Christmas Season · New Year's Day · Year C
Revelation 21:1-6a
The New Jerusalem
January 1, 2028
Overview & Insights
“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them.” (Revelation 21:3)
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
Working Preacher: Commentary on Revelation 21:1-6a Working Preacher
Lutheran lectionary exegesis on God's dwelling with mortals and the making new of all things.
Enduring Word: Revelation 21 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Revelation 21 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse-level study helps and Greek word notes on the new heaven and new earth.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Revelation 21:1 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the descent of the holy city.
StudyLight: Revelation 21 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Revelation 21 gathered on one passage page.
Background & Word Study
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.
BibleHub Interlinear: Revelation 21:1 BibleHub
Greek text with parsing for the new heaven, new earth, and holy city.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
What is the New Jerusalem?
John sees a new heaven and a new earth and the holy city coming down from God, where he wipes away every tear and death is no more; the Advent hope brought to its end.
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