A Foretaste of the New Creation

An in depth look at the New Jerusalem of John's Revelation.

Revelation 21:10, 21:22-22:5

And in the spirit, he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.

22I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25Its gates will never be shut by day-and there will be no night there. 26People will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27But nothing unclean will enter it, nor anyone who practices abomination or falsehood, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.

22 - 1Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him; 4they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

"The Glorious City: A Foretaste of the New Creation"

Have you ever felt a deep, unshakable yearning—a longing that stirs within your soul, whispering of a place where peace is perfect and God's presence is unmistakable? It’s a mystery woven into the fabric of every redeemed heart, a yearning that no earthly comfort can fully satisfy. From the beginning, God created us for communion with Himself, and even in our fallen state, that divine craving persists, echoing through the ages.

In the pages of Scripture, especially in the closing vision of Revelation, John sets before us a magnificent promise—a city adorned with divine glory, where sorrow and curse are no more, and God Himself dwells directly with His people. But I ask you: as we fix our eyes on this future hope, are we merely spectators awaiting some distant fulfillment? Or are we called to live in the anticipation of that divine city today, longing for the day when God's presence and peace shall be fully realized?

Join me as we explore this profound hope—where heaven and earth will finally meet, and God's eternal peace will reign forever.

Revelation 21–22 presents us with the ultimate hope and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan—where all history finds its perfect culmination. In these chapters, the Apostle John pulls back the curtain of eternity to reveal the glorious New Jerusalem, a city adorned with divine light, where God’s presence dwells directly with His people. It is a vision of restoration, renewal, and unending peace—where the curse of original sin is lifted, death is swallowed up in victory, and the fullness of God's eternal kingdom is realized. This divine promise assures us that God's redemptive work will not be left incomplete but will culminate in a new creation where His glory shines forever and His people dwell in everlasting joy and communion with Him.

For those who like to read the last chapter of the mystery novel to know “who done it;” this technique will just confuse you. The Bible isn’t just a single book. It is a series of 66 (individual) books (with each telling a distinct story) that took between 4 and 10 centuries to write, and about 2000 years to organize into a canon we would recognize as the Bible. It’s miraculous ability to continue a single narrative (from “In the beginning” to “Amen.”) with God as the main character only makes its mystery even more compelling. However, if you do not read the first 65 books of the Bible the last chapter loses its significance, because it draws so heavily from everything that comes before it. With that said, lets delve into our lesson for today.

The Revelation of God’s Perfect Presence and Restoration

John caps the Bible in the most perfect and satisfying way possible. A New Jerusalem as the fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people (Revelation 21:10, 3; Exodus 29:45–46). John emphasizes the divine origin (“coming down out of heaven”) and the city’s divine glow (21:23). Jerusalem is considered God’s chosen city, just as the Israelites are God’s chosen people. This is where God lived while the Temple stood. It is where all good Hebrew people went yearly to sacrifice for their sins.

We see throughout the Old Testament, God's glory filling the temple (1 Kings 8:10–11). God was more than a protector of His people; He was a companion in their journey. Before the temple God lived in the Tabernacle and lead them through the dessert. He fought their battles, provided food, water, and he gave them rules that not only helped them survive 40 years in the wilderness, but thrive to become a nation that could defeat the tribes that occupied Canaan.

Even though the people of Israel failed miserably time and time again, and many lost their faith in God, He never lost faith in Isarel. God kept His promise. God, time after time, redeemed individuals and tribes, called prophets to preach and prophecy, and never lost faith in His creation. But God’s ultimate redemption arch in this massive narrative, which begins with Jesus’ resurrection, is shown to John as a New, perfect, Jerusalem illuminated by God’s own light. Instead of Humans building a home for God to dwell in a broken creation. God is creating a new home for us to dwell. A perfect home in a perfect city that is in a new, perfect creation, fully sufficient to sustain us forever. Could there be anything more wonderful?

The removal of curse and the complete restoration of creation (Revelation 22:3).

But there is a problem for us. We are broken people, we have been forgiven our sins through the death and resurrection of Christ, but we continue to sin. John touches on this with his parallels Genesis 3:17–19 (original sin) and the prophecy of restoration in Isaiah (Isaiah 35:1–10).

Paul touches on this in Galatians 3:13–14, he writes, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (3:13). In John’s vision of the New Creation, Christ completely wipe away our original sin. “Nothing accursed will be found there anymore” (22:3). This is fulfillment of every covenant, every promise, and every hope we are shown throughout all 65 previous books of the Bible. It is no wonder this has been called the greatest story ever told.

