“What is Heaven Going to be Like?” -- Revelation 21:1-22:5

“That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).  In the Apostle John’s day, Rome was the admired city; yet God compared it to a harlot.

Human history begins in a Garden and ends in a City that is like a garden paradise.

The eternal city of God is compared to a beautiful bride (Rev. 21:9), because it is the eternal home for God’s beloved people.

God’s statements recorded in Revelation 21:5-6 aptly summarize these final two chapters: “Behold, I make all things new. . . . It is done!” What began in Genesis is brought to completion in Revelation, as the following summary shows:

We come to the closing scene in Revelation. Here is the most comprehensive section of encouragement for struggling brethren. Throughout this book there have been hints of immortality: the promises to the Conquerors, the white robed multitudes, the triumphant song of Moses and the Lamb, the wedding feast of the Lamb and His bride. Now at last John is given a vision that surveys the Promised Land. In some ways this is the most important part of his book, as it is certainly the most familiar and beloved.

As this section is read you cannot help but recall a number of Old Testament passages, thus once again we find an intimate connection with the prophets of old:

Isa. 25:8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears

       from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

Isa. 65:17  “Behold, I will create        new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered,nor will they come to mind.

Isa. 65:19  I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

Isa. 66:22  “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,” declares the LORD, “so will your name and descendants endure.

 

Isa. 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;            and you who have no money,

       come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.

Isa. 60:20 Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end.

Ezek. 36:28 You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God.

Ezek. 37:28 Then the nations will know that I the LORD make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.’”

Ezek. 48:31 the gates of the city will be named after the tribes of Israel. The three gates on the north side will be the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah and the gate of Levi.

Ezek. 47:12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

2 Sam. 7:14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.

 

Zech. 14:6-8 On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. ⁷It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime—a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea^ and half to the western sea,^ in summer and in winter.

In this section there is a marvelous message to believers – "Do not give up because you have a wonderful destiny ahead!" The destiny of the redeemed is to be in the "new" Jerusalem. Literally the phrase means, "The new city of peace." In contrast to their present trials and burdens they would share in grand blessings. It is this beautiful city of peace that brings great comfort and cheer to struggling saints.

Body: Notice how cheer would be brought to believers as they come to know about this eternal home of the saved.

A. This city of peace provides ETERNAL FELLOWSHIP with God (Revelation 21:1-8):

Rev. 21:1 through Rev. 21:8 ¹Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. ²I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. ³And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

⁵He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

⁶He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. ⁷He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. ⁸But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

They are God’s people (vv. 1-5).

The first heaven and earth were prepared for the first man and woman and their descendants. God had readied everything for them when He placed them in the Garden. Unfortunately, our first parents sinned, ushering death and decay into God’s beautiful world. Creation is in bondage and travail (Rom. 8:18-23), and even the heavens “are not clean in His sight” (Job 15:15).

God has promised His people a new heaven and earth (Isa. 65:17; 66:22). The old creation must make way for the new creation if God is to be glorified. Jesus called this event “the regeneration” of the earth (Matt. 19:28), and Peter explained it as a cleansing and renewing by fire (2 Peter 3:10-13). Bible students are not agreed as to whether the old elements will be renewed or whether the old will be destroyed and a whole new creation ushered in. It is clear to me that whatever God has prepared for my spiritual body will be exactly what He planned and exactly what it needs!

Even despite Scripture’s description, it is difficult to imagine what the eternal city will be like. John characterizes it as a holy city (see Rev. 21:27), a prepared city (see John 14:1-6), and a beautiful city, as beautiful as a bride on her wedding day.

But the most important thing about the city is that God dwells there with His people. The Bible gives an interesting record of the dwelling places of God. First, God walked with man in the Garden of Eden. Then He dwelt with Israel in the tabernacle and later the temple. When Israel sinned, God had to depart from those dwellings. Later, Jesus Christ came to earth and “tabernacled” among us (John 1:14). Today, God does not live in man-made temples (Acts 7:48-50), but in the bodies of His people (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and in the church (Eph. 2:21-22).

