Revelation
21:1-22:5What Will Heaven Be Like?
Revelation
21:1-22:5
American Journal of Biblical Theology
September 24, 2006
There is one fundamental truth of scripture that no Bible believing Christian will contest: at the end of our lives all people will face the final judgment. Our eternal fate will be sealed by one decision made on this earth: will our name be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life? (Rev. 20:15.) When a person accepts Christ as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit then indwells in the spirit of the believer. That secure, mark of the Christian is God’s signature in the Book of Life. When the Christian is judged, he/she will not be condemned (Rev. 20.), and will spend eternity in fellowship with God in heaven.
What is heaven going to be like? Few questions have spurred the imagination more than this one. What makes describing heaven so difficult? All of our senses are created to perceive this physical creation. The realm of heaven is so different from that which we now experience, there are no words in our vocabulary to describe it. There is no reference point to start with. John, given a glimpse of heaven, tries in this chapter to give a description. Again, remember that this description is written in apocalyptic style where the people, places, and things are described by their attributes, and those attributes are described symbolically. We have to read through the symbolism and attributes to uncover the basic truth that John writes.
Why did John write this? After generations of persecution, Christians needed the encouragement that would come from hearing the truth concerning God’s plan for their future. They needed to know that there would be an ultimate and worthy reward for their faithfulness. With this knowledge, they (and us) would receive hope as they continue in their desire to live in obedience to God, and joy as they experience both the blessings and the difficulties of this life.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
John was given a glimpse of heaven. What is the first thing he describes? Everything will be new. The vast difference between what we experience now and what we will experience then is implied here and in several other scriptures.
Isaiah 65:17-19. For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 18But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. 19And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.
1 Peter 3:10-13. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
There is little argument that this earth will be destroyed; even the most disinterested of scientist will tell you that. Our sun, a quite average 440,000 mile-wide hydrogen bomb, is burning with enough energy that, though the earth receives only a billionth of its radiated heat, it is sufficient to keep the surface of the planet warm, drive our weather patterns, and sustain life. As the sun burns, its mass decreases as mass is converted to energy. As its mass decreases, its lower gravitational force will move the earth away from an ever-expanding sun. The expansion of the sun will overtake the ever-widening orbit of the earth, and everything on earth will be burned to a cinder before the sun ultimately burns out and becomes a white dwarf. That’s the scientific approach.
On yet a grander scale, as our universe expands, the rate of that expansion is slowing because of the gravitational pull of all of its billions of galaxies. One theory is that at some particular point (an event horizon) the expansion will stop, and compression will start. This compression will end with another terrific "big-bang" as all matter in this universe comes together in one horrific mass of tremendous density, gravity, and warp of time. This could be one of billions of similar universes that God has created that are separated from one another much like the galaxies are separated.
God created all this for his good pleasure. How big is God?
Note that the word used for passed away
Romans 8:18-23. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Paul describes the passing of this created world into eternal heaven as a renewal, a delivery from the bondage that sin has brought to the universe. To the persecuted church these are words of encouragement.
John also states that "there was no longer any sea." To what does this refer? Throughout the revelation, John has used the metaphor of the sea to describe the vast lost population of the world. It was out of the sea that the beast (world governments and ideologies) came. It was also out of the sea that dead were given up to judgment (Rev. 20:15). John is saying that after the judgment, when the heaven that has been prepared is presented to the Bride of Christ, the Redeemed, the New Jerusalem, the mass of lost peoples for all ages will be gone. Where will they be? They will be separated from God from eternity, a state described as a lake of fire in Rev. 20:15.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
It seems that there has always been a tremendous drive to interpret the vision of the New Jerusalem literally. John describes a city in physical terms, but if one stays with the apocalyptic style of interpretation, we find a much greater truth. That truth is actually stated relatively clearly in this verse. In Rev. 19 we are introduced to the bride of Christ. Who is the bride? It is the redeemed church, the entire population of people who fill the Lamb’s Book of Life. What is a city, but a community of people, and this community is an Holy city, it is a New Jerusalem. And unlike the Jerusalem of earth that was built by man, who built this New Jerusalem? (God.)
Hebrews 11:8-10. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11Through faith also Sarah herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
Again, consider the state of these people who had a history that was replete with invasions and wars that laid Jerusalem in waste in several occasions. Shortly after John wrote this letter, it was destroyed again. However, if God prepared the New Jerusalem, will man ever be able to destroy it? This New Jerusalem will be beyond attack, because it will be the community of the saints who will fellowship with God eternally, in a setting that God has provided for them.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
The word for dwelling used here is the same word that is used for tabernacle. It is also the word that John used when he stated that the Word dwelt among us. (John 1:14.) Now, in this age we find that we are in the dwelling place of Satan, and we are touched on every side by the effects of his rebellion. In the new place that God has prepared for us, there will be none of Satan’s influence. God will live among us in a similar manner that Jesus lived among the disciples, except that unlike the man, Jesus, God will be able to commune with all people at once because of His Omnipresence.
