Revelation 21
Berean Study Bible

A New Heaven and a New Earth

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,

John’s vision reveals God’s renewed creation after the final judgment. The present order, damaged by sin and death, gives way to a world made fit for God’s direct dwelling with His people. The new creation is not merely an improved age but the permanent order God establishes.

Isa 65:17 For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth.…
2Pe 3:13 But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward…
Isa 66:22 For just as the new heavens and the new earth,…

for the first heaven and earth had passed away,

The former world has come to its appointed end. Its sorrows, rebellion, corruption, and mortality belong to the past, and nothing under the curse remains in the eternal kingdom.

Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words…
Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it.…
Heb 1:10-12 “In the beginning, O Lord, You laid the foundations…

and the sea was no more.

The seas of the former creation are absent from the new earth. Their removal also marks the end of separation, danger, and disorder, leaving a creation characterized by complete security and peace.

Dan 7:2-3 “In my vision in the night I looked, and suddenly”…
Rev 13:1 Then I saw a beast with ten horns and seven heads…
Isa 57:20 But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea,…

I saw the holy city,

John’s vision turns from the former order to the eternal dwelling place God has prepared for His redeemed people. The city is holy because God Himself dwells there, and all sin, death, and defilement have been removed.

Rev 11:2 But exclude the courtyard outside the temple.…
Isa 52:1 Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion!…
Heb 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations…

the new Jerusalem,

This is the restored Jerusalem of God’s final creation, the permanent home of believers from every age. It stands in contrast to the fallen cities of the world and to the earthly Jerusalem that endured judgment and destruction.

Heb 12:22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city…
Gal 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
Heb 13:14 For here we do not have a permanent city…

coming down out of heaven from God,

Its descent shows that the city originates with God rather than human achievement. Heaven and earth are united under His rule as He establishes His dwelling among His people.

Rev 3:12 The one who overcomes I will make a pillar…
Jhn 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will…
Jhn 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except the One…

prepared as a bride

The city is fully ready for its eternal union with Christ. Its purity and splendor reflect the completed redemption of the church, cleansed and made holy by Him.

Rev 19:7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory.…
Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved…
2Co 11:2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy…

adorned for her husband.

The bride imagery portrays the joy, faithfulness, and glory of God’s people as they enter everlasting fellowship with Christ. The New Jerusalem displays the righteousness and beauty God gives to those who belong to Him.

Isa 54:5 For your husband is your Maker—the LORD of Hosts…
Psa 45:13-14 All glorious is the princess in her chamber;…
Ezk 16:10-13 I clothed you in embroidered cloth and gave you sandals…

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying:

A proclamation from God’s throne announces the final condition of the redeemed. The voice carries the authority of the One who rules over all creation and brings His purposes to completion.

Rev 16:17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air,…
Rev 19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God,…

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man,

God will make His permanent home among humanity in the new creation. What the tabernacle and temple foreshadowed will be fully realized: the holy God will dwell openly with His people.

Exo 25:8 And they are to make a sanctuary for Me,…
Lev 26:11-12 And I will make My dwelling place among you,…
Jhn 1:14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.…

and He will dwell with them.

No separation, temple veil, or curse will remain. The fellowship lost through sin will be restored permanently, with God present among His people.

Ezk 37:27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God…
2Co 6:16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols…
Jhn 14:23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.…

They will be His people,

The redeemed from every nation will belong to God as His covenant people. Their identity will no longer be marked by division, sin, or rebellion, but by complete belonging to Him.

Ezk 37:23 They will no longer defile themselves with their idols…
Jer 31:33 “But this is the covenant I will make”…
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant I will make with the house…

and God Himself will be with them as their God.

God’s presence will be personal and direct. The promises made throughout Scripture reach their fulfillment as He lives with His people forever in the new heaven and new earth.

Exo 29:45-46 Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.…
Ezk 11:20 so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances,…
Jer 32:38 They will be My people, and I will be their God.

‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’

God’s personal action portrays the complete removal of grief from the lives of His redeemed people. In the new creation, the sorrows endured under the curse will no longer remain.

