The Bible CourseSample

Judgement, the city and the glory – a vision of the new creation

Reflect:

Have you ever wished things could be different? Or, can you recall a moment when you thought, ‘It can’t get better than this’? Life is complex. We live in a world that is both beautiful and broken. But Revelation reminds us it won’t be always like this.

John describes seeing a final judgement (Revelation 20.11–15). God is seated on a great white throne, which symbolises his purity and wisdom. The imagery is stark, with ‘death and Hades’ (the realm of the dead) being thrown into the lake of fire, as well as ‘anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life’. This is God’s defeat over sin and death and the removal of all the brokenness from the world.

All that will be left is beauty. Those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life will enter into God’s new creation and the new Jerusalem.

What is our future home going to be like (Revelation 21)?

Firstly, the promised new creation speaks of God’s commitment to saving not just souls but the whole cosmos. He says: ‘I am making everything new!’ (verse 5). He’s going to restore the entire created order to make it the perfect home for the Lamb and his bride – the people he’s redeemed through his atoning death.

Whereas sin separated humans from God’s presence, the Lamb has made a way to bring them back together: ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.’ Our broken relationship with God will be completely restored: ‘They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.’ Not only that, but the resurrection of Jesus guarantees a perfect body for us: ‘There will be no more death.’ What a hope!

Secondly, in the new creation, we see a new Jerusalem. The description in verses 9–21 is packed with symbolism. While there’s a physical element to this description of a place, it also seems to be a representation of God’s redeemed people, shining ‘with the glory of God’ and perfectly reflecting his brilliance (verse 11). The mention of the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles of the Lamb, and the imagery relating to them, unite God’s people under both the old and new covenants. They have all been gathered together in this picture of final redemption and restoration. One day, there will be no more wars, racism, or violence. All humanity will be one with each other and with God.

Thirdly, John notes in verse 22 that he doesn’t see a temple in the city because ‘the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.’ Did you notice that the dimensions of the new Jerusalem are given as a perfect cube (verse 16)? This means it resembles the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament sanctuary – the place of God’s presence. But now the entire city is the Most Holy Place. There will no longer be any need for a separate building for God to live in.

What difference does this hope make today?

Do you feel like you’re about to give up? Is it all too much? Do you wish it could all be made new? One day it will be.

Until then, cling to this hope: those who believe in Jesus have their names written in the book of life. When Jesus returns, they will enter into the new creation and dwell with him!

Respond

Read Revelation 21 again slowly. Let your imagination linger over the details of what awaits.