Revelation 21:6-14
In verse 6 we see the statement “It is done.” There is finality in this statement, meaning that all is now complete. On the cross, Jesus made the same statement referring to the completion of the Old Covenant and fulfilling all prophecy concerning Him to this point.
So this could be considered the completion of the New Covenant and the launching into our new eternal home! The Tribulation Period stamped, “complete!” The Millennial reign of Christ stamped, “complete!” The Great White Throne Judgment stamped, “complete!” The new heaven and new earth stamped, “complete!” All this and everything else that took place after the completion of the Old Covenant by way of the cross of Christ.
From this point forward in this book we are given somewhat of a picture as to what it is going to be like in the eternity.
“I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.” Guess who this must be? We found Jesus stating this about Himself in chapter One. One minister that knows Hebrew believes that John actually heard Jesus say I am the Aleph and the Tav which are the first and the last letters of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet or Alphabet as we would call it. The New Testament was written from the Greek, that is why the Greek version of the statement “I am the beginning and the end.”
This final statement in the verse concerning the ‘fountain of the water of life’ seems to be a final appeal to all those that will read this. In John chapter four, Jesus is talking to the woman at the well and says that ‘all that drink of the water He will give will never thirst.’
It appears that Jesus is reiterating this truth in this passage and continues the appeal in the following two verses.
In verse 7 this statement was a constant when Jesus speaking to the seven churches stated; “he that overcomes!” It shows the desire and longing of His heart that none should perish but all come and receive everlasting life.
He speaks of what we will inherit, however even though it is abstract to us now, the most important inheritance will be that God is our God and we are His children.
Verse 8 can be a difficult verse for many that do not understand the difference between a sinner and sin. The items in this list are more than just sins, they define who people are that are spiritually dead and separated from God.
A Born Again Believer can commit sin but they are not a sinner for they have been made the righteousness of God in Christ and have been washed once and for all in the blood. If a Believer sins, they can go to 1 John 1:9 and get themselves free from it. One preacher calls it the Believes bar of soap.
However a sinner has no out; they are what they are, unless they receive the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ and become Born Again. This verse lists out what sinners do; they sin.
The final place for the sinner is spelled out as the lake of fire that burns with brimstone and this is called the second death for them!
In verse 9 an Angel/Christian that was one of the seven with the vials full of plagues came to John to tell him to come and see the bride, the lamb’s wife.
In verse 10 the Angel/Christian carries John away in the spirit to a high mountain. Someone might ask how can a Christian carry someone away in the spirit?
John isn’t dealing with a Christian like himself on the earth, but one that has been glorified in his new body which is the same as Jesus’ glorified body with the ability to travel without limitations, reference Luke 24:36-43.
In Acts chapter eight we see that Philip the Evangelist was translated or carried away of the spirit and that was done on the earth. So this situation in Heaven is totally reasonable that a glorified Christian could be used to take John places in the spirit.
Together they go to this mountain to get a view of the great city Jerusalem, descending out of Heaven in its entire splendor. As stated before, the bride is in the city.
In verses 11-12 we are shown a descriptive of the great city being filled with the glory of God. The brilliance of the city with all of its precious stones reflecting this glory will be something to behold.
It has twelve gates and Angels to man the gates. On the gates are the inscriptions of the twelve tribes of Israel. Those who believe in replacement theology need to read this. In no way does it appear that God is or ever will be through with Israel, they are so precious to Him that their names are on the gates of the city.
Verses 13-14 speaks of the location of the gates on the north, east, south and west which relates to the compass of the earth. The walls of the city have twelve foundations where the names of the twelve Apostles are written. It pays to follow the Lord Jesus Christ!
