Revelation 21

The New Heaven and the New Earth

1 Now a I saw a new heaven and a new earth, b for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, 1 John, saw c the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared d as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, e the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 f "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; g there shall be no more death, h nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

5 Then i He who sat on the throne said, j "Behold, I make all things new." And He said 2 to me, "Write, for k these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, l "It 3 is done! m I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. n I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 "He who overcomes 4 shall inherit all things, and o I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 p "But the cowardly, 5 unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in q the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

The New Jerusalem

9 Then one of r the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came 6 to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you s the 7 bride, the Lamb's wife." 10 And he carried me away t in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me u the 8 great city, the 9 holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 v having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with w twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 x three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and y on them were the 10 names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And he who talked with me z had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand 11 furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 a The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation wa s jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve b pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. c And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 d But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 e The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine 12 in it, for the 13 glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 f And the nations 14 of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor 15 into it. 25 g Its gates shall not be shut at all by day h (there shall be no night there). 26 i And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into 16 it. 27 But j there shall by no means enter it anything 17 that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's k Book of Life.

  1. Cross References
    Acts 7:2
    And he said, "Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran.
    1 Corinthians 2:8
    Which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
  2. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:15
    You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.
  3. Cross References
    Job 34:19
    Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands.
    John 7:48
    Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?
    1 Corinthians 1:27
    But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty.
  4. Cross References
    Luke 12:21
    "So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."
    1 Timothy 6:18
    Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share.
    Revelation 2:9
    I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
  5. Cross References
    Exodus 20:6
    But showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 11:22
    What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
  7. Cross References
    Acts 13:50
    But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
  8. Cross References
    Acts 11:26
    And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
    1 Peter 4:16
    Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.
  9. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:18
    You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
  10. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:15
    You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.
    Deuteronomy 1:17
    'You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man's presence, for the judgment is God's. The case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.'
  11. Cross References
    Galatians 3:10
    For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.
  12. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 27:26
    'Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law.' "And all the people shall say, 'Amen!'
  13. Cross References
    Exodus 20:14
    You shall not commit adultery.
    Deuteronomy 5:18
    You shall not commit adultery.
  14. Cross References
    Exodus 20:13
    You shall not murder.
    Deuteronomy 5:17
    You shall not murder.
  15. Cross References
    James 1:25
    But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
  16. Cross References
    Job 22:6
    For you have taken pledges from your brother for no reason, And stripped the naked of their clothing.
  17. Cross References
    Proverbs 21:13
    Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
    Matthew 18:32 - 35
    Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
    Luke 6:37
    Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
  18. Cross References
    Micah 7:18
    Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy.
    Matthew 5:7
    Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
  19. Cross References
    Romans 12:8
    He who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
  20. Cross References
    Matthew 7:21 - 23
    Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
    Matthew 7:26
    But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
    Matthew 21:28 - 32
    "But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go, work today in my vineyard.'
  21. Cross References
    Matthew 25:35
    For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in.
    Luke 3:11
    He answered and said to them, "He who has two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise.
  22. Cross References
    1 John 3:17
    But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
    1 John 3:18
    My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
  23. Cross References
    Colossians 1:6
    Which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.
    1 Thessalonians 1:3
    Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father.
    Hebrews 6:10
    For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
  24. Cross References
    Galatians 5:6
    For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
    James 3:13
    Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
  25. Cross References
    Genesis 22:9
    Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
    Genesis 22:10
    And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
    Genesis 22:12
    And He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.
    Genesis 22:16 - 18
    And said: "By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son -
  26. Cross References
    John 6:29
    Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.
    Hebrews 11:17
    By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son.
  27. Cross References
    John 8:39
    They answered and said to Him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham.
  28. Cross References
    Genesis 15:6
    And he believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
    Romans 4:3
    For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
  29. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 20:7
    Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?
    Isaiah 41:8
    But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend.
  30. Cross References
    Hebrews 11:31
    By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.
  31. Cross References
    Matthew 23:8
    But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
    Romans 2:21
    You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal?
    1 Timothy 1:7
    Desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
  32. Cross References
    Luke 6:37
    Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
  33. Cross References
    1 Kings 8:46
    When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to the land of the enemy, far or near.
  34. Cross References
    Psalms 34:13
    Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
  35. Cross References
    Matthew 12:34 - 37
    Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
    James 3:2 - 12
    For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
  36. Cross References
    Psalms 32:9
    Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.
  37. Cross References
    Proverbs 12:18
    There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
    Proverbs 15:2
    The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
    James 1:26
    If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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