The New Jerusalem

John witnesses the passing away of the first heaven and the first earth, observing that the sea is no longer present (Revelation 21:1). He sees the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Revelation 21:2). A great voice from heaven declares that the dwelling place of God is with humanity, and God will dwell with them, wiping away every tear from their eyes (Revelation 21:3-4). The text states there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things are passed away (Revelation 21:4).

An angel carries John away in the spirit to a great and high mountain and shows him the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God (Revelation 21:10). The city possesses the glory of God, and its light is described as being like a jasper stone, clear as crystal (Revelation 21:11). The city is measured with a golden measuring rod and is found to be a square, twelve thousand stadia in length, breadth, and height (Revelation 21:15-16). The wall of the city is made of jasper, the city itself is pure gold as pure as glass, and the foundations of the wall are adorned with every kind of precious stone (Revelation 21:18-19). The text does not say how the stones were attached to the foundations.

John records that there is no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple (Revelation 21:22). The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine in it, because the glory of God illuminates the city and the Lamb is its lamp (Revelation 21:23). The gates of the city will never be shut at the end of the day, and there shall be no night there (Revelation 21:25). Within the city, a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, proceeds out of the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1). In the midst of the street and on either side of the river stands the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit (Revelation 22:2). The text does not say how the fruit is harvested.