21:3Revelation 21:3

The great voice announces that God's dwelling place will be with humanity on earth, for the Holy City, New Jerusalem, will come down to the renewed earth as the tabernacle where He lives visibly among the redeemed.Ms 89, 1909, par. 2–7+4 This belongs to the time when the first earth is cleansed by fire from every stain of sin and made new, after the thousand years when the wicked are judged and destroyed, with tears, death, sorrow and pain gone forever.Ms 87, 1909, par. 1–5+4 Then God claims the redeemed as His own people in tender union as Father with children, communing face to face with no veil between in the light of His glory.LSEGW 464.2+4 It restores what was lost in Eden and promised to Abraham, the earth returned to its original goodness as an everlasting possession where humanity is united to God even more closely than if never fallen.DA 26.3–4+4 The inheritance is for the thirsting, obedient and transformed who overcome sin and keep His commandments, rising in the first resurrection to live with Him forever free from temptation.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3+4

The verse is a proclamation by a great voice out of heaven concerning what will be in the last day.Ms 126, 1906, par. 13–15 It was made known by Christ Himself to John on the Isle of Patmos as a living reality of the last events of this earth's history, given from God in solemn warning to remind of things which will be.Ms 126, 1906, par. 13–15+1 Its words are to be proclaimed with great power and to be read and understood, so that people know where they are in this earth's history.Ms 126, 1906, par. 13–15+1 In this way minds are called in these last days and are not deceived by Satan's sophistry, who seeks to hide these things by keeping minds confused to gain a great victory, but instead believe and practice the Word of God as the only hope of the world.Ms 126, 1906, par. 13–15+1

The tabernacle of God is the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, when it is situated on the new earth.WLF 23.1–3 After the saints are raised and gathered into the City, it alone is God's tabernacle or temple, where they serve Him.WLF 23.1–3 Jesus at the head of the saints descends from the City down to this earth onto a great and mighty mountain that parts asunder into a mighty plain.SG2 52.1 Then the great City with twelve foundations and twelve gates, three on each side with an angel at each gate, comes down from God out of heaven and settles on the plain where they stand, so that the tabernacle of God is literally with men on earth and the saints inhabit glorious silver-appearing houses outside the City.SG2 52.1

He will dwell with them means that in the renewed world God will dwell with humanity in person and visibly, and they will belong to Him and be His people throughout eternity.Ms 89, 1909, par. 2–7+3 In the restored world and in Eden restored the redeemed will live and speak directly with God, with Christ and with angels, and will walk and talk with God.LS 336.3–337.1+1 This future fellowship includes a people prepared to see God's face, unlike the unprepared person who could not live after seeing it.Ms 89, 1909, par. 2–7 Because sin had separated humanity from God's visible presence, the spirit of prophecy was needed as a light while separated, but when this dwelling is fulfilled it will no longer be needed.LS 336.3–337.1+1

They shall be His people and God Himself shall be their God means that in the new earth God will live among the redeemed, claim them as His people, and be their God in an everlasting home where He makes them His own.LSEGW 464.2 After the resurrection He will be closely and tenderly united with His resurrected saints: He will be their God, and they will be His people.3SP 50.1 This points to the beautiful home where God will be with His people as their Father and they will be His children, after the wickedness of the wicked has ended.7MR 121.5–122.3

The verse belongs to the appearing of the new heaven and the new earth, when the first heaven and the first earth pass away and the holy city, New Jerusalem, comes down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.Ms 87, 1909, par. 1–5+2 It is the eternal home of the redeemed in the new creation, where God Himself is ever present dwelling among His people as His own and they belong to Him.Ms 87, 1909, par. 1–5+2 There tears, death, sorrow, crying, mourning and pain are gone, all things are made new, and God wipes away all tears, a promise declared true and faithful.Ms 87, 1909, par. 1–5+3 It is glad news to all who love God, giving His children an eternity of happiness and holding out a recompense of reward as an inducement to live holy lives, obey the truth, endure in the fear of God, understand their relation to God and be in harmony with His divine will, lest heaven be lost with terrible disappointment.Ms 87, 1909, par. 1–5+2

