Revelation 21:23
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
The holy city has no need of sun or moon or candle to shine in it, for the glory of God lightens it and the Lamb is its light. There is no night there, but perpetual sunless day in which the saved nations walk and stand before the throne in unfading light. That light flows ceaselessly from the throne of God and from the face of Jesus Christ, shining brighter than the sun yet not painfully dazzling, and filling souls with love, joy, purity and ever-increasing glory. Nothing defiling can enter it, but only those written in the Lamb's book of life who are loyal to God and made pure in heart. No church and no person shines by own light, for all light comes from Christ and must be received and then reflected and diffused to those in darkness now in preparation for that higher life.
City of Divine Light
The city has no need of sun or moon to shine in it, nor even of candle, for the glory of God lightens it and the Lamb is its light. The saved walk in that light, and the crucified one is the illuminator of the home of the faithful. The brightness of heaven is the glory of the Redeemer, and God's people shine only as they receive and reflect what He gives.
There is no night or darkness there, but perpetual sunless day and unfading light in which the saved nations walk and stand before the throne. The redeemed walk in this sunless day and enjoy the splendors of eternal day without the sun. Its radiance immeasurably surpasses the brightness of noontide yet is not painfully dazzling. In it none need or desire rest, there is no weariness in doing God's will and praising Him, and there is ever the freshness of morning far from its close.
The light is the glory of the Redeemer before which angels cover their faces, the face and countenance of Jesus shining brighter than the sun to light the golden city. The lovely one lights up the glorious golden city with His countenance. The same face that will light the holy city was spit upon and abused by the infuriated multitude, which He bore with meek humility without anger, and His abusers will one day desire to be hid from it.
The wide plains of the new earth are lit by one eternal day because Christ reigns there forever as the sun and scatters all night away. Ceaseless streams of light flow from the face of God on the throne and from the Lamb upon the faces of the saints. That light carries high, holy perfection, love filling souls, joy beaming on every face, music honoring God and the Lamb, and high purity and exalted, transporting glory. The more the saints receive and enjoy God, the more their capacity is increased to bear more and rise higher in eternal, immortal enjoyment, continually receiving new and greater supplies from ceaseless sources of glory and inexpressible bliss.
The King is the joy and light of the place, and the redeemed will behold His beauty and live in His presence. Those led through its pearly gates will long to see Him, and the Lamb is adored by angels who bow before Him, cast their glittering crowns before Him, and touch their golden harps to fill heaven with rich music in songs to Him. The chapter's prophetic scenes reveal the second coming of Christ and the surpassing glory of the events shown to John. The vision places the holy city after the thousand years, coming down from God out of heaven and settling on the earth where the saints live and stand, at the close of the thousand years after Christ's second advent.
The New Jerusalem is the metropolis of the glorified new earth and the destination of the resurrected righteous. It is the city that has foundations whose builder and maker is God, with broad streets paved with gold and pearly gates that swing open to the nations that have kept the truth. It is far more attractive than any earthly city with beautiful parks and wide, safe streets. Its glory and immortal light shine through its open gates. A sunset's radiance is only a gleam of the light flowing from God's throne within, encouraging believers to look by faith toward their heavenly home and the rest awaiting the faithful under God's unfailing care, though sin blinds people to this glory so they need spiritual eyesight to see it.
Entering and Reflecting Light
The city admits nothing defiling or false, and only those written in the Lamb's book of life enter it, the loyal to God and the Lamb, to His government and everlasting covenant. Its broad streets are paved with gold, far more attractive than any earthly city with beautiful parks and wide safe streets, and the saved nations walk in its light where there is no night. Those who have rejected Christ and lived selfishly would be unable to endure its purity and glory, for entering heaven requires a heart made pure. No one passes its gates without bearing God's sign and cherishing pure principles rooted in truth.
Faithfulness that enters honors God's law and Sabbath, with Christ working in belief and practical obedience, since ability, learning, influence, or strength cannot secure eternal life. Only those who on earth have trained the mind to delight in spiritual exercises, learned the language of heaven, and escaped worldly corruption can be translated to mingle with the heavenly throng, join their songs, and receive that purity and transcendent glory without being overwhelmed. The unready, dwarfed and selfish soul cannot share it, for that light flowing in ceaseless streams from the face of God on the throne and from the Lamb upon the faces of the saints carries high holy perfection, love filling souls, joy beaming on every face, music honoring God and the Lamb, and ever-increasing capacity to bear more and rise higher in eternal enjoyment. The city is the home of the royal family where God's obedient, commandment-keeping people are numbered with the redeemed with no more partings.
This prospect should lead every believing soul to seek earnestly for eternal life and to be fitted by obedience to all the commandments for a place there. Fitness for the higher life where the redeemed live and reign forever in the presence of God and the Lamb is prepared now by character formed for good through discipline that removes roughness so lustre appears. Such a life does good, blesses others with light, and makes the world better for having been lived in it. This calls for working for one another and working determinedly to bring up youth and children as precious jewels entrusted by God to parents, so with characters formed for good they receive the crown of life as overcomers and shine forever.
Jesus is the church's illuminator, moving among His people, and the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the source of the heavenly church's light through eternity. No church and no person shines by own light, but all light emanates from Christ and the throne of God. A church and a soul have light only as that glory is received and then reflected and diffused to those in darkness. The church in heaven is the complement of the church on earth, but higher, grander, and perfect. Receiving light without sharing it leads to darkness, while the righteous will shine in God's kingdom and the wicked's light will be put out.