The Holy City Revelation 21:9 – 22:5 John is doing the best he can to describe this incredible city, within the limitations of the present creation. Revelation 21:9 – 22:5

Timeline of Events for Premillennial Eschatology Second Coming, Armageddon, sheep and goats judgment, binding of Satan, resurrection of tribulation and OT saints Rapture Release of Satan, final rebellion Church Age Church age lasts until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in 7 year tribulation on earth (Daniel’s 70th week) 1000 year reign of Christ on the present earth New heaven & earth

Closing Visions of John (Rev 19:11 – 22:5) The Coming of the King of Kings (19:11-16) The Great Supper of God (19:17-21) Invitation to the Birds of Prey (19:17-18) The Defeat of the Beasts (19:19-21) The Binding of Satan (20:1-3) The Thousand-Year Kingdom (20:4-10) The White-Throne Judgment (20:11-15) The New Heaven and New Earth (21:1-8) The Holy City (21:9 – 22:5) Last week Justin began this section by teaching on the physical description of the city (in sharp contrast to the City of Babylon), which is basically a 1500 mile cube of unsurpassed beauty. There are 3 gates on each of the 4 sides, named for the 12 tribes of Israel. There are also foundation stones between the gates encrusted with precious stones and named for the 12 apostles. Notice that even into the eternal state there is some distinction between Israel and the church.

Physical Features of the City Rev 21:9-21

Front View of the Holy City (Rev 21:9-21) Wall Thickness = 144 cubits = 72 yards 12,000 stadia = 1500 miles Reuben Judah Levi Peter Matthew James John

The City’s Illumination as It Impacts the Nations (Rev 21:22-27) There is no need for a temple, because God Himself (as Father and Son) now dwells among His people. The light of God’s glory also makes the sun and the moon of the old creation unnecessary. All the world will be illuminated by the glory of God as it emanates from the city, and the nations will walk by that light. Describes how the city receives its light and how that light serves the nations. The Temple was a symbol of the presence of God with men; now God is with men like (almost) never before.

The City’s Illumination as It Impacts the Nations (Rev 21:22-27) Who are these nations, and what does it mean when it says that they bring their glory into the New Jerusalem? This concept of nations going to Jerusalem is frequently spoken of in the OT. But to this point in the Book of Revelation, the nations have been in rebellion against God. The best solution is that these nations are composed of saved people who are living at the end of the millennium and who do not join in Satan’s final rebellion. Though they do not die, they must undergo some transformation that prepares them for life in the eternal state. These are the ones over whom God’s resurrected saints will reign (22:5). The glory and honor of the nations will be the choicest of their treasures, whatever they may be. Nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying will enter the city; these have already been cast into the lake of fire. Only those whose names are written in the Book of Life can come in. Catch the parallel between the City of Babylon, HQ of the beast, and the impact that city has on the nations, and the New Jerusalem and its impact/influence?

The Inner Life of the City and its Inhabitants (Rev 22:1-5) The final culmination of God’s plan of redemption will return the creation to a state of paradise similar, but superior to, the Garden of Eden before man’s Fall.

Sketch of Rev 22:1-2 A similar river was part of the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:10, 14; though not called the river of living water there), as well as a feature of the millennial kingdom, where it flows from the Temple down to the Dead Sea (Ezek 47:1-9).

Correspondence Between Genesis 1 – 3 and Revelation 20 – 22 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1). ...and the gathered waters He called “seas” (Gen 1:10). ...the darkness He called night (Gen 1:5). God made the two great lights (Gen 1:16). I saw a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1). ...and there is no longer any sea (Rev 21:1). ...there shall be no night there (Rev 21:25). And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon (Rev 21:23).

Correspondence Between Genesis 1 – 3 and Revelation 20 – 22 “In the day that you eat from it you shall surely die” (2:17). “I will greatly multiply Your pain” (3:16). “Cursed is the ground because of you” (3:17). Satan appears as the deceiver of mankind (3:1). Man was driven away from the Tree of Life (3:22-24). Man was driven from God’s presence (3:24). There shall no longer be any death (21:4). There shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain (21:4). And there shall no longer be any curse (22:3). Satan goes into the Lake of Fire forever (20:10). The Tree of Life re-appears (22:2). And they shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads...and they shall reign forever and ever (22:4, 5). Gen 1-3 Rev 20-22 Church Paradise… Lost! Paradise… Restored! Israel

Next Time: Epilogue Rev 22:6-21