In both the tabernacle and the temple, the veil stood between men and God. That veil was torn in two when Jesus died, thus opening a “new and living way” for God’s people (Heb. 10:19ff). Even though God dwells in believers today by His Spirit, we still have not begun to understand God or fellowship with Him as we would like; but one day, we shall dwell in God’s presence and enjoy Him forever.

The eternal city is so wonderful that the best way John found to describe it was by contrast—“no more.” The believers who first read this inspired book must have rejoiced to know that, in heaven, there would be no more pain, tears, sorrow, or death; for many of their number had been tortured and slain. In every age, the hope of heaven has encouraged God’s people in times of suffering.

Verses 3-4 explain, in symbolic language, the beauty of this promised fellowship. This fellowship allows saints to find access to high joy

a. God dwells with them in one tent (Revelation 7:15).

b. The Lamb is their Shepherd (Revelation 7:17).

c. God wipes every tear out of their eyes (Revelation 7:17).

d. They are constantly worshiping in the sanctuary (Revelation 7:15).

e. They sit with him on the throne and He sups with them(Revelation 3:20, 21).

The beauty of this fellowship is enhanced as we see that it is offered absolutely free (Revelation 21:6; 22:17b). Surely the sensible person will see the necessity to remain faithful so he can inherit this wonderful fellowship! (Revelation 21:7).

A greater emphasis is added when the reverse is considered. Those who fail to establish and maintain fellowship with God now will not find it in eternity (Revelation 21:8; Romans 6:23). God's city of peace

will not include any who associate with Satan! (Revelation 21:27).

These heavenly citizens are an overcoming people (vv. 7-8).

“He that overcometh” is a key phrase in this book (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; note also 12:11). As John pointed out in his first epistle, all true believers are overcomers (1 John 5:4-5), so this promise is not just for the “spiritually elite.” Because we are the children of God, we shall inherit all things.

In contrast to the overcomers, Revelation 21:8 describes the people who were overcome by sin and would not trust the Lord. What is their destiny? The lake of fire! The world considers Christians as “losers,” but it is the unbelievers who are the losers!

The fearful are the cowardly, the people who did not have the courage to stand up for Christ (see Matt. 10:32-33). The word abominable means “polluted,” and refers to those who indulged in sin and were thus polluted in mind, spirit, and body (2 Cor. 7:1). The other characteristics mentioned in Revelation 21:8 need no special explanation, except to note that all of them would be true of “the beast’s” followers (note Rev. 17:4, 6; 18:3, 9; 19:2).

The recipients of John’s letter would be challenged to evaluate their relationship with God. John was writing the Christians and telling them they must be sure they were fit to be among those blessed by heaven’s rewards. John had earlier challenged these Christians by pointing out that some were claiming to be fit for heaven but were not – their religion was only a pretense (i.e. the 7 churches). As we think of this point may we also be challenged so we will not be deceived thinking we are fit for heaven when we are actually fit for Satan’s evil work.

Out of the Seven Churches mentioned only ONE was without fault and only TWO were commended!

a. Ephesus did not really “love” God (Revelation 2:4).

b. Pergamum did not demonstrate conviction (Revelation 2:14-15).

c. Thyatira encouraged rebellion to God (Revelation 2:20).

d. Sardis was spiritually dead (Revelation 3:1).

e. Laodicea was apathetic (Revelation 3:15).

B. This city of peace is blessed with ETERNAL PROTECTION by God (Revelation 21:9-26):

Rev. 21:9 through Rev. 21:26 ⁹One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” ¹⁰And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. ¹¹It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. ¹²It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. ¹³There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. ¹⁴The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. ¹⁶The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia^ in length, and as wide and high as it is long. ¹⁷He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits^ thick,^ by man’s measurement, which the angel was using. ¹⁸The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. ¹⁹The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, ²⁰the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.^{ 21}The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

²²I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. ²³The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. ²⁴The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. ²⁵On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. ²⁶The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

The Character of the City (Rev. 21:9-22:5)

The eternal city is not only the home of the bride; it is the bride! A city is not buildings; it is people. The city John saw was holy and heavenly; in fact, it descended to earth from heaven, where it was prepared. John’s description staggers the imagination, even accepting the fact that a great deal of symbolism is involved. Heaven is a real place of glory and beauty, the perfect home for the Lamb’s bride.

