Revelation 21:2
I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
I saw
The phrase "I saw" indicates a personal and direct revelation given to John. The Greek word used here is "εἶδον" (eidon), which implies not just seeing with the eyes but perceiving with understanding. This emphasizes the authenticity and vividness of John's vision, underscoring the divine origin of the revelation. It is a reminder of the prophetic nature of the book of Revelation, where God unveils His ultimate plan for humanity.

the holy city
The term "holy city" refers to a place set apart by God, sanctified and pure. In the Old Testament, Jerusalem was often called the holy city, being the center of Jewish worship and the location of the Temple. Here, it symbolizes the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell among His people. The holiness of the city reflects the purity and righteousness that will characterize the new creation.

the new Jerusalem
"New Jerusalem" signifies a transformed and glorified city, distinct from the earthly Jerusalem. The Greek word "καινός" (kainos) for "new" suggests something fresh and unprecedented, not merely a renovation of the old. This new Jerusalem represents the eternal dwelling place of God with His people, a place of perfect peace and communion, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah and Ezekiel about a restored and glorified city.

coming down out of heaven
This phrase highlights the divine origin of the new Jerusalem. It is not a human creation but a gift from God, descending from heaven. The imagery of coming down signifies God's initiative in establishing His kingdom on earth, bridging the gap between the divine and the human. It reflects the fulfillment of the Lord's Prayer, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

from God
The source of the new Jerusalem is explicitly stated as "from God," emphasizing its divine nature and purpose. This underscores the grace and sovereignty of God in providing a perfect dwelling place for His people. It is a reminder that all good and perfect gifts come from above, as stated in James 1:17, and that the ultimate hope of believers is rooted in God's promises.

prepared as a bride
The imagery of a bride suggests beauty, purity, and readiness. The Greek word "ἡτοιμασμένην" (hetoimasmenēn) means "prepared" or "made ready," indicating that the new Jerusalem is perfectly suited for its role as the eternal home of God's people. The bridal imagery also evokes the intimate and covenantal relationship between Christ and His Church, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-27.

adorned for her husband
The word "adorned" comes from the Greek "κεκοσμημένην" (kekosmēmenēn), meaning to decorate or beautify. This reflects the splendor and glory of the new Jerusalem, made beautiful for its union with Christ. The husband-bride metaphor is a powerful depiction of the love and commitment between Christ and His Church, culminating in the ultimate union at the end of the age. This imagery inspires believers to live in anticipation of this glorious future, maintaining purity and faithfulness as they await the return of their Savior.

Persons / Places / Events
1. John the Apostle
The author of the Book of Revelation, who receives and records the vision of the new Jerusalem.

2. The Holy City, New Jerusalem
Symbolizes the ultimate dwelling place of God with His people, representing the fulfillment of God's promises.

3. Heaven
The origin from which the new Jerusalem descends, indicating its divine nature and purity.

4. God
The source and preparer of the new Jerusalem, emphasizing His sovereignty and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

5. The Bride
Represents the church, adorned and prepared for union with Christ, her husband.
Teaching Points
The Promise of a New Beginning
Revelation 21:2 assures believers of a future where God will dwell with His people in a renewed creation. This hope should encourage perseverance in faith.

The Church as the Bride
The imagery of the church as a bride adorned for her husband highlights the intimate relationship between Christ and His church. Believers are called to live in purity and devotion, preparing for this ultimate union.

God's Sovereignty and Faithfulness
The descent of the new Jerusalem from heaven underscores God's control over history and His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises. Trust in God's plan should be a cornerstone of Christian faith.

Heavenly Citizenship
As citizens of the new Jerusalem, Christians are reminded to live as ambassadors of God's kingdom on earth, reflecting His values and love in their daily lives.

The Beauty of Holiness
The adornment of the bride signifies the beauty of holiness. Believers are encouraged to pursue holiness, knowing it is pleasing to God and a reflection of their future glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of the new Jerusalem as a bride influence your understanding of the relationship between Christ and the church?

2. In what ways can the promise of the new Jerusalem encourage you in your current walk of faith?

3. How does the concept of heavenly citizenship affect your daily decisions and interactions with others?

4. What practical steps can you take to prepare yourself as part of the bride of Christ, living in purity and devotion?

5. How can you reflect the beauty of holiness in your life, knowing that you are part of the new Jerusalem?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Isaiah 52:1
This verse speaks of Jerusalem being clothed in beautiful garments, paralleling the imagery of the new Jerusalem as a bride adorned for her husband.

