Sermons on Revelation 21:3
The various sermons below converge on the interpretation of Revelation 21:3 as a profound declaration of God’s restored presence with humanity, emphasizing the culmination of God’s redemptive plan to reunite and dwell intimately with His people. They commonly highlight the theme of God’s presence as both a fulfillment of ancient promises and the ultimate hope for believers, often using rich biblical imagery such as the tabernacle, the city without walls, and the temple to illustrate this divine indwelling. Many sermons underscore the “already and not yet” tension of the kingdom, portraying this passage as the final consummation of a journey that began in Eden and continues through the church’s communal life. Nuances emerge in how the presence of God is framed: some emphasize the personal and transformative joy of inheriting God Himself, others focus on the corporate unity of the church as God’s temple, and still others highlight the cosmic and communal dimensions of God’s dwelling, portraying it as an all-encompassing “with God life” that transcends individual salvation to include a global, loving community centered on God.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their theological emphases and pastoral applications. One approach centers on restoration and reunion, stressing the return to Eden’s original unity and the liminal experience of living between the inaugurated and consummated kingdom. Another sermon reframes hope not as personal comfort but as the courage to live vulnerably and missionally within God’s eternal presence, using the metaphor of a city without walls to challenge believers toward openness and risk. A third sermon uniquely focuses on the transformation necessary for believers to fully enjoy God’s presence, emphasizing new glorified bodies and the danger of idolatry in delighting in gifts rather than God Himself. Meanwhile, another interpretation highlights the church’s corporate identity as the intensified dwelling place of God, blending metaphors of building and organism to stress both structural and organic unity. Finally, a sermon from a ministry known for spiritual formation frames the passage as the climax of the “with God life,” emphasizing God’s presence as imminently accessible and the formation of a diverse, loving community with God at its center—broadening the scope beyond individual or even national salvation to a cosmic fellowship.
Revelation 21:3 Interpretation:
Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) interprets Revelation 21:3 as the culmination of God’s plan to restore the original unity between God and humanity that existed in Eden. The sermon uses the analogy of overlapping circles to illustrate how, in the beginning, God’s space and human space were one, but sin caused a separation. Revelation 21:3 is seen as the final restoration where God’s home is again with his people, and the “already and not yet” kingdom theology is emphasized—God’s kingdom has begun but is not yet fully realized. The sermon also draws a linguistic insight from the Greek word for “made his home” (tabernacled) in John 1:14, connecting it to the Old Testament tabernacle as a hyperlink for the original audience, showing that Jesus is the ultimate meeting place of God and humanity, and Revelation 21:3 is the fulfillment of this “tabernacling.”
Embracing Hope: The Promise of Emmanuel This Advent (The Church at RB) interprets Revelation 21:3 as the ultimate realization of the “Emmanuel” promise—God with us—not just as a past event in Christ’s incarnation, but as an eternal reality. The sermon uniquely frames the passage as the end of the story, where God’s presence is the defining feature of heaven, and uses the metaphor of a “city without walls” (drawing from Zechariah) to illustrate the radical openness and security of God’s eternal dwelling with humanity. The preacher emphasizes that the hope of Christianity is not escape to heaven, but God’s presence coming down to dwell with us forever, making “God with us” the central hope and anchor for all of life.
The Journey of Living the 'With God Life' (Dallas Willard Ministries) offers a sweeping interpretation of Revelation 21:3 as the climax of the “with God life”—the unifying theme of the entire Bible. The sermon traces the progression from individual, to family, to nation, to a global community, all centered on God’s presence. It highlights the movement from distance (after the fall) to increasing nearness, culminating in Jesus as the embodiment of “God with us” (the Shekinah in person), and finally, in Revelation 21:3, the creation of an “all-inclusive community of loving persons with God himself at the very center.” This interpretation is notable for its focus on the communal and cosmic dimensions of God’s indwelling, and for its use of the phrase “with God life” as a lens for understanding the passage.
Inheriting God: The Journey Through Suffering to Glory (Desiring God) interprets Revelation 21:3 as the ultimate fulfillment of the believer’s longing for God himself, not merely his gifts. The sermon uniquely frames the passage as the “bottomline Treasure” of the people of God, emphasizing that inheriting God is the true inheritance, surpassing all other blessings. The preacher uses the analogy of a child who receives gifts but ignores the giver, warning that delighting in God’s gifts without treasuring God himself is idolatry. The sermon also introduces the idea that our current capacities for joy are insufficient for the full enjoyment of God’s presence, and thus, God will give believers new, glorified bodies to fully experience the joy of his dwelling. This is a distinctive angle, focusing on the transformation required to truly savor God’s presence as described in Revelation 21:3.
