FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.
1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Third paragraph
4. Etc.
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS
A. Revelation 20-22 form the seventh literary unit. Revelation 21-22 conclude the actions of God in human history and initiate the eternal kingdom (cf. Dan_7:13-14; Dan_7:27; 1Co_15:27-28). Rev_22:6-21 is the conclusion to the entire book.
B. Almost every element in these two chapters is an allusion to (1) Genesis 1-3; (2) Psalms 110; or (3) intertestamental Jewish apocalyptic literature.
C. There has been much discussion about the unusual elements in this last section.
1. mention of "the nations" – Rev_21:14; Rev_22:2
2. mention of "The kings of the earth" – Rev_21:24; Rev_21:26
3. mention of the "unclean outside the city" – Rev_21:27; Rev_22:15
There seem to be several possible reasons for including these elements:
1. John is alluding to OT prophecies. Like the parables in the Gospels, interpreters are not meant to literally interpret the details, but identify the major emphases.
2. John's purpose is to show the ultimate distinctions between the saved and the lost.
3. The "nations" mentioned in this section are used in a general ethnic sense like "the people of God" in Rev_5:9; Rev_7:9; Rev_21:14; Rev_22:5.
4. Because of these elements some have seen the saved Jews inside the city and the saved Gentiles outside the city. But, because of Gal_3:29 and Eph_2:11 to Eph_3:13, this simply cannot be a viable theological option.
5. I think there is a recapitulation between Revelation 17-19 and Revelation 20-22. This explains the recurrent themes throughout this section.
D. There is one more series of the "seven" found in these two chapters. These are the things that are no more
1. The sea – Rev_21:1
2. Death – Rev_21:4
3. Mourning – Rev_21:4
4. Weeping – Rev_21:4
5. Pain – Rev_21:4
6. Night – Rev_21:25
7. The curse – Rev_22:3
E. As the judgments associated with the Second Coming of Christ are depicted in dramatic fashion in three visions (seals, trumpets, and bowls), possibly heaven is depicted in dramatic fashion in three OT metaphors:
1. The Tabernacle, Rev_21:1-8
2. New Jerusalem, Rev_21:9-26
3. The Garden of Eden, Rev_22:1-5
This may also be true of the Prologue (Rev_1:1-8), which emphasizes
1. The immediacy of Christ's return
2. The faithfulness of God's words
3. The needed holiness of God's people
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. Are believers going to heaven or is heaven returning to a cleansed earth?
2. How is Rev_21:3 related to the term "Emmanuel"?
3. Why is there no temple in the new Jerusalem (cf. Rev_21:22)?
4. Who are the people mentioned in Rev_21:24?
5. How do believers "keep/heed" the words of this prophecy (cf. Rev_22:7)?
6. If this is heaven who are the evil ones outside the city in Rev_22:15?
7. Why is Rev_22:17 so important?
8. Is Rev_22:18-19 to be taken literally? Could a believer who misinterprets Revelation lose his/her salvation?
9. Three times in Revelation 22 it says "I am coming quickly (cf. Rev_22:7; Rev_22:12; Rev_22:20). Why has it been over 2,000 years?