Devine Scripture

Revelation 21:9

What does Revelation 21:9 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 21:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 21:9 means

One of the angels formerly associated with judgment now becomes a guide to glory, inviting John to see “the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” The shift from bowls and plagues to beauty and union highlights God’s full victory: wrath has made way for wedding. Calling the city the Lamb’s bride identifies the redeemed community’s intimate relationship with Christ, who purchased her. The emphasis on the Lamb keeps the cross at the center even in glory. What John is about to see is not merely architecture, but a people beautified and secured in covenant love with the Lamb.

Revelation 21:9 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 there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And one of the seven angels who had the seven vessels in which were the seven last punishments, came and said to me, Come here, and see the bride, the Lamb's wife.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And there came unto me one of the seven messengers, who have the seven vials that are full of the seven last plagues, and he spake with me, saying, `Come, I will shew thee the bride of the Lamb--the wife,'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there came one of the seven angels, who had the vials full of the seven last plagues, and spoke with me, saying: Come and I will shew thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And there came one of the seven angels which had had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and spoke with me, saying, Come here, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.

Context

This angelic invitation signals a new section: the detailed portrayal of the new Jerusalem. The title “bride” recalls verse 2 and promises that what follows will unpack her splendor and relationship. The Lamb’s mention anchors the city’s identity in Christ. Next, in verse 10, John is transported to a vantage point to behold the city descending, setting up the cascading descriptions of light, walls, gates, foundations, and measurements that convey perfection and permanence.

v.8But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.

v.9This passage

v.10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,

Cross references

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

  • Revelation 17:1

    And there came one of the seven angels that had the seven bowls, and spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the judgment of the great harlot that sitteth upon many waters;

  • Revelation 19:7

    Let us rejoice and be exceeding glad, and let us give the glory unto him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

  • Revelation 16:1

    And I heard a great voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, Go ye, and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God into the earth.

  • Revelation 21:2

    And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

  • Revelation 15:1

    And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having seven plagues, which are the last, for in them is finished the wrath of God.

Sermon ideas from Revelation 21:9

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

  • What Revelation 21:9 teaches us about new creation

  • What Revelation 21:9 teaches us about god dwelling with man

  • What Revelation 21:9 teaches us about end of death and sorrow

  • What Revelation 21:9 teaches us about eternal worship

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