Unity and Growth: The Church as God's Temple (Desiring God) interprets Revelation 21:3 as the corporate reality of God’s presence among his people, specifically highlighting the unity of Jew and Gentile as one new temple or dwelling place for God. The sermon draws a unique connection between the metaphor of the church as both a building and a growing organism, emphasizing that God’s dwelling is not just with individuals but with the unified, diverse body of believers. The preacher notes the intentional mixing of metaphors (building and plant/body) to stress both the structural and organic aspects of the church as God’s dwelling, and he underscores that only through union with Christ can God dwell among his people in this way.
Revelation 21:3 Theological Themes:
Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) introduces the theme of restoration not just of individuals, but of the entire created order, returning to the original design of Eden. The sermon adds a nuanced angle by connecting the process of redemption, recreation, and reunion with God to the “already and not yet” experience of the kingdom, suggesting that believers live in a liminal space where God’s presence is real but not yet fully consummated, and that Revelation 21:3 is the promise of that final consummation.
Embracing Hope: The Promise of Emmanuel This Advent (The Church at RB) presents a distinct theological theme by reframing hope as rooted in God’s presence rather than personal safety or comfort. The sermon challenges the congregation to see God’s ultimate purpose as not merely to insulate them from pain, but to use them as “a city without walls”—a people open to risk, adventure, and mission because of the security of God’s eternal presence. This is a fresh application of Revelation 21:3, connecting it to the lived experience of vulnerability and purpose.
The Journey of Living the 'With God Life' (Dallas Willard Ministries) offers the unique theological theme that the “with God life” is the central thread of Scripture, culminating in Revelation 21:3. The sermon emphasizes that God’s goal is not just individual salvation, but the formation of a diverse, loving community with God at its heart, and that the presence of God is not limited by geography, government, or religious structures. This theme is developed with the additional facet that the presence of God is accessible “down to your socks”—imminent and atmospheric, not distant.
Inheriting God: The Journey Through Suffering to Glory (Desiring God) presents the distinct theological theme that the inheritance promised in Revelation 21:3 is not merely the reception of God’s gifts or even the new creation, but God himself as the supreme treasure. The sermon adds a fresh facet by arguing that God must transform believers’ very nature—giving them new bodies and senses—so they can fully enjoy his presence without falling into idolatry, a theme not commonly emphasized in discussions of this passage.
Unity and Growth: The Church as God's Temple (Desiring God) introduces the unique theological theme that the presence of God described in Revelation 21:3 is experienced in a special, intensified way within the corporate unity of the church, beyond individual indwelling. The sermon highlights that the diversity and unity of the church as God’s temple is a foretaste of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s dwelling with humanity, and that this corporate experience is essential to the meaning of the passage.
Revelation 21:3 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) provides historical context by explaining the ancient Jewish understanding of death as separation rather than mere physical cessation, which shapes the sermon’s interpretation of spiritual death and restoration. It also details the cultural significance of the tabernacle in first-century Israel, noting that the word “tabernacle” would have immediately evoked the image of God’s dwelling among his people during the Exodus, thus deepening the meaning of “God’s dwelling place is now among the people” in Revelation 21:3.
Embracing Hope: The Promise of Emmanuel This Advent (The Church at RB) gives historical context by recounting the post-exilic situation of Israel as described in Zechariah, where the people’s longing for safety and restoration after Babylonian captivity is met with God’s promise of his own presence as their protection, rather than physical walls. The sermon explains the ancient importance of city walls for security and identity, and how God’s promise of a “city without walls” was radically countercultural, pointing forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Revelation 21:3.
The Journey of Living the 'With God Life' (Dallas Willard Ministries) offers extensive historical and cultural context, tracing the development of God’s presence from the garden, through the patriarchs, the nation of Israel, the tabernacle and temple, exile, and restoration. The sermon explains the significance of the Shekinah (visible presence of God) and its absence in the second temple, the role of the prophets as outsiders, and the revolutionary nature of the early church as a multi-ethnic, non-sectarian community. It also clarifies the Hebrew cosmology of “heaven” as the immediate atmosphere, making God’s presence accessible and near.
Revelation 21:3 Cross-References in the Bible:
Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) references several passages to expand on Revelation 21:3: John 1:14 (Jesus “tabernacled” among us), Genesis (the original unity of God and humanity in Eden), Ephesians 2:2 (the present rule of Satan), Matthew 6 (prayer for God’s kingdom to come), Luke 17 (the kingdom is already among us), 2 Corinthians 5:17 (new creation in Christ), Philippians 1:6 (God’s ongoing work of transformation), John 10:30 (Jesus’ oneness with the Father), and Matthew 28:19 (the Great Commission as a restoration of humanity’s original purpose). Each reference is used to show the continuity of God’s plan to dwell with his people, culminating in Revelation 21:3.
