ESV Reformation Study Bible – Rev 21:9–22:5
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Rev 21:9–22:5

21:9–22:5 The picture of the New Jerusalem now unfolds in detail. The final dwelling place of the saints is simultaneously the fulfillment of earlier revelations of God appearing in glory and reigning in His heavenly court (21:22, 23; 22:1, 3; cf. ch. 4), the holy city Jerusalem (21:10), the Garden of Eden (22:1–3), the bride, the marriage partner of the Lord (21:9), and the temple as the dwelling place of God (21:22, 23). The central figure and the central blessing of the city is God Himself and the Lamb (21:22, 23; 22:1–5). The final revelation of God necessarily brings to a climax all earlier revelations. It completes God’s purpose of bringing all things under one Head—Christ (11:15; Eph. 1:10). It harmonizes with the creation of all things by Christ at the beginning (1:17; 4:11; Col. 1:15–17) and the redemption of all things through Christ in the middle (5:9–14; Rom. 11:36; Col. 1:18–20). Because of the fluid character of the imagery, it is wise not to distinguish rigidly between the inhabitants of the city (the saints) and the city itself (saints together with the glorified creation).