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Revelation 21
New Catholic Bible

The New Jerusalem A New World and a New People[a]

Chapter 21

The New Heaven and the New Earth. 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.[b] 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, like a bride adorned and ready for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice proclaim from the throne:

“Behold, God’s dwelling is with mankind;
    he will dwell with them.
They will be his people,
    and he will be their God,
    God-with-them.[c]
4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes,
    and there will no longer be death.
Neither will there be any mourning or crying or pain,
    for the old order has passed away.”

5 The one seated on the throne then said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.[d] To those who are thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of life-giving water.

7 “The one who is victorious will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be my son.[e] 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the depraved, the murderers, the sexually immoral, the sorcerers, the idolaters, and liars of every kind, their place is the fiery lake of burning sulfur, which is the second death.”[f]

The New Jerusalem. 9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven final plagues came forward and said to me, “Come, and I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 Then he carried me away in the spirit[g] to the top of a very high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It possessed the glory of God and had the radiance of some priceless jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal.

12 Its wall was of a great height, with twelve gates,[h] and at the gates there were twelve angels. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates to the east, three to the north, three to the south, and three to the west. 14 The city wall had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who was speaking to me was carrying a gold measuring rod to measure the city,[i] its gates, and its wall. 16 The city was laid out like a square, with its length and its width identical. He measured the city with his measuring rod: it was fifteen hundred miles[j] in length and width, and equal in height.

17 Then he measured its wall, and it was one hundred and forty-four cubits[k] high by human measurements, which the angel employed. 18 [l]The wall was built of jasper, while the city itself was of pure gold, as bright as clear glass.

19 The foundations of the city wall were adorned with precious stones of every kind. The first of the foundation stones was jasper, the second sapphire, the third turquoise, 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, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates fashioned from a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 I did not see any temple there, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city had no need for the sun or the moon to shine on it, for it was lit by the glory of God, and its lamp was the Lamb. 24 [m]The nations will walk by its light, and to it the kings of the earth will bring their treasures.

25 The gates of the city will never be shut during the day—and there will be no night there. 26 The nations will come into it bringing their treasures and wealth. 27 However, nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does abominable or deceitful things, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.[n]

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 21:1 A new city for human beings descends from heaven, as beautiful as a new bride; a new universe replaces the old; life gushes up in floods, and an endless feast begins. How can we interpret these marvelous images? We must let ourselves be captivated by the poetic evocation, by the incantation of this exciting symphony. We must project all the attention of people and the Church toward this meeting and this reconciliation, which we regard as the sole definitive condition for humankind—creating a mystical impetus toward Christ, a hope without frontiers.
    Let us then strive to highlight some themes that this vision overlaps on one another. At the end of the work of salvation, it is a new creation that God accomplishes (v. 1), surpassing all the images of paradise. Gone are all things that constrained, all limits, imperfections, implacable necessities, evil: the sea, the sun and moon, and the night. Streams spring forth more attractive than those of Eden, for they are a share in the unfathomable life of God; the tree of life finds its power multiplied to infinity (Rev 22:2).
    For human beings, this work of salvation is essentially the gathering of the People of God for a definitive Covenant with the Lord. It is presented as a wedding feast in which is realized—in unimaginable fullness—the love of God and human beings, of Christ and the Church, which in keeping with beautiful Biblical texts is expressed as a wedding (see Isa 54:5; 62:4; Mt 9:15; Jn 3:29; 2 Cor 11:2; Rev 19:1-10).
    Dreams of the restoration of Jerusalem haunted the Jewish people, and the Prophets wrote about its spectacular resurrection like an image of the coming of God and the salvation of the people (see Ezek 40–48; Isa 65–66; Zec 14); the chant of Jerusalem is a crown-jewel in the Bible (see Pss 87; 122; 137; Isa 33:17-23). One day this movement finds its accomplishment far beyond all warrior or political images. We can think of inexpressible repatriation of human beings in the friendship of God, joy, and happiness. The future city of God’s elect is no longer built up by force of arms—it is a gift and grace coming from on high; it is nothing less than splendor (Rev 21:15-21).
    There is no more need of institutions and signs for worship—the temple itself is surpassed: the risen Jesus is the sole place where may be found the joy of really and directly encountering God (see Heb 9:11; Jn 2:21). What extraordinary and joyous celebration in the eternal face-to-face vision of the Lord!
  2. Revelation 21:1 The sea, the usual dwelling of the dragon and a symbol of evil, will disappear before the victorious march of the new Israel, as it did in the days of the Exodus, but this time for good.
  3. Revelation 21:3 This verse contains a combination of the classic formula of the Covenant (“You will be my people, and I will be your God”) and the name Immanuel (“God-with-us”), which was regarded as a name of the Messiah (Mt 1:23)—a fine assertion of the divinity of Christ, who is God and man. The complete and definitive Covenant between God and humankind will be accomplished at the end of time (see Isa 12:6; Joel 4:17, 21; Zep 3:15-17; Zec 2:14).
  4. Revelation 21:6 Alpha, Omega, Beginning, End: on these divine titles see note on Rev 1:4-8. Spring of life-giving water: see note on Rev 7:17.
  5. Revelation 21:7 He will be my son: this expression is reserved in the Old Testament for the King Messiah (2 Sam 7:14). Jesus reveals its full meaning by proclaiming his own divine sonship. Believers now share in this state of Christ.
  6. Revelation 21:8 Second death: see note on Rev 20:6.
  7. Revelation 21:10 In the spirit: see note on Rev 1:10.
  8. Revelation 21:12 Twelve gates: see Ezek 48:30-35. The number twelve here most likely stresses that the Church of the New Testament is a continuation of the People of God of the Old Testament. See v. 14, in which the twelve foundation stones bear the names of the twelve apostles.
  9. Revelation 21:15 Measure the city: see Ezek 40–41. The measuring in Rev 11 was to ensure protection; here it is done to indicate the size and symmetry of the eternal dwelling place of God’s people.
  10. Revelation 21:16 Fifteen hundred miles: literally, “twelve hundred stadia,” about twelve thousand furlongs. In the mind of the ancients the square was the perfect form. When the number twelve, which symbolizes the new Israel, is multiplied by 1000, it signifies supreme perfection. The city possesses the symmetrical dimensions of a perfect cube, which is akin to its earthly counterpart, the inner sanctuary in the tabernacle and temple (see 1 Ki 6:20).
  11. Revelation 21:17 One hundred and forty-four cubits: a cubit measured about eighteen inches in length.
  12. Revelation 21:18 The materials used show that this is not an earthly city. The twelve foundation stones of the wall are decorated with twelve precious stones, which correspond to the twelve stones on the high priest’s breastplate (see Ex 28:39). The gems form a magnificent kaleidoscope of colors symbolizing the ineffable glory of God.
  13. Revelation 21:24 The author is alluding to Isa 60:1-20, which foretells the entrance of the nations into the People of God. The open gates are a sign of an everlasting feast.
  14. Revelation 21:27 Book of life: see notes on Rev 3:5 and 20:12-15.
Listen to Revelation 21
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Revelation 21
New King James Version

