Revelation 21:5

Context

Following the scene of the Last Judgment at the end of Revelation 20, John sees in Revelation 21:1-8 "a new heaven and a new earth" and the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven. In verses 3-4, a great voice from the throne announces that God will be with his people and that there shall be no more tears or death. In verse 5, "he that sat upon the throne" speaks directly. Commentators often note that scenes in which God speaks directly from the throne are rare in Revelation, occurring essentially only in Revelation 1:8 and in this passage. The command that follows, "Write: for these words are true and faithful," underscores the certainty of the declaration. The declaration concludes in verse 6 with "It is done. I am Alpha and Omega."

Interpretation

• Renewal reading: This reading takes the verse to mean that God does not abolish the present created order but restores and renews it. Many interpreters in the Reformed tradition hold this view and connect it with the liberation of creation in Romans 8:19-23. A frequently cited argument is that the Greek text is closer to "I make all things new" than to "I make new things." John Wesley's sermon "The New Creation" is likewise known to take this verse as its text and to describe the restoration of the whole created order.
• Replacement reading: On the basis of Revelation 21:1, "for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away," and of 2 Peter 3:10-13, "the elements shall melt with fervent heat," this reading holds that the old world will pass away and an entirely new world will be created. This view appears among some theologians of Lutheran orthodoxy and in some dispensationalist interpretation.
• Inaugurated new creation reading: This reading holds that, although the verse points to the eschatological consummation, its newness has already begun in Christ. It reads the verse together with "if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Debates and Issues

There is little sharp disagreement among denominations over this verse. The question of renewal versus replacement noted above, however, is addressed in theological discussions concerning eschatology and attitudes toward the created order. Some also object that citing the verse as a promise of a personal fresh start or of improved circumstances removes from its context a text that originally speaks of the eschatological new creation. Others, by contrast, regard personal application as legitimate on the theological ground that the eschatological new creation has already begun in the lives of believers.

Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.

In Korean Protestant churches, "Behold, I make all things new" is commonly used as the sermon text or motto for the watch-night service (songguyeongsin yebae) held to welcome the new year, as well as for New Year's sermons.

Related Passages

• Isaiah 43:18-19 (Isaiah 43:16-21)
• Isaiah 65:17 (Isaiah 65:17-25)
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• 2 Peter 3:13
• Revelation 22:6