What does Revelation 21:10 mean?

And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Revelation 21:10

Explanation

Revelation 21:10 is a part of the apocalyptic vision given to the Apostle John while he was exiled on the island of Patmos. In this verse, John is being transported spiritually to a vantage point where he can see “the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God.” This imagery depicts a future event where a new city – the New Jerusalem – comes down from the celestial realm. The “great and high mountain” might symbolize a place of clarity or enlightenment, offering John a clear, panoramic view of the majestic city. The city of Jerusalem is often seen as the dwelling place of God among His people, and in this apocalyptic vision, it represents the final unified state of the redeemed community, in perfect harmony with God. John’s vision offers a hopeful prospect of divine perfection and eternal unity with God.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation is the last canonical work in the New Testament, traditionally dated to the end of the 1st century A.D. during the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian. At this time, Christians faced persecution, and their future was uncertain. Revelation served as an encouragement for the early Christians, providing them with a prophetic hope of redemption and divine vindication. It uses symbolic language and imagery common to Jewish apocalyptic literature, drawing from books like Daniel and Ezekiel. Jerusalem held great significance for Jews and Christians as the city of David’s throne and the location of the Temple, making its image as the holy city in John’s vision particularly resonant.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints interpret the book of Revelation and this verse in various ways. Preterists believe that the prophecies in Revelation primarily address 1st-century events. In contrast, Futurists see this as a literal event to occur in the future. Some Amillennialists perceive the New Jerusalem as symbolic of God’s presence with His people in the present church age, while Postmillennialists would see it as the consummation of the church’s influence on earth. Theologically, this city represents God’s ultimate promise of salvation and restoration, where there will no longer be sin, suffering, or separation from God.

Practical Applications

The practical application of Revelation 21:10 may include the encouragement to maintain hope in times of difficulty, as it assures believers of the ultimate victory of good over evil. It also serves as a moral compass, guiding Christians to strive toward the holiness and purity the New Jerusalem represents. This verse prompts believers to view their earthly challenges with an eternal perspective, understanding that the current world’s afflictions are temporary compared to the eternal joy of God’s kingdom.

Cross-References

• Revelation 21:2 – “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
• Revelation 3:12 – “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”
• Hebrews 12:22 – “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels.”

Language Study

The original Greek term used for “carried me away” is “ἀπήνεγκέν” (apēnenken), which means to be taken or borne away with a connotation of powerful movement. “Spirit” translates to “πνεύματι” (pneumati), often understood to mean the Holy Spirit or a state of spiritual revelation. “Holy” or “ἁγίαν” (hagian) denotes something that is sacred, set apart, or consecrated. Jerusalem is the transliteration of the Hebrew “ירושלים” (Yerushalayim), the historical and spiritual center for Jews and early Christians. The word “city” or “πόλιν” (polin) indicates an organized community with a structured form of governance and society.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The imagery of a sacred city descending from heaven is unique to the Judeo-Christian tradition. However, the concept of a celestial city or a divine abode is common in various ancient religions. In some versions of ancient Greek mythology, Mount Olympus served as the home of the gods, a place above and apart from the mortal world. In Hinduism, the city of Vaikuntha is the celestial home of the god Vishnu and is considered to be beyond the material world. These cultural narratives reflect a common human yearning for a perfect, divine abode that transcends the flawed nature of our physical existence.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, this verse does not relate directly to any empirical observations or theories. The language and imagery are metaphoric and symbolic, representing concepts that are theological and spiritual rather than material. Nevertheless, the description of the holy city “descending out of heaven from God” has sparked artistic and metaphorical interpretations of the cosmos, including the idea of higher dimensions and the possible intersections between metaphysical realms and the observable universe.

Commentaries

Biblical commentators offer various insights into Revelations 21:10. Some regard the vision as symbolizing God’s covenantal fulfillment with His people. Matthew Henry’s Commentary sees it as an exhibition of the glory of the church in its perfect state. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary emphasizes the description as transcending human architecture, projecting an eternal dwelling place for the redeemed. Many agree that this vision is a pivotal moment, bridging the trials and tribulations of the earthly existence with the promised hope of eternal life and union with God.