Application of the hope John gives us in Revelation

As believers, we are called to live in hope, trusting that God's promise of His eternal presence is certain. Paul writes that our lives should be a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). Living as a sacrifice to God is the process of sanctification or continuously working to be more like Christ. Living our lives in the ministry of Jesus and his Apostles, seeking the Will and discernment of the Spirit in everything we do. The ongoing process of sanctification is only a foretaste of the coming fullness we will have in God’s New Creation.

The hope found in John’s vision is this. The city’s glory is already beginning to dawn in our lives. We sample it our sanctification. This is what draws the faithful to Christ, to church, to faith communities. Edward Mote said it best in 1834 when he penned the words to his most famous hymn. He wrote, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.”

The Life and Light of the Eternal City—A New Creation of Healing and Joy

John connects the river of life and the tree of life symbolizing ongoing life and healing (Revelation 22:1–2; Ezekiel 47:12) with the new city of Jerusalem. The light of God, Christ, is the source of life in the New Jerusalem and also the source of living water (John 4:14; John 7:38–39). There is no greater promise than ultimate healing, ultimate saving. No longer will we have to worry about sin, we will not worry about sickness, pain, or death. Humankind will come full circle, back to the safety and warmth we lost when we were expelled from Eden (Genesis 3:23).

Without sin or sickness, we will no longer grow tired. The divine light dispelling darkness (Revelation 22:5; Isaiah 60:19–20) is more than a divine nightlight, it is the recognition that in God’s divine presence, there will no sadness, no depression, no feelings of loss or fear. In the New Jerusalem that John sees there will be only joy and peace, rooted in God's eternal reign.

Alfred North Whitehead offers a view of divine life that emphasizes ongoing participation and mutual renewal between God and creation. Whitehead describes God not as a distant, unchanging monarch but as a “lure” or “call” that constantly attracts and influences the world toward greater goodness and complexity.

Whitehead called this concept God’s persuasive love—His ongoing, tender influence that works within creation, not coercively but through relationship and appeal. God’s presence is not static; it is dynamic and participatory, continually sustaining, guiding, and renewing creation. Each moment of existence is an opportunity for the divine to influence and be influenced, so that the world is gradually pulled toward its ultimate fulfillment in harmony with God's eternal purpose. (Whitehead, 1926, 2023)

Application for Christians today

John is not trying to scare anyone into redemption; he is doing nothing that Jesus himself did not do. Like his teacher he offers us hope. Hope in the final consummation should motivate us to live as ambassadors of that eternal reality here and now. Our pilgrimage involves participating in God's ongoing work of healing, renewal, and bringing His light into a dark world. Our sanctification involves discerning the will of Christ in our lives by the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the assurance of life eternal in God’s new creation.

The hope of the New Jerusalem—a city characterized by divine presence, life, healing, and everlasting joy calls believers to eagerly await its arrival. But we cannot just sit around waiting. There is a tension in waiting, a tension that lets the cracks of doubt and boredom set it. If we have read the first 65 books, like John has, we will know that God’s people are on the move, always. We too must be moving but moving in the Spirit and light of God. We must live in Christ trusting that God’s promises are unfolding even now in our lives. God's work of renewal is ongoing, inviting us to participate actively in His redemptive process, trusting that His glory continues to unfold as we walk in faith and obedience, leaning into the hope of the final, glorious consummation.

It is my prayer that you live in hope, you continue to participate in God's ongoing work of renewal, as we all look forward to the city where God's glory will be fully revealed.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Bibliography

Interpreting Revelation [Book] / auth. Tenny Merril C.. - Grad Rapids, Mich. : Wm B. Eerdmans Publishing, 1957.

NIV Study Bible [Book]. - Grand rapids, MI : Zondervan, 2011.

NRSVue // NRSVue Holy Bible with Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. - Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 2022.

Religion In The Making [Book] = God / auth. Whitehead Alfred. - King's Chapel, Boston : KIndle Edition, 1926, 2023. - pp. Section II, Chapter 3.

The Westminster Study Bible [Book] / ed. Powery Emerson B. [et al.]. - Louisville, KY : Westminster John Knox Press, 2024.

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Below is a quick reference section of my analysis of the scripture passage. I have included the biblical references that John alludes to in Revelation 21 and 22. I hope this helps you as you study this lesson and helps with any misconceptions, or preconceived notions you may have about Revelation and its interpretation in modern theological terms. This is mostly my commentary on the subject, but it also reflects years of study before and after my call as a professional holy man. Other sources of commentary can be found below for even more in-depth study. Thank you for faithfulness in studying the scripture. May God bless you in all your endeavors.

