Chapter
Verse

Revelation 21:2

ESV And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
NIV I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
NASB And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
CSB I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
NLT And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
KJV And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
NKJV Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

What does Revelation 21:2 mean?

John beheld the holy city, New Jerusalem, descending from heaven from God. Human beings have not been able to build a perfect city, but God is the builder of a city that is perfect. It descends from Him and is holy. Cities today are notorious for crimes committed in them, but God's city contains no crimes. It is holy as God is holy. The New Jerusalem is a real city, not simply a symbol. It is the eternal home of the bride. All God's saints will live there eternally. Hebrews 12:22–24 lists its residents as innumerable angels, the assembly of the firstborn, likely meaning church saints, God, the spirits of the righteous likely meaning Old Testament believers, and Jesus.

The New Jerusalem is a beautiful place. John saw it as "a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2). A bride prepares meticulously to look her best for her wedding day, so this implies God plans to present the New Jerusalem as an exceptionally beautiful, carefully arranged city.
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