The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. But those who are written in the lambs book of life true, holy, persevering believers. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. And i john saw the holy city, the new jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from god, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Interestingly enough there are only 4 chapters in the bible where there is a perfect environment gen. And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, god will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. Revelation 21 a new heavens, a new earth, and a new jerusalem a. The book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. Revelation 21 bible commentary matthew henry concise.
John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. Revelation 21, new king james version nkjv the bible app. Revelation 21 kjv and i saw a new heaven and a new earth. From the time described midway through genesis chapter 3 until the events of revelation 20, earth experiencedis experiencingthe presence of sin and death. Treasury of scripture and i john saw the holy city, new jerusalem, coming down from god out of. Only those will enter whose names are written in the lambs book of life.
They will be his people, and god himself will be with them and be their god. Revelation, chapter 21 king james version christian. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. Revelation 21 22 english standard version esv the new heaven and the new earth. The following work is an exegetical one which has been written in order to help bring some clarity and thus some understanding to this 21st chapter. Having described the origin and progress of evil in the world, the final overthrow of satan and his adherents, and the judgment when every man is rewarded according to his works, the seer now completes the whole by portraying the eternal bliss of the redeemed in heaven cf. Gods dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. God hits him with a doozy of a revelation hey, thats not a bad idea for a title. Revelation 21 then i saw a new heaven and a new earth, for. I encourage you to bring your insights to class to share with others. Revelation 21 new international version niv biblica. Yet it has a clear message for all who would devote themselves to its pages. What he does describe in this verse is the beauty of the holy city, and prepared as a bride, which is related in many ways throughout scripture to the church.
The funeral lectionary offers three official passages from the book of revelation. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. When we inherit all things we will all be kings and priest unto god. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Revelation 2122 new international version niv a new heaven and a new earth 21 then i saw a new heaven and a new earth, a for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow. Revelation 21 a new heaven and a new earth 1 then i saw a new heaven and a new earth, a for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Chapters 2122 finish with a vision of the new heaven and earth, where there is no longer any curse of death or pain or suffering. Revelation 21 then i saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube.
Revelation 21, king james version kjv the bible app. It is apparent, therefore, that isaiah saw together on the screen of prophecy both the millennial kingdom and the eternal kingdom. The book of revelation asv american standard version. Some believe it to refer only to the book of revelation, or perhaps even a subset of revelation, while others take it to refer to the entirety of the lord gods book, the bible. Of the three revelation passages given for funerals, this is the one chosen most often. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. The forms were the same, but the materials were changed. Can you explain why there is no more sea in revelation 21. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. Now i saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. There has been some debate as to the intended meaning of the term this book. Revelation 2021 esv the thousand years then i saw an. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
The book of revelations, it must be admitted, is perhaps not the lightest read in the bible. The holy bible, new king james version, copyright 1982 thomas nelson. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the lambs book of life. Most students who approach the book of revelation from the normal or literal method of interpretation understand the words following the statement about the new heaven and new earth, and there is no longer any sea to simply mean that because of the changes in atmospheric and human conditions will be so different water as we know it today will not be needed. Sometimes they sound the trumpet of divine providence, and warn a careless world. We can say that revelation chapter 21 begins a new section of the book of. For the first heaven and the first earth was gone, and the sea is now no more. While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of revelation begins and ends by saying that those who read, understand, and apply its message would be happy for doing so. The book is traditionally attributed to john the apostle, but the precise identity of the author remains a point of academic debate. It was no fantastic vision separated from all earthly associations that the seer of patmos beheld. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. At the end of chapter 20, john sees god delivering the final and ultimate judgment on. There is perhaps no more misunderstood book of the bible than revelation.
The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. That very short passage about dead believers finding rest in christ. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. Having carried his description of satans destiny and the resurrection of unbelievers to their conclusions in chapter 20, john now returns to the beginning of the millennium to describe the new home of the church in chapter 21 and the new earth in chapter 22. The book of revelation was written sometime around. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible.
Revelation 21 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. Most students who approach the book of revelation from the normal or literal method of interpretation understand the words following the statement about the new heaven and new earth, and there is no longer any sea to simply mean that because of the changes in atmospheric. The versebyverse commentary on revelation introduction this commentary on revelation will prove, contrary to what most people think, that the revelation, the last book of the bible, is not difficult to understand if we will take a simple, facevalue, commonsense approach to interpreting it. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.
John is seeing the eternal reward being given to gods people. Dec 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. On the contrary, it was linked to all that was dear and sacred to himself and to his race. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Revelation 21 now i saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Revelation 2122 esv the new heaven and the new earth. Re apocalypse christian bible study resources, dictionary, concordance and. Verse 4 validates our understanding that this is showing the people of god in their future, perfected state receiving the eternal reward at the end of time.
Chapter 21 of the book of revelation in the bible can be considered the introductory chapter to the wonderful future that the church has in god. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Revelation 21 niv bible then i saw a new heaven and a. Only revelation and the gospel of john describe jesus as the lamb 5. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. Revelation 21 is picturing the church in its perfected state at the end of the reign of christ. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 21.
What is the significance of the twelve gates in revelation 21. Revelation 2122 a new heaven and a new earth then i. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth.
Why will the nations need healing in the new jerusalem. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away. Douayrheims bible, apocalypse revelation chapter 21. We can say that revelation chapter 21 begins a new section of the book of revelation. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. Revelation 21 is the twentyfirst chapter of the book of revelation or the apocalypse of john in the new testament of the christian bible. Revelation 22 chapter 21 hitherto the prophecy of this book has presented to us a very remarkable mixture of light and shade, prosperity and adversity, mercy and judgment, in the conduct of divine providence towards the church in the world.
The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. This is being aired by permission of the holder litchfield associates, all rights. Revelation 21 commentary spurgeons verse expositions of. There is nothing in the text of revelation to support a narrow application. White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Revelation 21 niv a new heaven and a new earth then i bible. This website produces modern resources and views on the chosen passages brought forth in its documents. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological themes.