Back to Eden (Revelation 21 & 22)

In his final vision, John saw a new heaven and the earth emerge as the old ones had hidden themselves from the presence of God (Revelation 20:11). Along with the former heavens and the earth, the sea too had no purpose as evil can no longer be found after God’s Final Judgement. The sea is often compared to the abyss in John’s visions and during the final day of the LORD, death and hades were thrown into the fiery lake. Since the creatures of the sea were also cast out into the lake of burning sulfur, there was no need for a sea in this new world.

Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

Revelation 21:3 (NIV)

So does this mean that God could not dwell among us because of our sins? God has always been with His people since the time of creation. He was there in the garden with Adam and Eve and led Israel in the desert (albeit as a cloud of smoke and a pillar of fire). After the death of Jesus on the cross, His Spirit is freely given to us as God started residing in our hearts. Our hearts, which are full of impure thoughts are deemed worthy by God to make them as His dwelling place. However, we have this misconception that God cannot be in a place where evil exists. It is the opposite as it is we the sinners who cannot bear to be in the presence of God’s glory.

To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.

Revelation 21:6 (NIV)

The living water that was offered to the Samaritan woman when she met Jesus at the well of Jacob will be offered to all who have held on to their faith. They will be called the children of God for their names will be etched forever in the Book of Life. However, to the ones who did not accept God’s gracious offer, His son who was to take their place to bear God’s wrath, they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur Revelation 21:8 (NIV)

The New Jerusalem

Then one of the seven angels who poured the seven plagues on earth took John on top of a mountain to show the Holy City, the heavenly Jerusalem. The city shone brighter than any precious metals, emitting the radiance of God as it descended from heaven. God will provide our eternal Home as His city will be brought down and He will make His residence amongst us. Once we start living with God we will shine with His brilliance as we will reflect His glory. Moses’ face shone only after spending an afternoon with the LORD. The angels who were sent by God all emitted a similar radiance. When God restores Eden we will have his radiance emitting through us and since he would have purified us our impurities will not take away from that radiance.

It was a city with a tall wall and twelve gates guarded by angels. The names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. There were three gates each on the east, north, south, and west sides. The city’s wall had twelve foundations, with the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb on them. The names of the tribes of Israel and the apostles of Jesus might be symbolic and not necessarily a confirmation of their presence in the new Jerusalem. They could simply signify the continuity of the work of God from the Old Testament days in the wilderness to the concrete jungles of Judah and Galilee during the Roman reign through His Son.

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

Revelation 21:22-23 (NIV)

The first thing that John noticed about the heavenly Jerusalem (apart from the uncanny resemblance to earthly precious stones) is that there was no temple in this new city. He was not able to understand God’s presence without a temple before him. Israel always associated God with their temples and tabernacles. Even today people would be lost without their local church building giving them the satisfaction just by its existence. People look to the tangible as they are not able to comprehend the transcendental nature of God.

In our ignorance, we do not realise that we do not need any building or an idol bearing His image to connect with Him. He is dwelling in our midst and we can call on Him at any given moment or in any place. Regardless, we have embraced the ignorance of hiding behind physical structures and not talking to Him directly. In the New Jerusalem, we will not have any temples to take cover from Him but will see God face to face in all His Glory.

Eden Restored

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:1-2 (NIV)

Finally, the people of God will experience the taste of the water that quenches all thirsts. The water of life flows directly from the throne of God and waters the tree of life. The sea of death has been destroyed but the river of life will remain forever. The waters of life are a provision from God just like the trees in the Garden. But unlike the last time when we ate of the tree in the Garden before the appointed time, we will drink from the river of life only when God allows us back in the Garden. In the Garden, we will rule with our Father forever.

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22:3-5 (NIV)

There is a preconceived notion of fear and anxiety when the contents of this book are discussed. Most of it arises from not understanding the true purpose of these revelations. John’s visions are often quoted during moments of unrest in the world to strike fear in the hearts of people. However, as we read through we understand that it is a message of grace and hope directly from Jesus, the all-conquering slain lamb. If it was based on our merit, then all of us would be hurled into the depths of the lake of fire but we tend to forget that it is the grace of God that keeps sustaining us. Most of the visions in this book have already been recorded by the Old Testament prophets but people focus on this book as they anxiously wait for their deeds to be uncovered.

So just like the Old Testament laws were used to scare the people of Israel, the visions in this book are often quoted out of context by many to keep their own herd in check. There are so many instances of God’s grace in this book. Time and time again He keeps extending His hand to humans who are content with staying in the quicksand that they find themselves sinking in. It is a message of Grace upon grace that is given to the people who keep turning their backs to God. However, what people take away from this book are the plagues and punishments that follow due to the disobedience of mankind. We need to treat this book like any other letter of the apostles and understand that we are saved only by His grace and not by our deeds. The one thing that is clear is that right from Genesis to Revelation, the purpose of mankind is to worship our Maker, who in spite of our betrayal, is always working on His plan to help us find our way back to His Garden.

Discussion Questions

1. A new heaven and a new earth are formed but what happens to the sea?
2. Why couldn’t God dwell with His people before?
3. How can anything emit the same radiance as God?
4. Why was there no temple in the new Jerusalem?
5. What are the waters of life flowing from God’s throne?