Hebrews 11:10
Refers to Abraham looking forward to a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God, connecting to the divine origin of the new Jerusalem.

Ephesians 5:25-27
Describes the church as the bride of Christ, whom He loves and sanctifies, aligning with the imagery of the bride in Revelation 21:2.

John 14:2-3
Jesus promises to prepare a place for His followers, which can be seen as a reference to the new Jerusalem.

Revelation 19:7-8
The marriage of the Lamb and His bride, the church, is celebrated, providing context for the bridal imagery in Revelation 21:2.
HeavenDean Vaughan.Revelation 21:2
The Descent of the New JerusalemJ. Bailey, Ph. D.Revelation 21:2
The First City and the LastW. L. Watkinson.Revelation 21:2
The New JerusalemJames Adderley, M. A.Revelation 21:2
The Fifth Scene in the History of Redeemed HumanityD. Thomas Revelation 21:1-4
The New Heavens and EarthS. Conway Revelation 21:1-4
Heaven Without a SeaM. D. Kneeland, D. D.Revelation 21:1-8
No More SeaH. Macmillan, D. D.Revelation 21:1-8
No More SeaA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 21:1-8
No More SeaC. H. Parkhurst, D. D.Revelation 21:1-8
No More SeaA. Gray Maitland.Revelation 21:1-8
No More SeaJ. H. Burkitt.Revelation 21:1-8
The Future Abode of the SaintsJ. M. Neale, D. D.Revelation 21:1-8
The New Heaven and New EarthD. Rhys Jenkins.Revelation 21:1-8
The New Heaven and the New EarthF. Wagstaff.Revelation 21:1-8
The New Heaven and the New EarthS. Alexander.Revelation 21:1-8
The New Heavens and New EarthJ. P. Waldo, B. A.Revelation 21:1-8
The SeaW. Williams, M. A.Revelation 21:1-8
The Sea-Less WorldG. Gladstone.Revelation 21:1-8
The Spiritual KingdomR. Green Revelation 21:1-8
The Unending Age of BlessednessD. Thomas, D. D.Revelation 21:1-8
The World Without a SeaHomilistRevelation 21:1-8
Why There Will Bone More SeaBp. F. D. Huntington.Revelation 21:1-8
People
John
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Adorned, Attired, Beautiful, Beautifully, Bride, Dressed, Heaven, Holy, Husband, Jerusalem, John, Meet, Prepared, Ready, Town
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 21:2

     1085   God, love of
     2203   Christ, titles of
     4040   beauty
     5255   citizenship
     5256   city
     5399   luxury
     5654   betrothal
     5702   husband
     5710   marriage, customs
     5712   marriage, God and his people
     5742   wedding
     5744   wife
     5778   adorning
     5895   intimacy
     7021   church, OT anticipations
     7024   church, nature of
     7027   church, purpose
     7031   unity, God's goal
     8136   knowing God, effects
     8349   spiritual growth, means of
     9150   Messianic banquet

Revelation 21:1-2

     5477   property, land
     5659   bride
     6698   newness
     9411   heaven

Revelation 21:1-3

     1680   types
     5598   victory, over spiritual forces

Revelation 21:1-4

     4028   world, redeemed
     4209   land, spiritual aspects
     4906   abolition
     5006   human race, destiny
     5542   society, positive
     6705   peace, experience
     8261   generosity, God's
     9105   last things
     9145   Messianic age
     9160   new heavens and new earth

Revelation 21:1-5

     2565   Christ, second coming
     4915   completion
     6201   imperfection, and God's purposes
     7241   Jerusalem, significance
     8321   perfection, divine
     9130   future, the

Revelation 21:1-7

     9110   after-life

Revelation 21:2-3

     8271   holiness, purpose
     8441   goals

Revelation 21:2-4

     8145   renewal, people of God
     9414   heaven, community of redeemed

Revelation 21:2-9

     5409   metaphor

Library
November 18. "And He that Sat Upon the Throne Said, it is Done" (Rev. xxi. 5, 6).
"And He that sat upon the throne said, It is done" (Rev. xxi. 5, 6). Great is the difference between action and transaction. We may be constantly acting without accomplishing anything, but a transaction is action that passes beyond the point of return, and becomes a permanent committal. Salvation is a transaction between the soul and Christ in which the matter passes beyond recall. Sanctification is a great transaction in which we are utterly surrendered, irrevocably consecrated and wholly committed
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

