Revelation 21 Bible Study Questions

Study Questions, Revelation 21

1. What did you learn that was new to you?

2. I suggested that the New Earth could be this earth resurrected. What do you think?

Read this quote from John Piper. What do you think?

John Piper: I would say that when Revelation 21:1 and 2 Peter 3:10 say that the present earth and heavens will “pass away,” it does not have to mean that they go out of existence, but may mean that there will be such a change in them that their present condition passes away. We might say, “The caterpillar will pass away and the butterfly emerges.” There is a real passing away and there is a real continuity, a real connection. Or we might say, “The tadpole passes away and the frog appears.”

3. Take some time to discuss: What would a new earth be like?

–What are the most exciting parts?

4. I talked about four kinds of tears: (1. Tears of old wounds. 2. Tears of suffering. 3. Tears of disgrace. 4. Tears of injustice)

–Which of these do you most identify with?

–What tears would you add to this list?

–How is God’s healing now different than God’s healing in heaven?

5. Read Hebrews 11:16. The Patriarchs would be the earliest followers of God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Do you think their understanding of heaven was different than ours?

6. The Bible often uses water as a symbol of spiritual life. (Isaiah 55:1, John 4:13-15,Jeremiah 2:13)

–What’s the thirstiest you’ve ever been? What was it like to get a drink?

–What are some ways knowing God is like having water?

–How is a distant relationship with God like being thirsty?

7. Revelation 21:8 lists sins that God will punish. Is there any escape from that judgment?

8. What are some things not in heaven?

–No temple. 21:22

–No sun, moon, night. 21:23

–Nothing impure. (Specifically: NO ONE impure)

Why do you think these things are listed as not being in heaven?

9. What are some things listed that are in heaven:

–God’s Glory. / Light.

–Nations.

–Everyone whose name is in the book of life.

–Kings. (Bring their glory. Earthly works) Stories of earth.

–Gates. Implies travel.

Why do you think these things are specifically listed?

10. What are you most excited about heaven?

11. How important is it that Christians think about heaven?

–How do we keep our focus on heaven?

–What are some songs we sing about heaven?

12. Read and discuss this quote from Mark E. Moore:

Mark E. Moore: (Core 52):

News flash: we’re not going to heaven. According to Revelation 21:1–3, the New Jerusalem is coming down from the new heaven to the new earth, where we will dwell with God for eternity.

That’s actually good news. The portrait of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21–22 tells of a city on a physical earth.

We go there in resurrected bodies, still physical but without the limitations of aging, illness, or aches (1 Corinthians 15:35–49). According to Philippians 3:21, our resurrected bodies will be like Jesus’s resurrected body. In his new body, he walked through walls and defied gravity (John 20:19; Acts 1:9).

The implications are extraordinary. Imagine it: living with perfected bodies in a restored Eden. There’ll be agriculture and architecture, culture and art, plants, animals, and entertainment—and all without sin. That’s what the new earth will be like. Imagine how technologically advanced we would be if we weren’t distracted by war, disease, crime, and disorder. We may well have technological advancements in the New Jerusalem that far exceed anything we have here.

God isn’t opposed to our curiosity or creativity; he actually gave us both. As Solomon said, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings” (Proverbs 25:2, NIV).

Our eternal praise will be not merely singing but producing new acts of art, work, accomplishment, and learning. Jesus, in fact, is preparing that place for us as we speak: “I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2)