Christmas Season · New Year's Day · Year A
Revelation 21:1-6a
The New Jerusalem
January 1, 2026

Overview & Insights
“See, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)
The final vision of Revelation (21:1–22:5) highlights the primary goal and theme of the entire book and all of Scripture: God’s presence among his people in the new creation. From the time sin and death intruded upon God’s good creation, God purposed to defeat his enemies and live among his people in a new garden city. This final vision of Revelation represents the fulfillment of the promises to those who overcome (Rev. 2–3), the full realization of the throne-room worship (4–5), the answer to the martyrs’ prayer (6:9–11), the goal of the judgments (6–16), and the outcome of the final conflict with evil (17–19). The present unit (21:1–8) serves as a transition between God’s final victory (19:6–20:15) and the new creation (21:1–22:5). Just as 20:4–10 and 20:11–15 provide two versions of the final judgment of the wicked, so 21:1–8 and 21:9–22:5 offer a double vision of the eternal state.
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Commentary
Revelation 21:1-6a Working Preacher
Luther Seminary's New Year commentary on the new heaven and new earth.
Revelation 21:1-6 Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed reading of God dwelling with humanity and making all things new.
Revelation 21 Enduring Word · David Guzik
An evangelical verse-by-verse study of the renewed creation vision.
Revelation 21 resources Precept Austin
A detailed word-study collation of commentators on the chapter.
Background & Word Study
Revelation Enter the Bible
An introduction to the book's imagery and setting.
The New Heaven and New Earth in Revelation 21-22 BibleProject
Traces the biblical arc of renewed creation climaxing in Revelation 21.
Enter the Bible: Revelation Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on Revelation's setting and apocalyptic imagery.
BibleProject: Revelation 12-22 Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of Revelation's second half, culminating in the new creation.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Does the new Jerusalem come down, or do people go up to it?
It comes down. John sees the holy city descending out of heaven from God, and hears that God’s home is now among mortals. The direction of travel is the whole consolation of the passage.
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