It is fulfilled after this sin-cursed earth is purified from every stain of sin and every mark of the curse by refining, purifying fire from heaven, cleansed of that vile blot and freed from sin.Lt 26, 1895, par. 10–12+4 When so purified and made new, the earth is given to the saints forever in peace, nothing disturbing their peace or happiness, and they are redeemed and immortal.Ms 69, 1912, par. 51–56+1 The prophecies and promises associated with Christ's first advent will be fulfilled there in the new earth.Ms 69, 1912, par. 51–56+1

Earthly Jerusalem and the land now called the Holy Land are not sacred now but rest under guilt and curse, with the darkest blot of guilt upon them, for refusing the light of Christ and crucifying God's only begotten Son, so pilgrimages there do not advance God's cause and it will never again be a sacred place until that cleansing.Lt 26, 1895, par. 10–12+1 Only after the cleansing will Christ again stand upon the Mount of Olives, His feet resting upon it, and it will be rent asunder and part asunder to become an immense plain, a great plain prepared for the city of God to descend upon.Lt 26, 1895, par. 10–12+1 Then the Holy City, New Jerusalem, will come down from God out of heaven prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, and then the land now called the Holy Land will indeed become holy.Lt 26, 1895, par. 10–12+1

The holy city descends from heaven and settles on earth after the thousand years, when the saints dwell there in glorious homes and praise God.1T 67.2+1 This is after the saints inherit the whole earth, after the wicked are judged, resurrected and finally destroyed with Satan, after evil is destroyed and the earth is purified by fire and made new so the city will not be corrupted and none of its inhabitants will know corruption.EW 45.1+3 Then the earth is renewed as the saints' everlasting inheritance, and God dwells with His people and is their God.GC88 bC.1+1

The verse presents the glorious scenes of Christ's second coming and the hope of His soon return, revealing the nearness of that coming.GC88 363.2+1 It describes the full establishment of God's kingdom of glory on the glorified new earth, which will take place when Christ comes again and returns and His glorious reign begins.RH Nov 14, 1912+1

The Jewish nation mistakenly applied the prophecies of that future glory to Christ's first coming, expecting Him to arrive as a mighty king to free them from earthly oppression and exalt them to rule, so instead He came humbly and was rejected.10MR 152.1–3 The prophecies the Jews applied to Christ's first advent, and the promises associated with His first advent, will instead be fulfilled in the renewed earth where the redeemed dwell with God immortal, crowned with immortality and filled with joy and glory reflecting their Redeemer.10MR 158.3–159.2+1

In the New Jerusalem, the metropolis of the glorified new earth, God Himself makes His home with redeemed people as His own, dwelling among them and living in His presence as those who belong to Him.Lt 236, 1903, par. 14–18+4 It is the home prepared for His people, and His personal presence with them is its defining blessing.Lt 236, 1903, par. 14–18+1 He rejoices in Jerusalem and finds joy in His people there.4SP 490.2–491.2+1 This is the close and lasting relationship promised in a purified world made new and free from sin's curse, a blessed hope and glorious prospect in which God's purpose for the earth is fulfilled and the renewed earth freed from sin and sorrow becomes the eternal home of the redeemed.Lt 62, 1886, par. 3–4+2

There the redeemed have direct, open communion with the Father and the Son, living among them and seeing God face to face with no dimming veil between.4SP 490.2–491.2+2 The dim, mirrored view of God now seen in nature and in His dealings is then replaced by standing in His presence and beholding His face in the unfading light of the glory of God and the Lamb that floods the holy city.4SP 490.2–491.2+1 That meeting around the throne with angels to behold the glory of God and the Lamb face to face ends man's separation from God's visible presence caused by the fall.4SP 490.2–491.2+1 The spirit of prophecy and the gifts of the Holy Spirit became necessary because of that separation and remain necessary through the Christian age, especially amid the perils of the last days, but when the Redeemer comes, the controversy is ended, the saints are made immortal and given rest, and the spirit of prophecy will cease and be numbered among heaven's choicest blessings of the past.1SP 16.2

God's presence gives His children an eternity of happiness in the beautiful new earth and eternal city, where they enjoy everlasting life, immortality, joy and glory in His presence.3MR 86.1+3 The renewed earth, purified by fire and freed from every trace of sin and the curse, becomes the saints' home forever, where the redeemed are crowned with immortality and filled with joy and glory reflecting their Redeemer.10MR 158.3–159.2+1 Its joy is enduring, unlike the passing pleasures of this life, and there the redeemed receive the rewards of obedience to God's requirements, free from earthly suffering and heartache.RH Aug 1, 1907+2 The prophecies applied to Christ's first advent will be fulfilled there.10MR 158.3–159.2

