God's Story from Beginning to End: The Revelation (Pt 2)

 
Introduction
There is much that happens between Revelation chapter 1 and chapter 20.  A considerable amount is abysmal, some of it is cautionary, but all of it points to the holiness, sovereignty, and magnificence of the Almighty God.  Unfortunately, I cannot cover all of it as it would take weeks to delve deeply into this letter.  We will dive into that pool sometime next year.  So, today we will conclude our year long series God’s Story from Beginning to End as we look at the end of the God’s story. 
 
The final two chapters of Revelation (21 & 22) are the fulfillment of Isaiah 65:17 “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.”  This final vision contains some major components of the Apocalypse (unveiling) which is the renewed fellowship, it is in these passages we read about how God dwells amid His people. This encourages the recipients to see in the final section a re-formation of God’s perfect paradise, the garden of Eden.  It shows how everything comes full circle.  The Bible begins with God’s fellowship with his creation, then it documents the fall and separation of humanity and God’s desire to restore fellowship with His people.  It also highlights the restoration of God’s children through Jesus Christ and concludes with a restored and renewed eternal fellowship with his creation.
 
Revelation 21
Vs 1 – 2:  In this final vision heaven and earth are replaced by a new heaven and a new earth. The concept of a New Jerusalem that comes down from God is a common teaching in Jewish apocalyptic tradition.  Some hold that the New Jerusalem is a physical city, but many suggest it is symbolic of the church in its perfected and eternal state.  Regardless, Jerusalem is and always has been the site of the temple which is the place where the presence of God dwells.  This New Jerusalem is adorned as a bride for her husband.
In Chapter 19 we see the people of God are presented as a bride; thus, it could be equated with the heavenly Jerusalem. The major difference between the earthly city of Jerusalem is that it is described as a prostitute and the heavenly city is described as a bride.
 
Vs 3 – 4:  The voice from heaven declares that the dwelling place or the home of God is with His people, and He will live among them.  When John writes that God’s home or tabernacle of God is with us, he is saying that God in his glory has come to dwell with his people. This does not suggest a temporary dwelling, but a permanent one.  From this point forward God will dwell with his people forever.  It is the presence of God, and the fellowship with him of ALL believers, that comprises the fundamental trait of the coming age. Death, sadness, and pain are all part of the “old way” and has now passed away.
 
Vs 5 – 7:   God’s silence is broken when he declares, “I am making everything new!”  The throne upon which He sits represents his sovereignty and splendor. It is from this position of tremendous power that he announces his intention of creating the new order.
 
God proclaims, “It is finished!” He then declares that He is the Beginning that not only refers to the first in point of time but also, he is the source and origin of all things. He is the end in the sense that he constitutes the goal or aim.   He also allows those who are thirsty to drink from the spring of the water of life. Scripture often employs the figure of thirst to depict the desire of the soul for God.
 
Those overcomers/victorious will receive these blessings. In the letters to the seven churches, we learn that the overcomers would eat from the tree of life, would not be hurt by the second death, would be given hidden manna and a white stone, would receive authority over the nations, their names would not be blotted from the book of life, they would be a pillar in the temple of God, and they would sit with Christ on his throne. All of this is the inheritance of those who remain faithful to Jesus Christ during their time of trial and persecution. Those who deny Christ and are seduced by the solicitations of the prostitute (the world) will have no inheritance in the family of God.
 
Vs 8:  The cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars will receive their destiny… the second death… burning sulfur and hellfire.  The same fate as the Beast, False Prophet, and Satan.
 
Vs 10 – 14:  John is taken in the Spirit to a great mountain to see the Holy City descending from heaven.  As the holy city descends from heaven, it shines with a brightness that shows the presence and glory of God. It is the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel that in the restoration the glory or presence of the Lord will rise upon them, and he will be their everlasting light.
The city is surrounded by a great wall with twelve gates, which are guarded by twelve angels. The wall is not needed for security reasons. It is simply a detail of an ideal city as conceived by ancient peoples accustomed to the security of strong outer walls.
 
Vs 14:  The mention of the “Twelve apostles” is a reference to the disciples without specific mention of Judas.  In Ephesians 2:20 Paul teaches that the house of God is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Historically, the church rests upon the apostles and prophets, this means it is built upon the faith and efforts of those who first proclaimed the gospel message. The combination of the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles shows the unity of ancient Israel and the NT church.
 
Vs 22 - 27: John notes that there is no temple in this new city.  There is no temple because the symbol of God’s dwelling place (the temple) has now become a reality (God dwells among his people). There is no need for a temple because it has been replaced by “the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb.”  The reason John tells us there is no temple is not so much to describe the manner or design of heaven but to speak significantly to a people for whom the temple equated as the supreme dwelling place of God’s presence.
 
Vs 23: The New Jerusalem does not have a sun or moon to shine because everything is illuminated by the glory of God.
 
