What does Revelation 21:2 mean?

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 21:2

Explanation

Revelation 21:2 describes a vision experienced by John, the author presumed by tradition to be John the Apostle. In this vision, he sees a new Jerusalem descending from heaven, prepared by God and presented as a spouse would be for their partner. The holy city symbolizes the culmination of God’s promise of redemption and renewal. The description of the city as a “bride adorned for her husband” is rich with symbolism, representing purity, beauty, and the intimate and joyous union between God and humanity. The imagery speaks to the hope of restoration and the establishment of God’s kingdom in its fullness.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written towards the end of the first century A.D., during a time of persecution for the early Christian church. John is traditionally understood to have been in exile on the island of Patmos when he received the series of visions that make up the text. The imagery of Revelation is deeply steeped in Jewish apocalyptic literature, drawing on symbols and narratives familiar to the Jewish community to communicate hope and perseverance amid suffering. The portrayal of the new Jerusalem connects to Jewish expectations of a future where God dwells with His people, as well as the restoration and renewal of God’s creation.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Revelation 21:2 reflects several key doctrines:

1. Eschatology: The verse speaks to the Christian beliefs regarding the end times, emphasizing the hope of a new creation where God’s presence will be fully realized.
2. Salvation: The imagery of the adorned bride may allude to the Church being purified and made righteous through Christ’s sacrifice, ready to be united with Him.
3. God’s Sovereignty: The descent of the city from heaven signifies that the establishment of the new Jerusalem is an act of God, not humanity.

Different theological traditions may emphasize various aspects of this imagery. For example, amillennialists see this as a symbolic representation of the age to come, while premillennialists may interpret it as a literal future event.

Practical Applications

This verse can encourage believers to maintain hope and faith, particularly during times of hardship. It reminds Christians to strive for holiness and purity in anticipation of the union with God. In a broader sense, the passage challenges individuals to envision their contributions to society in a way that reflects the values of the anticipated new Jerusalem: peace, justice, and love.

Cross-References

• Revelation 19:7 – “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”
• Revelation 21:9-10 – “…Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife… 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.”
• Isaiah 61:10 – “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…”

Language Study

In the original Greek text:

• “Holy city” (hagia polis): ‘Holy’ (hagia) implies set apart, sacred, or consecrated, while ‘city’ (polis) was a central urban area in ancient times.
• “New Jerusalem” (kainē Ierousalēm): The word ‘new’ (kainē) suggests not only temporal newness but also qualitatively different or renewed. ‘Jerusalem’ is the name of the historical city, chosen here symbolically.
• “Prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (hetoimasménēn hōs nymphēn kekosmēmenēn tō andri autēs): The verb ‘prepared’ (hetoimasménēn) conveys a sense of readiness. ‘Bride’ (nymphēn) denotes a woman about to be married, and ‘adorned’ (kekosmēmenēn) signifies being decorated or beautified.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of a sacred city or a place where deities dwell is common in various ancient religions. The new Jerusalem can be compared to the Heavenly City in other religious texts or mythological concepts such as the Heavenly ascent myths found in Mesopotamian texts, the fields of Aaru in Egyptian mythology, or the golden age of peace often found in eschatological narratives.

Scientific Perspectives

Revelation 21:2 is a prophetic and symbolic verse, so it does not directly intersect with scientific understanding in a concrete way. Science does not typically address eschatological concepts or the existence of a new spiritual realm. However, some attempt to link the imagery in Revelation with cosmology, exploring the idea of new dimensions or interpretations of the universe that are still unknown to human understanding.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer a range of interpretations. Some, such as Matthew Henry, view the description of the new Jerusalem as symbolic of the glory and happiness of the saints in heaven. Others like Craig S. Keener in “The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament” emphasize that the bride imagery reflects the covenant relationship and festivity, with the city symbolizing a place of God’s presence. Many agree that John’s vision serves to provide hope and assurance that God’s ultimate plan for his people is a restoration to an Eden-like existence.