Revelation 21:10 - 22:5

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible -  KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries. Chapter 22
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons. Chapter 22
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit:
    • The Kingdom of Heaven
  • Vision I.I, Vision III.2, Vision IV.1, Similitude IX.2, Shepherd of Hermas. (c.145)
  • III.25, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 209)
  • VI.XXIII, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • From the Geneva Notes. Chapter 22
    • "The second form of particular description (as I said) \\see Geneva "Re 21:12"\\ from exterior and outward actions which are these, light from God himself, to this verse glory from men, Re 21:24. Finally such truth and incorruption of glory Re 21:26 as can bear and abide with it, nothing that is inglorious, Re 21:27."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary. Chapter 22
    • "Perfect and direct communion with God, will more than supply the place of gospel institutions."
  • From Wesley's Notes. Chapter 22
    • "And shall see his face - Which was not granted to Moses. They shall have the nearest access to, and thence the highest resemblance of, him. This is the highest expression in the language of scripture to denote the most perfect happiness of the heavenly state."
  • His Servants Shall Serve Him, from The Poor Man's Portions, Robert Hawker, c. 1800.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871). Chapter 22
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891. Chapter 22
    • "John saw no temple in the city, such as at Jerusalem. It was all temple. God and the Lamb were present in it everywhere and every spot was holy."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • "First Thoughts on Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Easter 6, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "Ultimate hope is to be in the presence of the God who is beyond all and in all. To speak of God's glory is to speak of God's being in all its richness."
  • "The Vision of the Lamb's Bride," 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.
  • "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.
  • "'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.
  • "Albrecht Dürer's New Jerusalem: Revelation 21 - 22," Robert H. Smith, Volume XV, Number 2, Word & World, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1995.
  • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5, Wesley White. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
  • "A Transformed and New World," Expository Essay, Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5, Dr. William R. Long.
  • "The Holy City," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
• 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."
  • "The New Heaven and the New Earth," from The Most Revealing Book of the Bible, Vernard Eller.
  • "The Eternal State (Revelation 21:1 - 22:5)," by J. Hampton Keathley III at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "Today, focusing our hearts and minds on the Lord is a wonderful potential through eyes of faith and confidence in the promises of the Word, but it is still full of the ‘ifs’ of whether or not we will look unto Jesus, keep our eyes on Him. But not in eternity. With our service then, there will always be the smiling and loving face of the Savior."
  • "The Heroine and the Whore: Fantasy and the Female in the Apocalypse of John," Tina Pippin, Fantasy and the Bible, Semeia 60: An Experimental Journal for Biblical Criticism, 1992.
  • "The Image of Home," Laura Smit, Theology Today, 1988.
    • "How appropriate or effective is it to rely on the image of a Waiting Father to communicate the reality of God's grace? To many of my generation, such a metaphor calls up horrible images.... There are too many connotations of regression, of going back to a time when we had no responsibility and could make no decisions, even if we wanted to. Adults who long to return to the irresponsibility of childhood are adults with problems, and that's not what our presentation of Christian faith and life should cater to."
  • "Rub Poor Lil' Judas's Head," commentary by Delores S. Williams from The Christian Century, 1990. At Religion Online.
    • "To me, "When you get to heaven, rub poor lil’ Judas’s head" speaks of victory, forgiveness, judgment, blessing and expectation of a great new dispensation."
• Articles in ATLAS Journals. (Direct link when you are subscribed and logged in to ATLASerials online collection of Religion and Theology Journals.):
  • Beale, Gregory K., "Eden, the Temple, and the Church's Mission in the New Creation," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2005.
  • 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.
  • Charles, Gary W., "Diving into Wonderland: Preaching Revelation in the Mainline Pulpit," Journal for Preachers, 2006.
  • Frerichs, Wendell W., "God's Song of Revelation: From Easter to Pentecost in the Apocalypse," Word & World, 1986.
  • Grab, Ginger, "Books and Articles on the Theme of Joy," The Living Pulpit, 1996. (see Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit 5.4, 1996.)
  • Gundry, Robert H., "The New Jerusalem: People As Place, Not Place for People," Novum Testamentum, 1987.
  • Macchia, Frank D., "The Covenant of the Lamb's Bride: A Subversive Paradigm," The Living Pulpit, 2005.
  • Mathewson, David, "A Note on the Foundation Stones in Revelation 21.14, 19-20," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2003.
  • Miller, Kevin, "The Nuptial Eschatology of Revelation 19-22," Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1998.
  • Pippin, Tina, "The Heroine and the Whore: Fantasy and the Female in the Apocalypse of John," Semeia, 1992.
  • 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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  • Ricciuti, Gail A., "Between Text and Sermon: Revelation 21:22-22:5," Interpretation, 1999.
  • Roose, Hanna, "Sharing in Christ's Rule: Tracing a Debate in Earliest Christianity," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2004.
  • Russell, Keith A., "At One with the Power: Reflections on the Lectionary Readings for May," The Living Pulpit, 2007. (See also "Atonement," issue focus of The Living Pulpit, 16.2, 2007.)
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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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  • Smit, Laura, "The Image of Home," Theology Today, 1988.
  • Smith, Robert H., "Albrecht Dürer's New Jerusalem: Revelation 21-22," Word & World, 1995.
  • Williams, Delores S., "'Rub Poor Lil' Judas's Head," The Christian Century, 1990.
• 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:
  • "On Nature," Paul Tillich, from The Shaking of the Foundations, 1955. At Religion Online.
    • "Therefore, commune with nature! Become reconciled with nature after your estrangement from it. Listen to nature in quietness, and you will find its heart. It will sound forth the glory of its divine ground. It will sigh with us in the bondage of tragedy. It will speak of the indestructible hope of salvation!"
  • "The City of Glory," Ray C. Stedman. Text or Real Audio.
• With Children:
  • "Heaven," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Those Whose Names Are Written in the Book of Life Will Be in the City," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "City of God," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
  • "The New Jerusalem," "The River of Life," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
• Drama:
  • "Holiday of a Lifetime," Grace Cowley, Milton Parish Church Drama Resources.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Revelation 21:10, 18, 21, 23, 25, 27; 22:1, 2, 4, 5. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • Face to Face
    • Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken
    • God of our Fathers
    • Hark! Ten Thousand Harps and Voices
    • I Need Thee, Precious Jesus
    • In a Little While We're Going Home
    • Shall We Gather at the River
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Revelation