The front cover of Jen Wilkin’s book Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom includes a 17th century British tapestry that depicts the tree of life bearing abundant fruit and sheltering a variety of animals. This multi-faceted piece of art (pictured above) attempts to capture John’s vision of the new Jerusalem described in Revelation 22. A tapestry is a fitting choice for the book’s cover given that the concluding chapters of Revelation tie together so many threads woven throughout Scripture. In this post we’ll cover Revelation 21:9-22:21.
Jen Wilkin explains, “With the introduction of the new Jerusalem in the seventh sight, we are invited into an extended view of all that is made new. Wars and rumors of wars are behind us. Grief and sorrow are wiped away. Sin is no longer in our midst. Satan can no longer deceive, seduce, nor persecute. And the last enemy, death, is under the feet of the One seated on the throne. The serpent’s head is crushed. The seed of the woman has triumphed.” (153)
Picking up where we left off in my last post “Seven Last Sights”, Revelation 21:9 continues with a vision of “the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, arrayed with God’s glory. Her radiance was like a precious jewel, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.” (21:10b-11, CSB) John includes a detailed description full of symbolic numbers. Twelve angels stand at twelve gates, each inscribed with the name of one of the twelve sons of Israel. Three gates face in four directions—north, south, east, and west. The city wall rests on twelve foundations named for the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Here we see a beautiful merging of the Old and New Testament that encompasses the complete scope of the created world (symbolized by the number 4) and the entirety of the people of God (symbolized by the number 12).
The vision continues with a description of the dimensions of the city—a perfect square of 12,000 stadia (1380 miles) and a wall of 144 cubits (216 feet). Jen Wilkin explains that this expanse would’ve encompassed the limits of the known world for the original readers of Revelation—indicating that the new Jerusalem would be like a vast version of the Holy of Holies covering the entire earth. In an ironic twist, precious metals and jewels that often were the object of idolatry for earth dwellers are common building materials in the city of God. (Week 10 video)
John notes that the new Jerusalem does not have a temple “because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.” (21:22b) The time for making sacrifices of atonement has passed, so the need for a temple is unnecessary. Also missing in the new Jerusalem are the sun and moon “because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb.” (21:23b) This echoes John’s writings on light in other parts of Scripture as well: “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5b NIV) and “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (John 1:4, NIV)
With the enemy defeated and final judgement complete, there is no threat of evil entering the holy city. The gates of the new Jerusalem remain eternally open because “Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (21:27) God’s beloved people remain safe and secure for eternity. His kingdom has come and His will has been done on earth, just as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
John’s vision continues in Revelation 22, where we discover that the new Jerusalem is a garden city. The river of life flows from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the city’s main street. “The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse.” (22:3) This echoes a vision described in Ezekiel: “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” (Ezekiel 47:12, NIV)
With Eden restored, God’s people will once again walk in close fellowship with Him in the garden. This is a stunning contrast to the Lord’s explanation when Moses asks to see Him face to face: “He said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live…When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.” (Exodus 33:20,22-23, NIV) In the new garden city with perfected bodies “his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” (22:3b-4)
This portion of John’s vision ends with a reiteration: “Night will be no more; people will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, because the Lord God will give them light, and they will right forever and ever.” (22:5) Many threads from Scripture tie together here– most notably, Jesus’ words about Himself, also recorded by John: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12, NIV)
Revelation 22:6-21 brings John’s vision to a close with some final words—including five reminders that the time for Jesus’ return is near. John includes direct quotes from Christ: “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” (22:7) Throughout our study of Revelation, I’ve been struck by the notion of “keeping” God’s words in the forefront of my mind. John’s vision makes it clear that God wins in the end and honors those who remain steadfast and true to Him. I keep thinking about the push for instant gratification and indulgence that our culture drives toward with increasing momentum. Is this the enemy’s way of lulling people into complacency? Is he conditioning us to avoid doing what is hard or waiting for what is best and right? As people opt for temporary satisfaction and pleasure, are they forfeiting eternal peace and joy like those who take the mark of the beast? It’s a battle to remain faithful to God and to walk in a manner worthy of our calling, but it’s one well worth fighting.
As the chapter progresses John continues recording Jesus’ words, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.” (22:14) Those wearing garments cleansed in the blood of Christ freely enter God’s eternal dwelling and eat from the tree of life. This is an incredible full circle moment redeeming the tragedy of the first garden:
“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And the Lord God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’ So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:21-24, NIV)
To protect them from living eternally in a fallen state, the Lord banishes Adam and Eve from Eden and kills animals to provide garments for them. This is the first time blood will be spilled to cover sin. Now, in Revelation, He clothes His people in garments covered in His blood; His death atones for their sins, the curse has been removed, and they freely eat from the tree of life in God’s eternal city.
In this passage Jesus also describes Himself as “the Root and descendant of David” weaving together the thread of a promise made to King David back in 2 Samuel: “The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: ‘When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom…Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’” (2 Samuel 7:11b, 12, 16, NIV)
John ends his book with great anticipation “Both the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ Let anyone who hears, say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come. Let the one who desires take the water of life freely.” (22:17) Dwelling within all believers, the Spirit joyfully awaits Christ’s return. Likewise, His bride, the Church (which includes all followers of Jesus), looks for His return with great expectancy. Yet again, we’re reminded of earlier passages in Scripture that this final statement ties together. Consider this prophecy in Isaiah: “Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs… But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.” (Isaiah 35:6b,7a, 9b, 10, NIV)
Jesus’ own words from John’s gospel also speak of living water: “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14, NIV)
So many people avoid delving into Revelation. But, as Jen Wilkin reminds us throughout our study, it’s primarily a recapitulation of earlier Scriptures. For years I’ve poured time into studying many books of the Bible but have avoided this final one. While Revelation does have some unsettling content that provides important warnings, it is also a book filled with hope and encouragement for all who call on the name of Jesus. Despite the length of my post, I’ve barely touched on all the threads that weave together to make this beautiful tapestry of God’s Word.
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written in it, because the time is near…Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (1:3 & 22:20b)
- Tapestry image from the Metropolitan Museum of Art (public domain). Click here to read the history.
- Jen Wilkin, Revelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdom, Lifeway Press, 2024.
- All Scripture quoted from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), unless noted otherwise.
Was this forwarded to you? You can receive new posts automatically in your inbox by going to www.marybethmccullum.com, entering your e-mail address and clicking “subscribe.”
