March 11, 2022 – Friday
Revelation 21:23-24 NIV
23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.
24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.
Revelation 21:23-24 KJV
23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the [very] glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations [of those who are saved]* shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
*not found in the oldest manuscripts
Comment.
Included the KJV above simply for its majesty even though the two versions are very close. This chapter, 21, is the next to last chapter of Revelation and it is about a new heaven and a new earth along with a New Jerusalem and in our verses for today, the Glory of the New Jerusalem.
There will be no sun or moon as there will be no need for them. Instead, the source of all light, the glory of God gives it all the light needed. Imagine trying to shine a flashlight on the sun if you will. It only takes a moment to realize that makes no sense as you cannot shine a light on the very source of all light. That is why New Jerusalem does not need the sun or moon to shine on it. Recall what 1 John 1:5 said, This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. The New Jerusalem embodies this truth and reflects the prophecy of Isaiah 60:19, The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
Where Jesus came into our world as a lamb and the Light of the World and to the world, now in New Jerusalem He is its lamp or as in the KJV He is its light. Even though most Bible versions use the word lamp, it seems a poor choice to me as it conjures up an image of a single point of light, but Jesus is the light for all of New Jerusalem, hardly a single point. In reality the light from the glory of God and from Jesus the Lamb are one and the same as both are light. As they are both light, Matthew Poole adds, Light, in Scripture, (in its metaphorical notion), signifies knowledge or comfort; there will in heaven be no need of any created beings, to help us to either of these; God and Christ shall there fill the souls of his saints with knowledge and joy not to be expressed.
Even though the oldest manuscripts do not have the phrase of those who are saved in them, it is only logical that the only nations still around would be those who are saved. What nations these might be are not revealed, but they would be the nations that did not join Satan who (Revelation 20:8) will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. Still, verse 24 begins The nations will walk by its light and the Pulpit Commentary is emphatic that “The nations” are the redeemed, described in this way on account of their selection from every “kindred, and nation, and tribe, and tongue” as described in Revelation 7:9. And later adds, concerning the latter part of verse 24, the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it that the language therein is intended to convey an idea of God’s supreme glory and unquestioned authority. There are now no kings to dispute his sway. I don’t know, but we will know then.
Bottom Line: In heaven, New Jerusalem, living in the light of God things will be incredibly different and all the differences will be of a positive nature.
Prayer: Almighty God, You are the source of all that is good, that is right, that is light. Help us to always seek You and Your will. Seeking the good, what is right, and the light will lead us to Your will. Please bless our efforts. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek