With this post we will finish up chapter 21.
Revelation 21:22–27 “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
In the new Jerusalem there will be no temple. This is another verification of the truth that God will be dwelling among His people with unrestrained personal access. The temple on earth always represented the place of God’s presence among His people. In eternity the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb comprise the temple—present among His people and anticipating our every desire as we love and serve Him for eternity.
As stated previously, the glory of God and the Lamb is such that there will be no need for the sun or moon to provide light. This brings to mind the words of Isaiah.
Isaiah 60:19 “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.”
I have light sensitive eyes and can hardly imagine interacting with someone more brilliant than the sun. I have a hard enough time just walking in bright sunlight as it is, but I’m sure my resurrected body will see just fine in the light of His glory. Again, the reference is made to the Father and Son.
As always, the Holy Spirit continues to work “behind the scenes” so to speak, directing all attention to Father and Son. I believe that He will continue to indwell all the saints as their “lifeblood” so to speak. The following verses seem to imply that our resurrected bodies will be only flesh and bone.
1 Corinthians 15:50 “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.”
Luke 24:39 “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”
The Greek word for “nations” references those of like ethnicity and non-Jewish or Gentile, and I think the context calls for an understanding of “like ethnicity.” It makes sense to me that the new earth will be for all the redeemed.
Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.”
That there would continue to be a governing hierarchy also makes sense—maybe established in light of heavenly rewards. I conclude that the new earth will be the home away from home of man for eternity, but that we will be free to come and go as we please in fellowship, worship and service to the Lord.
The gates of the New Jerusalem will basically be used as places of tribute and honor to the 12 tribes of Israel. They have no security purpose; they will never be closed. Because of the brilliance of God’s glory, the city will never experience darkness. “They,” the people of the nations, will bring glory and honor into the city as they come to worship and fellowship with God.
I think the Lord emphasizes that nothing that defiles, works abomination or makes a lie will be allowed to enter it because that was what ruined the original creation. Our Father does not want us thinking that there is even a possibility that could happen again.
(to be continued…)
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