Vs 24 – 26:  The gates of the New Jerusalem are open because with the destruction of evil there is no need for security. Day continues forever without interruption because darkness never comes. Thus, there is no need of closing gates.
 
Vs 27:  Everyone who enter the city are not evil or wicked, only those whose names are written in the book of life.  Only those who dwell in the new city have access to it.
 
Chapter 22
Vs 1 - 5
Vs 2: In the New Jerusalem the river in the street is pure and gives life. It is a sign of blessing.  On each side of the river grows a tree of life and in the early chapters of Genesis we read that if Adam had eaten of the tree of life, he would have lived forever.  Thus, the tree of life was a regular feature in Jewish portrayals of Paradise. To eat of its fruit would give eternal life. The tree bore twelve kinds of fruit and there was both an abundance and the variety of fruit that are emphasized. This is seen as God’s provision is new and plentiful.
 
The tree also has leaves that bring about healing. Is there need for healing in this New Jerusalem?  This is intended to show that in the restored Eden everything has been reversed: originally eating of one tree brought the curse—now eating of this tree brings eternal life.  The healing leaves signify the complete and total absence of physical and spiritual want. The life to come will be a life of abundance and perfection.
 
Vs 3 - 4: There will be no more curse of humanity. The curse that humanity brought upon itself in the Garden of Eden will be removed for all eternity. In return the greatest of all eternity’s blessings is reflected in the one phrase, “They will see his face.” Remember Moses, the great lawgiver was not permitted to see the face of God because God had declared, “No one may see me and live”.  To see God’s face means direct communion with him.
 
On the foreheads of God’s servants will be stamped the name of God. His name stands for his character.  The followers of the beast bore the mark of the beast upon their foreheads, contrarily the faithful will bear the name of God upon theirs. This metaphor emphasizes ownership and likeness.
 
Vs 5:  In the New Jerusalem God’s presence, and his glory makes all other sources of light unnecessary and pointless, thus there is no darkness or night.  Revelation ends with the promise of the restoration of all things.   In Romans Paul teaches creation is currently in bondage to deterioration, at it groans as it eagerly awaits the time when it will be freed from its captivity of death and decay. This takes place when the children of God are brought into the eternal glory that God has prepared for them. The Revelation of John is the final chapter in God’s eternal plan for his children. It brings us full circle to the original intent of God in his creation of all that is.
 
Epilogue
Verses 6–21 of chapter 22 form the Epilogue of the book of Revelation. 
Vs 6 - 10
Vs 6: The angel verifies that this revelation is authentic throughout the whole vision. These words that relate the visions are trustworthy and true. The angel confirms that he was sent by God to show John all the things that must come to pass.
 
Vs 7: The speaker is now Jesus, and he informs the reader that he is coming soon.  He announces a blessing to those who stand fast in the great persecution about to break upon the church. They are those who keep the prophetic commands of the book.
 
Vs 8 – 9:  John now attests that he has heard and seen all the things that are recorded in the book.  John once again falls to worship the angel but is prevented from carrying out his intention by the angel, who explains that he is a fellow servant with John, the other prophets, and those who keep the words of the book.  The angel’s urging, “Worship God!” puts in the most concise form of the theme of the book of Revelation.
 
Vs 10:  The angel now tells him that it is important is that the visions should not be sealed up and all that John has seen is prophetic and should be shared, heard, and understood.  Since “the time is near,” the message of judgment and hope is to be proclaimed among the churches.
 
Vs 11 – 22: Jesus announces again that he is coming soon and when he comes, he will bring rewards to repay the deeds of the people. 
 
The chapter closes out with another blessing to those who remained faithful to God during this time as they will have access to the eternal city.  Those who denied him will be left and thrown outside the gates with the dogs.
 
The revelation concludes with a stark warning against adding to or taking away from this message. This warning is not addressed to scribes who might be tempted to corrupt the text (but to “everyone who hears,” (the members of the seven churches of Asia) where the book was to be read aloud. The caution is against malicious alteration of the message.
 
The Apocalypse closes with Christ speaking again and informing everyone that he is coming soon to which John says, Yes Lord come soon.
 
Conclusion
The apocalypse or Revelation is now complete. It is intended to inform the readers of the day (and for us) that God is and remains sovereign, and his eternal plan will come to fruition. However, until that time there will be aggression and resistance, but it all must come to pass. People will be faced with the choice of pledging their allegiance to the beast or to the Lamb. Those who choose the mark of the beast will eventually share the same fate. The great city Babylon will fall. Those who choose to follow the Lamb, will be brought into eternal fellowship with God in the city of New Jerusalem. The end has been explained to the recipients of Revelation. Believers are encouraged to remain faithful and wait eagerly for the return of Christ, who will forever destroy evil and bring in the eternal state of blessedness.


[1] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Re 4:11.

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