20:13 Death and Hades. See note on 1:18. Both terms describe the state of death. All unrighteous dead will appear at the Great White Throne Judgment; none will escape. All the places that have held the bodies of the unrighteous dead will yield up new bodies suited for hell.
20:14 second death. See note on v. 6.
20:15 lake of fire. See note on 19:20.
Revelation 21
21:1 As the chapter opens, all the sinners of all the ages, both demons and men, including Satan, the beast, and false prophet, are in the lake of fire forever. The whole universe has been destroyed, and God creates a new universe to be the eternal dwelling place of the redeemed. a new heaven and a new earth. The entire universe as we now know it will be destroyed (2 Pet. 3:10–13) and be replaced by a new creation that will last forever. This is an OT reality (Ps. 102:25, 26; Is. 65:17; 66:22), as well as a NT one (Luke 21:33; Heb. 1:10–12). See note on 20:11–15. no more sea. Currently three-fourths of the earth’s surface is water, but the new environment will no longer be water-based and will have completely different climatic conditions. See notes on 22:1, 2.
21:2—22:5 By this point in the chronology of Revelation, OT saints, tribulation saints, and all those converted during the millennial kingdom will be incorporated into the ultimate redeemed bride and will dwell in the New Jerusalem. John described the consummation of all things in Christ and the New Jerusalem descending into the eternal state (cf. 19:7; 20:6; 1 Cor. 15:28; Heb. 12:22–24).
21:2 New Jerusalem. Cf. 3:12; Heb. 11:10; 12:22–24; 13:14. This is the capital city of heaven, a place of perfect holiness. It is seen “coming down out of heaven” indicating it already existed; but it descends into the new heavens and new earth from its place on high. This is the city where the saints will live (cf. John 14:1–3). bride. An important NT metaphor for the church (cf. Matt. 25:1–13; Eph. 5:25–27). John’s imagery here extends from the third part of the Jewish wedding, the ceremony. Believers (the bride) in the New Jerusalem come to meet Christ (the bridegroom) in the final ceremony of redemptive history (see note on 19:7). The whole city, occupied by all the saints, is called the bride, so that all saints must be finally included in the bride imagery and bridal blessing. God has brought home a bride for His beloved Son. All the saints live with Christ in the Father’s house (a promise made before the church began; John 14:2).
21:3 the tabernacle of God. The word translated “tabernacle” means place of abode. This is God’s house, the place where He lives (cf. Lev. 26:11, 12; Deut. 12:5).
21:4 wipe away every tear. Since there will never be a tear in heaven, nothing will be sad, disappointing, deficient, or wrong (cf. Is. 53:4, 5; 1 Cor. 15:54–57).
21:5 true and faithful. Cf. 3:14; 19:11. God always speaks truth (John 17:17).
21:6 the Alpha and the Omega. See note on 1:8. water of life. Cf. 7:17; 22:1, 17. The lasting spiritual water of which Jesus spoke (John 4:13, 14; 7:37, 38; cf. Is. 55:1, 2). him who thirsts. Heaven belongs to those who, knowing their souls are parched by sin, have earnestly sought the satisfaction of salvation and eternal life (cf. Ps. 42:1, 2; Is. 55:1, 2; John 7:37, 38).
21:7 He who overcomes. Cf. 1 John 5:4, 5. Anyone who exercises saving faith in Jesus Christ (see note on 2:7). inherit. The spiritual inheritance all believers will receive (1 Pet. 1:4; cf. Matt. 25:23) is the fullness of the new creation. Cf. Rom. 8:16, 17.
21:8 A solemn, serious warning about the kinds of people who will be outcasts from the new heaven and the new earth in the lake of fire. The NT often goes beyond just citing unbelief in listing character and lifestyle traits of the outcast, so that believers can identify such people (1 Cor. 6:9, 10; Gal. 5:19; cf. John 8:31). sorcerers. See note on 9:21. lake which burns with fire. See note on 19:20. brimstone. See note on 9:17. second death. See note on 20:6.
21:9 seven bowls. See note on 15:7. seven last plagues. See note on 15:1–8.
21:9, 10 the Lamb’s wife. The New Jerusalem takes on the character of its inhabitants, the redeemed (see notes on v. 2; 19:7–9).
21:10 in the Spirit. See note on 1:10.
21:11 jasper. A transliteration, not a translation, of the Gr. word. Rather than the modern opaque jasper, the term actually refers to a completely clear diamond, a perfect gem with the brilliant light of God’s glory shining out of it and streaming over the new heaven and the new earth (cf. 4:3).
