Revelation 21:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Revelation 21:1-8

We have here a more general account of the happiness of the church of God in the future state, by which it seems most safe to understand the heavenly state. I. A new world now opens to our view (Rev. 21:1): I saw a new heaven and a new earth; that is, a new universe; for we suppose the world to be made up of heaven and earth. By the new earth we may understand a new state for the bodies of men, as well as a heaven for their souls. This world is not now newly created, but newly opened, and... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 21:2

21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, like a bride adorned for her husband. Here, again, is a dream of the Jews which never died--the dream of the restoration of Jerusalem, the holy city. Once again it has a double background. (i) It has a background which is essentially Greek. One of the great contributions to the world's philosophical thought was Plato's doctrine of ideas or forms. He taught that in the invisible world there existed the... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Revelation 21:2

(ii) The second background of the conception of the new Jerusalem is entirely Jewish. In his synagogue form of prayer the Jew still prays: And to Jerusalem thy city return with compassion, and dwell therein as thou hast promised; and rebuild her speedily in our days, a structure everlasting; and the throne of David speedily establish there. Blessed art thou, O Lord, the builder of Jerusalem. John's vision of the new Jerusalem uses and amplifies many of the dreams of the prophets.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 21:2

And I John saw the holy city ,.... The same with the beloved city in Revelation 20:9 the church of God: sometimes the church militant is called a city, of which the saints are now fellow citizens, governed by wholesome laws, and enjoying many privileges; but here the general assembly and church of the firstborn, or all the elect of God, are intended, the whole body and society of them, being as a city, compact together; called holy, not only because set apart to holiness by God the Father,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 21:2

And I John - The writer of this book; whether the evangelist and apostle, or John the Ephesian presbyter, has been long doubted in the Church. New Jerusalem - See the notes on Galatians 4:24-27 ; (note). This doubtless means the Christian Church in a state of great prosperity and purity; but some think eternal blessedness is intended. Coming down from God - It is a maxim of the ancient Jews that both the tabernacle, and the temple, and Jerusalem itself, came down from heaven. And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:1-4

The new heavens and earth. The retribution of God has fallen on the enemies of Christ and his Church. Death and hell, Satan, the beast, and the false prophet, have been cast into the lake of fire. The thunders of God's vengeance are hushed; the manifestations of his love to his redeemed now only remain to be told. And here their ultimate and eternal blessedness is shown to us. Their abode and condition are described as "new heavens and a new earth." Let us inquire— I. WHEREFORE ARE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:1-4

The fifth scene in the history of redeemed humanity: the unending age of blessedness. "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth," etc. The retributive process is over; the characters of all have been tried, and the doom of all pronounced. The wicked are driven away into punishment, but the righteous have entered into life eternal. These words suggest two thoughts in relation to this final state— I. THAT IT WILL BE IN A SENSE A NEW STATE . "A new heaven and a new earth,"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:1-8

The spiritual kingdom. Now , to the eye of the weary seer—and in him to the eye of the weary, suffering Church—there appear new scenes. The darkness is past. The judgments of the Lord upon the evil powers, and upon all who take part with them as antagonists of the good, the pure, and the true, are passed away. And to the comfort of the waiting, faithful ones, who endure "as seeing him who is invisible," the vision of the blessedness of the righteous in the kingdom of their Father is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 21:2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem. "John" must be omitted, according to all the best manuscripts. "The holy city" is the Church of God (see on Revelation 11:2 ), now glorified and prepared for perfect communion with her Redeemer (cf. the promise in Revelation 3:12 , which is now fulfilled; cf. also Galatians 4:26 ; Hebrews 11:10 , Hebrews 11:16 ). Contrast this figure of the holy city with that of Babylon (see on Revelation 18:1-24 .). Coming down from God out of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Revelation 21:2

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven - See the Analysis of the chapter. On the phrase “new Jerusalem,” see the Galatians 4:26 note, and Hebrews 12:22 note. Here it refers to the residence of the redeemed, the heavenly world, of which Jerusalem was the type and symbol. It is here represented as “coming down from God out of heaven.” This, of course, does not mean that this great city was “literally” to descend upon the earth, and to occupy any one part... read more

Group of Brands