1 AND I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15 And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16 And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17 And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20 The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22 And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

1And I saw a new heauen, and a new earth: for the first heauen, and the first earth ere passed away, and there was no more sea.

2And I Iohn saw the holy City, new Hierusalem comming down from God out of heauen, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3And I heard a great voice out of heauen, saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and he wil dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himselfe shalbe with them, and be their God.

4And God shall wipe away all teares from their eyes: and there shall bee no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there bee any more paine: for the former things are passed away.

5And he that sate vpon the throne, said, Behold, I make all things new. And hee said vnto me, Write: for these words are true and faithfull.

6And he said vnto mee, It is done: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will giue vnto him that is athirst, of the fountaine of the water of life, freely.

7He that ouercommeth, shall inherite all things, and I will bee his God, and he shall be my sonne.

8But the fearefull, and vnbeleeuing, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all lyars, shall haue their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

9And there came vnto me one of the seuen Angels, which had the seuen vials full of the seuen last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the Bride, the Lambes wife.

10And he caried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountaine, and shewed me that great citie, the holy Hierusalem, descending out of heauen from God,

11Hauing the glory of God: and her light was like vnto a stone most precious; euen like a iasper stone, cleare as christal,

12And had a wall great and high, and had twelue gates, and at the gates twelue Angels, & names written thereon, which are the names of the twelue tribes of the children of Israel.

13On the East three gates, on the North three gates, on the South three gates, and on the West three gates.

14And the wall of the citie had twelue foundations, and in them the names of the twelue Apostles of the Lambe.

15And hee that talked with mee, had a golden reede to measure the citie, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

16And the city lieth foure square, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelue thousand furlongs: the length, and the breadth, and the height of it are equall.

17And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred, and fourtie, and foure cubites, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the Angel.

18And the building of the wall of it was of Iasper, and the city was pure gold, like vnto cleare glasse.

19And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all maner of precious stones. The first foundation was Iasper, the second Saphir, the third a Chalcedony, the fourth an Emerald,

20The fift Sardonix, the sixt Sardius, the seuenth Chrysolite, the eight Beryl, the ninth a Topas, the tenth a Chrysoprasus, the eleuenth a Iacinct, the twelfth an Amethyst.

21And the twelue gates were twelue pearles, euery seuerall gate was of one pearle, and the streete of the city was pure golde, as it were transparent glasse.

22And I saw no Temple therein: For the Lord God Almightie, and the Lambe, are the Temple of it.

23And the citie had no need of the Sunne, neither of the Moone to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lambe is the light thereof.

24And the nations of them which are saued, shall walke in the light of it: and the kings of the earth doe bring their glory and honour into it.

25And the gates of it shall not bee shut at all by day: for there shall bee no night there.

26And they shall bring the glorie and honour of the nations into it.

27And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoeuer worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lambes booke of life.

 

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them (as their God). 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, (for) the old order has passed away." 5 The one who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Then he said, "Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true." 6 He said to me, "They are accomplished. I (am) the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water. 7 The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son. 8 But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death." 9 One of the seven angels who held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb." 10 He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, (the names) of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. 13 There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The one who spoke to me held a gold measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city was square, its length the same as (also) its width. He measured the city with the rod and found it fifteen hundred miles in length and width and height. 17 He also measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits according to the standard unit of measurement the angel used. 18 The wall was constructed of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. 19 The foundations of the city wall were decorated with every precious stone; the first course of stones was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh hyacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made from a single pearl; and the street of the city was of pure gold, transparent as glass. 22 I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. 23 The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and to it the kings of the earth will bring their treasure. 25 During the day its gates will never be shut, and there will be no night there. 26 The treasure and wealth of the nations will be brought there, 27 but nothing unclean will enter it, nor any (one) who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