Analysis of Revelation 21:10, 21:22–22:5

Revelation 21:10:

“And in the spirit, he carried me away to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.”

This verse depicts John’s divine vision of the New Jerusalem, emphasizing the heavenly origin and divine authority behind the city’s coming. The "great, high mountain" symbolizes a vantage point of divine revelation, echoing Old Testament themes where mountains serve as sacred sites (e.g., Sinai in Exodus 19:20) (God calls Moses to the top of Mount Sinai). The imagery signifies the culmination of God's redemptive purpose—bringing heaven to earth.

Revelation 21:22–22:5:

These verses describe the New Jerusalem’s glorious features:

No temple in the city (21:22):

Signifies God's direct presence, removing the need for an earthly temple, echoing the communal divine-human relationship seen in the tabernacle and Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:10–13). It also emphasizes the fullness of God's presence, complete and unmediated. I believe it would also remind John’s audience of their dependence on God for sustenance and protection.

The glory of God as its light (21:23):

The city’s illumination is divine, drawing from imagery in Isaiah 60:19–20 and Zechariah 14:7, where God's glory provides light, symbolizing divine purity, truth, and life. It also reminds John’s audience that Christ, the Lamb, is the light of the world, a light that is reflected in each of us who follow Christ by our actions, and our hearts.

The river of the water of life and the tree of life (22:1–2): These are rooted in Genesis 2:10–14 and 3:22, symbolizing life, restoration, eternal sustenance, and knowledge, now accessible in the new creation. The leaves for healing evoke Ezekiel 47:12, where trees provide healing and life. These symbols from Genesis through the Prophets evoke in John’s readers a since of hope. A hope for a future where Christians would not be persecuted or exiled as John had been while writing his revelation. Hope not just for a future, but also for the present actions of God.

No curse and the presence of God's throne (22:3–4): The removal of the curse signifies a glorious theme all Christians are familiar with. Looking back at Genesis 3:17–19, we see the curse of original sin. Revelation 22:3 symbolizes a restored harmony with divine authority.

Seeing God's face reflects the ultimate fulfillment of Exodus 33:11 and 34:29–35, where Moses gazed upon God's glory and talked face to face with Him. The hope that John alludes to in the new creation will be fulfilled when we commune with God, face to face. AMEN.

Eternal reign and God’s light (22:5): John once again restates his thesis statement from 21:22. He once again echoes Isaiah 60:19–20, emphasizing perpetual divine illumination and the everlasting reign of God and His people.

Biblical Allusions and Borrowings

John uses theme and imagery from both the Old and New Testaments. It is imperative that as we read Revelation that we understand there is no new information. John is sending a message to seven churches about their faithfulness. As we read into this letter, do so without bias placed upon us as modern people who have been influenced by rapturists and end of days soothsayers.

Here is a general list of the allusions and borrowings:

1. Old Testament Foundations:

- Genesis: The river of life and tree of life (Gen. 2:10–14; 3:22–24) symbolize life and restoration.

- Isaiah: The divine light (Isaiah 60:19–20) and the glory of God as illumination.

- Ezekiel: The river flowing from the temple (Ezek. 47:1–12) and the healing leaves.

- Zechariah: Light and divine presence (Zechariah 14:7).

2. New Testament Foundations:

- John 14:2–3: Jesus’ promise of preparing a place, which the New Jerusalem fulfills.

- Ephesians 2:19–22: The church as a dwelling place of God, foreshadowing the divine presence in the city.

- 2 Corinthians 5:1–5: Our longing for the heavenly dwelling.

3. Thematic Borrowings:

- The idea of God dwelling with His people (Exodus 25:8; Revelation 21:3).

- The removal of curse and the restoration of creation (Revelation 22:3) echo themes in Genesis and prophetic texts.

Happy studying! :)

Suggested Resources:

• Audible: Revelation. By Bill Creasy, Narrated by Bill Creasy. Series: Logos Bible Study. (This is one of a series of college level lectures on the Bible by Dr. Creasy)

• The Prophets. By Abraham Heschel. ©1962 Hendrickson Publishers. A wonderful explanation of the prophets in the Old Testament by the world’s foremost expert.

• Interpreting Revelation. By Merril C. Tenney. ©1957 William B Eerdmans Publishing. This book has a great breakdown of the scripture for novice readers. Its only drawback is its consistent eschatological focus on the final judgement and the negative ramifications for the “unsaved.” It is important to remember that all in the new creation will be saved. The final judgement is reserved for Jesus to make as stated in chapter 20:12, “…The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” This focus is another study, and a different sermon.