BEHOLD, ALL THINGS MADE NEW
The Bible is a spectacular piece of literature, even If you are someone who does not believe anything written in it. It was penned by at least 40 traditional authors and written in three different languages, Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. However, what is more remarkable yet, is the story that the Bible tells. The Bible tells the epic story of God and His creation, His blessing, the temptation, sin, exile, the promise of restoration, salvation and the ultimate fulfillment of the promised restoration.
For those of us reading the word of God today, we have the advantage of knowing that the entire Old Testament narratives was leading to Jesus. All in all, it is an epic book telling an even more epic story, which begs the question, how does it all end? That, my friends, is the question we will be examining in this final installment of our mini-series on an introduction to the book of Revelation. We are going to conclude this study by focusing on the very end-of-the-end of the most epic story ever told.
At this moment, humanity and the whole earth is cut off from the full life of heaven. I don’t think we have to look too far before we can confirm this by mere observation. Rampant Crime, immorality, rebellion, greed, cruelty, diseases, racial polarization, anarchy, and selfishness abound in America and around the world. To use a biblical metaphor, creation groans like a woman in childbirth. This travailing of course, is the result of the original sin in the Garden of Eden. However, the fall of man did not stop God’s purpose for man, but rather, simply delayed His plan.
God from the very beginning after the fall, promised that one day He would bring restoration and redemption back to the world and defeat the enemy (Genesis 3:15). To be more specific, the fall of man did not cause God to change His eternal purpose for man. Instead, God began to providentially orchestrate and facilitate His plan to turn the defeat of sin, into the victory of man’s eternal redemption. The plan that involved the virgin birth, death, resurrection and soon return of His only begotten Son, the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the establishing of His eternal Heavenly Kingdom here on a future renovated earth.
The plan that will also include the gathering of the saints of God who have been redeemed out of the Human race and who will “reign and rule” with Christ throughout eternity (See: Daniel 7:18). And it is this big story of the fall of man and God’s big redemption and restoration plan for the human race as well as the planet itself, that we see revealed, developed, unfolded, and ultimately fulfilled in the pages of the Bible.
Genesis Vs Revelation
Before I continue however, I think that it would be helpful to review some facts that I pointed out in the part one introduction to this study. First of all, it is important that the student of scripture recognizes that the Bible is much more than a mere collection of inspirational stories. To the contrary, the Bible is both one book and many books. The word “bible” comes from the Latin “biblia,” which simply means “books.” In other words, there are 66 books in the Protestant Bible, so one could say that the Bible contains a library of books. Within these books are dozens of interconnecting stories that are all leading to one huge climatic event which is told in the Book of Revelation. Simply put, the Bible in addition to being a collection of sixty-six books, is also one book, because it tells one big story, God’s story.
In Genesis we find the beginning of this big story, which begins with God creating the Heavens and the Earth, then creating Adam and Eve and giving them dominion over His creation with one stipulation. They were not to eat of the fruit of one particular tree. However, the serpent was able to deceive man, causing him to disobey God, thus breaking the fellowship that God had with man, and thus man was expelled from the Garden and death and sin was officially now the result.
Nevertheless, because of God’s grace, mercy and love that passes all human understanding, He began to put in motion a systematic planthat would eventually restore that broken relationship and return God’s creation to the His original intent.
Now, for many people, when reading the Bible, it’s easy to get caught up in the multitude of details, the hundreds of characters, events and the many inspirational stories on one hand, while on the other hand, failing to pay attention to the One Big Story that is being told, or the big picture that is being painted about God.
Bible scholars have a name for this One Big Story, it’s the “meta narrative.” This “big meta narrative” is all about “the whole universal plan of God worked out through his creation. Key aspects of the narrative at this top level include: the initial creation itself, the fall of humanity, the power and ubiquity of sin, the need for redemption, and Christ’s incarnation and sacrifice.” 1
Other names for the One Big Story include “the story of redemption,” “redemptive history” or “salvation history.” Therefore, it is essential that the bible student when reading and studying the Bible, always keep this One Big Story in mind, when connecting the dots, because everything that happens in the Bible after Genesis 3:15, (especially after Genesis 12) is either directly or indirectly related to this one big meta redemption narrative.