21:12–14 wall. See v. 16 for the dimensions of the city and, thus, the length of the wall.
21:15 gold reed. See note on Ezek. 40:3. The reed was about 10 ft. long, which was a standard for measure. measure the city. This action indicates that the capital of heaven belongs to God and He is measuring what is His (cf. 11:1; Ezek. 40:3).
21:16 twelve thousand furlongs. This would be nearly 1,400 mi. cubed or about two million square miles of ground space, offering plenty of room for all the glorified saints to live. length, breadth, and height. The city has the symmetrical dimensions of a perfect cube, which parallels its closest earthly counterpart, the inner sanctuary in the tabernacle and temple (cf. 1 Kin. 6:20).
21:17 one hundred and forty-four cubits. 72 yards or 216 feet. This is likely the width of the wall.
21:18 jasper. See note on v. 11. This is the material of the thick wall—diamond! pure gold, like clear glass. Unlike earth’s gold, this gold will be transparent so the overpowering radiance of God’s glory can refract and glisten through the entire city.
21:19, 20 Because some of the names of these gems have changed through the centuries, it is difficult to identify each one with certainty. Eight of the 12 stones are found in the breastplate of the High-Priest (Ex. 28, 39), and the other 4 may also be related to the breastplate. The gems picture a brilliant, indescribable panoply of beautiful colors that send forth the light of God’s glory. The following are possible identifications for these gems.
21:19 chalcedony. This name derives from Chalcedon, an ancient name for a city in modern Turkey. The gem is a sky-blue agate stone with translucent, colored stripes.
21:20 sardonyx. A variety of chalcedony with parallel layers of red and white (see note on v. 19). sardius. A common stone from the quartz family, which ranged in color from orange-red to brownish-red to blood-red (4:3). chrysolite. A gem with a transparent gold or yellowish tone. beryl. A mineral with several varieties of gems, ranging from the green emerald to the golden yellow beryl to the light blue aquamarine. topaz. Ancient topaz was a softer stone with a yellow or yellow-green color. chrysoprase. The modern form of this jewel is an apple-green variety of quartz. The Gr. name suggests a gold-tinted, green gemstone. jacinth. Today this stone is a transparent zircon, usually red or reddish-brown. The one John saw was blue or shining violet in color. amethyst. A clear quartz crystal that ranges in color from a faint purple tint to an intense purple.
21:21 one pearl. Each of the gates of the city is a single, almost 1,400-mile-high pearl. Even as earthly pearls are formed in response to the wounding of oyster flesh, so these gigantic, supernatural pearls will remind saints throughout eternity of the magnitude of Christ’s suffering and its eternal benefit.
21:22 no temple. Several passages affirm that there is a temple in heaven (3:12; 7:15; 11:19; 15:5). Here, it is clear there is none in eternity. How can this be? The temple is not a building; it is the Lord God Himself. Revelation 7:15 implies this when it says, “He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.” Verse 23 continues the thought of no temple, except God and the Lamb. The glory of God which illuminates all heaven defines it as His temple. There is no need for a temple in the eternal state since God Himself will be the temple in which everything exists. The presence of God lit. fills the entire new heaven and new earth (cf. v. 3). Going to heaven will be entering the limitless presence of the Lord (cf. John 14:3; 1 Thess. 4:17).
21:24 the nations. Lit. “the peoples.” Redeemed people from every nation and ethnic group will dwell in heaven’s light. In the eternal city, there will be no more divisions, barriers, or exclusions because of race or politics. All kinds of peoples
in eternity dissolve into the people of God, and they will move freely in and about the city.
21:27 Lamb’s Book of Life. See note on 3:5.
Revelation 22
22:1 river…of life. This river is unlike any on earth because no hydrological cycle exists. Water of life symbolizes the continual flow of eternal life from God’s throne to heaven’s inhabitants (see note on 21:6).
22:2 tree of life. A symbol of both eternal life and continual blessing (see note on Gen. 2:9). The tree bears 12 fruits, one for each month, and is symbolic of the abundant variety in heaven. The Eng. word “therapeutic” comes from the Gr. word translated “healing.” The leaves somehow enrich heavenly life, making it full and satisfying.
22:3 no more curse. The curse on humanity and the earth as a result of Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience (Gen. 3:16–19) will be totally finished. God will never have to judge sin again, since it will never exist in the new heaven and new earth. His servants shall serve Him. See note on 7:15.