Rev 7:17 For the Lamb in the center of the throne…
Isa 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD…

and there will be no more death

Death, which entered human experience through sin, will be permanently abolished. Those who belong to Christ will live in uninterrupted fellowship with God.

1Co 15:54-55 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable…
1Co 15:26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
2Ti 1:10 And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing…

or mourning or crying or pain,

Every consequence of the fallen order—including loss, suffering, and physical affliction—will cease in the presence of God.

Isa 65:19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people…
Isa 61:2-3 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor…
Jhn 16:20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail…

for the former things have passed away.”

The present world order, marked by sin, death, and suffering, will give way to the new heaven and new earth, where righteousness and God’s purposes are fully established.

Isa 43:18-19 Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention…
2Co 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.…
Heb 8:13 By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one…

And the One seated on the throne said,

God speaks as the sovereign ruler over all creation, seated in judgment and authority at the culmination of history.

1Ki 22:19 Micaiah continued, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD:…
Isa 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord…

“Behold, I make all things new.”

He declares the complete renewal of heaven, earth, and His people. The former order, marked by sin, death, sorrow, and corruption, will give way to a restored creation under His direct reign.

Isa 43:19 Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming.…
Isa 65:17 For behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth.…

Then He said, “Write this down,

John is commanded to preserve the revelation as a permanent witness for the churches and for all who await the fulfillment of God’s purposes.

Hab 2:2 Then the LORD answered me: “Write down this vision…
Jer 30:2 This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says…

for these words are faithful and true.”

God’s promise of final restoration is certain because it rests on His unchanging character and authority.

Rev 19:11 Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me…
Pro 30:5 Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield…

And He told me,

God speaks directly to John, confirming the certainty and authority of the revelation.

Rev 22:6 Then the angel said to me, “These words are faithful…
Rev 17:1 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls…
Rev 19:9 Then the angel told me to write, “Blessed are those…

“It is done!

His redemptive purposes have reached their final completion. Sin, death, judgment, and the former order have passed away as God establishes the new creation.

Rev 16:17 Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air,…
Jhn 19:30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said,…
Ezk 39:8 Yes, it is coming, and it will surely happen…

I am the Alpha and the Omega,

God rules over all history, from its beginning to its final consummation. Nothing lies outside His knowledge, power, or purpose.

Rev 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last…
Rev 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God,…
Isa 44:6 Thus says the LORD, the King and Redeemer of Israel…

the Beginning and the End.

As Creator and final Judge, He brings all things to their appointed conclusion and remains unchanged throughout eternity.

Isa 41:4 Who has performed this and carried it out,…
Rev 1:17-18 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.…
Psa 102:25-27 In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth…

To the thirsty I will give freely

Those who recognize their spiritual need are invited to receive God’s gift without price or human merit.

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears……
Jhn 7:37 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up…
Isa 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;…

from the spring of the water of life.

God provides eternal life, complete renewal, and unending fellowship with Him in the new creation.

Jhn 4:14 But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.…
Rev 7:17 For the Lamb in the center of the throne…
Jer 2:13 For My people have committed two evils:……

The one who overcomes

“The one who overcomes” refers to those who remain faithful to Jesus Christ amid opposition, temptation, and suffering. The Greek nikao means “to conquer” or “prevail.” Their victory rests in Christ’s victory and is demonstrated through persevering faith.

Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says…
Rev 3:21 To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right…
Rev 2:11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says…

will inherit all things,

Those who overcome will receive the full blessings of the new creation: eternal life, freedom from sin and death, and a permanent place in God’s kingdom. This inheritance belongs to all of God’s redeemed people.

Rom 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God…
1Co 3:21-23 Therefore, stop boasting in men. All things are yours,…
Jas 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor…

and I will be his God,

“I will be his God” expresses the fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to belong to His people and to dwell with them forever. In the new creation, sin and separation will be removed, and believers will enjoy an unbroken relationship with God.

Lev 26:12 I will walk among you and be your God,…
Jer 31:33 “But this is the covenant I will make”…
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant I will make with the house…

and he will be My son.

“And he will be My son” identifies the overcomer as a member of God’s family, receiving the privilege, security, and inheritance of a beloved child.

