Westminster Annotations, Revelation 2 · Chapter 21
CHAP. XXI.
Vers. 1. ANd I saw] As the Church is altered, so must her dwelling. It may be spoken of a glorious Church on earth: and then the day of judgement is set before it in the former chapter, that the downfall of the enemies of Gods Church might be set down altogether. And then the Churches felicity, after the destruction of the whore, beast, dragon, and all covert and open enemies: which new estate will abide till glory come: security is like to be her onelyonly trouble, when Christ cometh, 1 Thess. 5. 2, 3. 2 Pet. 3. 3, 4. Matth. 24. 37, &c. and 25. 1, 2, &c. Bringing in of eastern kingdoms to the faith, and destroying all the enemies of the Church, may well be called, A new world. Or, it may be taken literally for the happie estate of Gods saints in heaven, in soul and body, after the day of judgement.
a new heaven] Isa. 65. 17. & 66. 22. 2 Pet. 3. 13. For the old were gone, chap. 20. 11.
no more sea] Either literally: for there will need none for trade: the fire perhaps at the worlds end, may utterly dry up the sea. Or figuratively, no more war against, nor trouble in the Church; but holinesse in good men, security onelyonly, not enmity, in others; a firm peace all the world over, as at Christs first coming. Then the Church shall not be like the raging sea, but like the quiet earth.
V. 2. the holy citie] Matth. 27. 53. Jerusalem is so called. Either heaven, or the Church formerly troden under foot, chap. 11. 2. but now made glorious, Isa. 54. 11, 12. & 51. 23. & 52. 1, 2. & 60. 1.
new Jerusalem] The Church of God, whereof old Jerusalem was a type, Gal. 4. 26. The citie wherein Gods people dwelleth. And it is called, The new Jerusalem, not in respect of the old testament onelyonly, but of the former estate of it in the new. It shall be free from all former troubles.
coming down out of heaven from God] If it be understood of heavenly glory, the sense is; It will be more fully revealed by Gods ministers inviting them to it then, then in former times. See chap. 3. 12. If of the Church on earth, it sheweth, that it receiveth the glory and lustre it hath, not from men on earth, but from God in heaven, Joh. 1. 17. 1 Cor. 15 47, 48, 49. Because God is the greatest height, all that comes from him, is said to come down, 2 Cor. 5. 1, 2. Jam. 1. 17.
as a bride] Adorned as a bride, Isa. 61. 10. Heb. 11. 10. Therefore he saw the citizens, as well as the citie. He saw many men, v. 3. He saw them adorned as a bride ready to be married: yet he saw not the glory of it so fully as v. 10.
V. 3. a great voice] To publish the greatnesse of Gods mercy, and the saints glory, to all men, chap. 19. 1.
Behold] A thing wonderfull, Isa. 7. 14. and present to his view in the vision, Joh. 1. 29.
the tabernacle of God is with men] An allusion to the people of the Jews, which had the tabernacle; and an intimation, as some think, that these here meant were not yet glorified in heaven. Therefore it is called, A tabernacle, not, An abiding citie, Heb. 9. 10. and God said to be with them, and not they with him, as 1 Thess. 4. 17. He will give them abundance of grace. And the tabernacle is mentioned, as some think, to shew, that the Jews were come in to the Church. See on chap. 16. 12. & 19. 1. So the service of God under the new testament is called incense, and offering, Mal. 1. 11. Or, heaven may be called so, in allusion to the tabernacle, Psal. 15. 1. Ezek. 37. 28. where God is present with his for ever, as the ark was in the tabernacle, as long as it lasted.
they shall be his people] So is his covenant, Gen. 17. 8, 9. Jer. 31. 33. Ezek. 37. 27. He will protect them from all foes.
