Revelation 21

The New Heaven and the New Earth

1 Then I saw y a new heaven and a new earth, for z the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw a the holy city, b new Jerusalem, c coming down out of heaven from God, d prepared e as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, f the dwelling place 1 of God is with man. He will g dwell with them, and they will be his people, 2 and God himself will be with them as their God. 3 4 h He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and i death shall be no more, j neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."

5 And k he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I l am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for m these words are trustworthy and true." 6 And he said to me, n "It is done! o I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. p To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 q The one who conquers will have this heritage, and r I will be his God and s he will be my son. 8 t But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, u their portion will be in v the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is w the second death."

The New Jerusalem

9 Then came x one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of y the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you z the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." 10 And a he carried me away in the Spirit to b a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 c having the glory of God, d its radiance e like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, f with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed - 13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve g foundations, and h on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And the one who spoke with me i had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. 16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. 4 Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits 5 by j human measurement, which is also k an angel's measurement. 18 The wall was built of l jasper, while the city was pure gold, l clear as glass. 19 m The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and n the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.

22 And o I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city p has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for q the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light r will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth s will bring their glory into it, 25 and t its gates will never be shut by day - and u there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But v nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's w book of life.

  1. Cross References
    Isaiah 65:17
    For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
    Isaiah 66:22
    For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain.
    2 Peter 3:13
    But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
  2. Cross References
    Revelation 20:11
    Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
  3. Cross References
    Revelation 11:2
    But do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months.
    Revelation 22:19
    And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
    Isaiah 52:1
    Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
  4. Cross References
    Revelation 3:12
    The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
  5. Cross References
    Hebrews 11:10
    For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
  6. Cross References
    Revelation 19:7
    Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.
    John 14:3
    And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
  7. Cross References
    Isaiah 61:10
    I will greatly rejoice in the Lord ; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
  8. Cross References
    Leviticus 26:11 - 12
    I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you.
  9. Cross References
    Revelation 7:15
    Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
  10. Cross References
    Revelation 7:17
    For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
  11. Cross References
    Revelation 20:14
    Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
    1 Corinthians 15:26
    The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
  12. Cross References
    Isaiah 35:10
    And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
    Isaiah 51:11
    And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
    Isaiah 65:19
    I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.
  13. Cross References
    Revelation 4:2
    At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.
    Revelation 4:9
    And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever.
    Revelation 5:1
    Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals.
    Revelation 20:11
    Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
  14. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 5:17
    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
  15. Cross References
    Revelation 22:6
    And he said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.
    Revelation 3:14
    And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
    Revelation 19:11
    Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
    1 Timothy 1:15
    The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
  16. Cross References
    Revelation 10:6
    And swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, the earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it, that there would be no more delay.
  17. Cross References
    Revelation 1:8
    "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."
    Revelation 22:13
    I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
  18. Cross References
    Revelation 22:17
    The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
    John 4:10
    Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.
    John 7:37
    On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.
  19. Cross References
    Revelation 2:7
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
  20. Cross References
    Revelation 21:3
    And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
  21. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:18
    And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.
  22. Cross References
    Revelation 22:15
    Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexu...
    1 Corinthians 6:9 - 10
    Or do you not know that the unrighteous will no...
    Galatians 5:19 - 21
    Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual ...
    Ephesians 5:5
    For you may be sure of this, that everyone who ...
    1 Timothy 1:9
    Understanding this, that the law is not laid do...
    Hebrews 12:14
    Strive for peace with everyone, and for the hol...
  23. Cross References
    Luke 12:46
    The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful.
  24. Cross References
    Revelation 19:20
    And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
  25. Cross References
    Revelation 2:11
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.
    Revelation 20:6
    Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
    Revelation 20:14
    Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire.
  26. Cross References
    Revelation 17:1
    Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters.
  27. Cross References
    Revelation 15:1
    Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished.
  28. Cross References
    Revelation 21:2
    And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
  29. Cross References
    Revelation 17:3
    And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was full of blasphemous names, and it had seven heads and ten horns.
    Ezekiel 43:5
    The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
  30. Cross References
    Psalms 87:1
    On the holy mount stands the city he founded.
    Ezekiel 40:2
    In visions of God he brought me to the land of Israel, and set me down on a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city to the south.
  31. Cross References
    Revelation 21:23
    And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
    Revelation 22:5
    And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
    Psalms 84:11
    For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.
    Ezekiel 43:2
    And behold, the glory of the God of Israel was coming from the east. And the sound of his coming was like the sound of many waters, and the earth shone with his glory.
    Ezekiel 43:4
    As the glory of the Lord entered the temple by the gate facing east.
  32. Cross References
    Matthew 5:14
    You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
    Philippians 2:15
    That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
  33. Cross References
    Revelation 4:3
    And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.
    Revelation 4:6
    And before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:
  34. Cross References
    Ezekiel 48:31 - 34
    Three gates, the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi, the gates of the city being named after the tribes of Israel.
  35. Cross References
    Hebrews 11:10
    For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
    1 Corinthians 3:11
    For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
  36. Cross References
    Matthew 16:18
    And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
    Ephesians 2:20
    Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.
  37. Cross References
    Revelation 11:1
    Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there.
  38. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 3:11
    (For only Og the king of Bashan was left of the remnant of the Rephaim. Behold, his bed was a bed of iron. Is it not in Rabbah of the Ammonites? Nine cubits was its length, and four cubits its breadth, according to the common cubit.)
    Revelation 13:18
    This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.
  39. Cross References
    Revelation 21:9
    Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.
  40. Cross References
    Revelation 21:11
    Having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
  41. Cross References
    Revelation 21:11
    Having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
  42. Cross References
    Isaiah 54:11 - 12
    O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
  43. Cross References
    Revelation 22:2
    Through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
  44. Cross References
    John 4:23
    But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
  45. Cross References
    Revelation 22:5
    And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
    Isaiah 60:19 - 20
    The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
    Revelation 21:25
    And its gates will never be shut by day - and there will be no night there.
  46. Cross References
    Revelation 21:11
    Having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
  47. Cross References
    Isaiah 60:3
    And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
    Revelation 22:2
    Through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
  48. Cross References
    Revelation 21:26
    They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations.
    Isaiah 60:5
    Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
    Isaiah 60:16
    You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
  49. Cross References
    Isaiah 60:11
    Your gates shall be open continually; day and night they shall not be shut, that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession.
  50. Cross References
    Revelation 21:23
    And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
  51. Cross References
    Revelation 22:14 - 15
    Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that...
    Isaiah 35:8
    And a highway shall be there, and it shall be c...
    Isaiah 52:1
    Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put...
    Ezekiel 44:9
    Thus says the Lord God : No foreigner, uncircum...
    Joel 3:17
    So you shall know that I am the Lord your God, ...
    Zechariah 14:21
    And every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be h...
  52. Cross References
    Revelation 3:5
    The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Previous Book Next Book