Embracing Hope: The Promise of Emmanuel This Advent (The Church at RB) cross-references Zechariah 2 (God’s promise to be a wall of fire and to dwell among his people), Genesis 12 (Abraham’s blessing to all nations), Matthew 1:22-23 (fulfillment of the Emmanuel prophecy), and Revelation 21:3 (the final dwelling of God with humanity). The sermon weaves these passages together to show the unfolding promise of God’s presence, from the patriarchs, through the prophets, to Jesus, and finally to the new creation.
The Journey of Living the 'With God Life' (Dallas Willard Ministries) references Genesis 1 (humanity’s original responsibility and nearness to God), the stories of Abraham, Moses, and the Exodus (development of the “with God” relationship), Deuteronomy (God’s everlasting arms/presence), Daniel (God’s presence in exile), the Gospels (Jesus as Emmanuel and the embodiment of God’s presence), Ephesians 5 (imitating God as dear children), and Acts (the church as the continuing incarnation). The sermon culminates with Revelation 21:3 as the ultimate fulfillment of the “with God” theme.
Inheriting God: The Journey Through Suffering to Glory (Desiring God) references several passages to expand on Revelation 21:3. Psalm 73:25-26 is quoted to illustrate the historic longing of God’s people for God himself above all else (“Whom have I in heaven but thee…”). Romans 5:2 and 5:11 are used to show that the hope of glory is not abstract but is centered on exulting in God himself. Romans 8:22-23 is cited to explain the groaning of creation and believers as they await the redemption of their bodies, which is necessary to fully enjoy God’s presence. The sermon also references Hebrews (discipline and suffering), 2 Timothy (persecution), and the Gospels (Jesus’ call to take up the cross) to argue that suffering is the path to this inheritance, tying the experience of suffering to the ultimate joy of God’s dwelling.
Unity and Growth: The Church as God's Temple (Desiring God) cross-references Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, and 2 Corinthians 6:16 to show the biblical theme of God’s people as his temple. The preacher uses 1 Corinthians 6 to affirm the individual indwelling of the Spirit, but stresses that Ephesians 2 and 2 Corinthians 6 highlight the corporate indwelling of God among his people. The sermon then explicitly connects these passages to Revelation 21:3, presenting the latter as the consummation of the biblical promise that God will dwell among his people, and that the church’s unity is a present foretaste of this future reality.
Revelation 21:3 Christian References outside the Bible:
Jesus' Purpose: Revealing, Restoring, and Reuniting Us (Home Church) explicitly references Vaughn Roberts’ book “God’s Big Picture,” quoting his definition of the kingdom of God as “God’s people in God’s place, under God’s rule, experiencing God’s blessing in God’s presence.” This definition is used to frame the sermon’s understanding of Revelation 21:3 as the restoration of the kingdom.
The Journey of Living the 'With God Life' (Dallas Willard Ministries) explicitly references several Christian figures: Agnes Sanford (noting her stories of speaking to bees as an illustration of dominion), Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer is highlighted for his devotion to Jesus, with the preacher noting that “in the academic world people just can’t avoid him,” and that “Cost of Discipleship” and “Life Together” were formative works for the speaker. These references are used to illustrate the lived reality of the “with God life” that Revelation 21:3 points toward.
Inheriting God: The Journey Through Suffering to Glory (Desiring God) explicitly references John Newton, quoting his analogy of a man traveling to inherit a great estate whose carriage breaks down just before arrival. Newton’s illustration is used to encourage believers not to focus on present sufferings (“broken carriages”) but to keep their eyes on the inheritance of God himself, as promised in Revelation 21:3.
Revelation 21:3 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embracing Hope: The Promise of Emmanuel This Advent (The Church at RB) uses Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning” as a detailed secular illustration of hope. The sermon recounts Frankl’s experience in Nazi concentration camps, describing three groups of prisoners: those without hope (who became cruel), those with false hope (who despaired when it failed), and those with enduring hope (who maintained inner liberty and joy despite circumstances). Frankl’s insight that “life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by a lack of meaning and purpose” is used to parallel the Christian hope of “God with us” in Revelation 21:3, arguing that the quality of life is determined by hope, not circumstances, and that the ultimate hope is God’s eternal presence. The preacher also briefly references the movie “Titanic” as an analogy for knowing the end of the story (the boat sinks), paralleling the Christian’s assurance of the ending given in Revelation 21:3.
Inheriting God: The Journey Through Suffering to Glory (Desiring God) uses the detailed secular analogy of a child receiving gifts at Christmas and ignoring the giver, likening this to how people often enjoy God’s gifts without treasuring God himself. The sermon also employs the vivid story from John Newton (though Newton is a Christian source, the analogy itself is secular in nature), describing a man whose carriage breaks down just before inheriting a vast estate, to illustrate the folly of focusing on earthly troubles when the true inheritance—God’s presence—is near.