2Sa 7:14 I will be his Father, and he will be My son.…
Heb 1:5 For to which of the angels did God ever say:…
Gal 4:6-7 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son…

But to the cowardly

Those who shrink back from Christ under pressure reveal a faith unwilling to endure persecution, suffering, or public identification with Him.

Deu 20:8 Then the officers shall speak further to the army, saying,…
Pro 29:25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD…
Heb 10:39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed,…

and unbelieving

Unbelief rejects God’s revealed truth and refuses the salvation offered through Christ.

Jhn 3:18 Whoever believes in Him is not condemned,…
Heb 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart…
Heb 3:19 So we see that it was because of their unbelief…

and abominable

This includes those devoted to practices God condemns as morally corrupt and spiritually defiling.

Deu 7:25-26 You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet…
Pro 11:20 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the LORD,…
Tit 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their actions…

and murderers

Those who unlawfully take human life stand under God’s judgment, as do those whose hatred bears the same murderous character.

Exo 20:13 You shall not murder.
Mat 5:21-22 You have heard that it was said to the ancients,…
1Jn 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, …

and sexually immoral

Sexual sin rejects God’s design for purity and marriage.

1Co 6:9-10 Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral…
Heb 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed…
1Th 4:3-5 For it is God’s will that you should be holy:…

and sorcerers

Those who seek supernatural power apart from God align themselves with forbidden spiritual forces.

Deu 18:10-12 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son…
Act 8:9-11 Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery…
Gal 5:19-21 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality…

and idolaters

Idolaters give worship, trust, or ultimate allegiance to created things rather than to the Creator.

Exo 20:3-5 You shall have no other gods before Me.…
1Co 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
1Jn 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

and all liars,

Persistent falsehood reflects opposition to the God of truth and includes every form of deliberate deception.

Rev 22:15 But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers,…
Pro 12:22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD…
Jhn 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry…

their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.

This is the final destination of the unrepentant, where God’s judgment is carried out in eternal punishment.

Gen 19:24 Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire…
Jud 1:7 In like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities…
Rev 20:10 And the devil who had deceived them was thrown…

This is the second death.”

Beyond physical death, the second death is everlasting separation from God in the lake of fire.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection…
Rev 20:14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.…
2Th 1:9 They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction,…

The New Jerusalem

Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls full of the seven final plagues

One of the angels who administered the final judgments upon the rebellious world now reveals the glory that follows God’s victory over evil. The completed bowls show that divine judgment has run its full course.

Rev 15:1 Then I saw another great and marvelous sign in heaven:…
Rev 15:7 Then one of the four living creatures gave the seven angels…
Rev 15:6 And out of the temple came the seven angels…

came and said to me,

The angel directs John’s attention from the fall of Babylon to the eternal dwelling of God’s redeemed people.

Rev 17:1 Then one of the seven angels with the seven bowls…
Rev 22:8-9 And I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things.…
Rev 19:10 So I fell at his feet to worship him. But he told me…

“Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

The bride is the redeemed people of God, united forever with Christ, the Lamb who gave Himself for their salvation. Her appearance stands in direct contrast to Babylon, the corrupt false religious and worldly system judged by God. The vision introduces the New Jerusalem, where the Lamb’s people live in holiness, security, and unbroken fellowship with Him.

Rev 19:7-8 Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory.…
Eph 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved…
Isa 62:4-5 No longer will you be called Forsaken, nor your land…

And he carried me away in the Spirit

John is taken by the Holy Spirit into a visionary setting to receive revelation from God.

Ezk 37:1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out…
Ezk 8:3 He stretched out what looked like a hand…
Ezk 11:24 And the Spirit lifted me up and carried me back,…

to a mountain great and high,

From this elevated vantage point, he is given a full view of the city and its glory.

Ezk 40:2 In visions of God He took me to the land of Israel…
Isa 2:2 In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD…
Mic 4:1 In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD…

and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem

This is the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place prepared by God for His redeemed people. It is holy because God Himself dwells there, and nothing sinful or unclean will enter it.

Isa 52:1 Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion!…
Heb 12:22 Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city…
Gal 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.

coming down out of heaven from God,

The city originates with God rather than human effort. Its descent marks the completion of God’s purpose to dwell permanently with His people in the new creation.

