Revelation 22, John's Final Briefing

In this chapter, John is first escorted inside the magnificent city of New Jerusalem then is taken back to Patmos to receive a final briefing from our Lord Jesus Christ.

v.1-2 "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."

Two remarkable elements of the magnificent city are revealed: A crystal clear river flowing from the throne of God and the “tree of life” seemingly planted squarely in the middle of it.

Although both are highly symbolic of God’s provision of eternal life in Christ Jesus (see—John 4:10, 13-14; Rev.2:7), the tree, with its twelve kinds of fruits, is also meant for the consumption of the saints (Rev.2:7), and its leaves “for the healing of the nations.”

Let’s consider it.

Scripture doesn’t speak of a need to eat in heaven. So it’s safe to say that our resurrected bodies won’t require food to subsist, and that the purpose of eating fruit from the tree of life is altogether distinct from survival. My own opinion is that it’s intended for a blessed communion together with God, and partaken of at future gatherings throughout eternity as a means of intimate fellowship between the saints and God. When He introduced the communion service, Jesus said, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it with you in My Father’s kingdom” (Matt.26:29). This seems to support the idea of a celestial gathering with Christ for fellowship and maybe explains why we would eat from the tree of life in heaven?

“And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Though the “nations” are seemingly those who inhabit the new earth for eternity (see notes—Rev.21:24-26), the purpose for their “healing” is not easily interpreted. Perhaps, as some commentators suggest, the application is substantive—having to do with the fact that they enter eternity in physical bodies and therefore require a perpetual healing. Or as others suggest, it's figurative, meant only to underscore the point that their flesh becomes new and never again experiences corruption. Whatever the case, we can be certain of God’s glorious provision for those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

“Oh, how great is Your goodness, which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have prepared for those who trust in You” (Ps.31:19)

v.3-5 "And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. And there shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever."

The "curse" speaks of that which God Himself imposed upon man and the planet in the Garden of Eden following the sin of man (Gen.3:16-19).

Since a curse won’t exist in the new heaven and the new world, we should also take it to mean that a curse will never again be implemented. That all which is perfected will remain eternally perfect because no lower nature or vile spirit will ever again exist and sin will never occur again, forever.

Moreover, the throne of God and of the Lamb shall dwell amongst men, and we shall see Him face-to-face. Throughout all of eternity there will be no dark places, nothing covered or concealed, and all will be shown by and all will be known in the eternal light of God Himself.

[This ends John’s incredible journey into the future. All that follows takes place back on Patmos].

v.6-7 "Then he said to me, 'These words are faithful and true.' And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. 'Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.' "

Three testimonies in this passage undeniably embrace the record of John's eyewitness account and give formidable notice that the Revelation is both credible and accurate.

1. John’s angelic escort - He plainly says, "These words are faithful and true"; confirming that John recorded the vision exactly as it was presented.
2. John himself - He says “And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place”; reaffirming that his experience was real and genuine, not something he made up.
3. Jesus - He says, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book”; which He would not have said had John’s record contained an error or omission.
   

It should be noted that three testimonies was the legal requirement for a testimony to be admissible in court (check—Deu.17:6; John 5:31-32). We may question the various interpretations, dear ones, but we can trust the Revelation to be true.

v.8-10 "Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, 'See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.' And he said to me, 'Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.' "

John’s emotions are once more fueled and as before, he must be corrected for wrongly attempting to worship the angel. We must always bear in mind that angels are servants of God who minister to us (check—Heb.1:13-14).

"And he said to me, 'Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand'. “

Because "the set occasion" or "proper time" for the vision to be read and understood by the Church is at hand and it’s God's desire for us to have knowledge of this prophecy, John is commanded not “to keep it secret” (compare to—Dan.12:9). If we earnestly seek to understand, dear ones, He will reveal this vision.

v.11 "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.' "

The Revelation, not unlike all the Gospel of Christ, will not affect all that read it in the same way.

Those who have been made righteous and holy by the blood of Jesus and therefore consecrated to God as pure are drawn to it and encounter a blessing, while those who resist the things of God and whose own soul remains unclean before God are hardened and repelled by it.

“Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand” (Dan 12:10)

v.12-13 "'And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.' "

The phrase “I am coming quickly”, stated no less than three times in this chapter (vs. 7, 12, 20), doesn't speak in terms of days (as if, "tomorrow I'm coming"), but rather implies that the events foretold will occur in rapid succession once they begin.

Jesus never intended for the Church to set a date for His return, but for us to expect Him at any moment, and therein ordering our lives in the light of that blessed hope. We must be ready especially because we aren't given a date, and instead only made aware that He can return at any moment, suddenly, and with no other warning than what He has already given.

“And My reward is with Me.” The word for "reward" means, “pay for service—good or bad” (more literally, a “wage”). The idea conveyed here is that Jesus will compensate the saints (Rev.11:18) and the unrighteous (2 Peter 2:12-13). A believer given the gift of life and rewarded for good works, the unbeliever the wages of death (Rom.6:23). There is no partiality with God. He “will render to each one according to his deeds” (check—Rom.2:5-16).

Okay, but let's not confuse “works” to mean that we work for salvation. Jesus said, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (John 6:29).

Born-again believers will gain or lose rewards at the judgment seat of Christ (2Cor.5:10) based on the “quality” of the works, not the quantity (1Cor.3:13-15). Our judgment is only to “test” our works (to determine what sort it is), not a judgment of our sins.

v.14-15 "Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie."

One last time, a clear distinction is drawn between those who will occupy New Jerusalem and those who will not. Those who do His commandments will enter New Jerusalem and find blessing at the tree of life, whereas those who do not will have no place there.

Here again, the blessing appears to be contingent upon one's ability to keep the commandments of God, as if man must make himself perfect to enter heaven. But that's a contradiction to Scriptural teaching.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph.2:8-9)

The commandments of God concern desire, not ability. One who is born again can desire to obey God and fail (check—Rom.7:14-25), and another who is not saved may possess the ability but lack desire (check—Mark 10:17-22). A promised blessing is made to believers, not because they managed to keep the commandments, but because their saving faith in Jesus Christ has prompted them to do His commandments. “Not to our doings, but to what He has done for us", one commentator writes, "founded, not on our merits, but on God's grace.”

v.16 "'I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches, I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.' "

It should be noted that there has been no direct mention of the Church since the completion of the letters to the seven churches (Rev.2-3). All throughout the tribulation, beginning in Chapter 4, the church has only been referred to indirectly, and only as it was seen in heaven, not on earth.

Now, in this final briefing to John, with the Revelation almost complete, Jesus reminds John that the Revelation is to be taught to the Church. To which He adds His two great titles "the Root and the Offspring of David" and "the Bright and Morning Star" to qualify His sovereign right to do so. Jesus Christ is the Messiah of Israel, and He is the Lord of the Church.

"…that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil.2:10-11)

v.17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely."

This passage is both a plea and an invitation. As the Church pleas for Christ to return to the world, yet it longs for the world to come to Christ.

“And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." The greatest invitation ever extended unto man is God's call to "Come!" The greatest assurance to those who come is that none will be denied (John 6:37), and for those who “thirst” that they may come and take of the water of life freely and thus be saved (see also—John 4:10, 14).

v.18-19 "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

God's awful retribution won't be withheld from those who either add or delete from the words of the Revelation. But this doesn't mean that commentators who share various views about the Revelation are in danger.

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Rev.19:10), and the doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the one truth God will not permit man to pervert. The issue concerns the true reality that grace can be found in none other than Jesus Christ, and the warning applies only to those who would preach any other gospel (see also—Gal.1:6-9).

v.20 "He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

"Surely I am coming quickly", Jesus tells John. “So be it! Even so, come, Lord Jesus”, John responds. This is the final exchange between John and Jesus.

Okay, this begs a question. Will we be the generation that witnesses the Coming of Jesus Christ? We have no way to be certain, of course, but several things didn't exist prior to our generation that makes it highly plausible and worth considering. We'll begin with the most important development.

