Devine Scripture

Revelation 21:5

What does Revelation 21:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 21:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 21:5 means

The One seated on the throne declares His creative decree: “I make all things new.” This is not a wish but an accomplished resolve from supreme authority. John is told to write because these words are “faithful and true.” The vision is therefore trustworthy, not symbolic comfort detached from reality. God’s promise secures the believer’s hope; the future renewal rests on His character, not on human effort. The command to record also serves the churches: they must carry this sure word through trials. Everything broken will be remade under God’s hand, guaranteeing permanence to the joys just described.

Revelation 21:5 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 · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he who is seated on the high seat said, See, I make all things new. And he said, Put it in the book; for these words are certain and true.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And He who is sitting upon the throne said, `Lo, new I make all things; and He saith to me, `Write, because these words are true and stedfast;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he that sat on the throne, said: Behold, I make all things new. And he said to me: Write. For these words are most faithful and true.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he that sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he says [to me], Write, for these words are true and faithful.

Context

After describing the end of sorrow, the focus turns to the source—God on His throne. His voice authenticates the vision and invites faith. This sets up the next declarations (verse 6) about completion, God’s eternal identity, and the free gift of the water of life. The movement is from comfort (what God will do for His people) to certainty (who God is and what He has decreed). The chapter now pivots to covenant terms: inheritance for conquerors and exclusion for the impenitent.

v.4and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.

v.5This passage

v.6And he said unto me, They are come to pass. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 4:2

    Straightway I was in the Spirit: and behold, there was a throne set in heaven, and one sitting upon the throne;

  • Revelation 1:11

    saying, What thou seest, write in a book and send it to the seven churches: unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamum, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

  • Revelation 1:19

    Write therefore the things which thou sawest, and the things which are, and the things which shall come to pass hereafter;

  • Revelation 5:1

    And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the back, close sealed with seven seals.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:17

    Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.

  • 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.

Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:5

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Revelation 21:5 teaches us about new creation

  • What Revelation 21:5 teaches us about god dwelling with man

  • What Revelation 21:5 teaches us about end of death and sorrow

  • What Revelation 21:5 teaches us about eternal worship

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