Podcast Episode 33 (Condensed)
Welcome back, friends! I’m so excited for our bible study on Revelation 21. Only one more chapter to go before we wrap up this series on the end-time prophecies. I truly believe that once this bible study series is over, many will return to this blog site, YouTube channel, and podcast to study the book of Revelations. It has been a powerful journey diving into this book. If you’re new to my blog, start with Revelation 1 and play catch up. If you missed last month’s bible study, click here to read Revelation 20. The podcast episode and YouTube version is available as well.
Let’s begin. As a reminder, my primary version will come from the New Living Translation. Revelation 21:1-4 NLT says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
The new Jerusalem is an actual city and a peaceful place of eternity for those whose name is written in the Book of Life. Sadly, cities today are wicked, demonic, and with much crime taking place. But God’s holy city is perfect with no devilish activity dwelling among Him. When it mentions the bride, think about an actual wedding. A real bride puts on their best dress and prepares themselves 100% to be united with the groom once and for all. So, the New Jerusalem is ready to receive those God designed to inherit this beautiful place. The same way Adam and Eve experienced real closeness and intimacy with God (before their great sin and fall), so will we be able to do so. Believers of Christ will get to experience the fulfillment of prophecy from Matthew 5:8 which states, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God”. This means, those whose name is written in the Book of Life, God knows their heart is pure and made right to dwell among Him forever.
Revelation 21:4 is beautifully written. I often find myself returning to this very verse when I am fed up with the troubles, chaos, and disappointments in life. If only I can hold on, God will wipe away every tear from my eyes. I believe the same for you. When you’re downcast and broken, remember that there is coming a day where you’ll never have to shed another tear. So, just hold on. When Jesus returns and we’re able to unite in the New Jerusalem, no sadness will ever befall us again. Thank you Jesus!
Verses 5-7 of Revelation 21 says, “And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.”
In Genesis 1:31 states, “Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!” Unfortunately, the fall of Adam and Eve allowed sin to come into the world and corrupt the goodness God originally planned for mankind. Romans 8:22 makes it clear how “all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time”. Therefore, the world is in anguish because of the sins of this world. God’s judgement was brought upon this earth after sin entered the gates of this world.
The good news is that one day, God will right every wrong, vindicate His children, free His children from hardships, and create a new heaven and earth. God never lies as Titus 1:2 tells us, so we can count on the Word of God to come to pass.
God being Alpha and Omega lets us know that God always finishes what He starts. He created us in the beginning, sin entered the world, Jesus died on the cross to offer redemption to man, and now Jesus is returning to grant true believers an eternity with Him. We’ve read “it is finished” before when Jesus gave up His spirit in John 19:30. Again, Jesus is saying “It is finished” because the final victory will complete God’s promises.
As we continue, Revelation 21:8-9 states, “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.Then one of the seven angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
Remember, it is completely pointless to acquire fame, fortune, thousands of followers, and lucrative assets, if you still lose your soul in the process. Mark 8:36 is pivotal in understanding and remembering because if our soul is not anchored in Jesus, we will surely burn in hell. Switching to verse 9, in an earlier chapter in Revelation, an angel showed John the woman who sat on the scarlet breast. This time, an angel is showing John a purified woman who is considered the Lamb’s bride. Can you visualize the difference? The woman in this chapter represents the New Jerusalem, better known as God’s city.
Verses 10-15 states, “So he took me in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
The state of the earthly Jerusalem is full of worldly troubles, problems, and unfortunate circumstances. Rest assured, the New Jerusalem will be the total opposite. It is a sacred place of perfect peace. The description proves how bright and majestic it is. Because of how precious it is in God’s eyesight, it is secured. Only those whose name is written in the Book of Life can enter it one day. The 12 tribes of Israel that is inscribed on the gates make the new city an honorable, memorial site too. No one can never break down the New Jerusalem walls or try to break in. That is worth praising God about. Just for reference, the 12 original apostles were Phillip, Andrew, John, James son of Alpheus, Matthias, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon, Peter, and Judas son of James, and Simon (Acts 1:26 and Acts 1:12-14).