V. 4. And God shall, &c.] Chap. 7. 17. He setteth down the fruit of Gods dwelling with them.
wipe away all tears] Their former persecutions, which lay so heavie upon them before, and caused them to shed so many tears, shall cease, Isa. 54. 14, 15.
no more death] An allusion to Isa. 25. 8. & 13. 14. applied by the apostle to the happinesse of the saints after the resurrection, 1 Cor. 15. 54, 55. and so it may be understood here. Or else of the happie estate of the Church on earth a little before, when pope, and Turk, and all enemies are destroyed. And as then they shall be free from persecution; so men shall not be slain with plague and famine so frequently as in former times. The happinesse of the Church is described negatively, by removall of evils: yet abundance of comforts, spirituall and corporall, is included also. So that the Church then, shall be a lively type of the glorious Church in heaven: and they shall not die by persecution, as before; but death shall be a quiet passage to heaven.
neither sorrow, &c.] No inward grief, no outward expression of it, no heavie labour or pain to cause either. They shall not be, like the Israelites in Egypt, put to hard labour in slavery, and grieving at it, and crying for deliverance, Exod. 3. 7, 9. See the like phrase, Isa. 54. 14. and 60. 18. and 61. 3, 7.
former things are passed away] All the miseries of this world. Or, the beast, false prophet, and all that did hurt the Church.
V. 5. he that sat upon the throne] Chap. 4. 2. Because it seemed incredible that all things should be made new, God himself confirmeth it, and saith, I make all things new; taking the work upon himself, who was able to do it.
Behold] See notes on v. 3.
I make all things new] Isa. 43. 19. 2 Cor. 5. 17. When old things were gone, new must needs succeed. This may intend the glorious state of Gods saints after the resurrection: or, a more ample restauration of the true doctrine and sincere worship of God on earth, before the end.
write] See chap. 14. 13. & 19. 8. Isa. 8. 1. & 30. 8. Job 19. 23. Hab. 2. 2.
for these words are true] Or, that these words are true. They must be written as it were in table-books, to shew that God would do it, and his people might expect it.
V. 6. It is done] Chap. 16. 17. All that the prophets spake of the Churches deliverance, and the destruction of her enemies, is accomplished, chap. 10. 6, 7. Her foes are all destroyed, and she shall have a quiet state to the end. Or, the world is at an end, and glory promised is come.
I am Alpha and Omega] Chap. 1. 8. & 22. 13.
the beginning and the end] I decreed and foretold all these things, and now have brought them all to passe.
I will give, &c.] Isa. 55. 1. Chap. 22. 17. Because good men cannot hear of these excellent things, but they will long for them; he addeth, I will give, &c.
fountain] Psal. 36. 8. Never any want of life there; it cometh from a fountain.
V. 7. He that overcometh] Chap. 2. 7. God will give heaven to those that heartily desire it: but yet they must fight for it, before they enjoy it. They must overcome the dragon, the beast, Gog and Magog.
I will be his God, &c.] Psal. 89. 26, 27. 2 Sam. 7. 14. 2 Cor. 6. 18. I will tender him as a father doeth his son. This argueth extraordinary comfort, here or in heaven.
V. 8. But] Such sinners as follow, shall have no part in this new heaven and earth: and, lest they should flight this losse, he threatneth them with hell-fire besides.
the fearfull, &c.] If it be spoken of the day of judgement, it may be taken generally for all such sinners. If of the Church before, it signifieth, that though no persecutours remain, yet there will be many wicked men, who shall go to hell when they die, although they lived to see this glorious estate of the Church. The fearfull then may accordingly be either such as at any time do evil, or omit good, against light of conscience, for fear of danger, Matth. 10. 28, 33. & 16. 15. That overcome not, but are overcome, v. 7. Or, such as were afraid of Gog and Magog, the last enemies, and durst not fight against them.
unbelieving] That believe not in Christ. Or, that for all this, did not expect the promised felicity of the Church, when they saw Gogs army, but despaired of victory.
abominable] Given to sins against nature; as sodomie, &c. See chap. 17. 4.
murderers, &c.] See chap. 9. 20, 21.
in the lake] Chap. 19. 20.
second death] Chap. 20. 6, 14.
V. 9. one of the seven angels] Very likely, he that shewed him the whore of Babylon, chap. 17. 1. shewed him now the Lambs wife. Of these angels, see chap. 15. 1.