July the Twenty-Fifth no Temple Therein
"And I saw no temple therein!" --REVELATION xxi. 22-27. And that because it was all temple! "Every place was hallowed ground." There was no merely localized Presence, because the Presence was universal. God was realized everywhere, and therefore the little meeting-tent had vanished, and in place of the measurable tabernacle there were the immeasurable and God-filled heavens. Even here on earth I can measure my spiritual growth by the corresponding enlargement of my temple. What is the size of
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

He that Overcometh.
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son."--REVELATION xxi. 7. Year by year as at this time, when the week of our Saviour's Passion and Death is just in front of us, and the shadow of His Cross is falling over us, one generation after another of the boys of this school gather here, and in the face of the congregation, young and old, they take upon them the vows of a Christian life. So we met last Thursday, and your vow is still fresh upon a great
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

A New Creation
MEN GENERALLY venerate antiquity. It were hard to say which has the stronger power over the human mind--antiquity or novelty. While men will frequently dote upon the old, they are most easily dazzled by the new. Anything new has at least one attraction. Restless spirits consider that the new must be better than the old. Though often disappointed, they are still ready to be caught by the same bait, and, like the Athenians of Mars Hill, spend their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 61: 1915

29Th Day. A Nightless Heaven.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "There shall be no night there."--REV. xxi. 25. A Nightless Heaven. My soul! is it night with thee here? Art thou wearied with these midnight tossings on life's tumultuous sea? Be still! the day is breaking! soon shall thy Lord appear. "His going forth is prepared as the morning." That glorious appearing shall disperse every cloud, and usher in an eternal noontide which knows no twilight. "Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

31ST DAY. The Vision and Fruition of God.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 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."--REV. xxi. 3, 4. The Vision and Fruition of God. Glorious consummation! All the other glories of Heaven are but emanations from this glory that excelleth. Here is the focus and centre to which every ray of light converges. God
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

The Disciple, -- Master, it is Clear to Almost Everyone that to Disobey God And...
The Disciple,--Master, it is clear to almost everyone that to disobey God and to cease to worship Him is sin, and the deadly result is seen in the present state of the world. But what sin really is is not absolutely clear. In the very presence of Almighty God, and in opposition to His will, and in His own world, how did sin come to be? The Master,--1. Sin is to cast aside the will of God and to live according to one's own will, deserting that which is true and lawful in order to satisfy one's own
Sadhu Sundar Singh—At The Master's Feet

The Foundation of the Church among the Jews
A.D. 33-A.D. 38 Before entering upon an account of the Foundation and After-History of the Christian Church, it may be well to consider what that Church really is. Section 1. Definition of the Church. [Sidenote: Twofold nature of the Church.] The Church may be regarded in a twofold aspect, as an external Corporation, and as a spiritual Body. [Sidenote: 1. An external Kingdom.] In the first light it is a Kingdom, in the world, though not of the world, extending through different and widely-separated
John Henry Blunt—A Key to the Knowledge of Church History

The City that Hath Foundations
"I ... saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem."-- Rev. xxi. 2. J. M. Meyfart, 1642. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899 Jerusalem! thou glorious City-height, Oh might I enter in! My spirit wearieth for thy love and light, Amidst this world of sin-- Far over the dark mountains, The moorlands cold and grey, She looketh with sad longing, And fain would flee away. O fair sweet day! and hour yet more fair When wilt thou come to me? My spirit, safe within my Saviour's care Made glad, and pure, and free-- And calmly,
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series)

The Land of Rest
Gerhard Ter Steegen Rev. xxi. 5 Wanderer, rest thy weary feet; Shapes and sounds forgotten now-- Close thine eyes in stillness sweet, With thy God alone art thou. In the deeps of silence rest, Let Him work His high behest. Silence! reasonings hard and keen, Still--O longings sad and deep-- Waken to the morn serene, Tangled dreams depart with sleep; In the calm eternal day Night's wild visions past away. In the silence of that dawn God shall speak His words of grace, Light that round thy waking
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

The Heritage of the Lord's People. --Rev. xxi. 5-7.
The Heritage of the Lord's People.--Rev. xxi. 5-7. "He that overcomes through me, Shall an heir of all things be, I his God, and he My Son," Saith the True and Holy One. What an heritage were this! An eternity of bliss, Heaven below and heaven above, O the miracle of love! "Abba! Father!" then might I Through the Holy Spirit cry; Heir of God, with Christ joint-heir, Grace and glory call'd to share. Can a worm such gifts receive? Fear not, faint not, but believe, He who gave His Son, shall He
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

