Revelation 21

A.M. 4100. A.D. 96.

Here we have,

(1,) A solemn introduction to the glorious vision of the new heaven and the new earth, with a declaration of the blessed state of those that are faithful unto death, and finally overcome their spiritual enemies, and of the misery to be inflicted on unbelieving and impious offenders, Revelation 21:1-8 .

(2,) A sublime and particular description of the splendour, glory, purity, and happiness, of the heavenly Jerusalem, Revelation 21:9-27 .

We are now come, in the course of these prophecies, to the consummation of all things. This vision stands in the prophecy, after the last attempt of the enemies of religion had been defeated; after the dead, small and great, had appeared before God’s judgment-seat, and were judged according to their works; after all the wicked were doomed to everlasting punishment, and all who were not found written in the book of life were cast into the lake of fire. This order of the prophecies seems to point out to us, that the new heavens and new earth, represented in this vision, signify that state of unchangeable perfection and heavenly happiness to which the true and faithful servants of the living God shall be advanced, when all their trials and suffering in this life shall be ended. Nothing can be more proper to the useful design of these revelations than such a conclusion of them, with so affecting a representation of the final, complete, and everlasting happiness of all the true worshippers of God and faithful servants of Jesus. This is a powerful motive to present patience, a firm foundation of present hope, a strong encouragement to zeal in the cause of true religion, and constancy in the incorrupt faith of Jesus. It is a very ancient observation, “that happiness is the reward of virtue in the end;” but here is a sure word of prophecy, which beforehand acquaints us what will be the last period and state of things. The present world for a few years, a very few in comparison of eternity, will be a state of various sorts of trials and troubles; of evils caused by wicked men, of evils wherewith the righteous Governor of the world punishes their wickedness; but the unchangeable purpose of God has appointed another state of things, when the dead shall be raised and judged according to their works. All the faithful servants of God and Christ will enjoy a state of eternal life in perfect peace and security, in complete prosperity and happiness. It is with great advantage this encouragement is given the church in such a prophecy. An observation of the faithful and punctual accomplishment of the former parts of this prophecy in times past, for several hundreds of years, serves much to confirm our faith and hope in as exact a performance of what remains. It must be owned, several interpreters of good reputation understand the following vision as a description of the happy state of the church during the thousand years in which it shall reign with Christ; or to describe the full and complete reformation of the Christian Church during the last period upon earth. But as there seems nothing in the prophetic description to confine it to this meaning, so the order of the prophecies, the chief and principal design of them, and the description itself, greatly favour the judgment of those learned writers, who understand these last visions of the future state of happiness in heaven, after the general resurrection and last judgment. Thus the seventh and last period concludes the whole plan of Providence, and finishes it in an endless sabbatism. Lowman.