22:4 see His face. No unglorified human could see God’s face and live (Ex. 33:20–23). But the residents of heaven can look on God’s face without harm because they are now holy (cf. John 1:18; 1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 3:20). His name. They are God’s personal possession (see note on 3:12).
22:5 they shall reign. Heaven’s citizens are more than servants (see note on 3:21).
22:6 His servants. The members of the 7 churches of Asia Minor who received this letter (1:11), and then all believers who have read, or will read it since. things which must shortly take place. This involves the entire revelation which John has just related (see note on 1:1).
22:7 I am coming quickly! Jesus’ return is imminent (see note on 3:11). Blessed. See note on 1:3.
22:8 heard and saw. John resumes speaking for the first time since chap. 1 and confirms the veracity of the revelation with his own eyewitness testimony—the basis of any reliable witness. fell down to worship. See note on 19:10.
22:10 Do not seal the words. Cf. 10:11. Previous prophecies were sealed up (Dan. 8:26; 12:4–10). These prophecies are to be proclaimed so they can produce obedience and worship. the time is at hand. This refers to imminency, which means that the end is next.
22:11 Those who reject God’s warnings will fix their eternal destiny in hell, where they will retain their evil and filthy natures for all eternity. Those who respond to the warnings will fix their eternal destiny in glory and realize perfect righteousness and holiness in heaven.
22:12 I am coming quickly. See note on 3:11. Again, imminence is the issue (cf. Mark 13:33–37). according to his work. Only those works which survive God’s testing fire have eternal value and are worthy of reward (1 Cor. 3:10–15; 4:1–5; 2 Cor. 5:10).
22:13 the Alpha and the Omega. See note on 1:8.
22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments. See note on 1:3. The preferred reading is “Blessed are those who wash their robes,” symbolizing those who have been forgiven of their sins—who have been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb of God (Heb. 9:14; 1 Pet. 1:18, 19; see note on 7:14). tree of life. See notes on v. 2; Gen. 2:9.
22:15 dogs. Considered despicable creatures in NT times, the term when applied to people referred to anyone of low moral character. Unfaithful leaders (Is. 56:10) and homosexual prostitutes (Deut. 23:18) are among those who received such a designation. sorcerers. See note on 9:21.
22:16 My angel. See 1:1. the churches. The 7 churches of Asia Minor who were the book’s original recipients (1:11). the Root and the Offspring of David. Christ is the source (root) of David’s life and line of descendants, which establishes His deity. He is also a descendant of David (offspring), which establishes His humanity. This phrase gives powerful testimony to Christ as the God-Man (cf. 2 Tim. 2:8). Bright and Morning Star. This is the brightest star announcing the arrival of the day. When Jesus comes, He will be the brightest star who will shatter the darkness of man’s night and herald the dawn of God’s glorious day (see note on 2:28).
22:17 “Come!” This is the Spirit’s and church’s answer to the promise of His coming. let him. This is an unlimited offer of grace and salvation to all who desire to have their thirsty souls quenched. Cf. Is. 55:1, 2. water of life. See note on v. 1.
22:18, 19 Jesus offers extended testimony on the authority and finality of the prophecy. He commissioned John to write it, but He was its author. These are not the first such warnings (cf. Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Prov. 30:6; Jer. 26:2). These warnings against altering the biblical text represent the close of the NT canon. Anyone who tampers with the truth by attempting to falsify, mitigate, alter, or misinterpret it will incur the judgments described in these verses.
22:20 “Surely I am coming quickly.” See note on 3:11. In light of this future expectation, what is now required of believers is outlined by Peter (see 2 Pet. 3:11–18).