Rev 3:12 The one who overcomes I will make a pillar…
Jhn 6:38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will…
Jhn 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except the One…

shining with the glory of God.

The New Jerusalem visibly reflects God’s majestic presence, just as His glory once filled the tabernacle and temple. God dwells openly with His redeemed people, and the city is filled with the splendor of His holiness.

Exo 40:34-35 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting,…
1Ki 8:10-11 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place,…
Ezk 43:2 I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east.…

Its radiance was like a most precious jewel,

Its beauty and worth surpass every earthly treasure. The city’s brilliance reflects the character of the God who has prepared it and the permanent glory of His kingdom.

Isa 54:11-12 “O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace,…
Exo 39:10-14 And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones:…
1Ch 29:2 Now with all my ability I have made provision…

like a jasper,

Jasper is associated with the glory surrounding God’s throne. The city’s appearance reveals that it belongs to the realm of God’s direct rule and is marked by His majesty.

Rev 4:3 The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian,…
Ezk 28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God…
Exo 28:20 and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.…

as clear as crystal.

Its crystal-like purity shows that nothing corrupt, hidden, or defiled remains. The New Jerusalem is wholly holy, righteous, and transparent before God.

Rev 4:6 And before the throne was something like a sea of glass,…
Ezk 1:22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures…
Rev 22:1 Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, …

The city had a great and high wall

The wall marks the New Jerusalem as a secure and holy city, set apart from all sin and defilement. Like the defensive walls of ancient cities, it displays strength, order, and the permanent safety of God’s people.

Isa 60:18 No longer will violence be heard in your land,…
Isa 26:1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:…
Psa 48:12-13 March around Zion, encircle her, count her towers,…

with twelve gates

The twelve gates provide ordered entrance into the city and reflect the completeness of God’s redemptive plan. Though the city is secure, its gates welcome all who belong to the Lord.

Ezk 48:31-35 The gates of the city will be named after the tribes…
Isa 60:11 Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut…
Psa 87:2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings…

inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel,

The names of Israel’s tribes show that God’s covenant promises have not been forgotten. The New Jerusalem includes the fulfillment of His purposes for Israel and gathers all the redeemed into one people under His rule.

Exo 28:21 The twelve stones are to correspond to the names…
Rev 7:4-8 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, 144,000…
Gen 49:28 These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all…

and twelve angels at the gates.

The angels stand as heavenly guardians of the city’s holiness. Their presence confirms that entrance belongs only to those made righteous by God and that the city remains under His direct authority.

Gen 3:24 So He drove out the man and stationed cherubim…
Exo 23:20-23 Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you…
Heb 1:14 Are not the angels ministering spirits sent to serve…

There were three gates on the east,

The city’s entrances are arranged with deliberate order, showing that access is provided from every direction.

Ezk 48:32 On the east side, which will be 4,500 cubits long,…
Num 2:3-9 On the east side, toward the sunrise, the divisions of Judah…

three on the north,

No side is neglected or left exposed; the holy city stands secure and open to those who belong to God.

Ezk 48:31 The gates of the city will be named after the tribes…
Num 2:25-31 On the north side, the divisions of Dan are to camp…

three on the south,

The balanced design reflects the fullness and unity of God’s redeemed people.

Ezk 48:33 On the south side, there will be three gates:…
Num 2:10-16 On the south side, the divisions of Reuben are to camp…

and three on the west.

With twelve gates in all, the New Jerusalem receives the people of God from every nation, while remaining perfectly guarded by His presence.

Ezk 48:34 And on the west side, which will be 4,500 cubits long,…
Num 2:18-24 On the west side, the divisions of Ephraim are to camp…

The wall of the city

The wall of the city portrays the permanent security of the New Jerusalem. Unlike earthly cities, whose defenses can fail, this city stands secure forever in the presence of God.

Neh 2:17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in.…
Isa 60:18 No longer will violence be heard in your land,…
Zec 2:5 For I will be a wall of fire around it, declares the LORD,…

had twelve foundations

The city’s twelve foundations symbolize its enduring strength and ordered design. The number twelve connects the city with the full people of God, including Israel and the Church.

