Revelation 21:22-24

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:22-27

The negative glory of heaven (No. 1). "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty," etc. There are three ways of describing to others scenes unlike those with which they are acquainted. 1 . A statement of those things which are not there, but which are found elsewhere within their sphere of observation. 2 . A statement of those things which are found in them in common with those scenes with which they are familiar. 3 . A statement of those things which are ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:23

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; hath no need. So Isaiah 60:19 , Isaiah 60:20 , "The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting Light, and thy God thy Glory." For the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the Light thereof. The glory of God (cf. Isaiah 60:11 ). No distinction is to be made between God and the Lamb; both are the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:23

The glory light: a sermon for Midsummer Day. "And the city had no need of the sun," etc. Today is the longest day of the year—the day in which the light of the sun lasts longer than on any other day. It may be allowed, therefore, to suggest thoughts concerning that place and time when the sun shall no longer be needed, its light being superseded by the light of the glory of God. Now, it may be that our text is to be taken literally. What is here said is clearly not impossible, for there... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:24

And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it; and the nations shall walk by means of her light. Omit "of them which are saved." The description, following that of Isaiah, makes use of earthly symbolism; but it is not, therefore, to be supposed (as Afford) that there will be hereafter a real earth with inhabitants. "The nations" are the redeemed, described in this way on account of their selection from every "kindred, and nation, and tribe, and tongue" ( Revelation... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:22

And I saw no temple therein - No structure reared expressly for the worship of God; no particular place where he was adored. It was all temple - nothing but a temple. It was not like Jerusalem, where there was but one house reared expressly for divine worship, and to which the inhabitants repaired to praise God; it was all one great temple reared in honor of his name, and where worship ascended from every part of it. With this explanation, this passage harmonizes with what is said in Revelation... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:23

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it - This imagery seems to be derived from Isaiah 9:19-20. See notes on those verses. No language could give a more striking or beautiful representation of the heavenly state than what is here employed.For the glory of God did lighten it - By the visible splendor of his glory. See the notes on Revelation 21:11. That supplied the place of the sun and the moon.And the Lamb is the light thereof - The Son of God; the Messiah. See... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:24

And the nations of them which are saved - All the nations that are saved; or all the saved considered as nations. This imagery is doubtless derived from that in Isaiah, particularly Isaiah 60:3-9. See the notes on that passage.Shall walk in the light of it - Shall enjoy its splendor, and be continually in its light.And the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it - All that they consider as constituting their glory, treasures, crowns, scepters, robes. The idea is, that all... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Revelation 21:22-27

Revelation 21:22-27. And I saw no temple therein The whole city being, properly speaking, a temple; the Lord God and the Lamb surrounding, filling, and sanctifying the whole, and being more intimately present in every part of it, and with every individual, saint or angel, than had ever been known on earth. And the city had no need of the sun To give light to its inhabitants; for the glory of God Infinitely brighter than the shining of the sun; did lighten it The illustrious... read more

Donald C. Fleming

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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Revelation 21:22

Temple. Last occurance of the word. therein = in (Greek. en) it. Almighty. App-98 . Temple of it. This shows clearly that the wonders and glories revealed here belong to post-millennial times and ages. Therefore, the city of the great King during the thousand years, with "the sanctuary" of Ezekiel 45:2 , et al ., and its palace-temple, will have "passed away". There cannot be two Jerusalems on the earth at one and the same time. The new Jerusalem comes down on the new earth, thus taking... read more

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