had = hath. need, &c. Compare Isaiah 60:19-20 for the privileges of the millennial reign, foreshadowing the extended ones set forth here. neither. Greek. oude. to = in order to. Greek. hina. shine. App-106 . in it. The texts omit "in", reading "on (dative case) her". lighten. Same as Revelation 18:1 . light. App-130 . read more
And the city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine upon it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the lamp thereof is the Lamb.No need of sun ... nor moon ... Note the powerful emphasis upon the Lamb throughout. "The lamp thereof is the Lamb." "The Lamb is at the center of things throughout this book."[54] read more
Revelation 21:9-27. There came unto me one of the seven angels, &c.— A more particular description is now given of the new Jerusalem. One of the seven angels (and most probably the same who had, ch. Revelation 17:1, &c. shewed John the mystic Babylon and her destruction,) now sheweth, by way of contrast, the new Jerusalem and her glory. For this purpose, he carried him away in the Spirit, &c. (Revelation 21:10.) in the same manner as the prophet was brought in the visions of God,... read more
23. in it—so Vulgate. But A, B, and ANDREAS read, "(shine) on it," or literally, "for her." the light—Greek, "the lamp" (Isaiah 60:19; Isaiah 60:20). The direct light of God and the Lamb shall make the saints independent of God's creatures, the sun and moon, for light. read more
Evidently there will be no sun and moon (and stars) in the new heaven because God’s glory will illuminate the whole earth (cf. Isaiah 60:19). The need for created light sources will end when the Creator Himself lives among His people. God illuminated the camp of Israel with His presence in the pillar of fire, and He lit the holy of holies with His presence between the cherubim. He will similarly dispel all darkness of all kinds in the new city. The Lamb is the radiance of the Father’s glory... read more
The illumination of the city 21:23-27 read more
The Holy CityThe enemies of the Lamb have been conquered. The Judgment is over. The old condition of things has passed away: cp. Revelation 20:11. Now St. John sees in a vision the blissful glory of heaven, in which the Lamb’s redeemed people will dwell for ever.1-8. The eternal dwelling-place prepared for the redeemed is seen from a distance (Revelation 21:1.), and the voice of God declares what it means (Revelation 21:3-6), and for whom its glories are (Revelation 21:7.).Three points come out... read more
(23) And the city had no need of the sun . . .—Rather, And the city hath not need of the sun, nor of the moon that they should shine on (or, for) her; for the glory of God enlightened her, and her lamp is the Lamb. The Shechinah is again alluded to. Light is the emblem of knowledge and holiness. God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Christ the Lamb, came as the Light of the World. Now in the heavenly Jerusalem is the light seen as a lamp that burneth. The imagery is drawn... read more
Revelation 21:1 While I think of it, why is the sea (in that apologue of Attar once quoted by Falconer) supposed to have lost God? Did the Persians agree with something I remember in Plato about the sea and all in it being of an inferior nature, in spite of Homer's 'Divine ocean,' etc. Fitzgerald's Letters, I. p. 320. Revelation 21:1 Will not one of the properties of the spiritual body be, that it will be able to express that which the natural body only tries to express? Is this a sensual view... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Revelation 21:22-27
Life in the holy city (21:22-22:5)No temple is needed in the city, because God is everywhere. Lights, whether natural or artificial, are unnecessary, because God’s glory fills every place (22-23). Other cities close their gates at night to prevent possible enemy attacks, but this city never closes its gates, because there is no night and no enemy. People of all nations inhabit the city, adding colour and splendour, yet there is complete purity, because sin is excluded (24-27).Although the... read more