THE CITY of GOD (REVELATION 21)
Typhoon Saola came and conquered last week! On the night after Saola left, I noticed my window ledge was wet, and so were the pillows and blankets on my bed by the window. I could not figure out how in the world the water entered. I had to throw two small pillows, wash a load of two window drapes and another load of two blankets, and dry them near midnight.
The next day, I saw an older lady talking longer than usual to the reception employee, so I asked the reception employee, “Were a lot of homes affected?” She said, “Many!” I told her, “I couldn’t understand how water entered when the windows were not wet.” She replied, “Through the window rubber because the building is more than twenty years old, so the windows need attention!”
Much as we love our possessions and properties, we are merely pilgrims and wayfarers on earth. Like Abraham, we are looking “for the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Heb 11:10)
In the last chapter, Satan was bound for a thousand years (Rev 20:2), then was released to deceive the nations (20:8) and was recaptured to be cast in the lake of fire (Rev 20:10) in the last chapter. All judgment (Rev 20:4) and judging (Rev 20:12, 13) were done in the last chapter, but the Satan’s destiny in the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev 20:10) is not the climax of Revelation. The climax is the city of God, God’s residence with man.
What is God’s city like? How do we solve problems there? Why is the city of God all we ever need?
Experience His Goodness
1 Then 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. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And 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. 4 He 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." 5 He 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." 6 He 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. 7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But 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."
Last month I returned to my hometown to meet a close relative who has “fourth stage cancer.” My goal was to share the gospel with the family. On the first night, we went to dinner, followed by durian and ended with Indian milk tea. My relative showed me the small tubes taped inside his big shirt and a plastic carrier or bag inside his pants to drain fluid from his chemotherapy treatment two days ago. At dinner I told my relative that I felt half of me is dying as well, to which the person says, “I am so happy you said that.”
We had breakfast the next day and lunch on the third day. My relative previously thought he had less than a year to live. At one time, my relative asked me, “When are you coming back again?” I said, “Chinese new year,” which is five months away. The person sighed in resignation.
Because I had to leave not too long after lunch nearby, I said, “You guys can carry on, we have to get the rental car and luggage!” When we left the hostel, my relatives were downstairs to meet us. I asked, “I thought you guys were staying longer to enjoy your lunch!” They said, “Your relative missed you.” After reflecting on the trip, I decided to go again next month to give more support.
Life on earth is fragile, fragmentable and fleeting. What is our option? The structure of verse 1-4 is an interchange of verses 1 with 4, and verses 2 with 3 in the middle. The repetitions in verses 1 and 4 are the words “no,” “no longer/more” (same in Greek) and “passed away.” There are repetitions in verse 2-3 are “out of heaven” and “God” (thrice).
V 1 V 2 V 3 V 4
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was NO (ouk) more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from GOD OUT OF HEAVEN, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice OUT OF HEAVEN saying, Behold, the tabernacle of GOD is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and GOD himself shall be with them, and be their GOD. 4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be NO (ouk) more death, NEITHER sorrow, NOR (oute) crying, NEITHER (oute) shall there be any more pain:
No more sea No more death
for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away for the former things are passed away
Other observations include the noun “city” occurring 12 times (vv 2, 10, 14, 15, 16 twice, 18, 19, 21, 23), the noun “heaven” four times (vv 1 twice, 2, 10) in the chapter for the last time in the Bible, and the adjective “new” five times (vv 1 twice, 4, 9, 13) for the last time - all the three nouns occurring more in this chapter than any chapter in the Bible.
God’s city is holy (v 2), heavenly (v 2) and homely (v 3). The city of new Jerusalem is characterized by three “T” (vv 3-4, KJV). The first T is tabernacle or dwelling in NIV. The noun “dwelling/tabernacle” (skene) and the verb “live/dwell” (skenoo) in verse 3 are the same word in noun and verb form. Later Jewish scholars used the word “Shekinah” to refer to the dwelling place of God, especially the Temple in Jerusalem. The verb “live/dwell” (skenoo) first appeared in John 1:14 – its only occurrence outside of Revelation, where the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us in all His glory, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) what does it mean? There are three “with” (meta) in the first declaration (v 3): “the dwelling of God is “with” (meta) men, and he will live “with” (meta) them. It is more than a residence; it is a relational, reverential and redeemed relationship.
