Big Idea: God will live with his people in the new creation.

Understanding the Text

The final vision of Revelation (21:1–22:5) highlights the primary goal and theme of the entire book and all of Scripture: God’s presence among his people in the new creation. From the time sin and death intruded upon God’s good creation, God purposed to defeat his enemies and live among his people in a new garden city. This final vision of Revelation represents the fulfillment of the promises to those who overcome (Rev. 2–3), the full realization of the throne-room worship (4–5), the answer to the martyrs’ prayer (6:9–11), the goal of the judgments (6–16), and the outcome of the final conflict with evil (17–19). The present unit (21:1–8) serves as a transition between God’s final victory (19:6–20:15) and …