INTRODUCTION

Revelation 21:1-27
God’s Word teaches that the New Heaven and the New Earth “wherein dwelleth righteousness,” will be made by God and the redeemed shall dwell with God forever. This present earth, polluted by sin, will pass away after the “Great White Throne Judgment” (Psalm 102:25-26; Isaiah 51:6; 65:17; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; II Peter 3:10-13; Revelation 21:1). No unclean thing will be there. We shall know one another fully, our knowledge perfected. There will be no curse upon anything. There will be no more night; the glory of the Lord will be the light thereof (Isaiah 66:22; II Peter 3:12-13; I Corinthians 13:12; I John 3:2-3; Revelation 21:1-7; 22:1-5).

The present age is referred to in Scripture as the last days (Hebrews 1:1-2). This age ushers us into a critical series of events called eschatology. Also called the church age, it is marked by evil, Satan’s dominion, darkness, ungodliness, lust, murder, lying, and sin (Ephesians 6:12; Galatians 1:4). The church is not exempt, experiencing denial of God, Christ, faith, sound doctrine, and Christian living (I Timothy 4:1-4; II Timothy 4:3-4; 3:1-8). The land is under a curse (Genesis 3:17); Satan and his angels roam the earth. Believers groan under harsh conditions, longing for a new heaven and earth where righteousness and holiness dwell. God’s ultimate plan will judge sinners: “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

SUB TOPICS:

1. A PICTURE OF THE HOLY CITY

   Revelation 21:1-5,9-23

   With the final judgment of sinners, God’s plan is to replace this polluted earth and atmospheric heavens with a new earth and heaven matching His glory, holiness, and righteousness (Revelation 21:1-8). “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17). Beautiful edifices and empires today will melt away in fervent heat, “the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store; reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (II Peter 3:7,10-14). Believers should lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20).

   This new creation is entirely free from sin; death, sorrow, pain, tears, and separation from God are absent (II Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:4). God will create the new heavens and a new Jerusalem as its capital, called the “Bride” for its virgin beauty, unstained with sin. Christ and all saints will reside there forever (John 14:3; Revelation 21:3; Colossians 3:4). All things will be made new.

   The Holy City, New Jerusalem, is a material city with immense beauty: 15,000 miles in length, breadth, and height; streets of pure gold as clear as glass; walls of jasper; twelve foundations adorned with precious stones; twelve gates of twelve pearls; entire walls of gold. It has no temple, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple. The redeemed bring their glory and honor into the city. The river of the water of life flows from the throne, with the tree of life bearing twelve fruits monthly for healing the nations. “And there shall be no night there, and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:1-5).

2. SCREENING IN THE HOLY CITY

   Revelation 2:6-8,27

   The life of the redeemed will be glorious: fellowship (I Corinthians 13:12), rest (Revelation 14:13), full knowledge (I Corinthians 13:12), holiness (Revelation 21:27), joy (Revelation 21:4), service (Revelation 22:3), abundance (Revelation 21:6), glory (II Corinthians 4:17), and worship (Revelation 19:1,7,9-12).

   “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars shall have part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Sinners will face eternal torment. Believers must remain faithful; sinners must repent; backsliders must return. Negligence of this great salvation is disastrous.

3. ENTRANCE INTO THE HOLY CITY

   Revelation 21:24-27

   To inherit this new creation, sinners must repent and believers must overcome: “He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son” (Revelation 21:7). Believers must overcome the world (I John 5:4; 2:15-17) and Satan (Revelation 12:11). False prophets, sin, and evil must not dominate our lives. We must flee all appearances of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 12:17-21). Overcomers are victorious over all the works of the devil (Acts 19:16). Sinners must thirst for righteousness: “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of water of life freely.” Backsliders must return today.

   “Let him that hath ear, hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from God: and I will write upon him my new name” (Revelation 3:11-12).