I will shew thee the bride.] He saw her, v. 2. but not so distinctly as she is after described.
the Lambs wife] The riches of the heavenly citie. So he that sheweth a man a kings palace and treasury, may be said to shew him the king. She is now drest like a bride, and shall be soon married to Christ, and made his wife, chap. 19. 7.
V. 10. in the spirit] Chap. 1. 10. & 17. 3.
great and high mountain] Christs spouse cometh now to be openly seen. John saw the whore in a wildernesse, chap. 17. 3. he seeth the Church now on an hill, because the citie was high. So Ezekiel was carried up into a mountain, to see the citie and temple, Ezek. 40. 2. Moses, to see the patern of the tabernacle, Exod. 25. 40. Heb. 8. 5. and the land of Canaan, Deut. 34. 1. The temple was built on a hill, 2 Chron. 3. 1. It was called a mount, chap. 14. 1. but here, a great and high one. So Isa. 2. 2. It may signifie the glory of the last Church on earth, or the height of glory in heaven.
great citie] Great for compasse; for many must enter into it, v. 24.
high] For buildings or walls. See v. 12.
holy] For no unclean person must come there, v. 27.
Jerusalem] Because God, who dwelt once in Jerusalem, will dwell there more eminently, Ezek. 48. 35.
descending, &c.] See v. 2.
V. 11. having the glory of God] Exceeding great glory. So great things are set out, Gen. 23. 6. Psal. 36. 6. Or, glory given them of God, 1 Cor. 15. 40, 41.
her light] He beginneth with light, as the principall grace of a citie. That light is not meant, whereby she shined to others; but that which shined to her, and enlightned her. So the sun and moon are called, Two great lights, Gen. 1. 14, 15, 16. This light is Gods glory, or Christ, v. 23. This Church shall see more of God and Christ, and of holy and heavenly things, by that light, then either the Jewish synagogue, or any Christian Church law before.
like a jasper stone] The last stone in Aarons brestplate, Exod. 28. 20. & 39. 13. One of the king of T…rus his jems, Ezek. 28. 13. Used, to set out Gods glory shining in the Church, chap. 4. 3. and so here also; unlesse it set out his majestie in heaven. The walls of his Church are built of it, v. 18. and it is the first in the foundation, v. 19. He compareth not this light of that Church to any light in heaven or earth; for the sun is sometimes darkned by clouds, and hurteth our eyes, if we look too wistly on it: the moon and stars lose their light, when the sun appeareth: and our made-lights decay. But it is compared to a jasper, which is not darkned by clouds, neither doeth hurt our eyes; but, the more we look on it, the more it pleaseth us: neither doeth it leave shining, when the sun shineth, nor doeth the brightnesse of it go out at any time.
clear as crystal] Now he sheweth what kinde of jasper it is like. Not the green, or yellow, or purple jasper; for that taketh away the native colour of other things, and maketh them look like it: but the white, like crystal, which is most pure from spots, and most clear to look thorow. He doeth not say, It was like crystal; but, like a jasper stone clear as crystal, because the jasper shineth more then the crystal. So that it had the brightnesse of the jasper, and the purity of the crystal, chap. 4. 6.
V. 12. a wall great and high] That none might either pierce it, or scale it. The saints are safe there from all foes.
twelve gates] Ways in, out of all parts of the world, Ezek. 48. 30, 31. If Jerusalem had but twelve gates, it may be an allusion thereunto.
at the gates, twelve angels] As porters, to receive men into heaven, Luke 16. 22. Not cherubins, to keep us out, Gen. 3. 24. Or, to guard us in the church on earth. Or, ministers, to teach us the way to heaven, chap. 1. 20.
names written thereon] For direction, to guide men to it.
of the twelve tribes] Chap. 7. 4. Signifying, that the godly of the church of the old testament are gone thither, and we should endeavour to follow them. Or, if this verse be understood of the last church on earth, it signifieth, that the saints shall be safe there, men shall have free accesse unto it, the ministers shall receive them into the service and protection of the God of Israel.
V. 13. on the east] Matth. 8. 11. Mark 13. 27. To shew, that some out of all parts of the world shall come in, and be received.
