Revelation 21:1
What does Revelation 21:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 21:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 21:1 means
John witnesses the final, total renewal of creation. The former order—marked by decay, curse, and instability—has passed away. A “new heaven and a new earth” means not merely repair but a re-creation suited for God’s unveiled presence. The note that “the sea is no more” signals the removal of forces once associated with separation, danger, and chaos. God’s redeemed world will be unified, peaceful, and secure. This is the promised goal of history after judgment: a real, lasting home for God’s people, free from the old world’s sorrows and limitations, where creation finally matches God’s holy purposes.
Revelation 21:1 in context
Revelation 21 — A New Heaven and a New Earth
John's final vision. The first heaven and earth pass away, and the New Jerusalem comes down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. God himself dwells with his people; he wipes away every tear; there is no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. The former things are passed away. The light of the city is the glory of God; its lamp is the Lamb. The story that began in the garden of Genesis ends in the city of Revelation, and the gates are never shut.
- New creation
- God dwelling with man
- End of death and sorrow
- Eternal worship
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were gone; and there was no more sea.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth did pass away, and the sea is not any more;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth was gone: and the sea is now no more.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea exists no more.
Context
This verse opens the climactic vision that follows the final judgment of the previous chapter. Having seen evil judged, John now sees the positive fulfillment: God’s renewed creation. The statement prepares readers for what follows—the descent of the holy city and the declaration that God Himself will dwell with His people. Understanding this as a fresh beginning helps frame the chapter’s details as characteristics of the eternal state, not merely a temporary phase in redemptive history.
v.1This passage
v.2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 3:10
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall be dissolved with fervent heat, and the earth and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
- Revelation 21:5
And he that sitteth on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he saith, Write: for these words are faithful and true.
- Isaiah 65:17
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
- 2 Peter 3:13
But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
- Revelation 20:11
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
- Isaiah 66:22
For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain.
Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:1
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Revelation 21:1 teaches us about new creation
What Revelation 21:1 teaches us about god dwelling with man
What Revelation 21:1 teaches us about end of death and sorrow
What Revelation 21:1 teaches us about eternal worship
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