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 tabernacle of God is with men, and God will dwell with them, wiping away all tears from their eyes (Revelation 21:3-4). The text states there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor any more 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 reed and is found to be a square, twelve thousand furlongs in length, breadth, and height (Revelation 21:15-16). The wall of the city is made of jasper, the city itself is pure gold like unto clear glass, and the foundations of the wall are garnished with all manner of precious stones (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 the temple of it (Revelation 21:22). The city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine in it, because the glory of God lightens it and the Lamb is the light thereof (Revelation 21:23). The gates of the city shall not be shut at all by day, and there shall be no night there (Revelation 21:25). Within the city, a pure river of 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 manner of fruits (Revelation 22:2). The text does not say how the fruit is harvested.