REVELATION CHAPTER 21
Vs. 1 – D&C 88:18-20, 25, 26; 29:22-25
No more sea – “Figuratively, the sea may represent the place from whence came the beast (see Rev. 13:1). If there was no more sea, then there would also be no beast nor wickedness. Literally, the celestial earth becomes an orb with one single landmass, like it was in the days before it was divided (D&C 133:24). Nothing more has been revealed on this particular verse.” (Smith p. )
“Perhaps 1 reason there will be nor more sea is that the entirety of the earth will have one surface, like a sea of glass and fire (D&C 130:24)” (Parry, p. 283)
“Seas shall no longer separate islands and continents as at present. All the land surface of the earth shall be united into one body.” D&C 133:23-24 (McConkie DNTC 3:580) No more sea. The sea has been a divider of people. The continents are together and so are the people.
“What strikes John about the new world is that there is no more sea. The abode of chaos, the home of the satanic beast, the old set over which the whore held sway, has vanished. Under the force of the Lamb’s radiance, the source of Babylon
D&C 133:23-24
Vs. 2 – New Jerusalem – Ether 13:1-10 & Moses 7:19-21; 62-64
Vs. 3 – The tabernacle of God is with men is indicating God’s physical presence with men. See D&C 88:19. Consider the opportunity we have today of visiting God in one of His homes.
Vs. 4 – God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes – Rev. 7:17
Neither sorrow, pain – Contrast this with Babylon
Vs. 5 –This is the verse where “He that sat on the throne” appears to be Jesus. See vs. 6.
Vs. 6 – What is Jesus the beginning and the ending of?- vs, 4
Water of life freely – Woman at the well John 4:10-14
Vs. 7 – Inherit all things – see D&C 76:58-60
I will be his God, and he shall be my son – 1 John 3:1-2; Rom. 8:14, 17
Vs. 8 – Lake which burneth is a metaphor for the 2nd Death. D&C 76:31-45. See also 19:20 and 20:10 to read about other people in the neighborhood.
Vs. 9 – Remember that the bride is the Church
Vs. 10 – Ezek. 40:1-47; 48:30-35 – For a detailed description of the temple and the city.
Vs. 11 – Having the glory of God – See D&C 88:18-20
The Jasper Stone = first on the High Priest’s breastplate. See also 1 Peter 2:5-7
Vs. 12 – Only those who have made and kept covenants may enter (endowment)
“Your endowment is to receive all those ordinances in the House of the Lord, which are necessary for you, after you have departed this life, to enable you to walk back to the presence of the Father, passing the angels who stand as sentinels, being enable to give them the key words, the signs and tokens pertaining to the Holy Priesthood and gain your eternal exaltation… (Brigham Young)
The word tribes is an indication of FAMILY- that is who will be there!
Vs. 13 – East = Joseph, Benjamin, Dan. North – Reuben , Judah
Vs. 14 – Foundation stones see Ephesians 2:19-20
Vs. 15 – The golden reed is a measuring rod
Vs. 16 – the temple is a perfect cube (the symbol of perfection), like the Holy of holies in Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:20) The city is about 1400 miles on each side and 1400 miles high. The number of 12 times 120 perhaps is a repetition of the emphasis on the 12 apostles and the 12 tribes. A furlong is 607 feet. The city measures about 2,744,000,000 cubit miles
Vs. 17 – an angelic cubit is an unknown dimension, what matters is the number 12
Vs. 18-21 – Precious materials suggesting light, righteousness, perfection and every worthy quality.
Vs. 22. No temple – The whole city is a temple. All the inhabitants have already made covenants. I love this, “the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” We go to the temple to commune with God.
Vs. 23 – Hymn #44
Vs. 24 – The kings of the earth would be “us”. The other kings were destroyed in 19:19, 21 and 20:9
Vs. 25 – No need to shut the gate. This is a safe neighborhood.
Vs. 27 – This is a great neighborhood.
"A Saint, who is one in deed and in truth, does not look for an immaterial heaven, but he expects a heaven with lands, house, cities, vegetation, rivers, and animals; with thrones, temples, palaces, kings, princes, priests, and angels, with food raiment, musical instruments, and all of which are material. Indeed, the Saints' heaven is a redeemed, glorified, celestial, material creating, inhabited by glorified material beings, male and female, organized into families, embracing all the relationships of husbands, and wives, parents and children, where sorrow, crying, pain, and death will be no more. Or to speak still more definitely, this earth, when glorified,, is the Saints' eternal heaven. On it they expect to live, with body, parts, and holy passions: on it they expect to move and have their being; to eat, drink, converse, worship, sing, play on musical instruments, engage in joyful, innocent, social amusements, visit neighboring towns and neighboring worlds." (Pratt, "Past and Future Existence" p. 722. Quoted in Ogden p. 345)
