Big Idea: In the transformed paradise of the new Jerusalem, God’s people will experience his perfect presence, worship him, and reign with him forever.

Understanding the Text

This is the final part of John’s vision of the new Jerusalem in 21:9–22:5. In 22:1–5 John describes the eternal city as a garden, much like the original Garden of Eden. But now we learn that paradise has been not only restored but also transformed into the perfect eternal paradise. John draws imagery and language from Ezekiel 47:1–12, where the prophet sees a river flowing from the renewed temple and trees growing on the banks of the river (cf. Zech. 14:8). He also seems to be reflecting on Genesis, since the image of a garden now brackets the entire Bible (Gen. 2–3; Rev. 22). God has gone to almost unbelievable pai…