v1. With this verse we step from time into eternity. This is not the Millennium. The term new heaven and new earth and the fact that the first earth has passed away poses a problem among scholars. There are also the words of Jesus in Matt. 24:35 that heaven and earth shall pass away but my words shall not pass away. Some claim that when the earth was destroyed by a flood the framework remained, so when the earth is destroyed by fire, the framework will remain. They very convincingly argue that “pass away” means to pass from one existence to another and that “dissolved” in 2 Pet. 3:11 simply means loosed, so the earth is loosed from the bondage that sin has caused. They quote the Greek (but their interpretation is debatable) and it is easy for them to consider our old earth regenerated by fire.
However,  when possible, it is better to compare Scripture with Scripture above comparing with Greek. I believe we have that in Isa.65:17 where God says He will create new heavens and a new earth. To create here is not to recondition but to make something out of nothing. So while I will not be dogmatic about it, I will  approach this from the standpoint that 2 Peter 3:7,10 indicated a total destruction  when he said the elements would melt with fervent heat and the earth would be burned up.
As to the heavens, there are three. The first, or atmospheric heaven, place of fowl, God created as the firmament and called it heaven in Gen. 1:6-8, 20. There was water below and vapor above. The windows of this heaven were opened in Noah’s flood. The second heaven also called a firmament, God identified in Gen. 1:14 as the place of the stars and other lights. The third heaven, and named such by Paul, 2 Cor. 12:2-4, is several times  called paradise or the heaven of heavens, God’s dwelling place. The third heaven is obviously exempt from destruction. The solar heaven undergoes some drastic changes during the Tribulation, but if it is destroyed It will not be till here. Rev. 21:23 says the city has no need of the sun or moon, because the glory of God and the Lamb are the light, but it does not state they will not be needed in the rest of the world. The main object of destruction will be the first, or atmospheric heaven, Which has been the abode of Satan for centuries. This is the heaven, or heavens, meant when Heb. 1:10,11 says the Lord created them and they will perish but He will remain.
v2. The New Jerusalem is the city Abraham was seeking, Heb.11:10,16. It may be in this that Christ prepared a place for us, His bride, and probably will be our abode during the Millennium. It comes down from heaven to at least the space above the earth, but possibly clear to earth because it has foundations. (Although this foundation could refer to basic principals.) It will take up considerable space, see comments on v. 16,17.
v3. The Israelites were blessed when God dwelled in the tabernacle and temple and could have been further blessed had they received Christ on earth. Now the Trinity will actually dwell right among men in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
v4. Some interpret this to mean there will be tears in heaven, either from remorse over past sins or people are crying when they enter heaven and God wipes away their tears. This seems absurd when we realize that over a thousand years have gone by since we have been caught up and the judgment seat of Christ took place. It merely means what stated, the former things are past away. Indeed, Isa. 65:16,17 would cause us to think that past things will not even come into our minds. However, Rev, 6:9,10 may give the impression that during the Tribulation the saints under the altar may be aware of what is going on upon earth. Also in Rev. 18:20 the souls in heaven rejoice over being avenged on earth. Perhaps it is not until the old is passed away that all memory of the past is gone.
v5. God faithfully promised all things are made new, not just made over. Already mentioned are the new heaven and new earth (see comments on v.1). When we were saved we were not just made over, for 2 Cor. 5:17 says if any man is in Christ he is a new creature (new creation). Then 1 Cor. 15:53 tells us that our resurrected bodies are not made over but are new. We are so limited by our concept of time that I suppose eternity will be a new thing too.
v6,7. Here Christ assures John that prophetically, this is as good as done. All our spiritual desires will be abundantly supplied and the reality of Rom. 8:17 will be fully recognized, we will be joint heirs with Christ.
This is diffeen from the “It is finished” of Jn. 19”30. That is all one word in Greek, Testelestai, meaning “paid in full”.That word appears on many old Greek receipts. This is more in the sense that it has come to pass, or brought to an end.
v8. The charitable, moral unbeliever is just as doomed as the most abominable on this list. Whatever happens to the earth, the lake of fire continues as a place of torment for eternity.
v9,10.This angel had an unpleasant task in chapter 17 of carrying the bowl judgments, and showed John the harlot wife sitting on the seven mountains. Some think Romem but actually seven kingdoms. She viciously gained  control of all the peoples of the world in conjunction with the antichrist. But now, in contrast, he has the pleasant task of showing the Lamb’s wife. See notes on  19:7 for the Church now being a wife, not just a bride.  She sits on a high mountain, the New Jerusalem, and seeks only to honor Christ. (She is not the New Jerusalem as some feel.) Probably this is the place Christ prepared for us in heaven but some access to earth is implied for us in Rev. 20:6 when we reign with Christ. When it descends after the Millennium, we will be dwelling in the same city here on earth.
v11. Jasper stone may be purple, blue, green or brass, with still others clear as crystal. This was seen about Ezekiel’s creatures and even about Satan when he was first created. It is seen with the glory of God various times in Scripture.
v12,13. There are no lost tribes to God and each of the 12 gates will have the name of one of the 12 tribes. What a city to have angels as the gate keepers!
v14. Probably the name of an apostle on each of the 12 foundations.
We are given a preview in Eph. 2:20 that the Church is built on the foundation of the apostles (and prophets) with Christ the chief corner stone, or capstone if we believe the city is a pyramid. If this is the case, probably the throne is at the top and the river of pure water, Rev. 22:1, flows from it.
v15. John is not just given a glimpse but exact measurements.
v16. The city is large, roughly 1500 miles in l, w, and h. About the distance from Des Moines to Phoenix, AZ or Spokane, WA., an area greater than the entire  United States west of the Mississippi.
v17-20. The walls are further described as about 216 feet thick. In addition to the Jasper, which here is probably the clear type, is transparent gold. These transparent walls and street of v 21 would allow the glory of God to radiate through to all the world as light. If, as some think, the solar lights have been removed from the new heavens, this would be another part of what Christ meant when He said “I am the light of the world.” Then each foundation is garnished with a different precious gem.
v21. It is difficult to imagine pearls of the size to make each of these gates. No wonder Christ used the parable of a pearl of great price. The other gems are mined and polished, but the pearl comes from a living organism which it has caused pain. Comparatively, the Church has grown out of the pain that was laid upon Christ. Or to carry out the parable of Matt. 13: 45,46, the rich man paid all he had for that pearl, and Christ paid his life for the pearl which is the Church. 
v22. No need of a temple when God is right in the midst. The New Jerusalem will be the Holy of Holies and the Church will be the priesthood,  Rev. 1:6, serving through eternity without the ministry of intercession.
v23. The glory of God lights the city, may or may not light the whole world. He could readily provide a way for the light to shine or reflect on the other side of the world, assuming the new world will be round.
v24. We have seen in v 9 that the Bride, or Church, will be there. Verse 12 would indicate that converted Israel will be there. Verse 24 tells us that Gentiles outside of both groups will be there.
v25. The gates will remain open because there is no sin, and there is no night because Christ is the Light.
v26,27. Only believers will be there, and they will desire to honor and worship God. All others will be in hell.