1. The Nation of Israel – In 70 A.D., Rome overthrew Jerusalem, destroyed their temple, and virtually scattered the Jews throughout the world with nothing that should have prevented them from assimilating into various cultures and disappearing as a people. Yet on May 14, 1948, over twenty-five hundred years after they were besieged by Babylon and ceased to be a nation, Israel once again became a nation. This needed to occur for many prophecies to be fulfilled (for example—Ez.37-39; Dan.9; Zech.12-14).
2. Nuclear weapons – Jesus said of the Tribulation, "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved…" (Matt.24:22). The potential that all mankind (all flesh) could be annihilated quickly enough to concern Jesus didn't exist prior to nuclear weapons.
3. Telecommunications – The bodies of the two witnesses, for instance, will be displayed in Jerusalem and celebrated by the world (Rev.11:8-10). This instant knowledge and simultaneous worldwide jubilation could not have occurred before radio; and is only enhanced and made more plausible by television, satellite transmissions, and the internet.
4. Computers – Prior to computers, it would have been impossible for Antichrist to impose a mark on the entire world and then control every buying and selling transaction each and every person makes (Rev.13:16-17); at least not soon enough to make it meaningful inside a period of three and a half years.
   

The prophet Daniel was told that the time of the end would be characterized by an increase in knowledge.

"But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." (Dan.12:4)

It is true that this "increase in knowledge" can be taken (as it is with some) to signify technological advances, and therefore interpret Daniel's prophecy to mean we should expect to see quantum leaps in technology as we near the end. It is certainly plausible that the end of this age will be marked with new increased levels of knowledge and intelligence; and certainly reasonable (if not correct). However, I interpret this verse otherwise.

I believe that it's the "knowledge of prophecy" that increases at the end of our age. In other words, as we behold the unfolding of events and technology, last-days prophecy will become more understandable in light of those events and technology.

v.21 "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

The most complete future installment of God ever beheld by a man has been written, by the grace of God preserved, and by the power of the Holy Spirit made available for every believer to read and learn throughout every generation since.

As we heed God’s Word, dear ones, having seen how the history of time shall be closed and the history of eternity opened, may it more arouse in us to consider what manner of persons we ought to be in holy conduct and godliness. Moreover, may it embed within us the courage to warn the lost of their eternal doom and lovingly bid them to seek the Savior.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

STUDY QUESTIONS, Chapter 22

1. True or False. The existence of both the river of water of life and the tree of life might be an indication that we will be required to eat and drink in heaven. (vs. 1-2)

2. Which of the following statements are not true concerning heaven? (vs. 3-5)

• a. There shall be no more curse
• b. There shall be no night
• c. The throne of God and the Lamb are in it
• d. There will no longer be a need to serve God
• e. God’s name will be written upon our right hand
  

3. Which of the following testified that John’s record of the Revelation is both credible and accurate? (vs. 6-7)

• a. The angel who escorted John
• b. John himself
• c. Jesus Christ
• d. All of the above
  

4. True or False. John was instructed to “seal” up the words of the Revelation because it did not apply to his generation. (vs. 8-10)

5. Complete this statement: “And behold, I am coming ____________, and My ____________ is with Me.” (vs. 12-13)

6. Which of the following two groups did Jesus associate Himself with when He said, “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star”? (v.16)

• a. The angels
• b. Israel
• c. The Church
• d. Those banished to the Lake of Fire
  

7. Fill in the blanks: “And the __________ and the _________ say, ‘________!’ And let him who __________ say, ‘Come!’ And let him who __________ come. And whoever ____________, let him take the water of life ______________.” (v.17)

8. True or False. God will severely judge anyone who deliberately adds or subtracts from the words of the Revelation in order to promote another doctrine other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. (vs. 18-19)

9. True or False. John concludes the Revelation with a prayer for the Church. (v.21)

Revelation 21, The New Heaven and the New Earth

In this chapter, John is ushered into eternity and given a glimpse of the glorious new heaven and new earth God has prepared for His people beyond this age.

v.1 "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea."

The word “new” means “new in respect to freshness”, rather than “new with respect to existence.” So it would be safe to interpret what John sees to be a “fresh heaven and fresh earth” that has undergone a cleansing and renewal, not one that has been totally annihilated and then recreated.