We have already noted that “the glory of God” has appeared in different places throughout history. God’s glory dwelt in the tabernacle and then in the temple. Today, His glory dwells in believers and in His church. For all eternity, the glory of God will be seen in His holy city. It is the only light the city will need.

The city’s description follows the pattern of cities with which John’s readers were familiar: foundations, walls, and gates. The foundations speak of permanence, in contrast to the tents in which “pilgrims and strangers” lived (Heb. 11:8-10). The walls and gates speak of protection. God’s people will never have to fear any enemies. Angels at the gates will act as sentries!

In this city, saints of the Old Covenant and the New Covenant will be united. The twelve gates are identified with the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve foundations with the 12 Apostles (see Eph. 2:20).

John had measured the earthly Jerusalem (Rev. 11), but now he is invited to measure the heavenly city. Foursquare means “equal on all sides,” so the city might be a cube or a pyramid. More importantly, the fact that it is equal on all sides indicates the perfection of God’s eternal city: nothing is out of order or balance.

The measurements are staggering, though given only to signify its greater meaning! If we take a cubit as eighteen inches, then the city walls are 216 feet high! If a furlong is taken as 600 feet (measures differed in ancient days), the city would be about 1,500 miles square! There will be plenty of room for everyone!

The city’s construction cannot but fascinate us. The walls are jasper, which is a clear crystal; but the city itself will be made of pure gold, as clear as crystal. The light of God’s glory will shine throughout the city, resembling a huge holy of holies.

Building foundations are usually underground, but these foundations will not only be visible but beautifully garnished with precious stones. Each separate foundation will have its own jewel, and the blending of the colors will be magnificent as God’s light shines through.

Our God is a God of beauty, and He will lavish His beauty on the city He is preparing for His people. Perhaps Peter had the holy city in mind when he wrote about the “manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10), for the word translated “manifold” means “many colored, variegated.”

In ancient times, the pearl was considered a “royal gem,” produced by a mollusk covering an irritating grain of sand within its shell. But the pearl gates of the heavenly city will never be closed (Rev. 21:25) because there will be no danger of anything entering that would disturb or defile her citizens.

John noted that some items were missing from the city, but their absence only magnified its glory. There will be no temple, since the entire city will be indwelt by God’s presence. Indeed, “secular” and “sacred” will be indistinguishable in heaven. The sun and moon will be absent since the Lord is the light of the city, and there will never be any night (see Isa. 60:19).

1. John's readers knew the need to be protected. Knowing you are kept safe brings great security and peace. The essence of protection was a great city surrounded by a great wall. Here we read of such a place described in symbolic language.

a. “Twelve gates” – abundant entrance where no one who desired would be forbidden entrance.

b. “Twelve foundations” – such a perfect foundation could never be shaken.

c. "Four Square" – this city will have enough room for all the redeemed under the Old Testament and  New Testament (12b, 14b).

2. The description is of a strong, spacious, perfect, and beautiful city where God's redeemed will live with Him in perfect fellowship! To try to make this a literal city on earthly Jerusalem destroys the symbol.

3. No where else can man find a more appealing description of God's home for saved souls!

C. The city of peace is supplied with ETERNAL PROVISIONS from God (Revelation 22:1-5):

Rev. 22:1 through Rev. 22:5 ¹Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ²down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

1. So great is this New Jerusalem and so magnificently designed by God, it does not need many things that are essential to present life.

a. There is "no temple" (Revelation 21:22). No sins need atonement and saints are in God's presence always.

b. There is "no sun or moon" (Revelation 21:23). The radiance of the Lamb is all that is needed.

c. There is "no night" (Revelation 22:25). There is no darkness for God is light. There is no need for labors have ceased.

2. Note the provisions offered by God . . .

a. The garden – Eden will be restored and eternally enjoyed.

b. Water of Life – Symbolic of salvation. It is offered full and free (Psalm 46:4a). The beauty is marvelous (Revelation 22:1).

c. Trees of Life – Not just one but whole rows on either side of the river. Fruit is always present.

d. Throne of God and the Lamb – The sovereignty of God will be the center of attention. This throne dominates so that God's will is supreme. Never again will the saints battle against the Dragon for God is supreme!

