Rev 21:1-8 It Is Done  CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

There are certain things that are prophesied in this passage that are as good as done simply based on the fact that the Lord said they would happen.  In verse 6 the Lord says, “It is done” – he makes this pronouncement prophetically since “it” isn’t done even yet – however, because he is Alpha and Omega and the beginning and end, his word is final and it will happen as if it were already done [Isaiah 46:9-10, Romans 4:17]. The things that will be done are:

1 The creation of the New Heaven and New Earth – Isaiah 65:17-19– no remembrance of the former – joy in Jerusalem – no more weeping or crying – 2 Peter 3:10-13 – heavens pass away with great noise [big bang at the end not the beginning] – elements and earth burned up and dissolved – heavens on fire  are dissolved and elements melt – Note: an element cannot be separated into different substances by ordinary chemical methods but they can be transformed into other substances by nuclear reactions, so this fire is going to totally change the chemical composition of the elements, no doubt fashioning those that will never decay – then new heavens and a new earth made – and in them will dwell righteousness [principally that’s what the Lord has been looking for in any generation and in the new heavens and new earth, righteousness dwells in the whole thing – these have to be created because this current creation was affected by the sin of Adam and Eve [Romans 8:18-22] – no more sea is a reference to the body of water that separates the third heaven from the first and second [Genesis 1:7, Psalms 148:4, Revelation 4:6]

2 The appearance and descent of New Jerusalem – that’s the home of the church [Galatians 4:26] – she descends out of heaven, as Galatians 4:26 says she is “above” – as a bride [described in detail in verses 9-27] – more detail on that in the next lesson

3 The tabernacle of God with men – God walked with Adam [Genesis 3:8], and Enoch [Genesis 5:22] – he spoke with Job [Job 42:5, but didn’t regularly appear to him or dwell with him] and with Abraham [i.e. Genesis 12:1-4] – Moses made the tabernacle for the Lord [Exodus 40:34-35] – Solomon made the temple [1 Kings 8:10-11, 13, 27] – saints saved in the church age are his temple in the New Testament [1 Corinthians 3:16] – Jesus will sit on the throne of David in the temple during his millennial reign [Ezekiel 48:35, Zechariah 8:21-23] – but when the new heavens and the new earth are made God himself shall dwell with men

4 All tears wiped away by God [caused by the four things which follow] – no more death [Isaiah 25:8] and thus no more sin [James 1:15] – sorrow – crying – pain – these are all the result of sin and they are the things God used to get men to “see” him or “know” him to “draw nigh” to him [consider Hannah’s sorrow 1 Sam 1:15, Israel’s crying Exodus 2:23, and Paul’s pain 2 Corinthians 12:7-10]

5 All things new – “write” for these words are true and faithful – in other words, God gives his word that he will make all things new and we church age saints already understand this in part because we are new creatures in Christ [2 Corinthians 5:17]

6 The River of living water flowing out of Jerusalem – out of Jerusalem will flow a pure river of water of life, in it will be living waters [Revelation 22:1, Zechariah 14:8] and whoever is athirst can drink of this water freely [Revelation 22:17] [like trees of garden, Genesis 2:16] – for church age saints we get this at salvation [John 4:14, 7:37-39]

7 The inheritance of all things by those who overcome – this appears to be written to Tribulation saints who have to overcome in order to be saved [i.e. Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21] and to millennial saints as well – ultimately, those who overcome will inherit all things [Matthew 5:5] and God said, “I will be his God, and he shall be my son” [not directed to church age saints since we become his sons immediately at salvation John 1:12, but rather to those who partake of the new covenant Jeremiah 31:31-34, particularly verse 33]

8 The banishment of the lost to the lake of fire [second death] – this is for the fearful [Revelation 6:15-17] – unbelieving [Hebrews 4:9-11] – abominable [Revelation 17:4-5] – murderers [Revelation 9:21] – whoremongers [Revelation 17:1-2] – sorcerers [Revelation 9:21] – idolaters [Revelation 2:20, 13:14-15] – all liars [Revelation 22:15]