus, sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”17An Invitation to RespondAnd the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one who hears, let him say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty, let him come. The one who wants, let him take the water of life freely.Or “without cost”17An Invitation to RespondAnd the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one who hears, let him say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty, let him come. The one who wants, let him take the water of life freely.Or “without cost”18A Final WarningI testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.18A Final WarningI testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.19And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and from the holy city that are written in this book.19And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and from the holy city that are written in this book.20The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!20The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.Many manuscripts add “Amen”; some manuscripts add “the saints. Amen”21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.Many manuscripts add “Amen”; some manuscripts add “the saints. Amen”

Revelation 22:18 (LEB)

A Final WarningI testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.18A Final WarningI testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.

Revelation 21:3 (LEB)

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with humanity, and he will take up residence with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them.Some manuscripts have “with them as their God”3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with humanity, and he will take up residence with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them.Some manuscripts have “with them as their God”