As noted in the earlier blog on Revelation 21, Jesus had begun his millennial reign at the end of the age at which time he also consummates His marriage with His bride and presents her to the Father. A new Jerusalem has begun. A new kingdom, new marriage, and new heavens and earth have begun. Verse 5 reads “He that sits on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.'” This new creation (cf. 2 Cor.5:11-19; Col. 1:9-23) is a heavenly eternal abode.
Verse three describes this new relationship in which the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them and they shall be his peoples, and God himself shall be with them and be their God” (21:3). In this case, it is not His people coming up to God, but God dwelling where His people live, i.e. upon the earth “with men”. God dwells with them and will be with them as their God. The tears they cry will be wiped away; and death shall be no more, neither mourning, crying, nor pain because the first things are passed away” (21:4). This kingdom is characterized by the Lord in His sermon on the mount, part of which is repeated, here. For example, Jesus taught, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Here, the mourning and crying will be no more because the redeemed are comforted so that their former troubles are forgotten (Isa. 65:16-17; Matt. 5:4). This is not to be taken as never having had experienced tears and crying, mourning and pain. But, that these things are turned into joy. Tears would be shed during the travail and great tribulation (Rev. 7:14), but like a woman in birth pains, after a while, the former things are forgotten (Isa. 66:10-14). Those who are comforted are the same who mourned over the evil of Jerusalem as the Lord had done (cf. Matt. 23:37-39). The first things refer to the painful experiences that would be experienced at the end of the age and of the Jewish order. The “second” implied things are those things that replace the pain, tears, death, and crying with rejoicing, comfort, satisfaction, and delight. He who is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end promises to freely give the fountain of the water of life. There is no charge for this water and there is never a diminish of supply (John 4:1-14).
As we digest the content of this book of prophecy, some taste sweet while others are bitter (Rev. 10:9-10). Verse 8 provides the bitter message of death to the faithless, abominable, murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars (21:8). They are not the overcomers who are promised the inheritance as sons of God.