(Chapters 21:9–22:5)
This section is an appendix in the book of Revelation. It takes us back in time to the Millennium and furnishes us with further details regarding the administration of the world to come under Christ and the Church. This is the time when the Church will rightly enter government. Many Christians think that they should be involved in world politics and government today, but this is not the time for it.
There are vast differences between the false church (“the harlot”) and the true (“the bride, the Lamb’s wife”):
As we look back over the chapters in the book of Revelation we can trace the Church’s history and her final destiny. She is first seen on earth in the place of testimony as “seven golden lamps,” and sadly failing in her responsibility (chaps. 2-3). Then, she is seen as part of the “four and twenty elders” around the throne in heaven as intelligent observers of the wisdom of God in His dealings with men (chaps. 4-5). Then, she is seen as “the Lamb’s wife” at the marriage of the Lamb in heaven (chap. 19:7-10). After this, she is seen as part of “the armies” that follow Christ out of heaven in His warrior judgments (chap. 19:14). Then, she is seen as the eternal “bride” of Christ providing eternal joy and satisfaction to Him (chap. 21:2). Lastly, in this appendix, she is seen as a heavenly “city” in the seat of administration over the world to come (chap. 21:9-22:5). What a story of divine grace!
The Heavenly City
Chap. 21:9-10—John is shown “the bride, the Lamb’s wife,” but when he looks at her, he sees a “city,” not a woman. This change in the figures is necessary because a woman in Scripture does not exercise herself in administrative affairs. This is consistent with the general tenor of Scripture. Therefore, the figure is changed to a “city” and is used hereafter in the chapter.
If the number eight marks the Eternal State, the number twelve marks this Millennial scene in the world to come. The number twelve stands for administrative perfection:
• Twelve gates (chap. 21:12).
• Twelve angels (chap. 21:12).
• Twelve tribes of Israel on the gates (chap. 21:12).
• Twelve foundations (chap. 21:14).
• Twelve apostles (chap. 21:14).
• Twelve thousand furlongs (chap. 21:16).
• Twelve times twelve cubits (chap. 21:17).
• Twelve precious stones (chap. 21:19-20).
• Twelve pearls (chap. 21:21).
• Twelve manner of fruits (chap. 22:2).
• Twelve months of the year (chap. 22:2).
The “city” is not a description of heaven (as often thought), but of the Church reigning with Christ over the earth in the Millennium. It is not a literal city floating in the sky. Revelation is a book of symbols and these are used to describe the Church in its administration of the world to come. A city speaks of an organized system of life under an ordered government. In this case it is holy in nature, heavenly in character, and divine in origin.
Her Universal Administration of the Earth
Chap. 21:11—The heavenly “city” is God’s vessel of display through which His glory and the glory of Christ will stream. “Gold” is the prominent material in these verses. It speaks of divine righteousness which will be the rule of the kingdom (Isa. 32:1; 61:111Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (Isaiah 32:1)
11For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. (Isaiah 61:11)). The “city” will be adorned with “the glory of God” and will be used to transmit that glory (“shining”) before the world (Eph. 2:77That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:7)). Its glory is like “a jasper stone” (a diamond), “clear as crystal” because in that day, being glorified, there will be nothing in the Church to hinder the outflow of the glory of Christ.
Chap. 21:12-13—The city has “a wall,” which speaks of separation and seclusion, and thus the exclusion of all that is not of Christ. This is evidence that in the Millennium there will still be enemies and the presence of evil (1 Cor. 15:25-2625For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:25‑26)). But no evil or predator will penetrate that city! The city also has “twelve gates.” They speak of administrative responsibility (Deut. 25:77And if the man like not to take his brother's wife, then let his brother's wife go up to the gate unto the elders, and say, My husband's brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a name in Israel, he will not perform the duty of my husband's brother. (Deuteronomy 25:7); Josh. 20:44And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. (Joshua 20:4); Ruth 4:1-21Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. 2And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. (Ruth 4:1‑2)) and the reception of all that is of Christ. At the gates are “twelve angels.” They represent the whole innumerable company of angelic beings. They are not part of the city, but wait outside it to carry out whatever service the Church sees necessary in the government of the earth.