To further expand upon this bible meta narrative, let’s first consider some of the parallels between the Genesis, the first book in this big picture story, and The Book of Revelation the final book of the Bible. For starters, Genesis and The Book of Revelation represent the “LENS” through which we can understand the entire bible. (“Till Heaven and Earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away, till all things are fulfilled” Math. 5:18).
Genesis 1:1-21 In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, and the earth was without form or shape, with darkness over the abyss and a mighty wind sweeping over the waters. In Revelation 21:1-2 John writes, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
Creation and New Creation
One powerful example of the connection between Genesis and Revelation, which by the way, ties this big meta narrative together, can be seen in a comparison between Genesis 1-3, which tells us about the Creation of the heavens and the earth, and Revelation 21-22, which talks about the New Creation of the New Heavens and New Earth. Simply put, in the description of the New Heavens and New Earth in Revelation 21-22, over and over again you have echoes of what occurred in the creation of the heavens and earth.
Genesis 1-3: • In Genesis 1:4, there is a division of light and darkness; in Revelation 21:25, there is no night.
• In Genesis 1:10, there is a division of land and sea; in Revelation 21:1, there is no more sea.
• In Genesis 1:16, the rule of the sun and moon is described; in Revelation 21:23, we learn that there is no need for the sun or moon.
• In Genesis 2:10, we are told about a river flowing out of the Garden of Eden; in Revelation 22:1, we are told about a river flowing from God’s throne.
• Genesis 2:9 describes the Tree of Life in the midst of the garden; Revelation 22:2 describes the Tree of Life throughout the city.
• Genesis 2:12 tells us that God and precious stones are in the land; Revelation 21:19 tells us that gold and precious stones are throughout.
• God walks in the garden, among His creation as described in Genesis 3:8; Revelation 21:3 states that God’s dwelling will be with His people.
• Following Adam and Eve’s sin, Genesis 3:17 states that the ground itself will be cursed; in the New Creation, there will be no more curse (Revelation 22:3).
• As a result of sin and the curse, life in creation is characterized by pain and sorrow (Genesis 3:17-19); in the new creation, there will be no more sorrow, pain, or tears (Revelation 21:1-4).
• Additionally, the sin results in death, described as a returning to the dust (Genesis 3:19); in the New Heavens and New Earth, there is no more death (Revelation 21:4).
• Adam and Eve are banished from the garden, and cherubim guard the entrance to it (Genesis 3:24); angels actively invite into the city in Revelation 21:9.
There are actually many more points of comparison that could be made, but suffice it to say that in the book of Revelation, God reveals to us the full circle or culmination of His redemptive promises that He had been providentially orchestrating since He called out a man named Abraham. In Revelation 21 and 22, John is clearly describing the eternity that God’s people will spend with Him in the New Heavens and New Earth in language that echoes back to the story of creation and fall in Genesis 1-3. In making these connections between Revelation and Genesis, John is making a significant and profound theological point: the creation that God created good but that was tainted by sin, He is going to redeem, recreate, and perfect!
After the great white throne judgment (which we just saw at the end of chapter 20), Christ’s reign as king on earth is fully established in that everything has been made holy. Sin and corruption are things of the past. Here in chapter 21, we see a glimpse of the eternal kingdom of God, and it appears to be a whole newly created world, as the old world was destroyed (Revelation 20:11). The new earth will be the eternal dwelling place of believers in Jesus Christ. The new earth and the new heavens are sometimes referred to as the “eternal state.” Scripture gives us a few details of the new heavens and new earth.
Introducing the New Heaven, New Earth, and New Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-11)
The previous chapter has concluded with the image of final judgment. Satan has been thrown into the lake of fire. All the dead are standing before the throne and the books were opened. Those whose names were not written in the book of life were also thrown into the lake of fire, where they along with Satan are tormented day and night forever and ever (20:10,15). Our context is the end of time when Christ returns and final judgment has occurred. In John’s vision of this great restoration, he saw a new heaven and earth, which is a clear reference to the very beginning of the biblical narrative:
“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, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell 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 the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death9 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” (Revelation 21:1-11).
