Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 21:9

"And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb." — Revelation 21:9 (ASV)

THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM DESCRIBED (Revelation 21:9 to Revelation 22:5).—Before entering on this section, it is wise to recall again that the descriptions given here are figurative and are not to be understood literally. “There is nothing in it as it seems except the King.” This remark might seem unnecessary, but the misconceptions and misrepresentations of the Christian’s hope have been many and reckless; and, even if this were not the case, there is always a certain proportion of people who seem incapable of understanding figurative language.

Half the errors of the Church have been due to literal-minded men who could not distinguish the difference between figure and fact; and men of unpoetic and vehement temperament have misinterpreted these descriptions, and their misinterpretations have discredited the entire Apocalypse in the eyes of some.

The following are the features of the heavenly city, which the description seems designed to impress upon our minds:

• The great and holy community will be one that draws its glory from God (Revelation 21:11; Revelation 21:23; Revelation 22:5).

• Its blessings are not for a few but are open to all, for its gates lie open to all directions (Revelation 21:12–13).

• The heavenly and the earthly will be united; angels, apostles, and patriarchs are there (Revelation 21:12; Revelation 21:14).

• Diverse characters will find entrance there; the gates bear the names of the twelve tribes.

• The way of admission is the same for all, though diverse characters from various places will enter (Revelation 21:21).

• It will be the abode of all that is beautiful and good, and no imbalances will mar its loveliness (Revelation 21:17–18).

• The ancient truths, spoken by various lips, will be found to be eternal truths, full of varied but consistent beauty (Revelation 21:14; Revelation 21:19–20).

• The forms and aids that were necessary here will not be necessary there (Revelation 21:22–23); and all that the servants of God have righteously hungered and thirsted for here will be provided there (Revelation 22:1–2).

• There will be blessings—various, continuous, eternal; new fields of labour and new possibilities of service will be opened there (Revelation 22:3–4).

And there came to me one of the seven angels . . .—The words “to me” should be omitted. One of the seven angels who had the seven vials of wrath had shown the seer the scarlet-clad harlot, the great and guilty Babylon; so here one of the same company of angels shows him the pure Bride of the Lamb, the new and holy Jerusalem.