FocusGod dwelling with His people
Connection to the wholeThe opening announces the removal of former sorrow and death, joining promises to the overcomer with a warning concerning exclusion.
interpretation Revelation 21:5
KJVAnd 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.
Read it in context
The new heaven and earth
Start reading at Revelation 21:1 (Revelation 21:1 to Revelation 21:8).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The opening announces the removal of former sorrow and death, joining promises to the overcomer with a warning concerning exclusion.
- 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
- 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
- 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, 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.
- 21:4 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.
- 21:5 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.
- 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
- 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
- 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Who
- Who wrote the book? John is the named writer. Early Christian tradition identifies him as John the apostle, although that further identification has been debated. Biblical references: Revelation 1:1; Revelation 1:9; Revelation 22:8. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Revelation 21:1–22:21): John sees the new creation and New Jerusalem and hears angelic explanations. The closing words address the prophecy's hearers and the churches. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Seven churches in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. The message also calls on everyone with an ear to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Biblical references: Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:11; Revelation 2:7. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The new heaven and earth. Read Revelation 21:1 through Revelation 21:8 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The opening announces the removal of former sorrow and death, joining promises to the overcomer with a warning concerning exclusion. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? John describes receiving the revelation and being in the Spirit on the Lord's day. The book does not state a modern calendar date, and the order of visions should not automatically be equated with a settled event timetable. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? John names Patmos and addresses seven churches in Asia. The visions portray earthly and heavenly scenes that must be distinguished from his stated location. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1 to Revelation 21:8). Start reading at Revelation 21:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ, the slain Lamb, His testimony, judgment, and reign are central. Read symbols with their supplied explanations and retain the exhortations to hear, keep, repent, and overcome. See Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 22:7. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Remain faithful in worship and conduct under pressure. Do not turn symbolic visions into confident identifications of modern people, nations, or dates without evidence and explicit labeling as interpretation. interpretation
Cited: Revelation 21:1, Revelation 21:8, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 22:7
Who wrote it, and how we know
John the apostle
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book names John four times as the one who saw and wrote these things.
Revelation 1:1Revelation 1:4Revelation 1:9Revelation 22:8
Early traditionEarly testimony, notably Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, names John the apostle.
What is debatedSome ancient and modern voices distinguish this John from the apostle because the Greek style differs from the Gospel.
Related passages
- that sat Rev 4:2,9 Rev 5:1 Rev 20:11
- Behold Isa 42:9 Isa 43:19 2 Cor 5:17
- Write Rev 1:11,19
- these Rev 19:9
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Revelation 21
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Revelation 1:1 Revelation 1:4 Revelation 1:9
The holy city shown
Revelation 21:9–21FocusThe bride and the city's glory
Connection to the wholeThe angel shows the city through its gates, foundations, dimensions, and materials, developing the vision of God's dwelling with His people.
interpretation Life in the city's light
Revelation 21:22–27FocusGod and the Lamb
Connection to the wholeThe absence of a temple and the city's illumination are explained by God's and the Lamb's presence, with entry restricted to those written in the Lamb's book of life.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Revelation
John addresses the seven churches in Asia and describes himself as their companion in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. These outlines follow the order of the visions without treating that literary order as a settled timetable or assigning symbols to modern nations or people.
Revelation 1:1 Revelation 1:4 Revelation 1:9
The revelation introduced
Revelation 1:1–20FocusThe risen Christ and His churches
Connection to the wholeThe opening locates the prophecy among its first hearers and presents the vision of Christ who commands John to write.
interpretation The messages to seven churches
Revelation 2:1–3:22FocusHearing, repentance, and overcoming
Connection to the wholeThe individual messages apply Christ's knowledge and authority to the churches' actual conditions, joining promises with rebukes and commands.
interpretation The throne and the Lamb
Revelation 4:1–5:14FocusHeavenly worship and the sealed book
Connection to the wholeThe throne scene and the Lamb's reception of the book establish the heavenly setting for the judgments that follow.
interpretation The seals
Revelation 6:1–8:5FocusJudgment, witness, and the sealed servants
Connection to the wholeThe opening of the seals includes scenes of suffering, judgment, and preservation, leading to the seventh seal and the preparation for trumpets.
interpretation The trumpets and accompanying visions
Revelation 8:6–11:19FocusWarning, witness, and proclaimed reign
Connection to the wholeTrumpet judgments are interwoven with John's renewed commission and the witnesses, culminating in the seventh trumpet's proclamation.
interpretation The conflict and contrasting allegiances
Revelation 12:1–14:20FocusThe dragon, beasts, and the Lamb's people
Connection to the wholeThe visions portray opposition and demanded worship alongside the Lamb's followers, proclamations, and harvest scenes.
interpretation The last plagues poured out
Revelation 15:1–16:21FocusGod's righteous judgments
Connection to the wholeThe heavenly preparation and seven vials develop the judgment sequence while retaining warnings and examples of refused repentance.
interpretation Babylon judged and heaven rejoicing
Revelation 17:1–19:21FocusThe fallen city and the victorious rider
Connection to the wholeThe explanation and fall of Babylon lead to heavenly praise, the marriage announcement, and the defeat of the beast and its allies.
interpretation Final rebellion and judgment
Revelation 20:1–15FocusThe thousand years and the throne
Connection to the wholeThe vision includes Satan's restraint and release, the final defeat of rebellion, and judgment before the great white throne.
interpretation FocusGod with His people
Connection to the wholeThe holy city and the removal of the curse bring the visions to their close, followed by commands, invitations, warnings, and the promise of Jesus' coming.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.