Synthetic Bible Studies by James Gray

• Title Page
• Pentateuch
• History
• Poetry
• Prophets
• Post Captivity Prophets
• Gospels, Acts
• Pauline Epistles
• General Epistles
  • Lesson 56: Hebrews
  • Lesson 57: James
  • Lesson 58: I Peter
  • Lesson 59: II Peter
  • Lesson 60: I John
  • Lesson 61: II and III John
  • Lesson 62: Jude
  • Lesson 63: The Revelation

present earth and heaven flee away, also that a “book of life” is mentioned. This book of life doubtless contains the record of the saved ones during the millennial reign.

5. The destruction of death and hell, or hades, the place of the dead (Revelation 20:14), which are personified here as representing the enemies of Christ.

6. The new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1) . Observe the sequence of events suggested by this verse, e.g., now, i.e., in the present time, we have the church; in the millennium will be the kingdom; and after that the new world where God shall be all in all. To quote a commentator, “Man’s soul is redeemed by regeneration through the Holy Spirit now; his body shall be redeemed at the resurrection, and his dwelling-place at the creation of the new heaven and earth.”

“And there shall be no more sea.” The sea is the type of perpetual unrest, and its absence after the metamorphosis of the earth answers to the unruffled state of solid peace which shall then prevail. A “river,” and “water” are spoken of in the next chapter, but no sea.

7. The descent of the holy city upon the earth as the tabernacle of God (Revelation 21:2-8). Here are revealed some wondrous and precious things. Always distinguish between this New Jerusalem out of heaven, and that earthly Jerusalem in which Israel in the flesh shall dwell during the millennium. The two are distinct. The one will be done away with when the other comes. This new Jerusalem will be God’s tabernacle, God’s dwelling-place with men in the new earth. It is the antitype of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and is also the same Greek word as that used of Christ’s tabernacling among us (John 1:14). He was then in the weakness of the flesh, but at the new creation he shall be seen in the glory of his God-head.

8. The description of the city (Revelation 21:9-22:5). All the details of this city suggest glory, beauty, security and peace. In the millennium, literal Israel in the flesh, dwelling in Jerusalem, is the antitype to the Old Testament earthly theocracy, but in this, the eternal (?) age, the heavenly Jerusalem is the antitype of the church, composed of Jews and Gentiles. This idea seems to be suggested by the names of the twelve tribes and the twelve apostles written upon the gates and the foundations.

The fact that no temple is seen in this city is remarkable, and suggests that the means of grace cease when the end of grace has come. Uninterrupted, immediate, direct communion with God and the Lamb will then be enjoyed.