Revelation 21

The unbelieving are not only non-Christians, but they are also those who at first come to Christ but later turn away and reject Him. They, together with the other sinners mentioned in this verse, will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:14).

9-14 Then, in John’s vision, an angel showed him the Holy City, the heavenly Jerusalem. What follows is a description of that city.

The city had twelve gates (verse 12), on which were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (Ezekiel 48:30-35; Revelation 7:4-8). God had chosen the ancient nation of Israel—that is, the Jews—to be His special people. The promises of God had first been given to Abraham, the first Jew, the father of the Jewish nation. Now through faith in Christ, we too have received these same promises. Therefore, for us Gentiles (non-Jews), the twelve tribes of Israel are like gateways giving us entry into the heavenly city (see Galatians 3:7-9,14,29 and comment). Through faith we now have been made citizens of the heavenly city; that is, we have become the new Israel.

The city in John’s vision also had twelve foundations (verse 14), on which the names of Christ’s twelve apostles were written. Paul wrote to the Gentile Ephesians: Consequently, you are … fellow citizens with God’s people (the Jews) and members of God’s household; that household is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets (Ephesians 2:19-20).

15-21 John here further describes the city of his vision. It was 12,000 stadia (1,400 miles) in length, and it was the same in width and in height (verse 16). There’d be plenty of room for all believers! (John 14:2). Thus the city was a perfect cube, 1,400 miles in each dimension. Its shape was the same as that of the inner sanctuary in the old Jewish temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 6:20).

The wall of the city was 144 cubits (65 meters) thick,⁴⁹ according to man’s measurement (verse 17). That’s a small wall for a city 1,400 miles high!

As we study John’s description of this city, we must remember that John is trying to describe something that is beyond human experience or understanding. The city was made of pure gold, as pure as glass (verse 18). Its twelve gates were each made of a single pearl (verse 21). Such an amazing city, our eternal home!

22 John saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. Where God is, there is our temple. God does not live in any temple built with hands (Acts 7:48-49; 17:24). In another sense, however, we believers are God’s “temple,” because we are a dwelling place for God’s Holy Spirit (see 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:21-22 and comments).

23-27 The city was full of light, which came from God and Christ (Isaiah 60:19). Because there was no night in the city, it was never necessary to shut the city gates (Isaiah 60:11). The nations will walk by its light (verse 24). John called Jesus the true light that gives light to every man (John 1:9). Jesus Himself said: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Here a question arises: Who are the nations and kings mentioned in verses 24 and 26? (And who are the dogs mentioned in Revelation 22:15?) Why are these nations and kings outside the heavenly city? If they are believers, why are they not inside? If they are unbelievers, why have they not been thrown into the lake of fire? (Revelation 20:15). Bible scholars give various answers to these questions, but no one is certain what John’s meaning is here. However, one thing is certain: Nothing impure will ever enter God’s Holy City (verse 27). Only those can enter whose robes have been washed in the blood of Christ (Revelation 7:14), and whose names are written in the Lamb’s (Christ’s) book of life.