Revelation 21:1-6: No More Tears
As we begin the final chapter studies of the book of Revelation, we come to the answers that Jesus promised near the beginning when He said John would be shown things that were and things that will be.
Here we are given understanding of the reason the curtain was pulled back for John to receive his vision which was to see and convey the plan for the end of the original creation and what will come next.
ALL THINGS MADE NEW
John says that he saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away. There was no more sea.
As we view this amazing teaching, we should be sure we have come to a solid understanding of the explanations of Jesus we have been given.
Jesus the Lord of the churches (1:1 to 3:22)
Jesus the Lion over the nations ( 4: 1 to 20: 15)
Jesus the Lamb among believers (21:1 to 22:21)
This new perspective we are given is glorious. Through the smoke and pain and heat of the tribulation it is a relief to pass into the clear and clean atmosphere of the eternal morning where the breath of heaveh is sweet and the vast city of God sparkles from the Lord's radiance. This concept of a new creation is not arranged for us the first time in this scripture. Both our OT and NT foretells and shadows this idea for us clearly.
Isaiah 65:17-19
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind .... I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy ... the voice of weeping shall no more be heard in her, nor the voice of crying".
Psalm 102:25-27
"Of old thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the. work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them ... shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed ... ".
2nd Peter 3:12-13
"Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness".
It is important that we understand the formal meaning of the phrase "new heavens". The Bible uses the word heaven to have three meanings. First it means the sky just above us, the blue sky with our atmosphere contained in it. Second it means the night sky, the celestial darkness displaying planets and stars. Third it means the heavenly place above all things where God has always lived. Paul revealed this third heaven to us in 2nd Cor 12:2 when he himself was allowed to see it.
The new heavens to be changed are the first two, not the third. The Greek word used here "kaine" means new in character. This is not just some remodeled heaven and earth, but is a better heaven and earth. Jesus taught us in Luke 21 that heaven and earth shall pass away, but His word would live forever. Some have supposed that this change is only to be a spiritual change but this is untrue. We know this because we are also told that there is no more sea. The sea has always been a source of division and separation. This vision is of the final and eternal creation.
Verses 2-4 show us the perfect city coming down out of heaven to earth, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. A voice from heaven speaks explaining that God will dwell in this new eternal city with His own people. Every tear shall be wiped away. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, or crying, or pain, for the former things are passed away.
This is a holy city, named New Jerusalem, so named because it was in the original Jerusalem where man's redemption was made. It will be unmarked by sin and will be the first community of mankind to be so. Adam & Eve had a family not marked by sin for a time but now this eternal city will forever be so blessed. Until this moment some think man has the potential to make such peace but we cannot avoid the fact that it arrives only in a city gifted from God. The ancient Tabernacle and the Holy Temple were representations of a place where God could be met but now there will be a permanent place where God will dwell with His own for eternity.
Verse 5 instructs John to write the words that all things are made new. We notice God uses the present tense "make new" not past tense. He is making it new as John beholds it happening. Paul uses such language in 2nd Cor 4 & 5 when he teaches that we become new creatures, present tense. John was so astounded at his vision that he had to be reminded by God to write.
Now God teaches that the new creation is done and that He is Alpha & Omega, the beginning and the end and that all who thirst for the living water of eternal life may come and receive it just as Jesus taught the woman at the well.