Revelation 21:2

And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

The holy city, new Jerusalem ... The writer of this prophecy gave no hint, whatever, of exactly when the appearance of this holy city would occur; and it is therefore a gratuitous amendment of the holy Scriptures for scholars to assert that, "The writers of the New Testament ... expected his second coming ... in their own day."[7] How could such a remark be true in the light of the "one thousand years" which John had just mentioned as leading up to the judgment day? See further comment on this particular misunderstanding of many scholars in my Commentary on 1Thessalonians, pp. 18-20.

The holy city ... "This is the church of God, now glorified and prepared for perfect communion with her Redeemer."[8] "The old Jerusalem became one with Babylon the great harlot; but the new Jerusalem is the city which Paul calls 'The Jerusalem that is above' (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22)."[9] See more on this under verse 9, below. "The text does not say the church will become the Lamb's bride at that time";[10] she is already the Lord's wife (Ephesians 5:25ff). See discussion, "Regarding the Marriage Metaphor," under Revelation 19:7.

Coming down out of heaven ... When humanity's long and pitiful dream of some golden age, some fair Utopia, is finally realized, it will not come through man's devices, but "down out of heaven from God"; and only the redeemed shall participate in it. "People may vainly imagine that by better education, better environment, disarmament conferences, share-the-wealth programs, etc., they can bring forth a new order";[11] but it is only a fool's dream. "It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." See James 1:17 and my Commentary on James, p. 30. To the extent that people or nations may walk after God's commandments now, some little likeness to the ultimate happiness may be achieved, but in no other way.

[7] Ray Summers. Worthy is the Lamb (Nashville: Broadman Press. 1961), p. 209.

[8] A. Plummer, op. cit., p. 510.

[9] James William Russell. Compact Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House. 1964). p. 652.

[10] John T. Hinds. A Commentary on the Book of Revelation (Nashville: Gospel Advocate, 1962,. p. 297.

[11] William Hendriksen, More than Conquerors (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1956), p. 241.