Revelation 21

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:6

And he said unto me - That is, he that sat on the throne - the Messiah.It is done - It is finished, complete; or, still more expressively, “it is” - γέγοναν gegonan. An expression remarkably similar to this occurs in John 19:30, when the Saviour on the cross said, “It is finished.” The meaning in the passage before us evidently is, “The great work is accomplished; the arrangement of human affairs is complete. The redeemed are gathered in; the wicked are cut off; truth is triumphant, and all is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:7

He that overcometh - See the notes on Revelation 2:7.Shall inherit all things - Be an heir of God in all things. See the notes on Romans 8:17. Compare Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26; Revelation 3:5, Revelation 3:12, Revelation 3:21.And I will be his God - That is, forever. He would be to them all that is properly implied in the name of God; he would bestow upon them all the blessings which it was appropriate for God to bestow. See the 2 Corinthians 6:18 note;... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:8

But the fearful - Having stated, in general terms, who they were who would be admitted into that blessed world, he now states explicitly who would not. The “fearful” denote those who had not firmness boldly to maintain their professed principles, or who were afraid to avow themselves as the friends of God in a wicked world. They stand in contrast with those who “overcome,” Revelation 21:7.And unbelieving - Those who have not true faith; avowed infidels; infidels at heart; and all who have not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:9

And there came unto me one of the seven angels ... - See the notes on Revelation 16:6-7. Why one of these angels was employed to make this communication is not stated. It may be that as they had been engaged in bringing destruction on the enemies of the church, and securing its final triumph, there was a propriety that that triumph should be announced by one of their number.And talked with me - That is, in regard to what he was about to show me.I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife - I... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:10

And he carried me away in the spirit - Gave him a vision of the city; seemed to place him where he could have a clear view of it as it came down from heaven. See the notes on Revelation 1:10.To a great and high mountain - The elevation, and the unobstructed range of view, gave him an opportunity to behold it in its glory.And showed me that great city, ... - As it descended from heaven. See the notes on Revelation 21:2. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:11

Having the glory of God - A glory or splendor such as became the dwelling place of God. The nature of that splendor is described in the following verses.And her light - In Revelation 21:23 it is said that “the glory of God did lighten it.” That is, it was made light by the visible symbol of the Deity - the “Shekinah.” See the Luke 2:9 note; Acts 9:3 note. The word here rendered “light” - φωστὴρ phōstēr - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament except in Philippians 2:15. It means, properly,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:12

And had a wall great and high - Ancient cities were always surrounded with walls for protection, and John represents this as enclosed in the usual manner. The word “great” means that it was thick and strong. Its height also is particularly noticed, for it was unusual. See Revelation 21:16.And had twelve gates - Three on each side. The number of the gates correspond to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, and to the number of the apostles. The idea seems to be that there would be... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:13

On the east three gates ... - The city was square Revelation 21:16, and the same number of gates is assigned to each quarter. There does not appear to be any special significancy in this fact, unless it be to denote that there is access to this city from all quarters of the world, and that they who dwell there will have come from each of the great divisions of the earth - that is, from every land, read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:14

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations - It is not said whether these foundations were twelve rows of stones placed one above another under the city, and extending round it, or whether they were twelve stones placed at intervals. The former would seem to be the most probable, as the latter would indicate comparative feebleness and liability to fall. Compare the notes on Revelation 21:19.And in them - In the foundation of stones. That is, the names of the apostles were cut or carved in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:15

And he that talked with me - The angel, Revelation 21:9.Had a golden reed to measure the city - See the notes on Revelation 11:1. The reed, or measuring rod, here, is of gold, because all about the city is of the most rich and costly materials. The rod is thus suited to the personage who uses it, and to the occasion. Compare a similar description in Ezekiel 40:3-5; Ezekiel 43:16. The object of this measuring is to show that the city has proper architectural proportions.And the gates thereof,... read more

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