Heb 11:10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations…
Isa 54:11-12 “O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace,…
1Co 3:10-11 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation…

bearing the names of the twelve apostles

The names of the twelve apostles on the city’s foundations identify them as Christ’s appointed witnesses, whose testimony established the Church and proclaimed the gospel to the nations.

Mat 10:2-4 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon…
Mrk 3:14-19 He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles…
Luk 6:13-16 When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him…

of the Lamb.

Their authority and mission came from Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection secured the redemption of all who belong to Him.

Jhn 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,…
Rev 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain,…
Rev 5:12 In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb…

The angel who spoke with me

“The angel who spoke with me” is the heavenly messenger guiding John’s vision. God appoints him to measure and reveal the completed New Jerusalem, prepared for the redeemed.

Zec 4:1 Then the angel who was speaking with me returned…
Zec 1:13 So the LORD spoke kind and comforting words to the angel…
Dan 8:16 And I heard the voice of a man calling from between…

had a golden measuring rod

The rod reflects the city’s holiness, value, and divine perfection. Its measurement is neither symbolic guesswork nor human evaluation, but the ordered design God has established.

Rev 11:1 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told,…
Zec 2:1 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line…
Ezk 40:3 So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance…

to measure the city

The New Jerusalem is shown as a real, complete dwelling place where God will dwell with His people forever. Its dimensions demonstrate its vastness, symmetry, and readiness.

Zec 2:2-4 “Where are you going?” I asked. “To measure Jerusalem,”…
Jer 31:38-40 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD,…
Ezk 48:15-17 The remaining area, 5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long…

and its gates

The gates provide entry into the city and display its security, beauty, and connection to God’s covenant people.

Ezk 48:31-34 The gates of the city will be named after the tribes…
Isa 26:2 Open the gates so a righteous nation may enter…
Psa 87:2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings…

and walls.

The walls mark the city as protected and holy, separating it permanently from sin, death, and all uncleanness.

Ezk 40:5 And I saw a wall surrounding the temple area.…
Isa 26:1 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:…
Neh 2:17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in.…

The city lies foursquare, with its width the same as its length.

The city’s square base displays order, permanence, and completeness. Like the Holy of Holies, which was also square, the city is wholly set apart as the dwelling place of God among His people.

Ezk 48:16 and will have these measurements: 4,500 cubits…
Ezk 48:20 The entire portion will be a square, 25,000 cubits…

And he measured the city with the rod, and all its dimensions were equal—

The angel’s measurement confirms that the city has been prepared according to God’s exact design. Its equal dimensions show that nothing in the eternal kingdom is unfinished, unstable, or out of place.

Rev 11:1-2 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told,…
Ezk 40:3-5 So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance…
Zec 2:1-2 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line…

12,000 stadia in length and width and height.

The city measures roughly 1,400 miles in each direction, revealing its immense, literal scale. Its equal length, width, and height form a cube, extending the holiness once associated with the Holy of Holies to the entire city. The number 12,000 reflects the full company of God’s redeemed people, joined in the New Jerusalem under His everlasting presence.

1Ki 6:20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long…
2Ch 3:8 Then he made the Most Holy Place; its length corresponded…

And he measured its wall

The wall of the New Jerusalem is measured as part of John’s detailed description of a real, ordered city prepared by God. Its dimensions show that nothing about the city is incomplete or undefined.

Rev 11:1-2 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff and was told,…
Ezk 40:3-4 So He took me there, and I saw a man whose appearance…
Amo 7:7-8 This is what He showed me: Behold, the Lord was standing…

to be 144 cubits,

The measurement is 144 cubits, about 216 feet or 66 meters. The number reflects the city’s connection with the full people of God, represented throughout the vision by the twelve tribes and twelve apostles. The wall marks the secure boundary of the holy city.

Ezk 42:15-20 Now when the man had finished measuring the interior…
Ezk 41:5-6 Next he measured the wall of the temple to be six cubits…
1Ki 6:2-3 The house that King Solomon built for the LORD…

by the human measure

The measurement is given in an ordinary human standard, showing that the vision communicates actual dimensions rather than an unknowable heavenly scale.