3. What a striking picture! Pause and reflect on it and sense the strong assurance it offers! What greater provisions could we seek?

D. This city of peace is a place of ETERNAL SERVICE to God (Revelation 22:3, 5):

Rev. 22:3 ³No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.

 

Rev. 22:5 ⁵There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

1. It is misleading to assume heaven will be a place of leisure where all desires are immediately provided angels (See Revelation 7:15b –"day and night").

2. Notice how service is pictured in verses 3, 5.

a. The entire population will offer priestly service.

b. Service is rendered and is focused on God.

c. Here is a continuation of service that has been offered on earth!

Note: Matthew 25:21 – service on earth leads to service in heaven. We must understand this simple point (Matthew 25:26-30).

d. Heaven will be populated ONLY by those who love to serve God on earth, in the church!

What will we do in heaven for all eternity? Certainly, we shall praise the Lord, but we shall also serve Him. “His servants shall serve Him” (Rev. 22:3) is a great encouragement to us, for in heaven our service will be perfect. As we seek to serve the Lord here on earth, we are constantly handicapped by sin and weakness; but all hindrances will be gone when we get to glory. Perfect service in a perfect environment!

What will this service be? We are not told, nor do we need to know now. It is sufficient that we know what God wants us to do today. Our faithfulness in life prepares us for higher service in heaven. In fact, some students think that we shall have access to the vast universe and perhaps be sent on special missions to other places. But it is useless to speculate, because God has not seen fit to fill in the details.

Certainly, many interesting questions could be asked about our future abode in heaven, but most must go unanswered until we reach our glorious home. In fact, John closed his book by reminding us that we have responsibilities today because we are going to heaven.

II. From this final vision we discover the following . . .

A. God answers our desires to know what the future will bring. In symbols He has told us that heaven is a beautiful city of peace where we will find eternal fellowship, protection, provision, and service to God.

B. In this section we have a dramatic contrast with chapter 20. We have here encouragement to remain faithful because eternal destiny will be lived in either the New Jerusalem or the Lake of Fire! (Revelation 21:27).

C. Our ability to enjoy heaven depends on how much we enjoy the church on earth. It is hard to imagine how some will enjoy an eternity of that which appears to be intolerable on earth!

1. Eternal fellowship with brethren.

2. Eternal Protection by the Almighty’s power.

3. Eternal worship assemblies of praise to God.

4. Eternal service to God with the redeemed.

D. Those with whom we identify on earth will be those we will identify with in eternity!

E. We discover an answer to the problem of earth's evils (v. 4). God lists some of the more prominent evils that will cease. The Lamb has conquered and has answered the problems of the world.

F. Entrance into God's heaven is not open to just anyone, but only to those who have been given the right (Revelation 21:27). We must make preparations to enter now or else run the risk of never being admitted!

The Challenge of the City (Rev. 22:6-21)

Heaven is more than a destination; it is a motivation. Knowing that we shall dwell in the heavenly city ought to make a difference in our lives here and now. The vision of the heavenly city motivated the patriarchs as they walked with God and served Him (Heb. 11:10, 13-16). Knowing that He was returning to the Father in heaven also encouraged Jesus Christ as He faced the cross (Heb. 12:2). The assurance of heaven must not lull us into complacency or carelessness, but spur us to fulfill our spiritual duties.

We must keep God’s Word (vv. 6-11, 18-19).

Because what John wrote is the Word of God, his words are faithful and true (see Rev. 19:11). The same God who spoke through the prophets also spoke through the Apostle John. As the “capstone” of God’s revelation, John’s book cannot be divorced from the rest of the Bible. If we deny that John wrote the truth, then we must also deny the prophets.

What does it mean to “keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book”? (Rev. 22:7) Basically, it means to guard, to watch over, to preserve intact. We must not add to the Word of God or take anything from it (see Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5-6).