John now turns our attention to a description of the renovated heavens and earth. John tells us this heaven and earth is “new” which tells us that it is different, or changed from the heaven and earth with which we are familiar. This new world no longer has “seas”. This new world will no longer feel the presence of the lost, nor will it experience the unrest and upheaval of sin upon it.
John now sees a new heaven and new earth because the first heaven and first earth had passed away. We saw the first heaven and earth pass away in Revelation 20:11. The time of this physical earth is now completed. It has been burned up (2 Peter 3:10). Now the new heaven and the new earth have been ushered in. John is going to be told what this new heaven and new earth looks like in verses 3-8.
John sees a heavenly city descend to this New Earth. This city is the dwelling place of God come down to the earth. It represents God’s presence being given to the saints to enjoy Him for eternity. This city is said to be very beautiful, like a bride that is prepared for marriage. John describes God’s relationship with His people in this wondrous city. God will be with them, they will learn of Him, worship Him, and serve Him. John also tells us that the results of sin will be done away. There will be no more crying, sorrow, or pain. God promises to make an entirely new type of existence for His people. It will be like nothing we have ever experienced on earth. This is a promise that we can rely upon. We can know with certainty that this wonderful eternal existence awaits the people of God.
In the new heavens and new earth, Scripture says, there are seven things notable for their absence or seven things that are “no more”: • No more sea (Revelation 21:1) • No more death (Revelation 21:4) • No more mourning (Revelation 21:4) • No more weeping (Revelation 21:4) • No more pain (Revelation 21:4) • No more curse (Revelation 22:3) • No more night (Revelation 22:5)
In other words, the new earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death. It will be similar to our current earth, but without the curse of sin. It will be earth as God originally intended it to be. It will be Eden restored. The Lord then extends an invitation for all of mankind to come to Him and enjoy these blessings that await His people. Those who come to Him will be victorious overcomers in this sinful world, they will inherit these eternal blessings and will enter into a family relationship with Him as the children of God. However, those who reject this invitation and choose to remain in their sinfulness will face a horrible eternity of separation from God and torment in the Lake of Fire.
It’s an all-new Garden of Eden, the paradise of eternal life with God! This is an image of the Old Testament prophetic echoing all the way back to the first pages of Genesis. He saw the tree of life there, accessible to all and eternally yielding fruit. It could do this because its roots had access to the eternal river of life, which can dispense nourishment to all the new creation because it flows from the presence of God himself. However, in John’s account of a garden, humanity wasn’t represented by a couple. Rather, John describes seeing all the nations there, working to cultivate the garden as Adam and Eve did in Genesis. For John, the fulfillment of God’s purpose through Jesus would result in the restoration of humans to their place as co-rulers of God’s world, ready to work with God to take creation into uncharted territory.
But it’s not just a return back to the garden; it’s a step forward into a new Jerusalem, a great city where human cultures and all their diversity work together in peace and harmony before God. John first described the new creation as a marriage of heaven and earth. Heaven is represented as both a city and a bride, coming down out of God’s heavenly domain and landing on earth, much like the staircase Jacob saw in his dream. John called the city-bride a “new Jerusalem.” It was so marvelous that he could only describe it regarding brilliant stones.
A major feature of the new earth will be the New Jerusalem. John calls it “the Holy City, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). This glorious city, with its streets of gold and pearly gates, is situated on a new, glorious earth. The tree of life will be there (Revelation 22:2).
This city represents the final state of redeemed mankind, forever in fellowship with God: “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. His servants will serve him. They will see his face” (Revelation 21:3; 22:3-4).
But arguably, one of the most spectacular aspects of our eternal city, is its massive size. The following images gives us a basic frame of reference of the sheer scope and magnitude of this city when it comes down to earth:
These images gives a sense of the sheer size and scope of the city.
