Apocalipse 21

¹ AndNow follows the second part of the history prophetic of the future estate of the Church in heaven after the last judgment, to (Rev_21:2; Rev_22:5). In this are two things briefly declared. The station, seat, or place of it, (Rev_21:1). Then her state and condition, in the verses following. Before the state of the Church described, is set down the state of the whole world, that there shall be a new heaven, and a new earth; (Isa_65:17; Isa_66:22; 2Pe_3:13) and this is the seat or place of the Church, in which righteousness shall dwell.I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

² The state of this glorious Church is first described generally to (Rev_21:3-8), and then specially and by parts, in the verses following. The general description consists in a vision shown afar off, (Rev_21:2) and in speech spoken from heaven. In the general these things are common, that the Church is holy, new, the workmanship of God, heavenly, most glorious, the spouse of Christ, and partaker of his glory in this verse.And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

³ The Church is described by the speech, first of an angel, in two verses, then by God himself, in four verses. The angel's speech describes the glory of the Church, by the most intimate communion with God, by giving of all manner of good things according to the covenant, in this verse: and by removing or putting away of all evil things, in the verse following (Rev_21:4).And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

⁴ And God shall wipe away all teares fro their eyes: and there shalbe no more death, neither sorow, neither crying, neither shal there be any more paine: for the first things are passed.

⁵ In the speech of God himself describing the Church, is first an introduction, or entrance. Then follows a magnificent description of the Church, by the present and future good things of the same, in three verses following (Rev_21:6-8). In the introduction God challenges to himself the restoring of all the creatures, (Rev_21:1) and witnesses the calling of John to the writing of these things, in this verse.And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

⁶ And he said unto me,The description of the Church is in three parts, by the abolishing of old things, by the being of present things in God, that is, of things eternal: and by the giving of all good things with the godly. If so be they shall contend manfully; (Rev_21:7). But the reprobate are excluded from there; (Rev_21:8).It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

⁷ He that ouercommeth, shal inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my sonne.

⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have theirTheir lot, and inheritance as it were.part in the lake which burneth with fire and

⁹ A transition to the describing of the heavenly Church, by the express calling of John in this verse, and his enrapturing by the Spirit, in confirmation of the truth of God in the verse following.And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

¹⁰ And he carried me away in the spirit to a great andHe means the place and stately seat of the Church, foreshadowed in a mountain.high mountain, and shewed meA type of that Church which is one, ample, or catholic, holy celestial, built by God, in this verse: and glorious in the verse following (Rev_21:11). This type propounded generally, is particularly declared; (Rev_21:12).that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

¹¹ Hauing the glorie of God: and her shining was like vnto a stone most precious, as a Iasper stone cleare as crystall,

¹² A particular description of the celestial Church, first, by its essential parts, compared to a city down to verse 22, (Rev_21:12-22). Secondly, from the outside, to the end of the chapter (Rev_21:23-27). Thirdly, by the effects, in the beginning of the next chapter, the essential parts are noted the matter and the form in the whole work: of these the superstructure and foundation of the wall are entire parts (as they use to be called) which parts are first described in figure, to the 14th verse afterwards more exactly.And had a wall great and high, [and] hadAccording to the number of the tribes. For here the outward part is attributed to the Old Testament, and the foundation of the New Testament.twelve gates, and at the gatesHe means the prophets, who are the messengers of God, and watchmen of the Church.twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are [the names] of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

¹³ On the East part there were three gates, and on the Northside three gates, on the Southside three gates, and on the Westside three gates.

¹⁴ And the wall of the city hadThat is, foundation stones, according to the number of the gates, as is shown in (Rev_21:19).twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵ A transition to a more exquisite description of the parts of the Church, by finding out its size, by the angel that measured them.And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

¹⁶ The measure and form most equal, in two verses.And the city liethA foursquare figure has equal sides, and outright corners, and therefore the Greeks call by this name those things that are steady, and of continuance and perfect.foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred [and] forty [and] four cubits, [according to] the measure of a man, that is, of theHe adds this, because the angel had the shape of a man.angel.

¹⁸ The matter most precious and glittering, which the presence of God makes most glorious.And the building of the wall of it was [of] jasper: and the city [was] pure gold, like unto clear glass.

¹⁹ And the foundations of the wal of ye city were garnished with all maner of precious stones: the first foundation was Iasper: the second of Saphire: the third of a Chalcedonie: the fourth of an Emeraude:

²⁰ The fift of a Sardonix: the sixt of a Sardius: the seueth of a Chrysolite: the eight of a Beryl: the ninth of a Topaze: the tenth of a Chrysoprasus: the eleuenth of a Iacynth: the twelfth an Amethyst.

²¹ And the twelve gates [were] twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and theBy street, he means the broadest place of the city.street of the city [was] pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

²² And I sawe no Temple therein: for the Lorde God almightie and the Lambe are the Temple of it.

²³ The second form of particular description (as I said) {{See Rev_21:12}} from exterior and outward actions which are these, light from God himself, to this verse glory from men, (Rev_21:24). Finally such truth and incorruption of glory (Rev_21:26) as can bear and abide with it, nothing that is inglorious, (Rev_21:27).And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

²⁴ And the people which are saued, shal walke in the light of it: and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glorie and honour vnto it.

²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut by day: for there shalbe no night there.

²⁶ And the glorie, and honour of the Gentiles shall be brought vnto it.

²⁷ And there shall enter into it none vncleane thing, neither whatsoeuer woorketh abomination or lies: but they which are written in ye Lambes booke of life.