Peter describes the process as a virtual melt down of the very elements that make up the earth and heavens (2Pet.3:12); a fiery purging and cataclysmic renewal that produces new elements from the old elements. “Yes, all of them will grow old like a garment,” the Psalmist writes, “like a cloak You will change them, and they will be changed” (Ps.102:26). As a result, every thumbprint, footprint, stain, and foul odor brought upon this present world by Satan, death, and sin will be sanitized. The blood, tears, bones, fossils, and grave sites that have long infected the earth's surface, the defilement brought upon its core by the implant of Hades, and the pollution of contaminated materials and unholy sound and electronic impulses long thrust into its atmosphere will neither be found nor remembered again forever.

"Also there was no more sea." Some commentators interpret this passage to mean the absence of a literal sea, but it might be figurative. The Bible generally uses the term "sea" and "waters" to symbolize Gentile nations, multitudes, tongues, and ethnic groups (Dan.7; Rev.13; Rev.14). I believe it is figurative and take it to mean that there will be no more distinction between Jew and Gentile in the New World, and the divisive cross-hatching of borders, boundaries, cultures, languages, and national allegiances between men will be done away with.

v.2 "Then I, John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

New Jerusalem is the eternal city and dwelling place of the saints; “Whose builder and maker is God” (Heb.11:10) and every believer since Abraham has waited to see. Therefore, as John actually does see it, you can almost hear the exclamation of joy when he says "Then I, John saw the holy city."

New Jerusalem is the city “prepared” by God in the heavens for His resurrected and raptured saints. This is the same word used by Jesus when He told His disciples, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2), and elsewhere where it’s recorded “He has prepared a city for them” (Heb.11:16). And it's shown to John as a radiant bride ready for her husband because it personifies in virtue all of the saints residing therein.

v.3-5 “And I heard a loud voice from 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 will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' And He said to me, 'Write for these words are true and faithful.' "

The blessed presence of God with His people (us) is here proclaimed, and in heaven, it will not be interrupted as it is here on earth. He will dwell with us continually, and all relations between God and us will be filled up and perfected. Our souls shall be assimilated to Him in all love, honor, and delight; and His love shall be manifested to us, and His glory put upon us. It will be a blessed state free from the effects of all former and future trouble and sorrow. “For the former things have passed away” and all things will become “new.”

Moreover, dear ones, the certainty of this eventual state is so necessary for our perpetual memory and continual use that God ordered it to be written. “And He said to me,” John declares, “'Write for these words are true and faithful.' "

v.6-8 “And He said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and He shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.' "

Once Jesus puts all enemies under His feet and destroys death, He will deliver the kingdom to God the Father and become subject to the Father "that God may be all in all” (see—1Cor.15:24-28). Though the nature of this mysterious and wondrous eternal relationship between the Father and the Son isn’t explained, I believe it occurs right here, the moment Jesus proclaims “It is done!”

Sin is no more, death has been destroyed, the people of God have been delivered and enjoined unto Him, and the age has been consummated and all things have been made new. God the Son has completed the work and purposes of God the Father, and because it is done, therefore “God may be all in all.”

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and He shall be My son.” Believers, as citizens of New Jerusalem, will have unbridled access to the water of life flowing from the throne of God (Rev.22:1), shall “inherit all things” as “heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ” (Rom.8:17), and shall have a sure and indefeasible relationship with God, as a son of God (see also—1John 3:2).

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” This vastly different state of the unbeliever helps to illustrate the glory and blessedness of the saints and clearly distinguishes the goodness of God towards us. The unbeliever will never see New Jerusalem. They will die another death after their natural death. They will be consigned to the terrors and agonies of eternal death, or as one commentator puts it, they will “die and always be dying.”

v.9-11 "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, 'Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.' And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. And her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal."

What I find compelling about this passage is the implication that God is so delighted in His bride that He relocates John so he can behold her. Rather than leaving him in heaven to watch her descend toward earth, He has a significant angel usher John to an unobstructed place to watch her descend to earth. It’s like a bridegroom that would have you stand alongside him to behold in full view the beauty and majesty of his bride as she makes her descent down the aisle.