V. 14. twelve foundations] Made of twelve stones, or rowes of stones, lying one by another, v. 19. or one upon another. However, surely founded it is, and will last.
of the twelve apostles] Their doctrine is a foundation of our salvation, and eternall happinesse by Christ, Ephes. 2. 20, 21.
V. 15. he that talked with me] The angel, v. 9, 17. Chap. 22. 6, 8.
a golden reed] To measure the heavenly citie. A plain one served to measure the earthly one, Ezek. 40. 3, 5. Chap. 11. 1. There, the temple onelyonly; here, the gates, and citie, and walls are to be measured. The Church will be now more exact then before.
V. 16. foursquare] A firm and stable building; not a round and voluble one.
twelve thousand furlongs] Some Greek copies are, Twelve times twelve thousand, one hundred fourty and four thousand. A furlong for every member, chap. 7. 4. & 14. 1. Joh. 14. 2. and in some proportion to the breadth of the wall, one hundred fourty and four cubits, v. 17. Or, each side in length, and the houses in height, and the citie it self each way in breadth, was twelve thousand furlongs. Some think that every side, from corner to corner, contained but three thousand furlongs, and so the whole compasse was twelve thousand. It is large enough to contain innumberable angels, and saints of all ages and places.
the length and the breadth] From corner to corner, it is every way of equall measure. It is not properly called length and breadth, when it is no longer one way then another, as it is in a square.
V. 17. the wall thereof] Perhaps the houses and towers were higher then the wall, as in many cities it is, that it might appear glorious to comers; and then the height of it may be set down in this verse. Or it may be understood of the breadth of the wall; and then the height of it might be equall to the citie, v. 16.
measure of a man, &c.] Cubit of a man in that shape the angel appeared.
V. 18. of jasper] See v. 11. Cities are esteemed according to their matter: but there is none like this. It is not of wood, or stone; but of gold and jems, Isa. 54. 11.
the citie] The houses and palaces there. Or, the pavement of the streets; as v. 21.
like unto clear glasse] See v. 11. Gold is an excellent metal; but it is not transparent, like glasse: yet the gold of this citie hath that property also.
V. 19. the foundations of the wall] Nothing is more precious then Christ taught by the apostles, compared to twelve precious stones like Aarons brestplate, Exod. 28. 27, &c.
with all manner of precious stones] Isa. 54. 11, 12.
jasper] See v. 11.
a saphir] A jem, of which, see chap. 4. 6. It was the fifth in Aarons brestplate, Exod. 28. 18. See also, Isa. 54. 11. Ezek. 1. 26 & 10. 1. & 28. 13. Cant. 5. 14.
a chalcedony] A precious stone, of one colour, like fire, found about Chalcedon.
an emerald] A stone so green, that other green things seem to have lost their colour, when it is present. It is very pleasing to the eyes, and men may see their faces in it. It was the fourth in Aarons brestplate, Exod. 28. 18. It is mentioned, Ezek. 28. 13. Chap. 4. 3.
V. 20. sardonix] A precious stone looking white without, and red underneath, like the nail of a man. It hath the name from a sardius and an onix; it partaketh of both their colours.
sardius] A jem found about Sardis, of a bloody colour. It is the first in Aarons brestplate, Exod. 28. 17. called A sardine, chap. 4. 1.
a Chrysolite] A stone in Ethiopia, of such a golden colour, that gold looketh like silver to it, when they are together.
a beryl] The tenth in Aarons brestplate, Exod. 28. 20. An Indian stone, of a pale green colour. See Cant. 5. 14. Ezek. 1. 16. & 10. 9. & 28. 13. Dan. 10. 6.
a topas] A green jem of Ethiopia. The second in Aarons brestplate, Exod. 28. 17. Job 28. 19. Ezek. 28. 13.
a chrysoprasus] A green Indian jem.
a jacinct] A precious stone of a violet-colour.
an amethist] A stone for colour much like a jacinct. The ninth in Aarons brestplate, Exod. 28. 19. By these jems, is set out the glory of heaven, or, of the last Church on earth.
