Revelation 21:9

And there came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls, who were laden with the seven last plagues; and he spake with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the wife of the Lamb.

Some have tried to separate this description of the new Jerusalem by an artificial division between Revelation 21:1-8, and the rest of the prophecy. However, Wilcock demonstrated that the balance of this prophecy is a close-up elaboration of exactly what is included in Revelation 1-8:[21]

<MONO>

Revelation 21:2 = Revelation 21:10-12, the revelation of God's city.

Revelation 21:3 = Revelation 21:22-27, the revelation of God's dwelling.

Revelation 21:4,5a = Revelation 21:1-5, the revelation of God's world renewed.

Revelation 21:5b = Revelation 22:6-10, the revelation of God's word validated.

Revelation 21:6a = Revelation 22:11-15, the revelation of God's work completed.

Revelation 21:6b,7 = Revelation 22:16,17, the revelation of God's final blessing.

Revelation 21:8 = Revelation 22:18,19, the revelation of God's final curse.MONO>

In the light of this very logical analysis, we must reject the view of Morris that, "John rounds off his book with a series of somewhat miscellaneous observations,"[22] as well as the interpretation which sees, "Two descents of the city, the first in relation to eternity, the second in relation to the millennium.[23] "It is therefore natural to assume with the vast majority of commentators that Revelation 21:9 to Revelation 22:5 supplies an extended exposition of that paragraph (Revelation 21:1-8).[24]

One of the seven angels ... "We should not overlook the fact that this angel is exactly the one who showed John the judgment of the great whore (Revelation 17:11)."[25] It is probable that this truth, in some way, is important. "It may be that John wishes us to see that the servant of God does not choose his task, but must do whatever God sends him to do."[26]

I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife ... This word makes it mandatory to interpret the new Jerusalem as representing the glorified church of Christ.

[21] Michael Wilcock, I Saw Heaven Opened (Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter-Varsity Press, 1975), p. 199.

[22] Leon Morris, op. cit., p. 257.

[23] Charles Caldwell Ryrie, Revelation (Chicago: Moody Press, 1968), p. 120.

[24] G. R. Beasley-Murray, op. cit., p. 315.

[25] Leon Morris, op. cit., p. 248.

[26] William Barclay, op. cit., p. 208.