I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      In the previous lessons, we considered God’s final judgments against His enemies.

B.      With those judgments complete, the final chapters of Revelation turn to the final, glorious estate of God’s people.

                                                             1.      John’s final visions are of the glorious new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven in which dwells everything that is good and right and nothing that is evil or wrong.

                                                             2.      From the time when these words were first written until today, this message provides hope, joy, motivation, and security to Christians who suffer in this sinful world.  Let us consider this message as we complete our study of Revelation.

II.      IT IS DONE

A.      John saw a vision of a new heaven, a new earth, and a new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:1-4).

                                                             1.      The first heaven, the first earth, and the sea will be done away (the physical world will be destroyed – see 2Pet. 3:10-13).

                                                             2.      John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven.

a.       The holy city has been a figure of God’s people throughout this book (3:12; 11:2; 20:9).

b.       This city is the bride of Christ, which is the final, glorified state of the church in heaven (19:7-9; Eph. 5:25-27; 1Cor. 15:23-24).

c.        This is the city that was sought by holy men of old (Heb. 11:10, 13-16).  In Hebrews 12:22-24, it is called “the city of the living God,” “the heavenly Jerusalem,” and “the church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven.”

                                                             3.      In that city, God shall dwell among His people, and the “first things” (all the consequences of sin that dwelt in the first earth – death, mourning, crying, and pain) will pass away.

B.      God declared who would inherit these things (Rev. 21:5-8).

                                                             1.      These things are certain because God has determined them.

a.       God said, “I am making all things new” (the first things will pass away by God’s doing).

b.       He commanded John, “Write, for these words are faithful and true” (God’s words are immutable, irresistible, and indestructible – see also 22:6).

c.        He said, “It is done” (these things are as certain as if they had already happened).

d.       He is eternal, “the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (see also 1:8; 22:13).

e.        He freely gives the water of life without cost (God gave Christ – John 4:13-14).

                                                             2.      “He who overcomes” (see 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21) shall inherit the new Jerusalem, will have God for his God, and will be God’s son.  However, the wicked will be destroyed for eternity in “the lake that burns with fire and brimstone” (19:20; 20:10, 14-15).

III.   THE NEW JERUSALEM DESCRIBED

A.      The outward view of the new Jerusalem is described in terms of beautiful gems and gold (Rev. 21:9-21a).

                                                             1.      One of the seven angels who had the bowls of judgment took John in spirit to see the bride of the Lamb, which is the holy city, the new Jerusalem from heaven.

                                                             2.      Notice a few points about the city’s outer description.

a.       Figurative terms of fine jewels and gold are used so that we can relate to heaven’s beauty.

b.       The city was on a great and high mountain (Zion; a mountain was often used in Scripture to represent God’s kingdom – Isa. 2:2-4; Dan. 2:35, 44-45; Heb. 12:22).

c.        God’s faithful people from both the Old Testament era and the New Testament era are represented in the city’s description.

i.         Let us recall that the number twelve was representative of religion (lesson 1).

ii.        In the city, there are twelve gates with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

iii.      There are also twelve foundation stones with the names of the twelve apostles.

iv.      Taken together, we see that the redeemed of the Old and New Covenants are united in this heavenly city (also symbolized in the twenty-four elders – 4:4).

d.       The size of the city is enormous (a cube shape measuring 1,500 miles in each direction).  This indicates that there is room for many to dwell in the city.

e.        The city is surrounded by a massive jasper wall 216 feet thick.  This represents safety and protection.

B.      The inside of the new Jerusalem is described in terms of its inhabitants and their provisions (Rev. 21:21b-22:5).

                                                             1.      The street is of pure, transparent gold unlike anything that we have known on earth.

                                                             2.      There is no need for a temple in the city, for God and the Lamb are its temple.

                                                             3.      There is no need of the sun or the moon in the city, for God and the Lamb are it light.

                                                             4.      The glory and honor that formerly belonged to kings and nations shall now belong to this city.

                                                             5.      The gates shall never be closed (unlike cities on earth where men fear invasion).

                                                             6.      No sinner shall enter the city, “but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”  Only righteousness shall dwell in that city (2Pet. 3:13).

                                                             7.      Through the city flows a river of clear water with the tree of life on either side.

a.       This river emanates from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

b.       The tree of life grows around this river and bears twelve kinds of fruit every month.  The tree that was forfeited in the garden of Eden because of sin will be abundant to the inhabitants of the new Jerusalem (the curse is ended – Gen. 3:14-24).

                                                             8.      The bond-servants of God will serve Him (reign) in that city forever and ever.

IV.    THESE WORDS ARE FAITHFUL AND TRUE

A.      John wrote these words at the command of the Lord to show God’s bond-servants “the things which must shortly take place” (Rev. 22:6-17).

                                                             1.      The book began by stating that the events prophesied in this book would happen soon (1:1, 3), and it closes in the same way.  Thus, the Lord said, “I am coming quickly.”

                                                             2.      Once again, John attempted to worship the angel who showed him these things, and once again he was directed to worship God (19:10).

                                                             3.      Notice that this prophecy was not to be sealed up (covered up or hidden).

a.       These words were the final warning from God.  Therefore, it says, “Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and let the one who is filthy, still be filthy…”  There was nothing more to be done for sinful men.

b.       The only thing left for them was the judgment of the Lord (“the Alpha and the Omega”) according to their deeds, which He would bring quickly.

                                                             4.      Those who washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb would have the right to the tree of life and enter the gates of the new Jerusalem, but the wicked would be left outside.

                                                             5.      Jesus, “the root and the offspring of David” and “the bright morning star,” sent this message for the churches (1:4 – the seven churches that are in Asia).

                                                             6.      The invitation to come to God and the heavenly city is issued by the Spirit, the church, and every hearer (believer) through the gospel of Christ.

B.      John closed his record of the Lord’s revelation with a fearful warning and a comforting message (Rev. 22:18-21).

                                                             1.      Notice the two part warning.

a.       Anyone who adds to the words of this book will receive the plagues written in it.

b.       Anyone who takes away from the words of this book will lose his part from the tree of life and from the holy city.

c.        This warning applies to this book, but the principle is universal to the entire Bible.

                                                             2.      The book closes with words of comfort.

a.       The Lord’s swift coming is assured once again.

b.       The grace of the Lord Jesus is invoked upon all who read these words.

V.      CONCLUSION

A.      Thus closes the last book of the Bible and the final message that we have received from God.

B.      Regardless of how one interprets the signs and details of Revelation, the prevailing theme of Revelation is clear.

                                                             1.      Those who overcome the wickedness of this world through Christ Jesus will be richly and eternally rewarded.

                                                             2.      Praise God for this wonderful message of encouragement and hope!