Rev 21:22-25 | TNotes | STEP | 21:22 I saw no temple: This apparent conflict with earlier visions (11:19 ; 14:15-17 ) is resolved by understanding each visionary picture in Revelation as a separate symbolic representation of God’s presence. There is no longer any need for a temple in heaven because God is present with his people.

21:22 ^a I saw no temple: This apparent conflict with earlier visions (11:19 ^b; 14:15-17 ^c) is resolved by understanding each visionary picture in Revelation as a separate symbolic representation of God’s presence. There is no longer any need for a temple in heaven because God is present with his people.
21:23 ^d The vitality, energy, and life of the city are not in institutions or physical sources of power and light, but in the glory of God and the Lamb. The sun and moon were features of the first creation (Gen 1:14-19 ^e; see Isa 60:19-20 ^f).

• the Lamb is its light: Jesus is the light of the world (see John 8:12 ^g; 9:5 ^h; 12:35-36 ⁱ).
Summary for Rev 21:24-25: 21:24-25 ^j The nations: God’s promise to Abraham is fulfilled (Gen 12:3 ^k; see Isa 2:3 ^l).

• In Revelation, the kings of the world usually refer to God’s enemies (Rev 6:15 ^m; 17:18 ⁿ; 18:3 ^o, 9 ^p). Now that the enemies have been destroyed (16:9 ^q, 11 ^r; 19:1-2 ^s, 19-21 ^t), the picture is of God’s glory as reflected in those people who have repented (14:6-7 ^u; cp. 11:13 ^v) and walk with God (5:9 ^w; 15:4 ^x).

• The gates that are never ... closed contrast with the ancient scene in which closed gates protected cities from enemies, particularly at night. The people enjoy peace and security in God’s supremacy (see Isa 60:11 ^y). God’s enemies have been destroyed, and fear and failure have ended (see Zech 14:7 ^z; John 11:8-10 ^aa; 12:35-36 ^ab).