"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared … And I saw the holy [spiritual] city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain" (Rev. 21:1-4).

It is this vision that is seen by commentators as the real source of John's certainty concerning the whole prophecy: the City of God. "Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations" (Heb. 11:10) and so do we! But the best part however, is that God's home will be with us! "He will wipe every tear from their eyes" is an incredible promise made to each of his children. The Father will comfort us for all those times we have suffered alone. All those tears shed in secret will be tenderly wiped away; whether for our own sins, shame, failings and shortcomings, or for abuse, rejection and mistreatment suffered at the hands of others.

"I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light … there is no night there … Nothing evil will be allowed to enter … only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life" (Rev. 21:27). Every true believer's name was written in that book before the world was created (Rev. 17:8)!

Three times in the last chapter Jesus says: "Look, I am coming soon!" (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). In Rev. 1:1-3 we are told the events of this prophecy "must soon take place … for the time is near" and in 22:6 that it is all about "what will happen soon". We are clearly being told to live as though Jesus might return today, and to pray "Come, Lord Jesus".

Right up to the very end of the Bible the Gospel is offered to all. "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' Let anyone who hears this say, 'Come'. Let anyone who is thirsty come." Those who are barred from the city are listed as "cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idol worshippers and all who love to live a lie". That is, all who refused to repent and receive forgiveness, all who were not brave enough to believe in Jesus, to receive him as their own Lord and Saviour and to confess their allegiance to him publically. That is, all who chose to continue to serve the god of this world.