Whether God Always Loves More the Better Things?
Objection 1: It seems that God does not always love more the better things. For it is manifest that Christ is better than the whole human race, being God and man. But God loved the human race more than He loved Christ; for it is said: "He spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all" (Rom. 8:32). Therefore God does not always love more the better things. Objection 2: Further, an angel is better than a man. Hence it is said of man: "Thou hast made him a little less than the angels" (Ps.
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Impassibility and Immortality of the Risen Body.
Besides the attributes which immediately flow from the fact that our animal bodies will rise spiritualized, there are two more qualities, which we shall now consider; namely, the impassibility and immortality of our risen bodies. 1. Impassibility implies the total loss of the power of suffering. What an enormous capacity we have for suffering! The power of receiving pleasure through our senses is only as a drop in the ocean, when compared to our manifold capacities for suffering, in every faculty
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

Christ's Finished and Unfinished Work
'Jesus ... said, It is finished.'--JOHN xix. 30. 'He said unto me, It is done.'--REV. xxi. 6. One of these sayings was spoken from the Cross, the other from the Throne. The Speaker of both is the same. In the one, His voice 'then shook the earth,' as the rending rocks testified; in the other, His voice 'will shake not the earth only but also heaven'; for 'new heavens and a new earth' accompanied the proclamation. In the one, like some traveller ready to depart, who casts a final glance over his preparations,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: St. John Chaps. XV to XXI

All Fulness in Christ
The text is a great deep, we cannot explore it, but we will voyage over its surface joyously, the Holy Spirit giving us a favorable wind. Here are plenteous provisions far exceeding, those of Solomon, though at the sight of that royal profusion, Sheba's queen felt that there was no more spirit in her, and declared that the half had not been told to her. It may give some sort of order to our thoughts if they fall under four heads. What is here spoken of--"all fullness." Where is it placed--"in him,"
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

A Word for the Persecuted
Remember that this supposition is a very likely one. There are a few Christians so favourably circumstanced that all their friends accompany them in the pilgrimage to heaven. What advances they ought to make in the sacred journey! What excellent Christians they ought to be! They are like plants in a conservatory--they ought to grow and bring forth the loveliest Bowers of divine grace. But there are not very many who are altogether in that case. The large proportion of Christians find themselves opposed
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 20: 1874

Why they Leave Us
"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world."--John 17:24. THE PRAYER OF THE SAVIOR rises as it proceeds. He asked for his people that they might be preserved from the world, then that they might be sanctified, and then that they might be made manifestly one; and now he reaches his crowning point--that they may be with him where he is, and behold his
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

The Apostolate.
"That ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ."--1 John i. 3. The apostolate bears the character of an extraordinary manifestation, not seen before or after it, in which we discover a proper work of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were ambassadors extraordinary -- different from the prophets, different from the present ministers of the Word. In the history of the Church and the world they occupy a unique position and have a peculiar
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

An Impossibility Made Possible
'Can the Ethiopian change his skin?'--JER. xiii. 23. 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.'--2 COR. v. 17. 'Behold, I make all things new.'--REV. xxi. 5. Put these three texts together. The first is a despairing question to which experience gives only too sad and decisive a negative answer. It is the answer of many people who tell us that character must be eternal, and of many a baffled man who says, 'It is of no use--I have tried and can do nothing.' The second text is the grand Christian
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Three Tabernacles'
'The Word ... dwelt among us.'--JOHN i. 14. '... He that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell among them.'--REV. vii. 15. '... Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.'--REV. xxi. 3. The word rendered 'dwelt' in these three passages, is a peculiar one. It is only found in the New Testament--in this Gospel and in the Book of Revelation. That fact constitutes one of the many subtle threads of connection between these two books, which at first sight seem so extremely unlike
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Departed Saints Fellowservants with those yet on Earth.
"I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets." The revelation made to St. John in the isle of Patmos, was a comfort to the suffering apostle, and a blessing to the church. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the word, of this prophecy." The beginning indeed was dark; the prophetic sketch, was for sometime, gloomy: It unfolded a strange scene of declensions and abominations, which were to disgrace the church of Christ and mar its beauty; and dismal series of woes on woes,
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Greeks Seek Jesus. He Foretells that He Shall Draw all Men unto Him.
(in the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) ^D John XII. 20-50. ^d 20 Now there were certain Greeks among those that went up to worship at the feast [The language indicates that they were Greek converts to Judaism, such as were called proselytes of the gate. It is also noted that as Gentiles came from the east at the beginning of Jesus' life, so they also came from the west at the close of his ministry]: 21 these therefore came to Philip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee [See p. 111. They were possibly
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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