Connect Revelation 21:2 with Old Testament prophecies about Jerusalem's restoration. Revelation 21:2—The Holy City Arrives “I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” • A literal city, yet spoken of with marriage imagery—God’s own “prepared” masterpiece • Its descent from heaven shows divine origin and permanent union with earth • “Bride” language invites immediate comparison with prophetic pictures of Zion as a bride Isaiah—Zion Clothed as a Bride • Isaiah 61:10: “He has clothed me with garments of salvation… as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” • Isaiah 62:2–5: “You will be called by a new name… for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will be married… as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.” • Isaiah 65:17–19: “Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth… I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people; no longer will the sound of weeping or crying be heard in her.” Key links to Revelation 21: – New name for the city (Revelation 3:12 echoes) – Bridal joy reflected in the rejoicing of God over His people – Absence of sorrow and crying parallels Revelation 21:4 Jeremiah—A City of Everlasting Renown • Jeremiah 31:38–40: Jerusalem rebuilt “from the Tower of Hananel… to the corner gate… it will never again be uprooted or demolished.” • Jeremiah 33:9–11, 16: “This city will bring Me renown, joy, praise and honor… The voice of the bridegroom and bride will be heard again… And this is the name by which she will be called: ‘The LORD Is Our Righteousness.’” Connections: – Restoration is permanent and joyful, matching the eternal security of Revelation 21 – The “voice of the bridegroom and bride” foretells the marriage imagery John employs Ezekiel—The LORD Dwells There • Ezekiel 37:26–28: “I will set My sanctuary among them forever… the nations will know that I the LORD sanctify Israel.” • Ezekiel 48:35: “The name of the city from that day on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.” Parallels: – God’s dwelling “among them” aligns word-for-word with Revelation 21:3 – A new covenant of peace undergirds the permanence of the New Jerusalem Zechariah—Lifted Up, Secure, and Holy • Zechariah 2:10–12: “Shout for joy, O Daughter Zion! For I am coming, and I will live among you… The LORD will inherit Judah as His portion in the holy land.” • Zechariah 8:3–8: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem… It will be called the City of Truth… They shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness.” • Zechariah 14:8–11: “Living water will flow out from Jerusalem… It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will dwell securely.” Shared themes with Revelation 21: – God personally dwelling in the city – Universal holiness and truth – Ever-flowing life-giving water foreshadows Revelation 22:1 Recurring Motifs Tying Old and New Together • Divine dwelling: Isaiah 12:6; Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 37:27 → Revelation 21:3 • Bridal joy: Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 33:11 → Revelation 21:2 • New name: Isaiah 62:2; Ezekiel 48:35 → Revelation 3:12; 21:2 • Absence of sorrow: Isaiah 65:19 → Revelation 21:4 • Eternal security: Jeremiah 31:40; Zechariah 14:11 → Revelation 21:25 • Radiant glory: Isaiah 60:19–20 → Revelation 21:23 Putting the Picture Together The prophets foresaw a literal, gloriously renewed Jerusalem—permanent, righteous, joy-filled, and indwelt by God Himself. Revelation 21:2 gathers every strand: • The city comes down, showing fulfillment and unity of heaven and earth • Bridal imagery completes Isaiah’s and Jeremiah’s promises of marital joy • God’s dwelling vindicates Ezekiel’s “THE LORD IS THERE” • Security and light forever echo Zechariah and Isaiah The Old Testament restoration prophecies are not sidelined; they flower in the New Jerusalem—real land, real city, real presence of God—exactly as Scripture foretold. |
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