The city’s exact dimensions are measured by an angel and reported to be 12,000 stadia, the equivalent of 1,400 miles or 2,200 kilometers, in length, width, and height (Revelation 21:15-16). Even more astounding is the city’s 1,400-mile height. We don’t need to worry that Heaven will be to crowded. The ground level of the city will be nearly two million square miles. This is forty times bigger than England and fifteen thousand times bigger than London. It’s ten times as big as France or Germany and far larger than India. But remember, that’s just the ground level.
Dr. Henry Morris, founder of The Institute for Creation Research made some interesting calculations concerning the New Jerusalem: Henry Morris estimates that the total population of the world, past, present, and future, will be about one hundred billion. If 20 percent ultimately become residents of the New Jerusalem, then the city will have to accommodate twenty billion people.
If residences occupy 25 percent of the space in the city (leaving 75 percent for avenues, parks, public buildings, and other areas), then each residence, or cubical block, would be about one-third of a mile on each face of the cube. Compare one-third of a mile, or 1,760 feet, to the width and depth of lots (which might range anywhere from 60 to 250 feet) on which homes are typically built today.
Obviously, there will be more than ample room for all who will live in the New Jerusalem. Given the dimensions of a 1,400-mile cube, and assuming that the city will consist of multiple levels, and if each story were a generous twelve feet high, the city could have over 600,000 stories. If they were on different levels, billions of people could occupy the New Jerusalem, with many square miles per person. (2)
John is invited to come and see the bride that has prepared to join her husband in marriage and live eternally with Him. This bride is the wondrous city that now awaits His presence and the presence of His people. John is taken to a high mountain that overlooks this glorious city. He sees God’s glory enlightening the city as a clear Jasper stone which is symbolic of the Lord holiness and sinlessness. This entire vision emphasizes the changed eternal world and the many eternal joys that await the people of God as they dwell in this city.
No Need for Sun or Moon – No Night (21:23-25)
The New Jerusalem will have no need of the sun or moon to light the city; the Shekinah Glory of God will light the city. This doesn’t mean there will be no sun or moon, the text simply says there will be no need for the sun and moon as sources of light for the city. In fact, there will be no night in the Eternal Order. We won’t need to lock our doors at night. The gates of the city will never be shut; there will be no need because there will be no night and there will be no criminals or criminal activity so much of which happens under cover of darkness.
Nothing Unclean (21:26-27)
No person or thing which is unclean, impure or evil will ever enter the New Jerusalem. Instead, those who were kings on the old earth and Gentile saints (better translation than “nations”) will bring glory and honor to the city. Only those written in the Lamb’s book of life will dwell in the city. Finally, in verses 1-5 of chapter 22, the things John is shown reveal that the things lost in the Garden of Eden will be restored in the New Jerusalem.
PARADISE RESTORED (22:1-5)
“Then 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 2 down 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. 3 No 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. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There 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” (Revelation 22:1-5).
The same angel that showed John the New Jerusalem, then shows him a river of the water of life. The river was crystal clear, for there are no contaminants or impurities in heaven. The water is indicative of the living water of Christ, and, thus, it is pictured as emanating from the throne of God and the Lamb. He is the source of the living water. Those who drink of it in this life by putting their faith in Him will have access to Him and to the river forever (John 4:10, 7:38).
God’s throne will be present in the New Jerusalem. Thus, at least in a way, heaven will have come to earth in the most complete way. The New Jerusalem descended to earth from out of heaven, and God dwells here on earth in the Heavenly City. Jesus’ prayer of His will in heaven being done on earth (Matthew 6:10) has some fulfillment in the church age, even more during the millennial kingdom, but its ultimate fulfillment here. The river of life is in the middle of the street, which is of gold, for it symbolizes that life goes out from Jesus as promised to all in the city forever and ever. The tree of life on each side of the river adds to this imagery and reinforces the fact that eternal life is assured.