The second T is tears (v 4). Verse 4’s “death” is termination and separation, “mourning/sorrow” is tears and sadness, “crying” is tumult and sound, and “pain” is tribulation and suffering. Wipe (v 4) means blot out the cries, brush away our tears or bid goodbye to pain.
The third T is throne (v 5). Throne implies sovereignty, supremacy and subjugation as well. The saying from the throne is, “"I am making everything new!” The adjective “new” occurs for (vv 1, 2, 5) for the last time – from new heaven and earth to new Jerusalem (v 2) to all things new (v 5). It means having a new identity, importance and intimacy as the bride of Christ (v 2, no more feeling indifferent, inadequate and insignificant.
Verses 6-8 are progression, from “I” in verse 6 – “I” am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end “I” (in Greek), “I” will give;” “He” in verse 7 - “He who overcomes….I will be his God and he will be my son,” and the others in verse 8: The others (v 8) are the less said, he better! They need more preaching, persuasion and patience from us.
The phrase “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” (v 6) means He is the essence of life, the energy in life and the end of life. In Him is origin, output, opportunity, order and optimism. Finally, the progression is from bride (v 2) to “His people” (v 3) and to inherit as “my son” (v 7).
The summation of verses 1-8 are:
He will dwell with them (v 3)
He will dry all tears (v 4)
He will deem them children (v 8).
Exclaim His Greatness
9 One 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." 10 And 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. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It 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. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The 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. 17 He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man's measurement, which the angel was using. 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The 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, 20 the 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.
Last month, I was in Kuala Lumpur and I was reminded how affordable the houses are there compared to Hong Kong. A 1,000 square feet house costing $500,000 ringgit in Kuala Lumpur is $850,000 Hong Kong dollars, but houses in Hong Kong are at least $5 million Hong Kong dollars for 500 square feet, so a 1,000 square feet house Hong Kong can change for 12 in Kuala Lumpur!
The heavenly city is gated (v 12 twelve gates) and guarded by 12 angels (v 9, 17) and garnished (v 19 all manners of precious stones, KJV). It is permanent, perfect and peaceful.
NIV NASU EVS
V 16 12,000 stadia in length, width and height
+ wall 144 cubits thick
V 16 1,500 miles in length, width and height
+ wall 72 yards
1,500 miles in length, width and height
+ wall 216 feet high
First, it is a great city. The city is approximately 1,500 miles on each side, according to NASB, or 2,250,000 square miles, or more than 7,488 times that of New York City, the largest city of the world with a mammoth, magnificent and mind-boggling total of 300.46 square miles. The city is precious, prosperous and, most of all, best of all, priceless.
Second, it is gated (v 12), grounded. Walls and gates are meant to be symbols and signposts to people who are special, separated and sacred to Him – sign you belong to him, believe in Him and blessed by Him. A wall means no unwelcome, uninitiated and unqualified guests. In United States, it’s called a gated community. Inside the gates are amenities for all. For example, in Hong Kong we have three clubhouses with three pools, one bowling alley, badminton courts, ping pong room, tennis courts and a library.
Third, it is guarded by twelve angels (v 12). Angels are God’s servants, sentinels (from Les Miserables) and support staff. In Revelation, angels majestic, mighty (Rev 5:2, 10:1, 18:21), ministerial and militant.
Fourth, it is grounded (v 14). A foundation is the base, the bottommost and the bedrock. It protects the house from sagging, seeping, slipping, swerving, shifting or sliding.
Internet articles:
“A good foundation protects, it prevents the building from cracking and destruction.
Firstly, they keep the structure standing through adverse weather which may otherwise cause movement and damage. Whether using foundation piling or other methods, a good foundation protects the structure from storms, high winds and other weather that can batter a property.”
“A good foundation protects the framework from all types of ground movement. It could be from our torrential downpours, disturbances in the ground from vehicles or road work, or any type of vibrations.”
“A good foundation protects everything above it, especially during an earthquake.”