That fellowship belongs to the blessed hereafter when God is personally present with His people as their God and pain and death no longer afflict them.Lt 3, 1904, par. 8–12+1 It belongs to the renewed world where tears, death, mourning, crying and pain have ended and all things are made new.Lt 3, 1904, par. 8–12+1 The promise is declared true and faithful.Ms 33, 1897, par. 32–33

When God makes all things new and completes the work of redemption, He will dwell with the redeemed on earth and be their God, and the earth, once under sin's curse and claimed by Satan as his field and the one dark blot, will not only be ransomed but exalted and honored above all other worlds in the universe.DA 26.3–4+1 This is because here the Son of God tabernacled in humanity and the King of glory lived and suffered and died, the place where Christ lived and died becoming the place of God's dwelling with humanity.DA 26.3–4+1 There grace abounds much more where sin abounded, and humanity is united to God even more closely than if never fallen, since in taking human nature Christ as brother has bound Himself to humanity forever and linked Himself with us through the eternal ages.RH Feb 25, 1915 By love's self-sacrifice heaven is enshrined in humanity and earth and heaven are bound to the Creator in indissoluble union, and through endless ages the redeemed will walk in the light of the Lord in that dwelling, praising Him for His unspeakable Gift, Immanuel, God with us.DA 26.3–4+1

Christ gave His life to redeem lost humanity to live with Him in glory in the earth made new.Ms 43, 1910, par. 3 Throughout eternity He will bear in His hands the prints of the cruel nails of Calvary as everlasting witness to the sufferings He endured so penitent sinners might have eternal life.Ms 43, 1910, par. 3 Only those who claim to follow Him as the Lamb of God and who in this life labor for souls as those who must give an account will be permitted to live with their Saviour there.Ms 43, 1910, par. 3

This restored fellowship is celebrated in song when Christ comes to gather His redeemed to their eternal home, and the multitude sings of God dwelling with them as His people upon entering.ST Apr 19, 1905+1 After Christ appears again, God will dwell with His redeemed people and they will belong to Him as His people.ST Apr 19, 1905+1 The faithful who lost their lives for the truth will there be accepted and rewarded with everlasting life in the city of God, while persecutors remain outside the city and, seeing the light upon the faithful and hearing their song of triumph, will regret their choices.ST Apr 19, 1905+2

The verse restores humanity's Eden home through Christ's sacrifice, for the earth purified from sin becomes the saints' everlasting home and is brought back to its original loveliness as when creation was called very good.Lt 125, 1901, par. 17+3 That renewed and beautified earth is unmarred, untainted and undestroyed, with the curse removed and Eden restored, so that God's purpose for people to dwell with Him again is fulfilled.Ms 89, 1902, par. 8+3 Those who follow Christ will dwell with Him in the city of God upon that earth made new.Ms 161, 1898, par. 5

It fulfills God's promise to Abraham that the earth restored to Eden's beauty will be given to him as an everlasting possession.PP 137.1–2 The wanderings of God's people are then over, for when the earth is freed from the curse with sin gone and death unable to enter, the nations of the saved find their eternal home there in a deliverance greater than Moses could have hoped.PP 477.1 Moses was shown the promised land as a second Eden and saw Christ's second coming and the resurrection of the just, when Eden will bloom on earth again.1T 658.3–659.2

Sin severed humanity from God, creating a wide and deep separation, but God provided a way to bridge that gulf and re-establish union.Ms 150, 1898, par. 18 Humanity's original innocence pictured this fellowship, when the human heart was a holy temple filled with love, praise rose to heaven, and the Father and Son communed with Adam and Eve.Ms 150, 1898, par. 18 When people are restored to God's presence to dwell with Him as His people with God as their God, they will again be taught by God and know Him.ED 302.3–4

