Meaning of Revelation 21:27

Revelation 21:27 describes the absolute purity and exclusivity of the New Jerusalem, the eternal dwelling place of God with His redeemed people. This verse emphasizes that no form of sin, corruption, or moral impurity will be permitted within this perfect, heavenly city. The criteria for entry are not based on human merit or works, but solely on the divine decree of inclusion in the "Lamb's book of life," signifying a predestined relationship with Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, through faith and His atoning sacrifice. This absolute holiness ensures the unblemished and everlasting fellowship between God and His people, free from the stain of sin that marred the former creation.

Context and Background

This verse is found in the concluding chapters of the Book of Revelation, specifically after the description of the destruction of the old heaven and earth and the descent of the New Jerusalem from God out of heaven. The preceding verses (Revelation 21:1-26) paint a glorious picture of this new creation, characterized by God's presence, the absence of suffering and death, and the ultimate fulfillment of His redemptive plan. Revelation 21:27 serves as a crucial statement of qualification, defining who will inhabit this perfect, holy environment and what conditions render it so. It contrasts sharply with the fallen world described earlier in Scripture and highlights the radical transformation that occurs in the eschatological consummation.

Key Themes and Messages

• Absolute Purity: The primary message is the uncompromised holiness of God's eternal dwelling. "Nothing impure" encompasses all forms of moral and spiritual defilement, including sin, corruption, and anything that is contrary to God's perfect nature.
• Moral Exclusion: The verse explicitly names those who will be excluded: "anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful." This refers to those engaged in wicked, dishonest, or morally reprehensible actions, underscoring the ethical requirements for fellowship with a holy God.
• Sovereign Election: Entry is not based on human achievement but on divine selection. The phrase "only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life" points to God's sovereign choice and the salvific work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb, whose sacrifice makes purification and inclusion possible. This book represents a record of those chosen by God for salvation.

Spiritual Significance and Application

This verse offers profound spiritual assurance and a call to righteous living. For believers, it provides the ultimate hope of an eternal existence in perfect communion with God, free from the pervasive influence of sin. It underscores the transformative power of Christ's atoning sacrifice, which cleanses believers and makes them fit for God's presence. For those who are not yet reconciled to God, it serves as a stark reminder of the necessity of repentance and faith in Christ, as the only means of having one's name inscribed in the book of life and escaping eternal exclusion. It also motivates believers to live lives of holiness and integrity, reflecting the character of the God they will one day fully inhabit.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

Revelation 21:27 is the culmination of a narrative that begins with the creation of a perfect world marred by sin (Genesis 3) and continues through God's covenants, His law, the prophecies of a coming Redeemer, and the establishment of the Church. The Old Testament law, with its sacrifices and purity regulations, foreshadowed the ultimate cleansing provided by Christ. The concept of God's people being set apart for Him runs throughout Scripture. This verse represents the final fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people in a restored and perfected creation, a theme echoed from the Garden of Eden to the ultimate redemption promised at the end of time.

Analogies

One analogy for the New Jerusalem's purity is a flawless diamond. A diamond, when perfectly cut and polished, reflects light brilliantly and is incredibly hard and incorruptible. Similarly, the New Jerusalem is free from any blemish and is an eternal, unchanging reality. Another analogy is a sanctuary of absolute holiness. Just as ancient tabernacles and temples were set apart for God's presence with strict protocols for entry, the New Jerusalem is the ultimate sanctuary where God's presence is absolute, and only those deemed pure by His decree can enter.

Relation to Other Verses

• 1 Peter 1:15-16: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’" This passage directly echoes the theme of God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy, aligning with the purity required for the New Jerusalem.
• Philippians 4:3: "And I ask you, my true companion, help these women who have shared the gospel with me, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are on the book of life." This verse explicitly mentions the "book of life," reinforcing the concept of divine record-keeping for salvation.
• Hebrews 12:14: "Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." This verse emphasizes the necessity of holiness for seeing God, mirroring the exclusionary aspect of Revelation 21:27.
• John 1:12-13: "Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." This passage highlights the divine origin of believers, underscoring that becoming a child of God (and thus having one's name in the book) is a work of God, not of human effort.