Join us as we study through Revelation verse by verse. Our Bible study guides contain discussion questions, verse by verse commentary, and applications which can help you or your small group get the most out of this book as you grow in understanding and obedience.
Revelation 21:9-27 Online Bible Study – Commentary And Questions – The New Jerusalem
Revelation 21:9-27 Bible Study Video
Revelation 21:9-27 Bible Study Podcast
Outline
I. Description of New Jerusalem (9-14)
II. Measurement of New Jerusalem (15-17)
III. The Walls of New Jerusalem (18-21)
IV. The Glory of New Jerusalem (22-27)
See our Bible study of Revelation 21:1-8.
I. Description of New Jerusalem (9-14)
Discussion Questions
- Why is New Jerusalem described as the bride of Christ? Isn’t the church the bride of Christ?
- How does the city have the glory of God?
- What are your observations about the city?
- What did it look like?
- Why are there twelve gates and twelve foundations?
- What do we learn from the fact that both Israel and the church are mentioned?
Cross-References
Ephesians 5:25-27 – Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 2:20-21 – Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
Luke 13:29 – And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Is the Bride the city or the church? –
Revelation 21:9-10 – “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.”
In this verse, it appears as though the city itself is the bride of the Lamb. However, Revelation 21:2 shows us that God prepared the city for us. And later in Revelation 21, we see that saved Israel and the church will be residents of the city.
The bride of Christ (the church) and the “wife” of Yahweh (Israel) will reside there. Together they are the bride of the Lamb. In this context, it appears that the city is used to personify the people of the city.
In Scripture, we can see other cases where a city is used to personify the people. Jerusalem is often used to personify Israel. Babylon is used to personify its wicked residents. Sodom is used to personify the ungodly.
When John was taken to see the bride of Christ the first thing he saw was the New Jerusalem. However, within this same vision he saw the people who dwelt in the city. The bride was therefore within the city God had prepared for them, enjoying its spectacular beauty. So John saw that God would take care of His bride, having prepared a wonderful place for her to live for all eternity (John 14:1-3).
Application: We see that Jesus takes care of His bride. He loves us and He wants what is best for us. Some husbands mistreat their wives. Some use them. Many do not value them or treat them well. Jesus will not be like this toward us. He is going to give us the very best for all of eternity. Knowing that should motivate us to faithfully love and serve Him even now.
Reflect: This city will be prepared for us by God. What can you do to prepare for meeting Him?
2. Coming down out of heaven from God – Again, it is emphasized that God is the one who designed this city. It is His gift to us. It will be a heavenly city on the earth, literally paradise on earth.
3. Having the glory of God – As the city is created by God it will point to and glorify Him. All of God’s creation points to His awesome design. The sun, moon, and stars show His power.
Psalms 19:1 – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Similarly, people glorify God by pointing others to Him. We do that primarily when we properly reflect the image of God He put in us when He made us. Our good deeds point people to our Maker, giving glory to Him (Matthew 5:16). Our love for one another leads people to the one we are following (John 13:35).
The New Jerusalem is God’s masterpiece. Through it, we will be pointed to the majesty of its grand designer. The beauty of that city will remind us of His beauty. Its order and structure will remind us of His attention to detail. The sheer size of it will help us have just a taste of God’s might. Its absolute perfection and cleanliness will bring to mind God’s holiness.
Sometimes when we give gifts, we just pick up something random because we need to give a gift. A gift certificate to Walmart doesn’t exactly fill the recipient with warm fuzzies. But sometimes, great care is put into giving the perfect gift. The giver hopes that gift will symbolize the relationship they have. The giver hopes that whenever the receiver sees that gift she will be reminded of him, his love for her, and their times together.
That is the type of gift the New Jerusalem is. It is meant to remind us of the pure, beautiful relationship we have with our Savior. Every step we take in it will be a visible symbol of God’s deep love for us. I believe we will not be able to go through that city without praising God.
Application: We don’t have to wait to see God’s gifts to us. Every good and perfect gift is from above. Spend some time reflecting on God’s gifts to you. What are some of the ways He has blessed you? How should you respond to those blessings?
We should regularly reflect on God’s gifts to us. Recognizing and acknowledging them should lead us to respond with thanksgiving. Just as the New Jerusalem will cause us to glorify God, so too should the gifts we receive now.
4. The twelve gates and twelve foundations – The city will have three gates on each side, three on the north, three on the south, three on the east, and three on the west. On each gate is written the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The wall of the city will have twelve foundations. On those will be written the names of the twelve apostles.
Looking at these facts together, we can conclude that the redeemed of Israel and the church will dwell in the city together. They will be united in one body.
Ephesians 2:14-15 – For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace.
All the redeemed in Christ will dwell together in unity for all of eternity. We will be at perfect peace with God and with one another.
Application: Although many from the nation of Israel will one day turn to Christ, that day has not arrived yet. Pray for the salvation of God’s chosen people. When He fulfills His promises to them, it will be a wonderful reminder of His faithfulness through the ages.
II. Measurement of New Jerusalem (15-17)
Discussion Questions
- What shape is the city?
- What functionality do you envision in a cube city?
- How large is the city? How tall are the walls?
- Why do you think the city has walls?
- Will the gates be shut or open?
- What do we learn from the shape and size of the city?
Cross-References
Ezekiel 38:30-35 – This passage describes Jerusalem in the time of the Ezekiel featuring 12 gates, one for each tribe.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Its length, width, and height are equal – Many take this to mean that New Jerusalem will be a cube. The number twelve is used many times in the description: twelve gates, twelve foundations, 144 cubits, and 12000 stadia dimensions. A cube has twelve sides, while a pyramid has only eight.
That certainly could be the case. However, a pyramid or mountain shape also could fit this description. We will only know for sure when we see it.
The only other cube mentioned in Scripture is the Holy of Holies in the temple (1 Kings 6:20). It also had equal length sides.
“What is forbidden to all but the High Priest in Old Testament times is now open to all the redeemed. Relationship with Christ elevates all to the roles of kings and priests. All have face-to-face engagement with God (Rev. 22:4) in the heavenly Most Holy Place, the New Jerusalem.”
It is difficult to imagine what a three-dimensional city will be like, especially since the text also says that it has high walls. What is sure is that it will be very different from anything we have experienced before.
The 3D nature of