STUDY OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION – Chapter 21 Part 17 – The Challenges of the Church: The Need for Encouragement and Exhortation

Study of the Book of Revelation The New Heaven and New Earth Verse 1 This suggests freshly new or “brand new” not remade or reconstructed. The current Heaven (yes there is one), earth, and the sea will be passed away, totally done away with. Each of them will have served their purposes. The emphasis of the “Sea” is important in that the sea was a major part of creation (Genesis 1:6-10)

Study of the book of Revelation Verse 2 – The New Jerusalem = The Raptured Saints + Those saved after the rapture, before the period of “a thousand years” (Revelation 20) + The Old Testament Saints & Prophets. This is the bride of Christ (“the husband”) the complete inhabitants of the New Jerusalem. This is what the raptured church has been waiting for since being caught up.

Study of the book of Revelation Verse 3 – What the Altar, Tabernacle, Temple, Synagogue*, and Church were shadows or images of will now become actual: The dwelling place of God will be among his people. * not necessarily within the physical place called the synagogue (learning center)itself, for Jewish families in groups of 10 could/would come together to worship God in His presence at a home if they wished.

Study of the book of Revelation Verses 4, 5 – NONE of the physical formerly human or even earthly trappings or weaknesses of our previous life will exist: no hunger, thirst, heat, cold, etc…(Remember: there will still be crying and pain in the lake of fire) just not in the New Jerusalem. Everything will be made new, there will be nothing that will remind us of this world….. Even the stuff that we or others imagine about.

Study of the book of Revelation Verse 6 – “it is done” = “It is finished” means that IT is accomplished by the ONE who can accomplish! The IT is the deliverance of God’s people from the penalty, the power and the presence of sin! Verses 7, 8 – The reminder to John and to us: The “Overcomers” (those who are victorious) will inherit life; the unbelievers (with their actions) will inherit the Lake of Fire!

Study of the book of Revelation Verse 9, 10 John is now going to see first hand the New Jerusalem, the bride of Christ, he (John) will see that the bride of Christ is not just people but a place and a position with God. Verses 11-21 – Description of the New Jerusalem with its beauty and meaning.

Study of the book of Revelation Verse 22-26 Describes how the New Jerusalem will be nothing like anything we have or are experiencing: No need of a temple or church – v.22 No need of Sun or Moon or Star light – v23 No distinction between those who were raptured and those who were saved after or during the tribulation period – v. 24

Study of the book of Revelation Verse 27 – More emphasis that the penalty, power, and presence of sin will never be experienced again!