When the verse is fulfilled, the redeemed will walk and talk with God in Eden restored and will live and speak directly with God, Christ and the angels, meeting around the throne and beholding the glory of God and the Lamb face to face.LS 336.3–337.1+2 The spirit of prophecy and the gifts of the Holy Spirit became necessary because the fall separated humanity from God's visible presence, and they remain necessary through the Christian age especially amid the perils of the last days.1SP 16.2 When the Redeemer comes, the controversy ended, the saints made immortal and given rest, and God's tabernacle dwelling with men, the spirit of prophecy will cease as a light no longer needed while separated from His presence and be numbered among heaven's choicest blessings of the past.LS 336.3–337.1+2

On the new earth where God will dwell with men the weather is stable and pleasant with no chilling winds and no disagreeable changes, and the atmosphere is ever right and healthy, unlike the cold, blustering, changeable weather of this present life.Ms 5, 1859, par. 84 There the faithful who have lived on earth will dwell forever with God in the beautiful home above, where the enemy can never again tempt or try them.Lt 149, 1903, par. 13–15

The heavenly inheritance belongs to those who thirst for the heavenly and not the earthly, and it is to be sought and prepared for and fitted up for now.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3 It is given when those who have made Christ their friend and have given their life to follow Him come into possession of it, through being sanctified by belief of the truth and not found in heresy.Ms 82, 1910, par. 1–3 Those who consecrate their lives to God's service will live with Him forever, for God Himself will be with them and be their God through the ceaseless ages of eternity.Ms 11, 1896, par. 13–14+1

A place there is gained by obedience to all the commandments of God, as members of the royal family and the Lord's family in the city of God.Lt 76, 1908, par. 16–19 Those who meet there as God's commandment-keeping redeemed people will know no more partings, and this representation should lead every believing soul to seek earnestly for eternal life.Lt 76, 1908, par. 16–19 It is the condition of those who have done their best in the work of overcoming by living on the plan of addition, adding virtue and the other graces to faith, and it belongs to the higher school after this life when character defects have been corrected through that overcoming work.Ms 184, 1907, par. 24–28 This hope is joined to the covenant of peace God makes with His commandment-keeping people and their entrance into the heavenly city, where they are glorified at Christ's appearing.10MR 157.4–158.1 Those who love and obey God on earth are accounted pure and loyal, worthy to live with Him in the heavenly courts, and Christlike lives testify that God has a people who will join the redeemed around His throne.Lt 41, 1903, par. 4

Members of the earth made new must first undergo a great transformation, for those who belong to Him there will be saints, not sinners.Lt 159, 1901, par. 13–15+1 They must overcome what is wrong in them and become Christlike in mind, heart, and character before they are fit to belong to God's royal family.Ms 115, 1898, par. 31 The unrepentant who cling to uncleanness will fall with the wicked when judgment is executed, so those who enter the kingdom must repent and forsake impurity.Lt 159, 1901, par. 13–15 God's grace transforms people and gives them the character needed to live in His presence, walk with Christ, and share communion with God and the angels.Lt 82, 1887, par. 6 Hearts unrenewed by the Holy Spirit cannot enter that heavenly home toward which people are journeying, for the character must be transformed before anyone can enter it.Ms 70, 1903, par. 19–21

It is glad news to all who love God, when after the new heaven and new earth appear and the holy city comes down prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, God Himself is ever present dwelling among His people.Ms 143, 1901, par. 25–28 Those who on earth love to think and talk of God and love the thought of heaven will be in their element, breathing the atmosphere of heaven and happy in its holy associations and pleasures.Ms 143, 1901, par. 25–28 Those who delight in feeding the mind on commonplace and trivial things and take no pleasure in thinking and talking of God will not enjoy that life where God dwells among His people.Ms 143, 1901, par. 25–28 The pure in heart will see God, while those who cling to selfishness and reject Christ's path cannot endure God's purity and glory or enjoy heaven.Lt 101, 1901, par. 6–9

Children may be welcomed into that city at last, for Christ gave His life so they could develop Christian character and share in the kingdom, receiving a crown and harp and praising the Redeemer.Ms 70, 1911, par. 10 Children who keep the commandments of God and love and obey their parents will enter the holy city, where all is harmony and joy.Lt 7, 1849, par. 1–4 When God's glory is revealed and the golden gates of the city of God are opened for His people to enter in and dwell with Him, the living Christ who now is with His people in sadness and grief, giving strength and grace to endure sorrows and afflictions, will then bring them out of all affliction.Ms 78, 1910, par. 31 Fathers and mothers with their children who have been overcomers will enter the city in victory, with the crown of life placed on their heads and harps placed in their hands.Ms 78, 1910, par. 31 Then the righteous nation entering the holy city receives immortal life and joy in the presence of God and the Lamb.Ms 99, 1902, par. 67–68

