We have come to the end of our weekly view of John’s letter(s) to the seven churches of Asia Minor. In order to encourage Christians of his generation and those following, John provides a view of heaven. In picturing heaven as he does in chapters 21-22 of Revelation, John uses imagery that would be familiar to Jewish Christians or Gentile Christians familiar with the Old Testament.
Not only will heaven be an entirely new dwelling place, in contrast to earth (21:1), but it will be an entirely new city. This new city is as beautiful as a bride ready to say “I do” to her husband (21:2). To portray heaven in yet another way, John sees it as dwelling with God, like worshiping in a temple (21:3). There, in the presence of the new heaven/earth, the groom, and the true spiritual temple (21:4), no tears will be found, nor death, mourning, crying, or pain. All things are made new (21:5). This image shows the wonderful fellowship that the faithful will enjoy with God.
Secondly, John portrays heaven as a city. It was much safer and more convenient to live in cities, especially those protected by walls. Keeping with the figurative language throughout the book of Revelation, John describes this city as a cube, 12,000 stadia in each direction (equivalent to about 1,500 miles) – 21:16. The walls were 144 cubits in measurement; we do not know if that refers to the height or the width (21:17). But it is not particularly relevant. The point is that the city is huge, well protected, and beautiful.
Finally, at the beginning of chapter 22, John brings to mind the garden of Eden from whence mankind was expelled at the dawn of humanity. The promise was given to the church in Ephesus if they were victorious over the temptation to compromise, they would be allowed entrance into that garden (2:7). In chapter 22, John pictures that garden for us, in heaven. There is a crystal-clear river to provide water. There is the tree of life with “twelve kinds of fruit” (22:2) for food. All of our needs will be provided.
There is simply one caveat in order to enjoy the blessings and benefits of heaven. Eight, at least, of the final fifteen verses emphasize the necessity of faithful obedience. As you read and reread the book of Revelation, never forget that it was a letter intended for its first-century audience, planned to be read by them, and obeyed (1:3).
22:7 – “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
22:9 – “But he said to me, ‘Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.’”
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22:11 – “Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
22:12 – “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
22:14-15 – “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.”
22:18-19 – “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.”
Of course, one of the strongest words of hope found in Revelation, and in the entire Bible, is that found in the very last verse: “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”
May God’s grace be with you, with your family, with your friends, with the church where you worship.
–Paul Holland