All Things Made New

21 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, [a]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 [b]to me, “Write, for (K)these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, (L)“It[c] 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 [d]shall inherit all things, and (O)I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 (P)But the cowardly, [e]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(R)

9 Then one of (S)the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came [f]to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you (T)the [g]bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 And he carried me away (U)in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me (V)the [h]great city, the [i]holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 (W)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 (X)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 (Y)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 (Z)on them were the [j]names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me (AA)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 [k]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 (AB)The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was 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 (AC)pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. (AD)And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

The Glory of the New Jerusalem

22 (AE)But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 (AF)The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine [l]in it, for the [m]glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 (AG)And the nations [n]of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor [o]into it. 25 (AH)Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (AI)(there shall be no night there). 26 (AJ)And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into [p]it. 27 But (AK)there shall by no means enter it anything [q]that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s (AL)Book of Life.

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 21:2 NU, M omit John
  2. Revelation 21:5 NU, M omit to me
  3. Revelation 21:6 M omits It is done
  4. Revelation 21:7 M I shall give him these things
  5. Revelation 21:8 M adds and sinners,
  6. Revelation 21:9 NU, M omit to me
  7. Revelation 21:9 M woman, the Lamb’s bride
  8. Revelation 21:10 NU, M omit great
  9. Revelation 21:10 NU, M holy city, Jerusalem
  10. Revelation 21:14 NU, M twelve names
  11. Revelation 21:16 Lit. stadia, about 1,380 miles in all
  12. Revelation 21:23 NU, M omit in it
  13. Revelation 21:23 M very glory
  14. Revelation 21:24 NU, M omit of those who are saved
  15. Revelation 21:24 M of the nations to Him
  16. Revelation 21:26 M adds that they may enter in.
  17. Revelation 21:27 NU, M profane, nor one who causes
Listen to Revelation 21
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Revelation 21
English Standard Version

The New Heaven and the New Earth

21 Then I saw (A)a new heaven and a new earth, for (B)the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw (C)the holy city, (D)new Jerusalem, (E)coming down out of heaven from God, (F)prepared (G)as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, (H)the dwelling place[a] of God is with man. He will (I)dwell with them, and they will be his people,[b] and God himself will be with them as their God.[c] 4 (J)He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and (K)death shall be no more, (L)neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

5 And (M)he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I (N)am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for (O)these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, (P)“It is done! (Q)I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. (R)To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 (S)The one who conquers will have this heritage, and (T)I will be his God and (U)he will be my son. 8 (V)But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, (W)their portion will be in (X)the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is (Y)the second death.”

The New Jerusalem

9 Then came (Z)one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of (AA)the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you (AB)the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And (AC)he carried me away in the Spirit to (AD)a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, 11 (AE)having the glory of God, (AF)its radiance (AG)like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall, (AH)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 (AI)foundations, and (AJ)on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

15 And the one who spoke with me (AK)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.[d] Its length and width and height are equal. 17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits[e] by (AL)human measurement, which is also (AM)an angel's measurement. 18 The wall was built of (AN)jasper, while the city was pure gold, like (AO)clear glass. 19 (AP)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 (AQ)the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

22 And (AR)I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. 23 And the city (AS)has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for (AT)the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 By its light (AU)will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth (AV)will bring their glory into it, 25 and (AW)its gates will never be shut by day—and (AX)there will be no night there. 26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. 27 But (AY)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 (AZ)book of life.

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 21:3 Or tabernacle
  2. Revelation 21:3 Some manuscripts peoples
  3. Revelation 21:3 Some manuscripts omit as their God
  4. Revelation 21:16 About 1,380 miles; a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
  5. Revelation 21:17 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
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