REVELATION 21: A NEW HEAVEN, A NEW EARTH, AND A NEW JERUSALEM
The universe groaned under the weight of sin since Genesis 3—but in Revelation 21, the curse is lifted, time gives way to eternity, and God begins again. This is the eternal state—the final, glorious destination of the redeemed. Everything stained by sin is gone. Only holiness remains.
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1. A COSMIC RESET
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…” (Revelation 21:1)
The phrase “new heaven and new earth” fulfills ancient prophecies:
•Isaiah 65:17 – “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered.”
•2 Peter 3:10-13 – “The elements will be burned up… but according to His promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
Key Insight: This is not the Millennium. It is beyond it—after the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev 20:11–15). No more sea, no more sun, no more death. This is Eden restored—and glorified.
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2. THE DWELLING OF GOD WITH MAN
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people.” (Revelation 21:3)
This is the climax of all Scripture:
•Ezekiel 37:27 – “My dwelling place shall be with them.”
Now, no veils, no priests, no separation. God Himself is their light, their life, their King.
•Revelation 22:4 – “They will see His face.”
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3. THE ERA OF SORROW ENDS
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes…” (Revelation 21:4)
This is not poetic metaphor. This is literal, divine compassion:
•No death (1 Cor 15:26)
•No mourning or crying (Isaiah 25:8)
•No pain (Romans 8:18–21)
•No memory of trauma (Isaiah 65:17)
The Lamb who suffered now wipes the tears from every eye—forever.
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4. “BEHOLD, I MAKE ALL THINGS NEW”
“It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 21:5–6)
This echoes:
•Creation (Genesis 1:1)
•Calvary (“It is finished” – John 19:30)
•Consummation (“It is done” – Revelation 16:17)
To the thirsty, He gives from the fountain of living water (cf. John 7:37–39). But to the wicked—judgment. (Rev 21:8)
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5. THE WARNING
“But the cowardly, the faithless… their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.” (Revelation 21:8)
•Hebrews 10:26–27 – “A fearful expectation of judgment.”
•Matthew 25:41 – “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire…”
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6. THE BRIDE AND THE CITY
“Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb…” (Revelation 21:9–11)
The New Jerusalem is both a place and a people.
Hebrews 11:10 – “He was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.”
She is:
•Pure like a bride (v.2)
•Radiant like jasper (v.11)
•Named with the tribes of Israel (v.12) and the apostles (v.14)
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7. THE CITY’S PERFECT DIMENSIONS
“The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width…” (Revelation 21:16)
A cube—just like the Holy of Holies (1 Kings 6:20). Now the whole city is sacred space.
•12,000 stadia (~1,400 miles) in length, width, and height
•144 cubits wall thickness—perfection squared
•Foundations of precious stones (Isaiah 54:11–12)
•No temple—for “its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb.” (v.22)
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8. LIGHT FROM THE LAMB
“The city has no need of sun or moon… for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (Revelation 21:23)
Jesus fulfills:
•Isaiah 60:19–20 – “The LORD will be your everlasting light.”
•John 8:12 – “I am the light of the world.”
No night. No darkness. No fear.
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9. THE NATIONS WALK IN THE LIGHT
“By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” (Revelation 21:24)
Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man.”
(Revelation 21:3)