The opening verses of Revelation 21 speak of heaven and earth, namely, a new heaven and a new earth. This new chapter follows after the 1000-year reign of Christ on the earth and the eternal punishment of the unholy trinity (dragon, beast, and false prophet). There is very little detail given about what the earth will look like, but it is clear that there will be no sea (21:1). In addition to this, it is clear that God is not just going to renovate the present heaven and earth to make it better, rather, He is going to do away with the old and implement a brand new heaven and earth as evidenced by the statement in verse one, "for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away."

The Bible is not filled with information regarding what heaven will look like or be like. Amazingly hell is given far more attention. But Revelation 21-22 does give an adequate amount of information describing heaven, and after a careful view of these passages it is clear that heaven is a place that is out of this world and most incomprehensible to the human mind in the present day. All that is known with any amount of detail is described in these two chapters.

To begin with it is appropriate to say that heaven is described as new and it is described with the new earth. They go hand in hand. It is also appropriate to say what heaven is not. As already stated there is no large body of water on the new earth so it is evident that there are some great changes given that the earth in its present state is predominately covered with water. No features of the new heaven are given, but it is clear from 21:23 that there will be no sun, moon, or stars (further reason why the stars should not be worshipped!). This new heaven is not referring to the place where God dwells but rather to the earth’s atmosphere. There are no landmarks given for the earth, no characteristics, no vegetation, no color, and no form, although it is assumed it will be round and house all who are saved. Jerusalem will be there, however, albeit a new Jerusalem, and John takes measures to describe what this new city will look like with its streets, walls, and gates. A high mountain is mentioned, water, a stream, and trees.

This new Jerusalem is called the Holy City, and it comes down out of heaven from God. It is prepared as a bride dressed for her husband. If this city is already in existence during the millennial reign of Christ then it is most likely the place that Jesus promised His disciples when He told them in John 14:2, "I am going there to prepare a place for you." This might have been a place where the resurrected and translated saints dwelled -- a satellite city of sorts during the Millennium. Whatever it may be there will be no more tears, no more death, and no more pain because the old order of things has passed away (22:4).

The Holy City is described in verse 11 as brilliant. Compared to a jewel John is attempting to describe what he saw in terms that his readers can understand and relate to. Most likely his revelation transcends anything that can be fathomed by humankind. Beginning at verse 12, however, a much more concrete and graspable picture of heaven is given. The Holy City is described as either a cube or a pyramid, though most commentators view it as a pyramid. It has a great high wall measuring 216 feet in thickness, and it has twelve gates -- three on each side. Above the gates are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel (twelve sons of Jacob). On the wall of the city are twelve foundations or levels. On each level is the name of Christ’s twelve apostles, and given that the city has four sides, it measures with the walls going 1,400 miles in all directions (21:16). In other words, heaven is 1,400 miles in length, width, and height! The walls are made of jasper and the city and streets are gold, but this is most likely a figure of speech used by John to convey, in the best terms he knew, how brilliant the city was.

Verses 19-21 describe the twelve city walls and gates. Each foundation containing the names of the twelve apostles is made up of a different precious stone involving different colors while the gates are described as huge single pearls. John says in verses 22-27 that he did not see a temple in the city because God and the Lamb are its temple nor did he see a sun or moon because God and the Lamb provide the light by which the saints walk. There is nothing impure there, and the gates are always open because there is no night and nothing to be frightened about. The people who dwell there are people from every nation and tribe who were written in the Lamb’s book of life -- Jews, Gentiles, Israel and the church as well as angels and the saints of all ages.

In chapter 22 John is shown, by the angel, the river of water that runs from the throne of God and the Lamb. Most likely a literal river, it no doubt refers also to the holiness and purity of God and the city. On both sides of the river stands the tree of life (the same tree that Adam and Eve were forbidden to eat from). Standing on both sides of the river most likely means that it is as wide as the river is, and it bears its fruit every month. As Walvoord has said, "The practical effect would be to continue physical life forever. While the verse does not state that the fruit can be eaten, this is presumably the implication." This is also implied from the healing spoken of in the second part of the verse meaning that the fruit of the tree contributes to the physical welll-being of those in the eternal state -- and why wouldn’t it, it is the tree of life.

Finally, heaven is seen as the place where there is no curse (22:4). The old earth possessed the curse from Adam’s sin, but heaven is free of this curse. The inhabitants will serve and worship their Creator and Redeemer forever and ever because the throne of God will be in the city.

In conclusion, heaven is the place where all who are listed in the Lamb’s book of life will dwell eternally. What heaven really is is a Holy City coming down out of the sky. It is the New Jerusalem coming down to the new earth. The old order of things will have passed away, and the new established. All the saints (saved ones) will live in this city, which is 1,400 miles wide, 1,400 miles in length, and 1,400 miles high with God on His throne within the city providing all the light and all the life needed to bring eternal bliss.

In a world seeking total bliss and meaning it would appear that a careful examination of Revelation 21-22 would be in order. For it is in these two chapters that the consummation of all things is wrapped up in a neat little package.