How does Revelation 21:27 define purity and sinlessness? Text And Immediate Context “Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” (Revelation 21:27) The verse stands at the climax of John’s vision of the New Jerusalem (21:1-22:5). It contrasts the absolute holiness of God’s eternal city with everything characterized by moral corruption. The three exclusions—“unclean,” “abomination,” and “lie”—summarize every category of sin, thereby defining purity as the total absence of each. Old Testament BACKGROUND OF HOLINESS From Genesis 3 onward, humanity’s exile from Eden signified separation caused by sin. Israel’s tabernacle and temple required flawless sacrifice and rigorous purity laws (Leviticus 11-16) to foreshadow restored fellowship. Revelation 21 fulfills those shadows: the city itself becomes the Holy of Holies (21:16); therefore, the same standard—spotless perfection—prevails. The Lamb’S Book Of Life: Covenant Inclusion Entrance is granted “only” to those inscribed in the Lamb’s Book (cf. Exodus 32:32-33; Daniel 12:1; Philippians 4:3). The verb tense of gegraptai (“have been written”) is perfect, indicating a completed action with continuing results. Purity is not achieved by human effort but bestowed through union with the slain-and-risen Lamb (Revelation 5:9; 13:8). Sinlessness Through The Cross And Resurrection Scripture presents a two-fold righteousness: 1. Imputed—Christ “made to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). 2. Imparted—believers are progressively transformed (Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:2-3). Revelation 21:27 reflects the final state where imputed righteousness is perfected in experience; no stain of sin remains (Ephesians 5:27). Practical Implications For Believers • Moral urgency: “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself” (1 John 3:3). • Evangelistic call: outside the city are the unrepentant (22:15); therefore, proclamation of the gospel is essential (Matthew 28:18-20). • Worship focus: knowing the destiny of perfect communion fuels present adoration (Hebrews 12:28-29). Consistency With The Rest Of Scripture The verse harmonizes with: • Psalm 24:3-4—“Who may ascend…the one who has clean hands and a pure heart.” • Isaiah 52:1—“No uncircumcised or unclean will enter.” • Matthew 5:8—“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” The trajectory from promise to fulfillment exhibits the Bible’s unified theme of holiness restored. Eschatological Purity: The Goal Of Creation The closing vision shows creation purged of entropy, decay, and death (21:4-5). Geological research on catastrophic global flood layers (e.g., Grand Canyon sediment megasequences) illustrates judgment-and-renewal motifs echoed climactically in Revelation’s new heavens and earth. Summary Definition Revelation 21:27 defines purity and sinlessness as the total exclusion of every moral, ritual, and intellectual defilement—uncleanness, abomination, and falsehood—allowing entrance only to those whose names have been permanently inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life through the atoning, resurrection-validated work of Jesus Christ. |
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