Ezk 40:5 And I saw a wall surrounding the temple area.…
2Ki 21:13 I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line…
Isa 28:17 I will make justice the measuring line,…

the angel was using.

The angel measures the city under God’s authority, confirming that its design, security, and glory come from God Himself.

Zec 2:1-2 Then I lifted up my eyes and saw a man with a measuring line…
Dan 8:15-16 While I, Daniel, was watching the vision…
Zec 1:16-17 Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I will return……

The wall was made of jasper,

The jasper wall displays the city’s radiant glory while providing an everlasting boundary of security. Its brilliance reflects the holiness of God, whose presence fills the New Jerusalem.

Rev 4:3 The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian,…
Ezk 28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God…
Exo 28:20 and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.…

and the city itself of pure gold,

The entire city is constructed from what was considered the most valuable earthly material. Gold, long used in sacred places of worship, portrays the perfection, purity, and royal majesty of God’s eternal dwelling with His people.

1Ki 6:20-22 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long…
2Ch 3:4-5 The portico at the front, extending across the width…
Exo 25:11 Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out…

as pure as glass.

The gold is so refined that it is transparent, revealing a city untouched by sin, decay, or concealment. Nothing impure remains, and the glory of God illuminates every part of the city.

Rev 4:6 And before the throne was something like a sea of glass,…
Exo 24:10 and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet…
Ezk 1:22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures…

The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone:

The New Jerusalem displays the glory, beauty, and permanence of God’s finished work. Precious stones, long associated with royalty and sacred service, reflect the incomparable value and holiness of the eternal city.

Isa 54:11-12 “O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace,…
2Ch 3:6 He adorned the temple with precious stones for beauty…
1Ch 29:2 Now with all my ability I have made provision…

The first foundation was jasper,

Jasper’s radiant appearance corresponds with the brilliance surrounding God’s throne. Its place at the beginning of the foundations emphasizes the purity and majesty that characterize the city.

Rev 4:3 The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian,…
Ezk 28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God…
Exo 28:20 and in the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper.…

the second sapphire,

Sapphire’s deep blue color recalls the heavenly realm and the majesty of God’s presence. It points to the city’s origin in God’s sovereign purpose rather than human achievement.

Exo 24:10 and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet…
Ezk 1:26 Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness…
Ezk 10:1 And I looked and saw above the expanse, above the heads…

the third chalcedony,

Chalcedony adds to the varied beauty of the foundations, showing that the city’s splendor is complete and deliberately fashioned by God.

Job 28:18-19 Coral and quartz are unworthy of mention;…
Sng 5:14 His arms are rods of gold set with beryl.…
Dan 10:6 His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance…

the fourth emerald,

Emerald’s vivid green appearance reflects life and renewal. Its inclusion in the city’s foundation accords with the new creation, where death, decay, and the effects of sin are removed forever.

Exo 28:18 in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;
Exo 39:10 And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones:…
Rev 4:6 And before the throne was something like a sea of glass,…

the fifth sardonyx,

Sardonyx, marked by layers of red and white, was valued in the ancient world for jewelry and ornamentation. Its varied bands contribute to the splendor of the New Jerusalem’s foundations.

Exo 28:9 Take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names……
Exo 25:7 onyx stones and gemstones to be mounted on the ephod…
1Ch 29:2 Now with all my ability I have made provision…

the sixth carnelian,

Carnelian is a reddish stone prized for its rich color and durability. Its place among the foundations displays the enduring beauty and strength of the city God has prepared.

Rev 4:3 The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian,…
Exo 28:17 And mount on it a setting of gemstones, four rows of stones:…
Exo 39:10 And they mounted on it four rows of gemstones:…

the seventh chrysolite,

Chrysolite, likely a yellow-green gemstone, was admired for its brightness. It adds to the radiant display of the holy city, where God’s glory provides unending light.

Exo 28:18 in the second row a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;
2Ch 3:6 He adorned the temple with precious stones for beauty…
2Ch 9:1 Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame…

the eighth beryl,

Beryl was known in several colors and valued for its clarity and strength. Its inclusion reflects the perfection and permanence of the New Jerusalem.

