Bible Commentaries

The endless end of evil has passed before the vision of the seer, and he now observes the resultant order. The holy city appears. Toward a city of God men had looked through long generations. Now it is manifested. God comes to abide with men. There is a new order of things, characterized by laughter without tears, life without death, singing without mourning, content without crying, pleasure without pain.

As John beheld the vision he heard a voice saying, "Behold, I make all things new," and he was charged to write. All things come to pass, because He is the Alpha and the Omega.

As one of the angels who had the seven bowls had summoned the seer to behold the great harlot, so now the same, or another of the seven angels, summoned him to behold the Bride in the glory of the great city. Radiant indeed is the revelation. It is a city of exclusion, having a wall great and high; and of inclusion, having gates opening in every direction. The names of the tribes on the gates suggest the varied temperaments of human life made pure as incorporated in the new social order. The names of the apostles of the Lamb on the foundations signify that the service of suffering has been the very foundation on which the city is built. No temple of localized worship is found, but the presence of God is everywhere known and felt. Beyond the city is the new earth, with nations and kings walking in the light of the, glory of God. Excluded from it are all unclean things.