We see from this segment of scripture that heaven will be an entirely new experience that has God as its center, only His purpose for its direction, and will be free of all of the difficulties of this present age.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Here God gives us a glimpse of His eternity, and how heaven will be eternal. How does God describe Himself? He is the beginning and the ending. He does not state, "I was the beginning, and I will be the ending." This is a significant statement that separates from God the limitation of created time. The passing of time that we experience is only relevant for this created age, because time is a created property. (E=MC2.) Likewise, when we enter this new heaven, we will step outside of this frame of time. Also, if this is true, the billions of years that may pass in this creation before the earth is burned up by the sun is irrelevant, and God’s prophesy is entirely true: The heavens and the earth will be destroyed on the day of the Lord.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
The word for "overcome" used here is the same word that John used when he referred to the redeemed members of the seven churches addressed at the beginning of this revelation. Those who overcome are the Bride of Christ. All that God describes of heaven will be received as an inheritance by the faithful. What will happen to all of these who have not been faithful in their testimony of Christ? (They will be separated from God for eternity.) Note that there are no shortage of reminders to us that the lost will suffer a miserable eternal fate. Such a fate justifies getting God’s message out to the lost at all costs.
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
OK folks, here is where it gets really interesting! John is taken to a place from which he can observe the bride of Christ. Who is the bride? (The redeemed people of all ages.) It is this community of people that John is seeing. Again, this interpretation flies in the face of must published descriptions of the New Jerusalem. However, if we describe the city based upon John’s description rather than that of man’s conjecture, we see clearly that the holy city is the bride of Christ. What will the bride of Christ look like in this new setting?
Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
So, rather than a physical city of buildings shining like diamonds, we see the redeemed for all ages, assembled in God’s presence, shining with His indescribable glory.
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 14And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
The first thing we see is that it glows with the Glory of God. We may see a very small glimpse of that now. Have you ever met a Christian who emanates God’s love so much that when they walk into a room it seems to brighten instantly? When they smile, you see God’s love, and it gives you a warm, and comfortable feeling? You feel secure with this person. You know that you will not be lied to. You know that you can trust this person with your needs. This is just a small glimpse of God’s glory, a glory that is described like a precious jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. Most interpreters believe that jasper is the word for diamond.
Again, we are tempted to interpret this as the description of a physical city of buildings. However, if we stay with the apocalyptic style, we again get a much greater description of Heaven. What does a high wall represent to the people to whom John is writing? It is a barrier that cannot be crossed. Walls worked pretty well to keep out intruders until the cannon was introduced in the feudal warfare of middle-age Europe. The city, or again the redeemed, are protected by an impenetrable wall. The heaven that God has prepared is secure. Like the wall protects the city from attack, Satan will never be able to attack the people again, as he has been eternally condemned to separation.
There are 12 gates on the walls, gates that are contextually closed to the entrance of any evil thing, bear on them the names of the 12 tribes of Israel. God will never forget his promise to Abraham and to the children of Israel. Note that the gates are not guarded by the people. These gates, may represent the contribution that Israel, the nation of the Jews, made in protecting the Gospel through the many generations from God’s promise to Abraham until Jesus died on the Cross. It certainly is a testimony to the faith that was represented in their patriarchs.
The gates are also described to have 12 foundations, and how are those foundations described? Here we see the names of the 12 apostles of the Lamb. Some people argue that Paul was not an apostle. So much for that argument. Judas Iscariot was never an apostle. He was a disciple, but was not there in the upper room after Jesus’ crucifixion to receive the Holy Spirit. He was not there at Pentecost when the apostolic work of the church began. So, who is this 12th apostle? John named 12, so it does not require a lot of analysis to ascribe the title to the one who, not only defended that title, but the one who wrote the most content of the New Testament than any other writer: The Pharisee Saul, who on the Demascus road met the risen Christ and took upon Himself God’s call of apostleship.
One very important point is made here. The faithful of the ages is not limited to those who accepted Christ after the resurrection. Uninformed Christians have used this excuse for the last 2000 years to persecute Jews. There is also a prevalent theology that states that people were only saved by the law before the crucifixion. Such an argument is not scriptural. Hebrews 11 clearly states that it was by faith that people came to God before the cross. When Jesus went with Peter, James and John onto the mount of transfiguration, who did they meet there? (Moses and Elijah.) Since the scripture states that nobody has ever kept the law, and by the law all people are condemned (Galations), Moses and Elijah, extraordinary people who still broke the law, were clearly saved.
Heaven will be a place of communion with God, and will be populated with all of those who have faith in God. Before Christ, that faith came from God’s revelation through the Patriarchs and the Prophets. Though they did not yet know of Jesus’ atoning death on the cross, it was for their sins that Christ would suffer: "Surely, He hath borne our griefs and suffered for our transgressions, and by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 51.)
So what is the wall of protection? It is the faith that has, by God’s grace alone, redeemed all people. How does Paul describe faith in Ephesians, chapter 6? As a shield that deflects the fiery darts of Satan. Like a wall, faith provides protection, and the wall of heaven is eternal.