It was customary in ancient days for writers to put this kind of warning at the close of their books, because the people who copied them for public distribution might be tempted to tamper with the material. However, John’s warning was not addressed to a writer, but to the hearer, the believer in the congregation where this book was read aloud. By analogy, however, it would apply to anyone reading and studying the book today. We may not be able to explain the penalties given, but we do know this: it is a dangerous thing to tamper with the Word of God. The one who guards the Word and obeys it will be blessed; the one who alters it will be disciplined in some way.

For a second time, John was overwhelmed by what he saw and heard; and he fell down to worship the angel who was speaking to him (see Rev. 19:10). The angel gave John three words of counsel: do not worship angels; worship God; and do not seal up the Revelation. The Prophet Daniel was commanded to seal his book (Dan. 12:4), because the time was not yet ready. John’s book was an “apocalypse,” an unveiling (Rev. 1:1); and, therefore, it must not be sealed.

Once again, the Holy Spirit is reminding us of the living unity of God’s Word. We have seen in our study how John, led by the Spirit, reached back into the Old Testament and used many of the images found there, including Daniel’s prophecy. Scripture is its own best interpreter.

Does Revelation 22:11 suggest that God does not want men to repent and change their ways? No, because that would be contrary to the message of Revelation and of the Gospel itself. The angel’s words must be understood in light of the repeated statement, “Behold, I come quickly” (Rev. 22:7, 12), as well as his statement, “For the time is at hand” (Rev. 22:10). Jesus Christ’s coming will occur so quickly that men will not have time to change their characters.

Revelation 22:11, therefore, is a solemn warning that decision determines character, and character determines destiny. Suffering believers might ask, “Is it worth it to live a godly life?” John’s reply is, “Yes! Jesus is returning, and He will reward you!” Next comes John’s second admonition.

We have the responsibility of serving the Lord (vv. 12-14).

“My reward is with Me” implies that God is mindful of our sufferings and our service, and nothing will ever be done in vain if it is done for Him. At the Judgment Seat of Christ, believers will be judged according to their works; and rewards will be given to those who have been faithful.

Throughout church history, there have been those who have become “so heavenly minded that they were no earthly good.” They quit their jobs, sold their property, and sat and waited for Jesus to return. All of them have been embarrassed, of course, because it is unbiblical to set dates for His coming. It is also unbiblical to become careless and lazy just because we believe Jesus is coming soon. Paul faced this problem with some of the believers in Thessalonica (2 Thes. 3).

No wonder John added, “Blessed are they that do His commandments” (Rev. 22:14). If we really believe that Jesus is coming soon, we will watch and be faithful (Luke 12:35ff).

Revelation 22:13 is a great encouragement to anyone who seeks to serve the Lord. Whatever God starts, He will finish; for He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last (see Phil. 1:6; 2:12-13).

We must keep our lives clean (vv. 15-16).

The contrast here is between those who do God’s commandments and enter the city, and those who reject His Word and are excluded from the city (see Rev. 21:8, 27). It is not likely that those who “do His commandments” are a special or an elite group of saints. The phrase is similar to “them that overcome” and characterizes all the people of God. Obedience to God’s Word is a mark of true salvation.

We must keep expecting Jesus Christ to return (vv. 17, 20-21).

Three times in this closing chapter John wrote, “I [Christ] come quickly” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). But He has “delayed” His return for nearly 2,000 years! Yes, He has; and Peter tells us why: God wants to give this sinful world opportunity to repent and be saved (2 Peter 3:1ff).

In the meantime, the Spirit of God, through the church (the bride), calls for Jesus to come; for the bride wants to meet her Bridegroom and enter into her home. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

But believers ought also to invite lost sinners to trust Christ and drink the water of life. Indeed, when the church lives in expectancy of Christ’s return, such an attitude provokes ministry and evangelism as well as purity of heart. We want to tell others of the grace of God. A true understanding of Bible prophecy should both motivate us to obey God’s Word and to share God’s invitation with a lost world.

Conclusion:

This is a beautiful section from Revelation. It is filled with hope, cheer, and encouragement. John's message closes with a most practical message. The reason why a Christian is not to surrender to the temptation of distress is because of the "home over there." There is perfection and peace so "Don't give up!

If our study of Revelation has been truly led by the Spirit, then we will join John in the Bible’s last prayer:

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Are you ready?

Last time updated: Thursday July 10, 2008 10:22 AM