John’s vision of the New Jerusalem is found in Revelation 21–22. After the final judgment and the destruction of the old heaven and earth, John sees “the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). This is the eternal dwelling place of God with His people.
In this vision, God declares, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them” (Revelation 21:3). There will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain, “for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). It is the full restoration of everything lost through sin, a fulfillment of God’s redemptive promise.
The New Jerusalem shines with the glory of God. It has high walls and twelve gates, with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. Its foundations bear the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb (Revelation 21:12-14). The city is described as pure gold, clear as glass, with precious stones adorning its walls and foundations. There is no temple there, “for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Revelation 21:22).
There is no need for sun or moon, “for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light” (Revelation 21:23). The nations walk in its light, and nothing defiled enters it, only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Revelation 22 describes the river of the water of life and the tree of life, bearing fruit each month, with leaves for the healing of the nations. There is no more curse, and His servants shall see His face and reign with Him forever (Revelation 22:3-5).
John’s vision of the New Jerusalem is the final picture of eternal hope, the consummation of God’s promise to dwell with His redeemed people in perfect righteousness, peace, and glory.