(Genesis 3:24) Eating from the tree of life back after the fall turned out to be a disaster for the human race (Genesis 3:24) but eating of the tree of life in eternity is a guarantee of eternal bliss and satisfaction. The trees are seen producing twelve different kinds of fruit throughout the twelve months of the year. But eating of the tree of life in eternity is a guarantee of eternal bliss and satisfaction. The trees are seen producing twelve different kinds of fruit throughout the twelve months of the year. But eating of the tree of life in eternity is a guarantee of eternal bliss and satisfaction. The trees are seen producing twelve different kinds of fruit throughout the twelve months of the year.(Genesis 3:24) but eating of the tree of life in eternity is a guarantee of eternal bliss and satisfaction. The trees are seen producing twelve different kinds of fruit throughout the twelve months of the year.
Thus, there is a sense of time in eternity, but it just goes on forever and ever. It doesn’t get boring or dull, for there are always new things to enjoy, learn, and explore. Thus, there will always be more things to glorify God for. This might be hard for people to understand because sinful pleasures get old and less satisfying with time (Hebrews 11:25). However, as the ever-yielding and multi-yielding tree of life suggests, godly pleasures are always new, fulfilling, satisfying, and eternally worth enjoying. Just as love within marriage grows deeper as both learn how to love one another better with time as God enables, enjoying God will only get more wonderful with time.
The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. People from every tribe, tongue, and nation will be there in this heavenly glory, and God will wipe away every tear and every sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no brokenness, disability, or frailty in heaven, for Jesus will make all things new. The minds of the redeemed will be made new also, able to enjoy God forever and fixate upon His glory. All the remnants of sin, death, and pain will be lost forever. Relationships will be made whole, and joy will be made full.
John and the Angel
6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” 10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”
The angel told John that the words that he has heard and the visions that he has seen are indeed faithful and true because they are given by God. God sent the angel to John to show to him and to the saints of God in John’s time, in the present time, and in the time of the end what would take place. God didn’t leave people without a warning for the end, nor did He leave His people without a reason for hope in the end. He, the same God Who hinted at these future events as He spoke through the prophets of old (Isaiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and others) has spoken in this revelation to John concerning the times of the end. These events will take place soon and not eons of time in the future.
The timeline of Scripture is but thousands of years, and Jesus’ return is imminent. Believers are to live eagerly awaiting and anticipating the return of Jesus. Even though they do not know the hour or day (Matthew 24:36), they know the season, and the signs of the times are coming true with great rapidity (Matthew 24:4-14, Daniel 12:4). Jesus will be back soon, and a blessing will be upon those who listen to and heed the words in this book. A curse will be upon those who reject the truth of Jesus and who add or take away from this book (v. 18-19). God wants people to hear the truth about His Son and to be prepared for His return.
Interestingly, in verse 8, John echoed what he said in chapter one that he is the one who heard and saw this revelation from God. He is a credible witness, for he is the same man who walked and talked with Christ when He was on earth the first time. He saw Him die and then saw His resurrected body. He saw Him ascend into heaven, and he was part of the apostles who helped lay the foundation of the early church (Ephesians 2:20).
John made the same mistake twice (Revelation 19:10) of being so overwhelmed by the angel that he bowed before him. The angel quickly rebuked him and told him not to worship him but only God. Angels are also servants of God and servants of the saints. They are not to be worshipped. That John was open and honest about his own errors also lends veracity to his testimony. He faithfully related the events exactly as they happened, even when it cast himself in a poor light. Jesus Himself testified to the truthfulness of this prophecy (v. 20).
John was then told not to seal up the words of the prophecy as if they could be filed away indefinitely and rendered useless, irrelevant, and not immediately applicable. The reality is that the time of Christ’s return is near such that those of John’s day and of the present day need to study this vision and be prepared for Jesus’ return (see also v. 16). The message of verse 11 is not that Jesus doesn’t want people to repent (2 Peter 3:9). Rather, the idea is that justice is coming.
Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents, God is glorified when the righteous serve Him, and there is also joy in heaven when God’s just wrath is finally poured out. Verse 11 is a call and desire for the end to come so that all will get their just due and be recompensed according to their deeds, the righteous to life and the wicked to hell (v. 13). As Isaiah 3:10-11 says, “Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, For they will eat the fruit of their actions. Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, For what he deserves will be done to him.”