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. 16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
The city is depicted as a cube, consistent with the analogy of the Holy of Holies. The cube is represented as about 1500 miles on each side, though physical dimensions are not relevant. The perfect number, 12, is multiplied by the largest utilized number, 1000, and applied to the longest length of measure, the stadia. It is reasonable to interpret the dimensions to be exceedingly large, and perfectly so. Ancient Greek thought held that the square was the symbol of perfection, and a cube, then, represents complete perfection.
The Jerusalem of this world was considered unworthy to be the center of the Messianic kingdom, but the hope arose that its heavenly counterpart (Gal. 4:26), which had been prepared in heaven from the beginning, would come down to be the abode of God's Messiah on earth. This idea of the heavenly Jerusalem was not widely held before the destruction of the earthly city in 70AD, but the conception of an idealized city is found in Isaiah. 54:11 and Ezekial 40.
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. 18And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
The wall is again described, and again is as pure and clear as jasper. From previous verses we find an argument that this wall is the pure and simple faith that has been the testimony of the redeemed, and here glorified with God’s purity. Furthermore, the city, the bride of Christ, the New Jerusalem, is described as pure gold, as pure as glass. Where the redeemed were previously described as shining with God’s glory, here we see it displayed in unsurpassed beauty. In heaven we will find a place of unsurpassed and unimaginable beauty.
The foundations of the city walls which were just described as bearing the names of the apostles, are precious stones which correspond with those on the High Priest's breastplate (Ex 28:17-20). These were connected with the signs of the zodiac, but are given here in the reverse order from that which the sun follows through those signs. This description of the apostles elevates their respect in the eyes of God to that of the high priests during the post-exilic period. Certainly, if we look at the work of the high priests, and the work of the apostles we find no incongruity here.
Again, we see the faith of the apostles, that is the same faith shared by all of the redeemed, and the same faith as that shared by the persecuted Christians of John’s day, represented as the basis for the barrier wall that would eternally protect them from any further harm.
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Even the splendor of the Sun is put to shame by the glory of God himself. The gates of the city are always open to the nations, and as cities of the earth are enriched by the gifts of kings and nations, so the glory and honor of the nations shall be brought into this city (Is 60:19). No unclean or false persons are allowed to enter, but only those whose names are in the Book of Life. Where are all of the others? In the lake of fire. We are reminded of the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
When we read these words, we are reminded of the description of Eden, yet superbly elevated to a position in keeping with God’s own glory. We see the river of the water of life that eternally runs, bringing life to all. We are reminded of Ezekial’s similar description of the river flowing from the temple of God (47:1). As a nomadic people, the Jews often used the river as a metaphor for the sustenance of life, for without water, all perish, but on the banks of a river is life that is continually sustained without danger of dehydration. Jesus also used water as a metaphor for life (John 4:13-14). Where does this eternal life come from? It comes from the throne, the very authority of God. It is by God’s authoritative and graceful command that the New Jerusalem is given eternal life. It is also by the authority of the Lamb, based upon Jesus’ atoning and vicarious death on the cross that the redeemed are given eternal life. So the first thing we see in this city is the promise of eternal life.
The trees of fruit are also described in Ezekiel’s prophesy:
Ezekiel 47:12. And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
When we think of fruit, with respect to New Testament literature, what is it used to describe? Spiritual fruit that is borne by the righteous as a natural outgrowth of the love of God in the people. In heaven, there will be an eternal display of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in all of the redeemed. Today we struggle with sin, and in the struggle, the manifestation of the fruit in our lives is significantly quenched. One only needs to look at the mundane expression on people in our worship services to see that Satan has a hold on our lips that should be shouting praise. We harbor grudges, we justify impatience. All that will pass away in this new heaven. No longer will the curse of sin hold back the fruit of the Spirit. What a concept.
All of the stressors that have afflicted the faithful will be gone, and the fruit of the Spirit will provide complete healing. The God that has seemed sometimes distant will be with them, and they will serve Him.
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5And 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 for ever and ever.
The first statement here is that the New Jerusalem will see His face. Exodus 33:18-20 records God’s word to Moses:
Exodus 33:18-20. 18And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory. 19And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
What does this mean? Even now, with access to God through prayer, we are not worthy to see His face. However, in heaven we will see him face-to-face. We also see that the relationship will be close. His name will be on the foreheads of the saints. This is an allusion to Ezekiel:
Ezekiel 9:4. And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
This statement means that every saint will be personally identified with God.
Why will there be no night? The heavens and earth have passed away, and the sun is no more. There will be no need of the sun. This may be a difficult concept to grasp since we are so dependent upon our sense of eyesight. However, in heaven there will be no need for the sun, as we will see everything as it is illuminated by God’s glory. The saints will reign with God for eternity.
We can look ahead with joy and expectation of what awaits us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. At the same time, let us look around us and see those who are lost. Their names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life, and God has placed us in relationship with them for a purpose. What is that purpose? God has called us to be salt and light, to share the Gospel so that none would be lost. Who’s names will not be written in the book, who will suffer eternity separated from God and in the lake of fire with Satan because we chose to keep silent. As we consider what God has provided for us, let us pray that God give us wisdom and courage to rebuke the evil one who seals our lips and show others the path to eternal salvation.