Revelation 21:1-6

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible -  KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary (Matthew Henry, Wesley's Notes, Geneva Notes, etc) & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • V.XXXV.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • VI.16, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter XXXIV, Against Hermogenes, Tertullian (c. 205)
  • III.25, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 209)
  • Chapter LVIII, On the Resurrection of the Flesh,  Tertullian (c. 211)
  • VI.XXIII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • XIV.13, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, Origen. (c.247)
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "In the general these things are common, that the Church is holy, new, the workmanship of God, heavenly, most glorious, the spouse of Christ, and partaker of his glory in this verse."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "The new heaven and the new earth will not be separate from each other; the earth of the saints, their glorified, bodies, will be heavenly."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "All these several representations follow one another in order: so the vision reaches into eternity."
  • The New Creation (Rev 21:5). Sermon by John Wesley.
    • "What a strange scene is here opened to our view! How remote from all our natural apprehensions! Not a glimpse of what is here revealed was ever seen in the heathen world. Not only the modern, barbarous, uncivilized Heathens have not the least conception of it; but it was equally unknown to the refined, polished Heathens of ancient Greece and Rome. And it is almost as little thought of or understood by the generality of Christians: I mean, not barely those that are nominally such, that have the form of godliness without the power; but even those that in a measure fear God, and study to work righteousness."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "As the world of nations is to be pervaded by divine influence in the millennium, so the world of nature shall be, not annihilated, but transfigured universally in the eternal state which follows it. The earth was cursed for man's sake; but is redeemed by the second Adam. Now is the Church; in the millennium shall be the kingdom; and after that shall be the new world wherein God shall be all in all."
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "This chapter presents a vision of the final condition of the redeemed and triumphant church. This vision points out the contrast between the beginning and the final condition of our race. The career of man began in a garden, the fitting home of a race few in numbers. It ends, as revealed by the prophet, in a city, the home where multitudes gather. Of this city Jerusalem was a type. The redeemed and holy Church, washed by the Savior's blood, and obedient to his will as a faithful bride to her husband, is the new Jerusalem."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • "First Thoughts on Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Easter 5, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "This passage is a tapestry of Old Testament images of hope."
  • "God's Dwelling (Tent) Is with Us," God's Song of Revelation: From Easter to Pentecost in the Apocalypse, Wendell W. Frerichs , Word & World Texts in Context, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1986.
  • "'The Lamb Who Was Slain Has Begun His Reign. Amen!' Texts from the Revelation to John for the Sundays of Easter," James H. Burtness, Word & World, 1992.
  • "Heaven Is Our Home," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Heaven and Hell," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2002.
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Revelation 21:1-6, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "G*D is among the unclean - already, before we knew it."
  • "God Will Wipe Away All Our Tears," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
  • "All Things New," Expository Essay, Revelation 21:1-6, Dr. William R. Long.
    • "Pain certainly has the upper hand today, but it shall not always be so. This does not make us flag in our zeal to attack the pain today; indeed, it renews our strength in the midst of the fight."
  • "The Eternal State (Revelation 21:1 - 22:5)," by J. Hampton Keathley III at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "The new heaven and earth is not simply the old renovated but an act of new creation (cf. Rev. 20:1f with 20:11 and 2 Pet. 3:10, which describes the dissolving of the old heaven and earth). The word “new” here is kainos which means fresh, new in quality and character. Further, in the Greek text the words “heaven” and “earth” are without the article stressing the aspect of quality rather than identity."
• Articles & Background:
  • "Under the Cover of Clothing: Scripted Clothing Performances in the Apocalypse of John," Dietmar Neufeld, Biblical Theology Bulletin, 2005.
    • "Taking into account the functions of attire and adornment delineated by social psychologist, this essay proposes to examine the shifting course of values reflected in the clothing and ornamentation motifs deployed in the Apocalypse of John."
  • "Final Judgments and Ultimate Blessings: The Climactic Visions of Revelation 20:11 - 21:8," J. Lambrecht, Biblica 81 (2000).
