Revelation 21:1-4

In chapters 21 and 22 we find ourselves at the end of the Apocalypse and at the end of the Bible.  Therefore, it is fitting to draw some comparison and differences to the beginning of the Bible.

Genesis                                                                       Revelation

Heaven and earth created (1:1)                                  New heaven and earth recreated (21:1)

Sun created (1:16)                                                      No need of the sun (21:23)

The night established (1:5)                                         No night there (22:5)

The seas created (1:10)                                               No more seas (21:1)

The curse announced (3:14-17)                                  No more curse (22:3)

Death enters history (3:19)                                         Death exits history (21:4)

Man driven from paradise (3:24)                                Man restored to paradise (22:14)

Sorrow and pain begin (3:17)                                     Sorrow, tears, and pain end (21:4)

Satan appears (3:1)                                                     Satan disappears (20:10)

¹ Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. ² Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

This is the final “I saw” from John and there is nothing greater to behold than what he witnesses.  The blessed promise of God to the saints.  This is the pinnacle of this letter, this final book of the Bible.  This new heaven is not the earth’s atmosphere or the stars outside of our atmosphere.  This is that place where God, good angels, and the saints live together forever.  This is the final heavenly home for those who love Him.

There are five definitions for how the word “sea” is used in Revelation: 1) the origin of cosmic evil; 2) the unbelieving rebellious nations; 3) the place of the dead; 4) the primary location of the world’s idolatrous trade activity; 5) a literal body of water, sometimes mentioned together with “the earth”.  I want to believe that John is referring to these first four and not the literal sea of water since it was a part of the original creation of earth and this is the new earth.

 ³ And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

Aside from the reality of Jesus our Savior, this is perhaps the greatest promise in the Bible.   God dwells and walks with His people and He is their God.  All are no longer in sorrow, or crying and there is no pain or death.  All the things of the physical life are passed away.  God Himself will wipe away every tear from each eye.  He is personally taking away death, sorrow, crying and pain.  As the perfect Father, He does what every caring parent has wanted to do for their child.  

He will walk with us.  We will be able to see Him, something we can never do here today.