Revelation 1
1:1 a John 3:32
1:1 b Rev. 22:6
1:1 1 quickly or swiftly
1:2 c 1 Cor. 1:6
1:2 d 1 John 1:1
1:3 e Luke 11:28; Rev. 22:7
1:3 f James 5:8; Rev. 22:10
1:4 g Ex. 3:14
1:4 h John 1:1
1:4 i (Is. 11:2); Zech. 3:9; Rev. 3:1; 4:5; 5:6
1:5 j John 8:14; Prov. 14:5
1:5 k Is. 55:4
1:5 l Ps. 89:27; 1 Cor. 15:20; (Col. 1:18)
1:5 m Rev. 17:14
1:5 n John 13:34
1:5 o Heb. 9:14
1:5 2 NU loves us and freed; M loves us and washed
1:6 p 1 Pet. 2:5, 9
1:6 q 1 Tim. 6:16
1:6 3 NU, M a kingdom
1:7 r Matt. 24:30
1:7 s Zech. 12:10–14; John 19:37
1:8 t Is. 41:4; Rev. 21:6; 22:13
1:8 u Rev. 4:8; 11:17
1:8 v Is. 9:6
1:8 4 NU, M omit the Beginning and the End
1:8 5 NU, M Lord God
1:9 w Phil. 1:7
1:9 x (Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12)
1:9 6 NU, M omit both
1:10 y Acts 10:10
1:10 z Acts 20:7
1:10 a Rev. 4:1
1:11 7 NU, M omit “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and,
1:11 8 NU, M omit which are in Asia
1:12 b Ex. 25:37; Zech. 4:2; Rev. 1:20; 2:1
1:13 c Rev. 2:1
1:13 d Ezek. 1:26; Dan. 7:13; 10:16; Rev. 14:14
1:13 e Dan. 10:5
1:13 f Rev. 15:6
1:14 g Dan. 7:9
1:14 h Dan. 10:6; Rev. 2:18; 19:12
1:15 i Ezek. 1:7; Dan. 10:6; Rev. 2:18
1:15 j Ezek. 1:24; 43:2; Rev. 14:2; 19:6
1:16 k Rev. 1:20; 2:1; 3:1
1:16 l Is. 49:2; (Heb. 4:12); Rev. 2:12, 16; 19:15
1:16 m Matt. 17:2; Acts 26:13; Rev. 10:1
1:17 n Ezek. 1:28
1:17 o Dan. 8:18; 10:10, 12
1:17 p Is. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev. 2:8; 22:13
1:17 9 NU, M omit to me
1:18 q Rom. 6:9; Rev. 2:8; 10:6; 15:7
1:18 r Rev. 4:9
1:18 s Ps. 68:20
1:18 10 Lit. Unseen; the unseen realm
1:19 t Rev. 1:9–18
1:19 u Rev. 2:1
1:19 v John 16:13; Rev. 4:1
1:19 11 NU, M Therefore, write
1:20 w Mal. 2:7; Rev. 2:1
1:20 x Ex. 25:37; 37:23; Zech. 4:2; Matt. 5:15; Phil. 2:15
1:20 12 hidden truth
1:20 13 Or messengers
1:20 14 NU, M omit which you saw
Revelation 2
2:1 a Rev. 1:16
2:1 b Rev. 1:13
2:1 1 Or messenger
2:2 c Ps. 1:6
2:2 d John 6:6; 1 John 4:1
2:2 e 2 Cor. 11:13
2:2 2 perseverance
2:2 3 endure
2:3 f Gal. 6:9; Heb. 12:3, 5
2:5 g Matt. 21:41
2:7 h Matt. 11:15; Rev. 2:11, 17; 3:6, 13, 22; 13:9
2:7 i (Rev. 22:2, 14)
2:7 j (Gen. 2:9; 3:22)
2:8 k Rev. 1:8, 17, 18
2:8 4 Or messenger
2:9 l Luke 12:21
2:9 m Rom. 2:17
2:9 n Rev. 3:9
2:9 5 congregation
2:10 o Matt. 10:22
2:10 p Matt. 24:13
2:10 q James 1:12
2:11 r Rev. 13:9
2:11 s (Rev. 20:6, 14; 21:8)
2:12 t Is. 49:2; Rev. 1:16; 2:16
2:12 6 Or messenger
2:14 u Num. 31:16
2:14 v Num. 25; Acts 15:29; (1 Cor. 10:20); Rev. 2:20
2:14 w 1 Cor. 6:13
2:15 7 NU, M likewise.
2:16 x Is. 11:4; 2 Thess. 2:8; Rev. 19:15
2:17 y Ex. 16:33, 34; (John 6:49, 51)
2:17 z Is. 56:5; 62:2; 65:15; Rev. 3:12
2:18 a Rev. 1:14, 15
2:18 8 Or messenger
2:19 b Rev. 2:2
2:19 9 NU, M faith, service
2:19 10 perseverance
2:20 c 1 Kin. 16:31; 21:25; 2 Kin. 9:7, 22, 30
2:20 d Ex. 34:15
2:20 11 NU, M against you that you tolerate
2:20 12 M your wife Jezebel
2:20 13 NU, M and teaches and seduces
2:21 e Rom. 2:5; Rev. 9:20; 16:9, 11
2:21 14 NU, M repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.
2:22 15 NU, M her
2:23 f Ps. 7:9; 26:2; 139:1; Jer. 11:20; 17:10; Matt. 16:27; Luke 16:15; Acts 1:24; Rom. 8:27
The MacArthur Study Bible, NKJV Page 680