Revelation 21

Bridegroom

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2

The holy city comes down like a bride ready for her husband. Verse 9 makes clear the husband is Christ, the Lamb, and the bride is His purified covenant people.

• the same title in Revelation 21:9 — The bride, the Lamb's wife.
• alludes to Isaiah 54:5 — 'Thy Maker is thine husband ... the Holy One of Israel.'
• the same event in Moses 7:62-63 — Zion, a New Jerusalem, where the Lord's people meet Enoch's city.

Emmanuel

Emmanuel — God with us

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Revelation 21:3

God will pitch His tent among His people and live with them forever, fulfilling the covenant promise 'I will be your God.' It completes what began when the Word 'tabernacled' among us in mortality.

• alludes to Leviticus 26:11-12 — I will set my tabernacle among you ... and will be your God.
• alludes to Ezekiel 37:27 — My tabernacle also shall be with them.
• alludes to John 1:14 — The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Resurrection

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4

Death, sorrow, and pain end forever. That is possible only because Christ's Atonement and Resurrection swallow up death, as Isaiah foretold.

• alludes to Isaiah 25:8 — He will swallow up death in victory; the Lord GOD will wipe away tears.
• the same event in Revelation 7:17 — The Lamb shall feed them, and God shall wipe away all tears.

Alpha and Omega

Alpha and Omega — the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet: the beginning and the end

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelation 21:5–6

The One on the throne speaks and renews all creation. He calls Himself Alpha and Omega, a title Jesus Christ uses for Himself in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants, so Latter-day Saints hear the Savior's voice here.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Revelation 1:8 — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending.
• the same title in Revelation 22:13 — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
• the same title in 3 Nephi 9:18 — The risen Christ: I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
• the same title in D&C 19:1 — I am Alpha and Omega, Christ the Lord.

Living Water

And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. Revelation 21:6

Christ promises the water of life, eternal life, freely to anyone who thirsts for it. It is the living water He offered the woman at the well.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 4:14 — The water that I shall give him shall be a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
• the same title in John 7:37 — If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
• alludes to Isaiah 55:1 — Every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.
• the same title in Revelation 22:17 — Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Children of Christ

He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7

Those who overcome through Christ inherit everything and become His sons and daughters. King Benjamin taught that covenant people become the children of Christ, and the faithful become heirs with Him of all the Father has.

• alludes to Romans 8:17 — Heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ.
• alluded to by D&C 84:38 — All that my Father hath shall be given unto him.

Bridegroom

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. Revelation 21:9

The angel shows John the holy city as the bride of Christ, the Lamb. The covenant relationship between Christ and His people is pictured as a marriage.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Revelation 19:7 — The marriage of the Lamb is come.
• alludes to Ephesians 5:25-27 — Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it, to present it to Himself.

Lamb of God

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Revelation 21:14

The city rests on foundations bearing the names of Christ's Twelve Apostles. His Church is built on apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to Ephesians 2:20 — Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief corner stone.

Lamb of God

And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. Revelation 21:22

The city needs no temple building because the Father and the Lamb dwell there in person. Every temple was a type pointing to being in their presence.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• alludes to John 2:19-21 — He spake of the temple of his body.

Light of the World

And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. Revelation 21:23–24

No sun is needed because Christ, the Lamb, is the city's light, and the saved nations walk in it. The One who called Himself the light of the world gives light forever.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 8:12 — I am the light of the world.
• alludes to Isaiah 60:19 — The LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light.
• alludes to Isaiah 60:3 — The Gentiles shall come to thy light.

Lamb of God

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27

Only those whose names are in Christ's book of life may enter the holy city. Belonging to the Lamb is what opens the gates.

How we know: the verse itself names Him

• the same title in Revelation 13:8 — The book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.