The Epilogue: Invitation and Warning
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.
In verse 12, Jesus tells John that He is coming quickly (see also v. 7 and 20). His return is not way off but nearer than most people think and recognize. People need to take heed to the words in this book and consider where they stand in regard to eternity. Christ will judge every man according to what he has done (Romans 2:6). The only hope of being found by God as righteous is to trust in Christ for forgiveness and to turn from sin to life (v. 14). He is the eternal God with no beginning or end, and He will have the final say.
This means judgment is sure for unbelievers, but eternal life is equally sure for believers. Believers also can be excited about eternal rewards on account of their faithfulness (2 Corinthians 5:10, 1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Thus, there is great hope for believers, and they can be excited that His return is sooner rather than later. Their coming inheritance should motivate them to purify themselves as He is pure (James 4:8) and to want to use every opportunity to advance the kingdom of God on earth (1 Corinthians 9:24, Proverbs 11:30).
Jesus wants people to understand that the only way to gain entrance to the glory and paradise that is heaven is to wash their robes in His blood by confessing Him as Lord (Romans 10:9-10) and trusting in Him to forgive them (1 John 1:9) and make them new in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). That is how they can enjoy the fruit of the tree of life and have eternal life with Jesus in heaven forever (Revelation 22:2). That is the only way that they can gain entrance to the New Jerusalem. Those who are outside of heaven are those who did not trust in Christ for salvation, and they are not known as belonging to Christ and as those who are pure in Him.
Rather, they are known and measured by their deeds which include sorcery, immorality, idolatry, murder, and lying. They lie because they are children of the devil (1 John 3:10), and they love and enjoy the wickedness that they do. Their sin defines them, and it is who they are and what they do (1 John 3:8-9). They have no part with Jesus in heaven, and their only chance is to repent while they are still alive on earth. After that, it is too late.
Finally, a critical test of salvation and genuine heart change is how a person receives the Word of God.
Some people add to the Scripture or read their own interpretation or agenda into it. Others ignore certain verses because they are difficult, they make them uncomfortable, or they do not resonate with the culture of the day. Others come up with revelation outside of the Scripture and use it to, as they say, rightly interpret the Scripture.
Any form of adding or taking away from the Scripture is a sign of a lack of faith and a heart that is held captive by the devil (Matthew 5:18, Luke 16:17). Those who can’t accept the Scripture at face value even though God has promised that His Word will endure forever (1 Peter 1:25) will find themselves outside of the gospel and salvation. They will have no part in eternal life and the New Jerusalem. In God’s mind, His preserved Scripture is sufficient to save (Luke 16:29-31), and it should be heard, listened to, and received.
Jesus testifies to the veracity and integrity of this prophecy, and He reminds both believers and unbelievers alike that He will return to the earth soon. There are not millions and millions of years to sort things out, nor is there some netherworld or purgatory for a second chance to repent. People must make a choice before they die, and their eternal fate will be judged accordingly. The response of the believer to Christ’s promised imminent return should be, “let it be, come soon, for You are Lord, Jesus.” Eternal life is a weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17) that far outweighs the entanglements (Hebrews 12:1) and passing pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25). His pleasures endure forever (Psalm 16:11), and they are worth persevering for in faith no matter the cost (Luke 14:25-33).
Finally, John’s closing benediction is to pray that the grace of God will sustain believers in faith and that they will keep their focus toward the glory of the coming age. It is also a petition and prayer for unbelievers to respond to the grace of God and be saved. God wants none to perish, and He will keep spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth, even during the tribulation period (Revelation 14:6-7). He is a gracious God, and believers everywhere ought to echo John’s prayer for grace to come to more and more.
(Douglas Stuart and Gordon Fee, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth, p. 91).
Quoted by Charles Ryrie in Revelation- Everyman’s Bible Commentary (Everyman’s Bible Commentaries) (Kindle Locations 2161-2169). Moody Publishers.
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