Ezk 1:16 The workmanship of the wheels looked like the gleam of beryl…
Ezk 10:9 Then I looked and saw four wheels beside the cherubim,…
Dan 10:6 His body was like beryl, his face like the brilliance…

the ninth topaz,

Topaz was treasured in antiquity for its brilliance and beauty. As one of the foundation stones, it testifies to the incomparable glory of God’s eternal dwelling with His people.

Job 28:19 Topaz from Cush cannot compare to it, nor can it be valued…
Ezk 28:13 You were in Eden, the garden of God…
2Ch 9:10 The servants of Hiram and of Solomon who brought gold…

the tenth chrysoprase,

Chrysoprase is a vivid green stone associated with freshness and beauty. Its color contributes to the rich variety of the city’s foundations, each prepared by God.

1Ki 10:2 She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan…
1Ki 10:11 The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir…
Isa 54:11-12 “O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace,…

the eleventh jacinth,

Jacinth is a fiery reddish-orange gem. Its brilliance portrays the splendor of the city that stands as the lasting result of Christ’s victory over sin and death.

Rev 9:17 Now the horses and riders in my vision…
2Ch 9:9 Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold,…
1Ch 29:8 Whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury…

and the twelfth amethyst.

Amethyst, prized for its deep purple color, was associated with wealth and royalty. It completes the twelve foundations, displaying the royal beauty, order, and perfection of God’s eternal kingdom.

Exo 28:19 in the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
Exo 39:12 the third row had a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls,

Twelve reflects the fullness of God’s redeemed people, corresponding to the tribes of Israel and the apostles. Pearls were among the most prized treasures of the ancient world, making these gates fitting emblems of the city’s glory, purity, and incomparable worth.

Isa 54:12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies,…
Ezk 48:31-35 The gates of the city will be named after the tribes…

with each gate consisting of a single pearl.

Each immense gate is a real part of the New Jerusalem’s supernatural architecture, displaying creation beyond earthly limits. The individual pearls also suit the perfect unity and order of the city God has prepared for His people.

Mat 13:45-46 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant…
1Ti 2:9 Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves…

The main street of the city was pure gold,

Gold, long associated with royalty, holiness, and divine glory, forms even the city’s main thoroughfare. What humanity regards as rare and precious is abundant in the eternal city, where no impurity or corruption remains.

1Ki 6:20-22 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long…
Exo 25:11 Overlay it with pure gold both inside and out…
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire……

as clear as glass.

The gold possesses a purity unknown in the present world. Nothing in the New Jerusalem is concealed by sin, decay, or darkness; all reflects the holiness and glory of God.

Rev 4:6 And before the throne was something like a sea of glass,…
Exo 24:10 and they saw the God of Israel. Under His feet…
Ezk 1:22 Spread out above the heads of the living creatures…

But I saw no temple in the city,

The New Jerusalem has no physical sanctuary like the temple in Jerusalem, where Israel worshiped and sacrifices were offered. In the eternal city, the former purpose of the temple has been fulfilled. No barrier remains between God and His redeemed people, and no sacrifices are needed because Christ’s atoning work is complete.

Act 7:48-49 However, the Most High does not dwell in houses…
Jhn 4:21-24 “Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming……
Heb 8:1-2 The point of what we are saying is this:…

because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

God the Father and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, dwell openly among His people. Their presence fills the city and replaces every function once associated with the temple. The Lamb remains central to the city as the crucified and risen Redeemer, and the redeemed enjoy unbroken fellowship with God forever.

Ezk 37:26-28 And I will make a covenant of peace with them;…
Jhn 2:19-21 Jesus answered, “Destroy this temple, and in three days”…
Heb 9:11-12 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things…

And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it,

The New Jerusalem exists under an order no longer governed by the created lights that now mark days, seasons, and years. God’s completed redemption removes every limitation of the present world, including dependence on natural sources of light.

Isa 60:19-20 No longer will the sun be your light by day,…
Rev 22:5 There will be no more night in the city.…

because the glory of God illuminates the city,

God’s visible, holy presence fills the city directly. What was once known in the tabernacle and temple in limited measure is fully realized as God dwells openly with His redeemed people. His glory provides an unfading light untouched by darkness or change.

