What does Revelation 21:25 mean?

And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. Revelation 21:25

Explanation

The verse Revelation 21:25 speaks about the characteristics of the New Jerusalem in the Christian eschatological vision. The city described is said to have its gates open throughout the day and closed at no point because there is no night. The literal meaning here is clear: the city’s gates are perpetually open. However, the deeper implication is that this city is in a permanent state of peace and safety, where there is no need for shutting the gates to protect against an enemy, which was a common practice in ancient times. Moreover, “there shall be no night there” suggests the continuous presence of God’s glory, eliminating the darkness both physically and spiritually.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation was written by John of Patmos, traditionally identified as the Apostle John, towards the end of the first century CE. It is the last book of the New Testament and contains a series of prophetic visions concerning the end of the current age, the final battle between good and evil, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth. The historical context of Revelation includes the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire as well as the struggles and hopes of early Christian communities awaiting the return of Christ and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse speaks to several prominent Christian beliefs. First, it reinforces the idea of God’s eternal kingdom being a place of uninterrupted communion with Him (“for there shall be no night there” can symbolize an unending presence of God). Second, it emphasizes the security and openness of God’s kingdom (“gates … shall not be shut”)—a stark contrast with the insecurity of earthly cities. Different Christian traditions may view this literally, as a description of the physical characteristics of the heavenly city, or allegorically, representing spiritual truths about the nature of God’s kingdom.

Practical Applications

The teachings in Revelation 21:25 can be applied in daily life by inspiring a sense of hope and security in believers. Understanding that God’s ultimate plan is a place of safety and continual fellowship encourages Christians to cultivate an open and welcoming attitude in their own communities. Additionally, this verse can inspire faithful to work toward creating conditions of peace and safety on earth that reflect the harmony of the New Jerusalem.

Cross-References

• Revelation 22:5 – “And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
• Isaiah 60:11 – “Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought.”
• Zechariah 14:7 – “But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light.”

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text include:

• “Gates” (πυλῶν or “pylōn”): Generally, this refers to the large doors guarding the entrance to a city or fortress.
• “Shut” (κλείσωσιν or “kleisōsin”): This is a form of the verb “to close,” here negated, indicating the gates will not perform this action.
• “Day” (ἡμέρα or “hēmera”): This can mean both the daylight hours, as opposed to night, and more broadly, as a period of time.
• “Night” (νύξ or “nyx”): It refers to the time of darkness, symbolically can also mean a period of ignorance or absence of God.

These words emphasize the state of permanence and the absence of darkness (both physical and spiritual) in the New Jerusalem.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Culturally, the imagery of a city with open gates would be significant to the ancient world as a symbol of peace and strength; such a city would be prosperous and without fear of attack. In other religious traditions, cities often represent order and divine providence. For example, in ancient Mesopotamian mythology, the gods often dwelled in magnificent cities.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives might not directly relate to the specific descriptions in Revelation 21:25, as it discusses a prophetic and supernatural condition rather than a physical reality that can be measured or observed through science. However, the contrast of day to night can be seen metaphorically in terms of presence and absence of light, which in the physical world is understood through the study of astrophysics and optics.

Commentaries

Various experts and Biblical scholars interpret Revelation 21:25 differently. Some see it as a straightforward description of the Heavenly City, where safety and the presence of God remove the need for shut gates or the demarcation of time by night and day. Others view it more symbolically, reading it as an allegory for God’s ultimate reality, where evil, danger, and the chaos often symbolized by night are no longer present. Commentators from the historical-critical tradition might focus on what the imagery would mean to a first-century Christian, while theological commentators might focus on what the text tells us about the nature of God’s kingdom.