V. 21. twelve pearls] Of great price and esteem. A man may sell all, to get in at one of those gates, Matth. 13. 45, 46. The very entrance into heaven, or into the last Church on earth, is of more worth then all worldly riches.
of one pearl] It must needs be of great price, when a pearl was so big it could make a gate. We read of none such in this world.
the street] No dirty street, as in some great cities, nor stony; but clean, and smoothe to walk in. No uncleannesse nor trouble there, v. 27.
pure gold, &c.] Vers. 18.
V. 22. I saw no temple therein, &c.] Fair temples are commendations of cities: but in heaven there shall need none; for there shall be no rituall worship there, but purely spirituall, Joh. 4. 23. Temples are to lift up mens mindes to God: there needeth none, where they see God. The earthly Jerusalem had a temple, and visible signes of Gods presence in it; the heavenly needeth not: God will shew himself there for ever. If it be understood of the last Church on earth, then it signifieth, that the worship of God shall be more pure, and spirituall, and like to the heavenly, then ever before.
V. 23. And the citie, &c.] Chap. 22. 5. Isa. 11. 9. & 24. 23. & 60. 19. Jer. 31. 34.
for the glory of God, &c.] See v. 11. They need not worldly comforts in heaven, they have so much in God. So light is taken for joy, Psal. 97. 11.
the Lamb is the light thereof] Even in heaven, all our communion with God is through Christ. If it be understood of the Church on earth, the sense is; They shall have so much sweet communion with God in Christ, that they shall make light account of all worldly contentments.
V. 24. And the nations, &c.] Isa. 60. 3.
of them which are saved] Or, of them which are to be saved; as Acts 2. 47. The first way of reading respecteth the Church in heaven; the second, that on earth.
shall walk in the light of it] An allusion to men trading here by the benefit of the light of the sun. The sense is; They shall enjoy the felicity of it. Light is often put for prosperity; and darknesse, for adversity, Isa. 60. 1, 2.
the kings of the earth, &c.] Isa. 45. 14. & 49. 23. Dan. 7. 14. As if sea-men, returned from a voyage, should bring their choisest things to dedicate in some temple. It shall be as glorious, as if all kings had brought all their glory thither. Or, good kings shall be glorious there, more then here. Rich and noble citizens, are a cities glory. Here, all citizens are kings, chap. 22. 5. Luke 12. 32. Or it may be understood of the flourishing state of the Church on earth before the day of judgement, and the kings that shall joyn themselves to it, and uphold and enrich it.
V. 25. And the gates] Isa. 60. 11. Citie-gates are open in the day, for passage; shut in the night, for safety. Here it needeth not, where no night nor danger is.
for there shall be no night there] I need not say, Nor by night, as Isa. 60. 11. for there shall be no night there.
V. 26. And they shall bring] The kings shall, v. 24. Or, it shall be brought, Luke 12. 20.
the glory and honour of the nations into it] Whatsoever is glorious among the nations, shall be brought thither. No want can be there, when all glory and wealth shall be brought thither. Or, a great number of the nations, which is a glorious sight. Or, the prime men of all nations, shall be converted and saved: which, in saint Pauls time, was not so, 1 Cor. 1. 26, &c. It is no mean glory to the Church, that so many kings and great men shall come in to it.
V. 27. there shall in no wise enter] Though the gates always stand open, yet no ungodly man can enter, there are twelve angels to keep them out, v. 12.
that defileth] There shall be no soil nor contagion in this great citie, such as crept in before, by antichrists subtilty. A near citie, that hath no foul thing nor person in it, nor any thing to offend eye, ear, or nose. So it will be in heaven, 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. Eph. 5. 5. Psal. 15. 1, 2. & 24. 3, 4. Isa. 52. 1. & 60. 21. Joel 3. 17. Zech. 14. 21. Matth. 13. 41. In the last Church on earth also, discipline in likelihood shall be so strictly executed, that no profane persons shall be found there. OnelyOnly such as are elect, as far as men can judge.
abomination] Vers. 8.
book of life] Chap. 3. 5. & 20. 12. Phil. 4. 3.