Chap. 21:14-20—The city has “twelve foundations” garnished with “precious stones.” This speaks of the varied glories of Christ shining in and through the saints. Precious stones do not have inherent light and neither do the saints have glory in themselves—their beauty will result from His glory reflecting in them. (Compare Psalm 90:1717And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. (Psalm 90:17).) As stones have various colors and hues, so the saints in their glorified state will retain their individuality. The city as a whole is “pure gold” (vs. 18), but it is also as “clear glass,” which means that the city will be a display of righteousness before the world.
Chap. 21:21—It will also have “twelve pearls” mounted on its gates. A pearl is an object of preciousness (Matt. 13:45-4645Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45‑46)). Hence, the Church will be displayed before the world as the object of preciousness to the heart of Christ (John 17:2323I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:23); Rev. 3:99Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Revelation 3:9)). The city has a “street” of pure gold running through it. In ordinary life, a street is the means by which men interact with one another in business and pleasure. It speaks of the inter-communion of the saints. Being of “pure gold” indicates that the fellowship and inter-communion in the city will be along the lines of what is divine, rather than what is natural and worldly.
Chap. 21:22-27—At least seven things are mentioned as being not in the city. There will be no “temple.” That is, nothing that will conceal the presence of God and access to Him. There will also be no “sun” (created light), no “moon” (borrowed light), and no “candle” (artificial light). This indicates that there will be no need of earthly and natural things to guide the administrative decisions made by the city concerning its government of the earth. There will also be no “night” there because the light of the knowledge of God will pervade everything (vs. 25). Light will fill the city. This will be in a literal sense as well as in a spiritual sense. The nations on earth will “walk in the light” of the city (vs. 24). This means that the earth will be ordered and regulated by the practical principles of divine righteousness that will be upheld by the city. This knowledge (“light”) relating to practical righteousness will be disseminated through Israel on earth (Isa. 2:2-3; 61:6,2And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2‑3)
6But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. (Isaiah 61:6) etc.). Thus the nations will be instructed as to how to live under a reign of righteousness. In that day the Church will be “the light of the world” in a perfect way (Matt. 5:1414Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matthew 5:14)). (Today the Church is a testimony to the world with much imperfection.) The gates of the city will be open continually (“not be shut”) to receive the recognition and respect due to it. There will also be nothing that “defiles” in the city (vs. 27). And lastly, there will be no “curse” there (chap. 22:3).
In short, the city will require nothing from nature or from the world to sustain it. The nations will also bring their “glory and honour to it” (vs. 26). This does not mean that the Church will receive praise from the nations on earth, but that the nations will bring their homage to the One who dwells there.
Three Things That Will Characterize the Portion of Those in the City
1. “The book of life” (chap. 21:27). This speaks of the security of their relationship with Christ.
2. “The river of the water of life” (chap. 22:1). This speaks of the endless flow of blessing that will be theirs.
3. “The tree of life” (chap. 22:2). This speaks of the fullness of satisfaction from the enjoyment of fellowship with Christ.
Chap. 22:1-5—The “leaves” of the tree will be for “the healing of the nations.” Under the administration of Christ and the Church (Eph. 1:1010That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)), for the first time in history, the nations will dwell together peacefully. The animosity that has existed for thousands of years among the nations will be dealt with by the enforcement of righteousness, and there will be no more war (Psa. 46:99He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. (Psalm 46:9)).
The Old Testament ends with a warning of a curse (Mal. 4:66And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Malachi 4:6)), but the New Testament ends with a promise of there being no more “curse!” The “bondage of corruption,” that has pervaded the earth since the fall of man, will be lifted (Rom. 8:20-2220For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Romans 8:20‑22)). In short, God will overcome evil with good in the end. The “servants” of the Lamb (the saints) will render the service of praise to Him. They will see “His face.” The saints will see the Lord’s face literally (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)), but here the Lord’s “face” is used figuratively to indicate intimacy. “His name shall be in their foreheads.” This means that the saints will all bear His character to moral perfection. And they will reign with Christ throughout the Millennium—“to the age of ages,” which is the Eternal State (vs. 5; Dan. 7:1818But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. (Daniel 7:18)). This means that the reign of Christ and the Church over the earth will not continue into the Eternal State, for there will be no need of government in that eternal day.