A Sermon Summary on Revelation 21:1–22:5
Pastor Dave Hentschel
As we study Revelation 21:1–22:5, we witness the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. The old order of things, characterized by suffering, sin, and sorrow, is gone. What replaces it is a glorious, new creation—a city of joy, hope, and peace. This passage invites us to look forward to the joy that will one day be ours in the new heaven and earth. The stark contrast between the brokenness of our current world and the joy that awaits us serves as a reminder to seek joy that transcends the temporal circumstances of this life.
The New Creation (Revelation 21:1-8)
John begins with a powerful vision of the new creation: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more” (Revelation 21:1, ESV). This new creation represents the final and full restoration of God’s original design—one free from the decay and death that define our current reality.
The imagery of the sea being no more is particularly striking. In ancient times, the sea often symbolized chaos and evil, so its absence points to the complete victory of God over all forces of disorder. In this new creation, there will be no more suffering, sorrow, or death—things that we know all too well in this world. The joy that we seek in a world broken by sin will find its fulfillment in the perfection of God’s eternal kingdom.
Verse 4 reveals the heart of God’s promise: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore” (Revelation 21:4, ESV). What joy this promises! The deep ache that characterizes our lives in a fallen world will be utterly removed. We live in a world where joy can feel fleeting—shattered by pain, loss, and injustice. But in this new world, joy will be the air we breathe, untainted by sorrow or suffering.
The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:9-27)
The next part of the vision focuses on the New Jerusalem, the holy city that comes down from heaven. The city is described with awe-inspiring beauty: streets of gold, gates of pearls, and foundations adorned with precious stones (Revelation 21:18-21). This is not just a place of beauty but of security and belonging, for it is God’s dwelling place with His people. The city will be the epicenter of joy and worship, where God’s glory shines so brightly that there is no need for sun or moon (Revelation 21:23).
The New Jerusalem represents the fulfillment of our deepest longings. In a world where joy often feels distant, or is fleeting, this city reminds us that true joy is found in God’s presence. The city will be completely free from the sin that now mars our world.
The Return to the Garden of Eden (Revelation 22:1-5)
The final section of this passage takes us to the river of life and the tree of life in the New Jerusalem. These images hark back to the Garden of Eden, where God walked with Adam and Eve in perfect communion. Now, in the restored creation, those who belong to God will experience that same intimate relationship with Him once again. “The river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1, ESV) symbolizes the eternal life that flows from God, nourishing and sustaining His people in perfect joy.
The tree of life, which was lost to humanity after the fall, now reappears, bearing fruit for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:2). It’s a picture of complete restoration and abundance, where joy flows freely from God to His people, and we can fully partake in His goodness and love. The curse of sin that has marred creation since Genesis is now completely reversed (Revelation 22:3). In the new creation, there will be no more separation, no more curse, no more brokenness.
The vision concludes with the statement that God’s people will reign forever with Him (Revelation 22:5). This is not just a picture of power and dominion; it is the ultimate picture of joy—a joy that comes from being in the presence of God forever, fully restored to what we were always meant to be.
As we reflect on this passage, we see that the joy we experience in this life is but a shadow of the eternal joy that awaits us. In our world, joy can often seem elusive. We are surrounded by suffering, pain, and disappointment, and it can be hard to imagine a world where these things no longer exist. Yet, Revelation 21 and 22 remind us that our joy is secure in the promises of God. The pain and sorrow we experience now are temporary. The fullness of joy that we long for will be ours in the new creation, where God will dwell with His people, and every tear will be wiped away.
Let this vision of the future stir our hearts to live with hope and joy even now. As we wait for the fulfillment of God’s promises, let us keep our eyes fixed on the joy that is to come, a joy that will never fade and will never be taken away.
