John begins this section with the assertion that in this seventh and final vision he saw a new heaven and a new earth, the first heaven and earth having passed away. This indicates a new beginning, not a. transformation of the existing order. Since the old order had failed, God was ready to begin a new world order that would live by his purposes.
The new order will not have any sea. The sea had been a symbol of chaos, turbulence and unrest (Gen. 1:1-2). Humanity’s relationship with it has also been characterized by fear-fear of “the deep. “Besides, John had consistently depicted the sea as the home of the monster, the dragon Leviathan who represents the forces of evil (Rev. 4:6; 12:3; 17:1). The seat here had to be eliminated if there was to be a clean break with the past.
A New Heaven and Earth (21:1-2)
A new Jerusalem, the holy city, emerges out of the new heaven. It is beautifully dressed and adorned like a bride ready to meet her groom. The suggestion made is not only of beauty but of love. A description had earlier been given of the wedding of the Lamb and his beautiful and well-adorned bride (Rev.19:7-9).
The Lamb, in John’s characterization, consistently represents the Lord Jesus. Christ (see 5:6-14:7:14; 12:11; 14:1; 17:14; 21:14), the bride, no doubt, symbolizes the Church or the gathering of all believers. The new Jerusalem therefore stands for the Church, prepared and beautifully adorned for her Lora (Rom. 8:19-21; Gal. 4:26; Heb. 12:22; Rev. 3:12; Rev. 21:10).
A detailed description of the new Jerusalem is given in verses 9-27. Several things are notable about the features of the city therein described. It is said that the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb were written on the twelve foundations of the city wall of the new Jerusalem(v.14). The city has no temple, since the Lord God Almighty himself and the Lamb are present as its temple (v.22), and the glory of God radiates throughout the place, thus making sun and moon unnecessary (v.23).
It is also noteworthy that admission into the city is limited to “only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (v.27; cf. Rev.20:12,15). The new Jerusalem therefore exists only for the redeemed, those who have been saved by the blood of the Lamb. The Lamb also functions as the groom of the bride.
The Nature of the New Relationship (v.3)
John testifies in verse 3 that he heard a loud voice from the throne declaring the nature of the divine-human relationship. A single word for this relationship appears to be Immanuel, i.e. “God with us”(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). God will now dwell among men and women and live with them. They will be his people and he will be their God. There will thus be a unity of purpose and a harmony of relationship, in keeping with the description of the new Jerusalem given above where God’s presence radiates throughout the whole place. It is not for nought that John repeatedly says the new Jerusalem is “coming down out of heaven from God”(vv.2 and 10). Heaven had been the dwelling place of God. His new place of abode among people must therefore come from heaven.
This new relationship of God and people is quite in keeping with prophecies of old (e.g. Ezekiel 48:35 and Zech. 2:10-13). The dream and vision of God’s people through the ages had been for a world where the presence of God would be fully evident, and where there would be a harmony of his will and the activities of people. Incidentally, this has been God’s offer or promise for a new covenantal relationship (Lev.26:11-12; Jer. 32:38-41; Ezek.37:26-28). He would be fully present with his people, and they would be expected to live fully in keeping with his will. The language of this new relationship is, of course, the language of heaven or paradise. At any instance where the nature of this new relationship is explained (as in the passages cited above), its ramifications are also declared. This is found to be also true in the text of this study. John testifies to what he saw as the benefits of this new relationship.
Demands of the Identity of Victory
As with every privilege, the believers’ identity of victory also carries the thrust of these responsibilities. In unequivocal terms he declared it is to forever and ever”(1:6b). Serving God, of course, has different dimensions. God can be served by acknowledging his presence or by worshipping and praising him. He can also be served by obedience to his words and by the bearing of witness about his wonderful acts.
Given the new identity of victory God has provided believers, they cannot but serve him by worshipping and adoring him. As indicated above, God not only loved Christians and freed them from the shackles of sin through the life and ministry of his son Jesus Christ, he made them a kingdom of priests. God therefore deserves to be worshipped not just by his act of creation but by his redemption and sustenance of believers. A similar refrain is found in 1 Peter 2:9 where believers are also identified as a royal priesthood. The writer declared that the goal of such a calling and identification was that believers” may declare the praises of him who called” them “out of darkness into his wonderful light. “Serving God by worshipping and praising him and by proclaiming his wonderful deeds and goodness is imperative for believers.
Obeying God’s words or commandments would be another way of serving him. Oneness with God entails obedience to him. The believer has to live by the word of God so that the characteristics of his or her new identity might be made manifest. An identity of victory should exhibit qualities of victorious Christian living. As the apostle Paul explains in Gal. 5:22-26, believers are to produce fruits worthy of the presence of the Spirit of the Lord in their lives. Expected in their daily living are such qualities as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”Submission to the leadership of the Spirit of God and the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit in one’s life would be high points in the believer’s identity as a priest of the royal kingdom.
Another way believers can serve God is to witness to unbelievers the goodness of salvation He has wrought in Jesus Christ. God is concerned about the salvation and welfare of every person. The Scripture says he is patient toward all, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). One way to serve him is to witness to people about the provision of salvation in Jesus Christ so that they too may know an abundant life here on earth and an eternal life hereafter.
The Scripture also states that people may not call on the one they have not believed in, that they cannot believe in the one of whom they have not heard, that they cannot hear without someone preaching to them, and that they cannot preach unless they are sent (Rom.10:13-15). It is therefore imperative for believers to take the great commission of the Lord seriously and go and make disciples of all nations(Matt.28:19-20). God has commanded that he should be served through such witnessing because it fulfils his purpose.
According to the vision of John the Seer, Jesus Christ has an identity of victory. All those who believe in him and relate to him share that identity of victory. The important questions are: Do you believe in him? Has Christ made any difference in your life? Have you become one of his victorious people or are you still wallowing in self-pity and depression? Are you proclaiming the message of God’s salvation to others and bearing the fruits of the Spirit in your life? An identity of victory demands a commitment to service.