"And her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." As one commentator suggests, if you can picture a diamond the size of the moon with a light as bright as the sun resonating inside of it, you get the idea of what John beheld. New Jerusalem not only resonates with the brilliant light of God Himself, but the light in turn is refracted through the precious metals of the massive structure into an array of dazzling colored beams of light.

v.12-14 "Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

The walls, gates, and foundations leave no doubt that New Jerusalem is a literal city made of solid materials. It’s not an apparition, a figment of ones imagination, backroom folklore, or taught simply because it sounds good. John is our witness, dear ones: New Jerusalem is a real city.

On each of the twelve gates are the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and on each of the twelve foundations are the names of the twelve apostles (probably as a memorial to the work of God through man). The twelve tribes of Israel faithfully preserved and delivered His Law and His words through the prophets, and the twelve Apostles delivered the words and works of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The walls and the gates of New Jerusalem are symbolic, and meant only to signify the city's eternal security, safety, and well-being. There will be no need for fortification against any enemy in New Jerusalem (v.21).

v.15-21 "And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates and its wall. And the city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as its breath. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. And the construction of its wall was as jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eight beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass."

The dimensions and materials of the city are carefully recorded. Its length, breadth, and height are equally “twelve thousand furlongs” which some commentators estimate to be about 1378 miles cubed, others 1500 miles cubed, or as one put it, “about the size of our moon.” In any case, it’s clearly a vast cube.

The dimension of the wall is not as clear because it’s uncertain whether the angel is measuring the height or the width. As a result, some commentators regard the height of the wall to be about 216 feet while others consider it its thickness. As for the materials, they are all flawlessly precious and pure. Inlaid into its foundations and walls are varieties of brilliant stones, and each of its gates are solid pearl. The street of the city is made of pure gold.

In other words, the holy city of New Jerusalem is magnificent. It’s massive, perfectly uniform, flawlessly beautiful, and indescribably glorious. Once we see it in heavenly light, with its translucent whites, rainbow hues, and brilliant reflective colors, I believe we'll be surprised how much more it is than we imagined.

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1Cor.2:9)

v.22-23 "But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light."

The temple and the sun are each part of this present world meant to serve man in this present age. The temple provided a place where sinful man can meet with God, and the sun was instituted at the dawn of creation to provide light to the world.

In New Jerusalem, however, a temple-structure would serve no purpose. Sin will be gone, the sinful nature of man passed away, and God shall Himself dwell with man, directly and eternally approachable by His people. Moreover, there will be no requirement for a sun. Though the sun and the moon are established forever (Ps.148:1-6), God—Who is light (1John 1:5) and "the Father of lights" (Jas. 1:17)—will forever illuminate New Jerusalem with His eternal presence (see also—Isa.60:19-20).

v.24-27 "And the nations of those saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). And they shall bring the glory and the honor of nations into it. But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

This passage implies that some saints will inhabit the new earth as "the nations" beneath the city of New Jerusalem. They will walk in its light, bring their glory and honor into it, and have a perpetual open door to enter and exit as freely as they choose. So who are they?

I believe (although speculative) that these are the self-same mortals (along with their offspring) who inhabit the earth and subsequently receive Jesus Christ as Savior during the Millennium. Why, because they’re the only group of saints otherwise not accounted for.

1. They did not take part in the first resurrection ending with the tribulation martyrs (Rev.20:4-5) otherwise they would not have been subjected to our Lord’s judgment of the nations (see notes—Rev.20:5-6).
   
2. It’s clear that they resist the devil in his final rebellion against God, and thus are righteous, otherwise they would have been destroyed at Millennium’s end (Rev.20:9).
   
3. They certainly did not resurrect with the dead (Rev.20:13) or they would have been cast into the lake of fire and had no part in the new heaven and new earth (Rev.20:15; 21:27).

Moreover, God’s judgment of sin and death has already taken place (Rev.20:14), therefore we must conclude that they're transformed from mortality to immortality and will inhabit the new earth. Undoubtedly in the same perfection found in Adam and Eve, but without a sin nature of the former world and instead eternally perfect.