The promise describes the eternal joy of God's believing people who come forth in the first resurrection: God dwells with them, they belong to Him, and He is their God.Lt 90, 1898, par. 31 It describes the redeemed reaching their eternal home after Christ comes to gather them, and their hope of living in God's presence is sure, though the promised coming and resurrection of the sleeping saints have not yet occurred.RH Nov 13, 1913 It describes the close, tender relationship God will have with the risen saints, when the dead from Adam to the last saint who dies will rise from the grave to immortal life at the voice of the Son of God.DA 605.2–606.2 God regards this future relationship as already accomplished because He sees the end from the beginning and His purpose is certain.DA 605.2–606.2

God dwelling with His people and being their God is tasted even now when the truth is practiced and enjoyed as freedom in Christ rather than bondage, for then His presence and character become evident and a foretaste of Christ's mercy, abundant love and compassion is experienced.Lt 42, 1897, par. 7+1 Where believers gather for worship and study the Bible, He dwells with them, and the spread of worship, Bible study and gospel fellowship, even in mission fields, is evidence of His presence among those brought to the truth through the gospel.6T 28.1–3+2 When Christ's love unites people in one mind and judgment in a converted, Bible-based religion, heaven seems to have come down to earth.Ms 179, 1898, par. 26 A clearer view of God leading to study of the Bible and fellowship with Him is the spiritual result of the gospel promise that He dwells with people and makes them His people.6T 28.1–3

Looking toward that eternal home in the holy city and the earth made new brings heaven near, making it the chief joy and consolation and drawing the heart away from the things of this world.SCEV 31.5–32.1 Fixing the mind by faith and hope on entering the city of God and contemplating its glory, its mansions and the praises offered to God and the Lamb, brings peace and confidence and makes human flattery and earthly attractions less desirable.Lt 17, 1891, par. 10–12 Dwelling on Christ and that better land soon to be home, where believers will enter in and look upon Jesus in His glory dwelling with them, gives stimulus and support in warfare against sin, and contemplating His infinite love and the glories of that home takes away the power of pride and love of the world.ST Jun 19, 1884 To enter the city, beholding Christ now with the eye of faith must become habitual by making His words and character the subject of thought and conversation and by daily prayerful meditation.ST Jun 19, 1884 Keeping that promised world of life with God in the glorious city in view gives reason to practice self-denial and sacrifice now.ST Jun 15, 1904

The last four chapters of Revelation, to which this promise belongs, are to be read carefully with solemn views of destiny, because work that should have been done long ago must now be done.Lt 144, 1906, par. 5–9 This calls for deep and thorough individual work, thorough humbling of the soul before God especially by those in positions of responsibility in office and church, and earnest seeking of the Lord with heart and mind and soul that will entirely change the present condition.Lt 144, 1906, par. 5–9 It calls for cleansing, refining and transformation of the heart and cleansing of the soul temple as preparation for helping others, and for diligent cultivation of the soil of the individual heart so fruit appears in the life of every teacher and worker in proportion to the light given.Lt 144, 1906, par. 5–9 Because God graciously dwells among people, those who represent the truth are to seek spiritual discernment and honor God rather than exalt people who did not honor Him or represent Christ.Lt 106, 1902, par. 1–3 The earth made new is the eternal home for which people should prepare during brief probation, and the city of God as heavenly home is worth striving for and helping others to seek, for preparing for that home is preparation for eternity.Lt 82, 1887, par. 9+1

The beautiful new earth calls for working for one another and for determinedly bringing up youth in a right manner so they receive the crown of life as overcomers.Ms 78, 1910, par. 17 Angels assist in schools that educate boys and girls, and the Holy Spirit works with all human effort to save souls as fathers and mothers take hold of the work.Ms 78, 1910, par. 17 The promise assures those on their way home that conflicts in this life will end at the future gathering of all who love God, where they will see God and meet their loved ones without ever being parted again.Lt 85, 1897, par. 3