Meaning of Revelation 21:22

Revelation 21:22 signifies a profound shift in the nature of worship and divine presence. In the Old Testament, the Temple in Jerusalem was the physical dwelling place of God's presence among His people, a central point of sacrifice and communion. John, the author of Revelation, describes the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God with humanity, and notes the absence of a physical temple. This absence is not a lack of holiness or divine access, but rather an indication that God Himself, in His fullness as the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb (Jesus Christ), has become the locus of worship and the source of all holiness. The distinction between the sacred and the secular, the holy place and the common, is dissolved because the divine presence is no longer confined to a building but permeates the entire city and its inhabitants.

Context and Background

The book of Revelation is an apocalyptic vision given to the Apostle John, detailing future events, spiritual realities, and the ultimate triumph of God. Chapter 21 describes the "new heaven and a new earth" and the descent of the "new Jerusalem" from God out of heaven. This new city is presented as the ultimate dwelling place of God with redeemed humanity, a stark contrast to the fallen world and the earthly Jerusalem of John's time. The concept of the Temple was central to Jewish religious life, representing God's covenant presence and the means of atonement. Its replacement by God and the Lamb in the new Jerusalem indicates a fulfillment and supersession of the Old Testament sacrificial system and its physical manifestations.

Key Themes and Messages

• Immanence of God: The primary message is the complete immanence of God. His presence is no longer mediated by a building or a specific location but is inherent to the city itself.
• Fulfillment of Worship: The verse points to the ultimate fulfillment of worship, where believers no longer need to travel to a temple to encounter God. Direct, unhindered access is now the norm.
• Sufficiency of God and the Lamb: The Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are declared to be the temple, emphasizing their absolute sufficiency as the source of holiness, refuge, and communion for the redeemed.
• End of Separation: The absence of a temple signifies the complete eradication of separation between God and His people, a separation that was a consequence of sin.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse has profound spiritual significance for believers today. It underscores that true worship is not tied to a physical structure or a particular ritual, but to an internal reality and a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Our bodies, as believers, are now considered temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), reflecting the indwelling presence of God in us. The spiritual application is that we can experience God's presence and engage in worship anywhere, anytime, because Christ has made us holy and brought us into direct communion with the Father.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Revelation 21:22 represents the culmination of God's redemptive plan. From the tabernacle in the wilderness to the Temple in Jerusalem, God progressively revealed His presence and established means of fellowship. Jesus Christ, in His earthly ministry, declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19), referring to the temple of His body. His resurrection signifies the ultimate dwelling place of God being embodied in Him. The New Jerusalem, where God and the Lamb are the temple, is the final, perfected state of this divine indwelling, fulfilling the promises of intimate fellowship established from the beginning.

Analogies

One analogy for the absence of a physical temple in the New Jerusalem is the difference between a photograph of a loved one and the actual presence of that person. The photograph can evoke memories and feelings, but it cannot replace the warmth, interaction, and reality of their presence. Similarly, the earthly Temple was a representation, a sacred space that pointed to God. In the New Jerusalem, the reality of God's presence is so pervasive that a physical edifice is rendered unnecessary. Another analogy is a city powered by a single, all-encompassing, radiant sun. The sun's light and energy are so universally present that there is no need for individual lamps or artificial lighting within the city; the sun is the light.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse resonates with several other biblical passages:

• John 4:21-24: Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that the time is coming when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, and that God is spirit. This anticipates the spiritual worship that transcends geographical locations.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own." This highlights the present reality of believers being indwelt by God's Spirit, a foretaste of the New Jerusalem.
• Zechariah 2:5: God declares, "'For I will be a wall of fire all around it,' declares the Lord, 'and I will be glory in its midst.'" This prophecy foreshadows the protective and glorious presence of God in His people's midst.
• Revelation 21:23: The verse immediately following states, "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb." This further emphasizes the all-sufficiency of God's presence as the source of light and life, rendering all other sources obsolete.