Revision #9277
Revelation 21:1–4
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Context
- At the end of Revelation 20, the final judgment takes place, and death and hell are cast into the lake of fire; chapter 21 then opens with an entirely new scene. John sees a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away and there is no more sea, and he sees the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven as a bride. A great voice from the throne then declares that the tabernacle of God is with men, and that there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. This vision takes up the promises of Isaiah 65:17 and 25:8.
+ At the end of Revelation 20, the final judgment takes place, and death and hell are cast into the lake of fire. Chapter 21 then opens with an entirely new scene. John sees a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away and there is no more sea. He then sees the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven as a bride. A great voice from the throne declares that the tabernacle of God is with men and that there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. This vision takes up the promises of Isaiah 65:17 and 25:8.
=
= ## Interpretation
- - **Reading as renewal**: Noting that "new" (Greek *kainos*) denotes something qualitatively renewed rather than something wholly different, and citing verse 5, "Behold, I make all things new," this view holds that the present creation will not be annihilated but purified and restored. It links the passage with the liberation of creation in Romans 8:19–21, and many Reformed and evangelical scholars today hold this view.
- - **Reading as replacement (new creation)**: Citing 2 Peter 3:10–12, "the elements shall melt with fervent heat," this view holds that the present universe will pass away and an entirely new world will be created. It is found in parts of the Lutheran tradition and among some conservative evangelicals.
- - **Heaven coming down to earth**: Interpreters emphasize that a distinctive feature of this vision is its direction: rather than believers ascending to heaven, God's dwelling place comes down to humanity. This has prompted some to reconsider the view that salvation consists solely in the soul leaving the body and going to heaven.
+ - **Reading as renewal**: This view notes that "new" (Greek *kainos*) denotes something qualitatively renewed rather than something wholly different. It also cites verse 5, "Behold, I make all things new." On this reading, the present creation will not be annihilated but purified and restored. The view links the passage with the liberation of creation in Romans 8:19–21, and many Reformed and evangelical scholars hold it today.
+ - **Reading as replacement (new creation)**: This view cites 2 Peter 3:10–12, "the elements shall melt with fervent heat," and holds that the present universe will pass away and an entirely new world will be created. It is found in parts of the Lutheran tradition and among some conservative evangelicals.
+ - **Heaven coming down to earth**: Interpreters emphasize that the vision's direction is distinctive. Rather than believers ascending to heaven, God's dwelling place comes down to humanity. This has prompted some to reconsider the view that salvation consists solely in the soul leaving the body and going to heaven.
=
= ## Debates and Issues
- Many interpreters take "there was no more sea" to mean not the literal disappearance of the sea but the removal of what the sea symbolized for ancient peoples: chaos, evil, and the place from which the beast arose (13:1). Whether the new earth is understood as renewal or as replacement is also discussed in connection with attitudes toward environmental issues and the responsibility of stewardship in caring for creation.
+ Many interpreters take "there was no more sea" to refer not to the literal disappearance of the sea but to the removal of what the sea symbolized for ancient peoples: chaos, evil, and the place from which the beast arose (13:1). The question of whether the new earth means renewal or replacement is also discussed in relation to attitudes toward environmental issues and the responsibility of stewardship in caring for creation.
=
= ## In the Korean Church
- This is one of the passages most frequently read at funeral services, casketing and committal services, and memorial services, and it has been a theme of hymns celebrating heaven.
+ In Korean Protestant churches, this is one of the passages most frequently read at funeral services, at services held when the body is placed in the coffin and at the graveside committal, and at memorial services. It has also been a theme of hymns celebrating heaven.
=
= ## Related Passages
…
A vision of a new heaven and a new earth, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, and God dwelling with his people and wiping away every tear. As the final scene of the biblical story, it is among the passages most often read at funerals and services of comfort, and interpreters differ over whether the present world will pass away or be made new.
Revelation 21:1–4 is a vision of a new heaven and a new earth, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, and God dwelling with his people and wiping away every tear. As the final scene of the biblical story, it is among the passages most often read at funerals and services of comfort. Interpreters differ over whether the present world will pass away or be made new.
Full revision
Revelation 21:1–4 is a vision of a new heaven and a new earth, the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven, and God dwelling with his people and wiping away every tear. As the final scene of the biblical story, it is among the passages most often read at funerals and services of comfort. Interpreters differ over whether the present world will pass away or be made new.
Context
At the end of Revelation 20, the final judgment takes place, and death and hell are cast into the lake of fire. Chapter 21 then opens with an entirely new scene. John sees a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away and there is no more sea. He then sees the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven as a bride. A great voice from the throne declares that the tabernacle of God is with men and that there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain. This vision takes up the promises of Isaiah 65:17 and 25:8.
Interpretation
- Reading as renewal: This view notes that "new" (Greek kainos) denotes something qualitatively renewed rather than something wholly different. It also cites verse 5, "Behold, I make all things new." On this reading, the present creation will not be annihilated but purified and restored. The view links the passage with the liberation of creation in Romans 8:19–21, and many Reformed and evangelical scholars hold it today.
- Reading as replacement (new creation): This view cites 2 Peter 3:10–12, "the elements shall melt with fervent heat," and holds that the present universe will pass away and an entirely new world will be created. It is found in parts of the Lutheran tradition and among some conservative evangelicals.
- Heaven coming down to earth: Interpreters emphasize that the vision's direction is distinctive. Rather than believers ascending to heaven, God's dwelling place comes down to humanity. This has prompted some to reconsider the view that salvation consists solely in the soul leaving the body and going to heaven.
Debates and Issues
Many interpreters take "there was no more sea" to refer not to the literal disappearance of the sea but to the removal of what the sea symbolized for ancient peoples: chaos, evil, and the place from which the beast arose (13:1). The question of whether the new earth means renewal or replacement is also discussed in relation to attitudes toward environmental issues and the responsibility of stewardship in caring for creation.
In the Korean Church
In Korean Protestant churches, this is one of the passages most frequently read at funeral services, at services held when the body is placed in the coffin and at the graveside committal, and at memorial services. It has also been a theme of hymns celebrating heaven.
Related Passages
- Isaiah 65:17–25
- Isaiah 25:8
- Romans 8:19–23
- 2 Peter 3:10–13