What’s the difference between the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles? First, the Law versus the Lamb. Second, it’s the Great Commandment versus the Great Commission. Third, foundation versus foundations (plural).
12 tribes of Israelites 12 apostles From tribes to people
Old Testament New Testament
Israel Church = the bride (v 9) The Lamb’s wife
Ancient land From heaven (v 10) Heavenly kingdom
A great city (v 10) Israel never “great city”
Jerusalem = city of peace
holy Jerusalem (v 10)
The Law The Lamb Most occurrences in the Bible in chapter 21 (21:9, 14, 22, 23, 27)
The Great Commandment The Great Commission
City of angels (v 12) 12 angels (v 12)
Pure gold (v 18 twice, 21) First and most in New Testament
g Stones (Wikipedia:
1. jasper – opaque (red, yellow, brown or green)
2. sapphire - blue.
3. chalcedony – gray or brown
4. emerald – green
5. sardonyx – reddish brown
6. sardius (carnelian) - red
7. chrysolite - green
8 beryl – colorless to blue, green, yellow, pink and red
9. topaz – colorless to blue, brown or orange
10. chrysoprase – green
11. jacinth – yellow-red to red-brown
12. amethyst - purple
Here are the precious stones:
1. Jasper – opaque (red, yellow, brown or green)
2. Sapphire - blue.
3. Chalcedony – gray or brown
4. Emerald – green
5. Sardonyx – reddish brown
6. Sardius (carnelian) - red
7. Chrysolite - green
8 Beryl – colorless to blue, green, yellow, pink and red
9. Topaz – colorless to blue, brown or orange
10. Chrysoprase – green
11. Jacinth – yellow-red to red-brown
12. Amethyst – purple
What’s so special about the 12 stones when the city is of pure gold (v 17) and pearls (v 21)? Because the stones need not be expensive, but it’s exquisite, elegance and elaborate.
Enter His Glory
22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The 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. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 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 Lamb's book of life.
In Hong Kong we have numerous businesses associated with the word “Glory”:
Glorious Seafood Restaurant, Glorious Florist (Lai Chi Kok)
Glorious Cuisine (Shum Shui Po)
Glory Bakery, Glory Café (Mong Kok)
Glory Rise Housing (North Point)
Glory Dental Clinic (Tsuen Wan)
Glroy Heights (Mid-Levels)
Garden Housing Complex (Tuen Mun)
Glorious Peak (Sheung Shui)
There is more mention of glory (vv 11, 23, 24, 26) in this chapter than any chapter in
the book. The glory of God is so powerful, passionate and perfect it could light the city (v 22). There is no need for sun or moon - only light from the glory of God. The Son’s glory is the firewood, fuel and fossil source. One day we would bow at His glory, bask in His glory and bloom in his glory. There’s no need of other power gadget, generator or grid, but Him. There’s no better than any battery, bandwidth or backup.
FOR (REASON) V 22 I did not (ouk) see a temple … BECAUSE the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (WHO)
V 23 The city does not (ouk) need the sun…FOR the glory of God gives it light/lighten it (HOW)
V 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, FOR there will be no (ouk) night there (WHEN)
HINA (PURPOSE) V 23 gives it light (to shine in it, KJV)
Ou + me (NO NEVER) v25 On no (ouk + me) day will its gates ever be shut
V 27 Nothing (ouk + me) impure will ever enter it
There are three ways to understand the three “for” (gar” in the passage. First is who – because Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (v 22. Second is how - , for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. Third is when - for there will be no night there (v 25). All the three “for” (gar) comes with a “not” (vv 22, 23, 25), except the last “no” has a “no never” too. The Law will be replaced by the book of life (v 27). Law is not mentioned in Revelation. The architect versus the architecture.
There are three distinctives to the glory of God in the second last chapter of Revelation. First, the glory of God collective; it is shared with Christ - “the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” (Rev 21:23) Second, it is inclusive; it is spread to nations - the kings of the earth and nations will “bring their glory and honor” into it (v 24, KJV). Third, it is exhaustive. Chapter 21 is the last mention of “glory” in the Bible. There is nothing bigger, better or brighter than the glory of God in Christ. It beyond us, before us and beside us. It will be foremost, forever and final.