Exo 40:34-35 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting,…
Ezk 43:4-5 and the glory of the LORD entered the temple…
1Ki 8:10-11 And when the priests came out of the Holy Place,…

and the Lamb is its lamp.

Jesus Christ, the Lamb, whose title emphasizes His role in redemption and sacrificial death for the sins of His people, is the appointed revelation of God’s glory. The city’s life, light, and access to God are centered in Him, confirming His eternal reign with the Father.

Rev 22:3-4 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God…
Jhn 8:12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said,…

By its light the nations will walk,

The New Jerusalem will shine with the glory of God and of the Lamb, giving light to the redeemed nations. Freed from sin, darkness, and rebellion, they will live under Christ’s righteous rule in peace and obedience.

Isa 60:3 Nations will come to your light, and kings…
Isa 2:5 Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light…
Jhn 8:12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said,…

and into it the kings of the earth will bring their glory.

Earthly rulers will acknowledge Christ’s supreme authority. The honor, wealth, and achievements of the nations will be brought before God as every realm recognizes that all glory belongs to Him.

Isa 60:11 Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut…
Psa 68:29 Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring…
Psa 72:10-11 May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute;…

Its gates will never be shut at the end of the day,

City gates were closed at night in the ancient world for protection against attack and lawlessness. New Jerusalem will require no such defense, for every enemy has been judged and excluded. Its open gates display permanent security and ready access for all who belong to God.

Isa 60:11 Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut…
Isa 26:2 Open the gates so a righteous nation may enter…
Psa 24:7 Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors,…

because there will be no night there.

Darkness, danger, sin, and death will have no place in the eternal city. God’s glory will provide unceasing light, ending mourning, uncertainty, and every threat forever.

Rev 22:5 There will be no more night in the city.…
Isa 60:19 No longer will the sun be your light by day,…
Zec 14:7 It will be a unique day known only to the LORD,…

And into the city

The New Jerusalem, descending from heaven, is God’s eternal dwelling with His redeemed people.

Isa 60:11 Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut…
Psa 24:7-10 Lift up your heads, O gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors,…
Psa 122:1-2 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go…

will be brought

The nations willingly come before God, presenting what is fitting for His kingdom.

Isa 49:22-23 This is what the Lord GOD says: “Behold,…
Psa 72:10-11 May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute;…
Isa 66:20 And they will bring all your brothers from all the nations…

the glory and honor

Everything of lasting worth among redeemed humanity—its splendor, achievements, and tribute—belongs to God and is devoted to Him.

Rev 4:11 Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor…
Psa 96:7-10 Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the nations,…
Rom 15:9-12 so that the Gentiles may glorify God for His mercy.…

of the nations.

People from every nation share in the eternal kingdom, united in worship before the throne of God and the Lamb.

Psa 86:9 All the nations You have made will come and bow before You…
Isa 60:3 Nations will come to your light, and kings…
Zec 14:16 Then all the survivors will go up year after year…

But nothing unclean will ever enter it,

The New Jerusalem will be wholly pure, reflecting the holiness of God who dwells there. Sin, defilement, death, and every effect of the fall will be absent from the eternal city. Its holiness fulfills God’s purpose to dwell permanently with a redeemed people in a creation free from corruption.

Isa 35:8 And there will be a highway called the Way of Holiness.…
Isa 52:1 Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion!…
Ezk 44:9 This is what the Lord GOD says: No foreigner may enter…

nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie,

Those who remain in rebellion against God, marked by idolatry, immorality, deceit, and other acts opposed to His character, will have no place there. The final separation between the righteous and the wicked will be complete and irreversible.

Pro 12:22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD…
Pro 6:16-19 There are six things that the LORD hates,…
Rev 22:15 But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers,…

but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Entrance into the city belongs to those redeemed by Jesus Christ, the Lamb who died for sin and rose in victory. Their names are recorded in heaven because they belong to Him, having received forgiveness and eternal life through His saving work.

Rev 13:8 And all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast…
Php 4:3 Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women…
Rev 3:5 Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white.…

This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. Please send all comments and recommendations to bereanstudybible@aol.com.



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