Revelation 21:15-20 NLT states, “The angel who talked to me held in his hand a gold measuring stick to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 When he measured it, he found it was a square, as wide as it was long. In fact, its length and width and height were each 1,400 miles. 17 Then he measured the walls and found them to be 216 feet thick (according to the human standard used by the angel). 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city was pure gold, as clear as glass. 19 The wall of the city was built on foundation stones inlaid with twelve precious stones: the first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.”
The measuring of the city proves how the New Jerusalem is big enough to hold all believers of Christ from all periods of earth. Many scholars, theologians, and bible teachers are curious if the new city is a pyramid or cube. Regardless, there aren’t any seas on it for a reason only God knows why. Imagining the beautiful, jasper walls and gorgeous, gold city warms my heart The glory of the Lord is magnificent. I am sure that it is impossible to take in the full beauty of all the bedazzling jewels on the walls of the New Jerusalem.
Revelation 21 verses 21-22 mentions, “The twelve gates were made of pearls—each gate from a single pearl! And the main street was pure gold, as clear as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.”
People often say, “pearly gates” and that is because it is a true gem. Also, remember in the Old Testament how the Israelites worshipped in the temple? Well, the New Jerusalem doesn’t need a temple because the new covenant means there is a direct connection and closeness to God as Jeremiah 31:31-34 mentions. I encourage you to read it. Glory be unto God! We will be able to have a direct relationship with Him one day. I look forward to it!
The ending of Revelation 21 verses 23-27 offers more hope for believers of Christ. It states, “And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. 24 The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory. 25 Its gates will never be closed at the end of day because there is no night there. 26 And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. 27 Nothing evil will be allowed to enter, nor anyone who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.”
I am so excited to not have to pay a man-made company for lights one day. Aren’t you? There will be light radiating all throughout the new city. Praise God! Jesus lights the new city with His mighty glory. John 1:9 and John 8:12 tells us how God is light and there is no darkness within Him. Therefore, with that much light from God, there will be no need for electricity bills.
Additionally, the mentioning of gates lets us know about security from God. Today, people live in gated communities. Well, the open gate in this chapter proves how Jesus is the ultimate protector and security that we can rely on. Gated communities can sometimes be left ajar and evil people enter those neighborhoods. Many of them begin robbing, killing, and performing all sorts of wicked deeds upon people. Good news is that we don’t have to worry about that in the new city. We will live in God’s city where night will never occur. Hallelujah!
No unclean spirts can pass through the gates. No deceivers, manipulators, or evil people (unrepented) can enter through the holy gates. Thank you Jesus for promising me an eternal home where I am forever loved, protected, at peace, and in Your mighty presence.
After reading all this and studying this chapter with me, I must ask you one thing:
Based on how you currently live your life, do you believe that your name is written in the book of Life if you died in this very moment?
If your name is yes, praise God. Continue fighting the good fight of faith as 1 Timothy 6:12 encouraging us to do. But if your answer was no, I urge you to repent. I urge you to turn to Christ today. No more delay in making it right with your Creator.
Repeat this prayer after me:
Dear Lord,
I am a sinner. I repent today with a true heart. Cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Deliver me from evil, perverted, and wicked thoughts and behaviors. Help me to be obedient to your Word. Help me to live a life that pleases you. God, your Word says in Acts 3:19 that you will blot out my sins if I repent and turn away from them. Forgive me for every known and unknown sin and thought that went against your Word. I believe that Your Son Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose on the third day. Therefore, I receive the gift of grace on my life. I leave my old life behind that caused bad thoughts, led to wrong behaviors, and put me on a path of darkness. I step now into Your light, God. Order my footsteps. Guide and light my path as a pursue the path of righteousness you have promised for my life. Keep me covered and protected under the precious blood of Jesus as I walk away from darkness and step into your wonderful light. I pray all these things in Jesus’s name, Amen.
If you said that prayer with a true heart of forgiveness, I believe that the angels are rejoicing. Praise God for your new decision to follow Christ. Be encouraged to find strength through God this day forward. On the good and bad days, find rest in God. Don’t give up. Stay rooted in your Bible, faith, and hope in Jesus Christ.
Thank you so much for reading my bible study on Revelation 21. May God bless you and keep you. Until next time with, Wytinsea Writes!