 

21a Chronology Possible

Dedicated believers may believe in a  mid or post tribulation rapture,  

When does Russia and the northern confederacy attack Israel?
It can not be at the end of the Tribulation, which is the final battle of Armageddon, or during the Millennium.
It cannot be before the Rapture as some feel,  because the Rapture is imminent. Also Ezek 38:8,16 calls it in the latter days of Israel, not  the latter days of the Church. It is latter days which is during the Tribulation, not the last days, which is in the Millennium. This would also conflict with a popular view that it is a brief period between the Rapture and Tribulation when many souls (not of the Church) would be saved. Israel is at peace in the land, so it could not be in the last half of the Tribulation.

In Isa. 28:18 God said He would punish Israel for making a covenant with hell. This is the same covenant of Dan, 9:27 which will be broken after three and one half years. Much of Isa. 28 and 29 describe God’s punishment for them making the covenant seeking peace from man, the Antichrist, instead of from God. As the Assyrians punished Israel and were destroyed, so shall it be of Russia’s northern confederacy, the Gog of Ezek. 38,38. They have always hated the Jews so seek to take advantage of this peace to go in to destroy them and take their wealth. 
At this point, the western confederacy under Antichrist steps in to stop them and breaks the covenant of peace with Israel. The Lord brings destruction on the north. In Ezek 38:1, Gog became one of those whom God said, “I am against thee”. Destruction is so miraculous that it was a sign, and many are saved,  Ezek. 38:22,23 and 39:21,22. Compare Rev. 7:9.
With the northern confederacy broken, the Antichrist gains world wide power at the mid point of the Tribulation, Rev. 13:7. 
Context of Scripture supports this chronology. Isa. 30 and 31 describes the destruction of the north. Isa. 33 and 34 the destruction of the nations, and the millennium is discussed in 35. The same sequence of war in Joel 2;20; destruction of nations in 3 and millennium in 3:17-21.
Chronology would be something like this.
Rapture (may or not be a short interlude before Tribulation)
Israel’s false covenant with Beast, Dan. 9:27; Ezek. 38:8-11
King of south moves against this coalition, Dan. 11:40.
King of north invades Palestine, Ezek. 38:11; Joel 2:1-21; Isa. 10:12; 30:21-33; 31:8,9; by land and sea, Dan. 11:40.
Jerusalem destroyed Zech 12:2.
King of north destroyed on mountains of Israel, Ezek. 39:1-4.
Beast breaks covenant and moves armies in to land, Dan. 11:41-49.
Palestine occupied by armies of Beast, Dan. 11:45. Defeats most surrounding countries including south. Rev. 13:7
Coalition of nations under the Beast, Rev. 17:13.
Gog is gone.. Kings of east advance against armies of Beast, Rev. 16:12.
Nations of earth gather around Jerusalem Zech 14:1-3 and valley of Jehoshaphat Joel 3:2. There is some fighting in Jerusalem .
East plans to beat army of Beast, but a sign of Son of man appears in the heavens, Matt. 24:30, causing them to unite against Christ’s army.
Lord returns to destroy Gentile powers so He can rule, Zech. 12;1-9; 15:14:1-4; Isa;33:1-34:17; 63:1-6; 66:15,16; Jer. 25:27-33;  Rev. 20:7-10
Beast and False Prophet are cast into Lake of Fire. Rev. 19:20.
Satan is bound, Rev. 20:2.
Judgment of nations (Gentiles) followed by Millennial Kingdom.
Satan loosed a season, final battle,  Satan cast in lake of fire, final judgment of unbelievers and they are cast into lake of fire
All believers on earth moved before purging of earth. At new heaven and new earth, Hell may be cast into outer space.