    • "The covenant formula announces God's dwelling among the peoples, the adoption formula even a divine filial relationship: these are the main content of the ultimate blessings."
  • "The Promises to the Conquerors in the Book of Revelation," Matthijs den Dulk, Biblica, 2006.
  • "The New Heaven and the New Earth," from The Most Revealing Book of the Bible, Vernard Eller
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  • Bediako, Kwame, "The Ultimate Vision: New Heaven and New Earth," Mission Studies, 1988.
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  • Bonhoeffer, Dietrich, "The Coming of Jesus in Our Midst," The Living Pulpit, 1997.
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  • Brown, William P., and John T. Carroll, "The Garden and the Plaza," Interpretation, 2000.
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  • Burtness, James H., "'The Lamb Who Was Slain Has Begun His Reign. Amen!' Texts from the Revelation to John for the Sundays of Easter," Word & World, 1992.
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  • Cloete, G.D., and D.J. Smit, "Exegesis and Proclamation: 'And I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth, for the First...Were Passed Away...' (Revelation 21:1-8)," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 1992.
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  • Frerichs, Wendell W., "God's Song of Revelation: From Easter to Pentecost in the Apocalypse," Word & World, 1986.
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  • Gundry, Robert H., "The New Jerusalem: People As Place, Not Place for People," Novum Testamentum, 1987.
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  • Guthrie, Suzanne, "The Hidden Kingdom," The Christian Century, 1991.
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  • Hayes, Richard B., "An Emergency Directive," The Christian Century, 1992.
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  • Macchia, Frank D., "The Covenant of the Lamb's Bride: A Subversive Paradigm," The Living Pulpit, 2005.
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  • MacLeod, David J., "The Seventh 'Last Thing': The New Heaven and the New Earth (Rev. 21:1-8)," Bibliotheca Sacra, 2000.
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  • Miller, Kevin, "The Nuptial Eschatology of Revelation 19-22," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1998.
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  • Peterson, Dwight N., "Barriers, Boundaries, Limits: Revelation 21:1-4," Ex Auditu, 2005.
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  • Poling, Travis Edward Turner, "Every Time the World Ends, John 21:1-25; Revelation 21:1-4, 22:1-5," Brethren Life and Thought, 2006.
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  • Porter, Mary M., "God's Beloved," Journal for Preachers, 1999.
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  • Raber, Rudolph W., "Revelation 21:1-8," Interpretation, 1986.
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  • Read, David H.C., "Communicating Joy," The Living Pulpit, 1996. (see Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit, 5.4, 1996.)
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  • Roche, Mary M. Doyle, "A Little Child Shall Lead Them," The Living Pulpit, 2003.
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  • Schellenberg, Ryan S., "Seeing the World Whole: Intertextuality and the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22)," Perspectives in Religious Studies, 2006.
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  • Thomas, Robert L., "Promises to Israel in the Apocalypse," Master's Seminary Journal, 2008.
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• Reviews:
  • Review: David Mathewson, A New Heaven and a New Earth: The Meaning and Function of the Old Testament in Revelation 21:1 - 22:5. Sheffield Academic Press, 2003. Review by David L. Barr in The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 2004.
• Sermons:
  • "Being Saints of God," the Right Rev. Keith Whitmore, Day 1, 2009.
  • "I'm With the Band," the Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel, Day 1, 2009.
  • "On Nature," Paul Tillich, from The Shaking of the Foundations, 1955. At Religion Online.
• With Children:
  • "I Am Alpha and Omega," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "A New Heaven and a New Earth," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Revelation 21:1, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Images for this week's readings, New Jerusalem, Pitts Theology Library Digital Image Archive.
  • Revelation 21:6, Heartlight - Free Christian PowerPoint Backgrounds.
  • No More Tears, After Eden Cartoons, Dan Lietha, Answers in Genesis.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Revelation 21:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Crowning Jewel of Creation
    • Gleams of the Golden Morning
    • In a Little While We're Going Home
    • My Faith Looks Up to Thee
    • There'll Be No Dark Valley
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Christ Enthroned
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Revelation