Scriptural text: Revelation 21:1-9
Lesson Background:
The Book of Revelation is a type of literature known as apocalyptic. The root word apocalypse means “uncovering of the hidden.” This book reveals the hidden workings and plans of the Lord Almighty in the midst of the church’s trials and tribulations, to give hope to the persecuted. God has a plan of ending the power of evil emperors and of Satan and his allies.
The author of Revelation was written, penned by the apostle John near the end of his life.
United (Revelation 21:1-4).
Heaven and Earth (vv. 1-2).
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly. The old world, with all its troubles and tumults, will have passed away.
“And there was no more sea.” There will be no more sea; this aptly represents freedom from conflicting passions, temptations, troubles, changes and alarms; from whatever that can divide or interrupt the communion of saints.
“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” This new Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, the church triumphant. Its blessedness came wholly from God, and depends on him.
God and His People (vv. 3-4).
“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying” The source of the voice out of heaven is unspecified, but we should probably understand it as the voice of an angel.
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” The presence of God with his people in heaven, will not be interrupted as it is on earth, he will dwell with them continually.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” The heavenly voice went on to describe some of the spiritual and emotional aspects of this situation to come: death and every other cause of pain and sorrow will be no more.
Separated (Revelation 21:5-8).
A New Creation (vv. 5-6a).
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” Whereas an angel seems to have been speaking in the previous verses, the phrase: he that sat upon the throne indicates that John heard directly from God himself. The true and faithful fact that the Lord will make all things new is certainly a commentary on all that John saw.
References: Matthew Henry Commentary, 2021-2022 KJV Standard Lesson Commentary