Revelation 21:10-11

And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.  Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

·         The entire city of Jerusalem, both heavenly and earthly, will be dynamically connected and considered “Jesus’ Throne of Glory”, because everyone and everything related to the City will be under His direct influence and serving His governmental purposes. In the Catholic world, Vatican City is but a dim earthly glimpse of this ultimate heavenly reality.  (CS)

·         Jesus’ Throne of Glory in the earthly city of Jerusalem will actually be inside of the Holy of Holies in the Millennial Temple (Ezek. 43:4-7). Jesus’ kingly throne and “presidential oval office” will be in the prayer room or the House of Prayer that is leading the global prayer movement across the earth. (CS)

Revelation 21:9

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”

·         God has a variety of work and employment for His holy angels.  They readily execute every commission they receive from God.  (MH)

·         This heavenly city is literal, but it is called the bride, the Lamb’s wife because it is the place where all God’s people are gathered. In this sense the New Jerusalem is certainly like the bride; but this association doesn’t diminish the reality behind the image. The city is associated with the bride to awe us with a sense of its beauty.  (DG)

Revelation 21:8

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

·         But the Jesus-rejecting and apostate are specifically prohibited from entering the New Jerusalem. (DG)

·         Cowardly: Is cowardice enough to send a person to hell? “John is not speaking of natural timidity, but of that cowardice which in the last resort chooses self and safety before Christ.” (Morris) John Trapp spoke of these “Cowardly recreants, white-livered milk-sops, that pull in their horns for every pile of grass that toucheth them, that are afraid of every new step.”  (DG)

Revelation 21:7

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

·         Those who overcome (by faith in Jesus, as in 1 John 5:5) enjoy a special relationship with God  (DG)

·         The tenure and title by which they enjoy this blessedness as the sons of God, a title most sure and indefeasible (MH)

Revelation 21:6

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”  And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

·         This is an authoritative announcement, coming from the throne of God itself. This is one of the few times in Revelation where we clearly see God speaking directly from His throne.  (DG)

·         This statement is in the present tense, “I am making everything new.” This is the consummation of God’s work of renewal and redemption, having begun here and now in our present time.  (DG)

Revelation 21:5

Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”  And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

·         This is an authoritative announcement, coming from the throne of God itself. This is one of the few times in Revelation where we clearly see God speaking directly from His throne.  (DG)

·         This statement is in the present tense, “I am making everything new.” This is the consummation of God’s work of renewal and redemption, having begun here and now in our present time.  (DG)

Revelation 21:4

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.

·         All the causes of future sorrow shall be for ever removed (MH)

·         “‘Every tear,’ for they be many; - tears of bereaved affection, such as Mary, and Martha, and the widow of Nain wept; - tears of sympathy and mercy, such as Jeremiah and Jesus wept over the sins and the calamities of Jerusalem; - tears of persecuted innocence, tears of contrition and penitence for faults and crimes against the goodness and majesty of heaven; - tears of disappointment and neglect; - tears of yearning for what cannot now be ours; - these, and whatever others ever course the cheeks of mortals, shall then be dried forever.” (Seiss)