27: New Heaven and New Earth (Rev 21:1:-22:21)

The Basics

Setting

God’s has poured out His wrath and Christ has conquered Satan. At the final judgment, the first earth have passed away. Revelation closes with the view of the new heaven and new earth. Believers get a glimpse of their eternal home prepared by God. In the splendid holy city, God dwells with His people, and there is no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The saved will enjoy the heavenly bliss forever. This vision of the beautiful city inspires our hope and urges us to prepare for Christ’s imminent return.

Key Verse

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (21:4).

“"Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (22:7).

Did You Know…?

1.         Cubits (21:17): “an important and constant measure among the Hebrews (Ex. 25:10, 17, 23; etc.; 1 Kings 7:24, 27, 31; etc.; Ezek. 40:5; etc.), and other ancient nations. It was commonly reckoned as the length of the arm from the point of the elbow to the end of the middle finger, about eighteen inches.” ^15/841

2.         12,000 furlongs (21:16) “equal 1,500 miles; 144 cubits equal 216 feet; and the shape given in v. 16b could be either a cube or a pyramid.” ^3/144

3.         Dogs (22:15): “A term applied to all types of ceremonially impure persons. In Dt 23:18 it designates a male prostitute.” ^13/1949 “…the dog was a scavenger and did in larger towns what hyenas helped do in the villages and outside the walls; though classified as a carnivore it lived on refuse of all kinds and thus was a potential carrier of many diseases, either mechanically or as a vector… dead bodies were sometimes thrown to the dogs.” ^14/153

Observation

Outline

(21:1-8)

(21:9-14)

(21:15-17)

(21:18-21)

(21:22-27)

(22:1-5)

(22:6-20)

(22:21)

Key Words/Phrases

General Analysis

1.   Record briefly your observations on the following about the New Jerusalem.

1a. Its Appearance.

1b. Its Inhabitants.

1c. The role of God and the Lamb in the city.

1d. Scenes and features in the city.

1e. Who or what are excluded from it.

2.   Compare the descriptions of the new heaven and new earth with those recorded in Isa 60; 65:17-25; Ezek 40-48; 2Pet 3:13.

3.   Record the descriptions or identities of Christ in these two chapters.

Segment Analysis

21:1-8

1.         Why is the holy city also a bride? What does the city symbolize?

2.         What is the origin of the holy city? What does this mean?

3.         Why is having God’s dwelling among men a great blessing? What is the meaning of “they shall be His people” and “God will be their God”? (Jer 24:7; Ezek 37:27-28; 2Cor 6:16)

4.         How do the words of verse 4 touch you?

5.         Observe the frequent mention of the word “new.” What are the the new things? What are the “former things” (4)?

6.         How do the words, “Behold, I make all things new” also characterize a Christian’s conversion?

7.         What does it mean that there is no more sea? (1)

8.         Explain the following sins deserving the second death:

8a.       The cowardly

8b.       The abominable

8c.       Liars

21:9-21

9.         From the descriptions of the holy city, what is your impression of the New Jerusalem?

10.       What possible spiritual truths can be found from these?

10a.     Great and high wall

10b.     Twelve gates, three gates on each side, with the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel

10c.     Gates of pearl

10d.     Twelve foundations with the names of the twelve apostles

10e.     Measuring the gates and wall (12,000 furlongs)

10f.      Adornment with twelve kinds of precious stones

21:22-27

11.       What does it mean that the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of the city?

12a.     What is the source of illumination in the city?

12b.     What does walking in the light of the city mean?

13.       What will the nations of the saved and the kings of the earth bring into the city? What could this mean?

22:1-5

14.       What is the central element or figure in this paragraph?

15a.     What does the river of water of life symbolize?

15b.     Explain the effect of the river of water of life in the life of a believer.

22:6-21

16a.     What sentence stands out most in this section? How many times does it appear?

16b.     Why does the Lord emphasize it so frequently?

16c.     How does this epilogue echo the opening chapters of Revelation?

17a.     How does the invitation of 17 illustrate the nature of salvation? In other words, who are qualified to enter the holy city?

17b.     How does this fact relate to the qualification for entry in 14?

18a.     Record the repeated emphasis on the importance of the words of the prophecy.

18b.     According to this chapter, why must we take the words of the prophecy of Revelation seriously?

19.       How do the words of the prophecy reflect God’s mercy and love?

20.       What is the message of verse 11?

21a.     How do the words “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” reflect the longing of the collective body of believer through all ages?

21b.     Do these words reflect your attitude towards the Lord’s coming?

Final Thoughts

22.       List the seven beatitudes of Revelation (i.e. “Blessed are…”). How do these apply to your life?

23.       How will your study of Revelation affect your daily Christian living?

24.       Compare these last two chapters of the Bible with the first two chapters (Gen 1-2). How does the vision of the new heaven and new earth bring a beautiful ending to the entire Bible?