Revelation 21

Revelation 21

Revelation 21 is the culmination of the narrative of the Bible. It brings together the main themes of Scripture that started all the way back in Genesis. It recalls Old Testament imagery and fulfills Old Testament hope. Let’s explore this beautiful chapter together. 

Revelation 21 draws upon many Hebrew themes but none more important than the theme and story of renewal. In this chapter, John sees a new heaven and a new earth being joined together. This may be hard to grasp for those who have been taught that we go to heaven when we die. The Bible actually says that heaven and earth become one in the end. This was prophesied about in Isaiah 65. John sees a new heaven and earth that has been restored as it was originally in Genesis 1-2. 

What he also sees is a new city he describes as a new Jerusalem. But this city is different from the one he and others would recognize. This is mainly because the center of all Jewish heritage is missing, the temple is not there and John tells us why. God would now be the very presence they live in and through. The tabernacle, the temple is no longer needed because God is not contained in a sacred space now that renewal has come. Everything is made new and clean and pure in the restoration. 

The river of life is also mentioned (more so in chapter 22) as coming out of the city. This links us back to the garden in Eden and to the tree of life from which all humanity was to be able to eat. Now through Jesus and the renewal of creation, faithful followers will be able to eat from the tree once again. All of the jewels and stones mentioned also link us back to the garden imagery. 

The city is described as being a bride ready for her husband. God’s people were originally described as a bride of Yahweh. In the New Testament, the church became the new bride for the lamb, Jesus. The city is now God’s church in Revelation and it is made new and is full of people from all nations and languages. 

Revelation 21 ties together themes running from Genesis to the prophets to Jesus. It combines the themes of restoration, temple, and the church together in one scene. When restoration comes, heaven and earth become one and as God’s people become one with God.