Scripture text: Revelation 21:10-21
Lesson Context: In today’s Scripture text, John sees a great city coming from the heavens. He describes it in a manner that stirs the hearts of believers for what they can expect.
The City’s Descent (Revelation 21:10-14).
“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain” Gave him a vision of the city; seemed to place him where he could have a clear view of it as it came down from heaven.
“And he showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God” There he caused me to see the whole triumphant church, answering as the antitype to Jerusalem, but more holy; being not of the earth, earthly, but from heaven, heavenly; but from heaven, heavenly founded, built up, and adorned by God.
“Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone most precious, even like a jasper, clear as crystal.” The glory of God was unmistakable as John looked at the New Jerusalem. He noted that celestial bodies were not needed as a source of light; God’s glory lit up the city (Revelation 21:23). Regarding the brilliance of God’s glory, the language of John’s vision agrees with that of earlier heavenly visions (see Isaiah 60:1; Ezekiel 43:1-2).
External Perspectives (vv. 12-14).
“And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.” A city’s walls were a symbol of strength and unity. A city without walls signaled weakness and disgrace. This wall does not serve to keep out adversaries. Rather, the great and high wall holds God’s glory and purity. Each of the twelve gates is named for a tribe of Israel. All the names of the twelve tribes…of Israel seemed to be listed at each gate. The twelve tribes of Israel were the foundation for God’s people and, therefore, for New Jerusalem.
Verse 13. “On the east three gates, on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.” All the people of God, from all, from all parts of the earth, are invited to enter the New Jerusalem. Individuals from every nation, tribe, and language will worship God in this city.
Verse 14. “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Twelve foundations, named for the twelve apostles, highlights the heavenly city’s fundamental origin.
The City’s Detail (Revelation 21:15-21).
The Measurements (vv. 15-17).
The measure of the wall. Twelve thousand furlongs each way, each side, which is forty-eight thousand furlongs in the whole compass. Here is room for all the people of God-many mansions in their Father’s house.
References: Matthew Henry Bible Commentary, Bridgeway Bible Commentary,
2021-2022 KJV, standard Lesson Commentary