Revelation 21:23
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that the city's illumination comes not from created lights like the sun or moon, but from the glory of God itself. It's also striking that "the Lamb" is identified as the city's "lamp," signifying that Jesus, in his glorified humanity and through his sacrificial work, is the focal point of God's light and the source of all understanding and joy.
This verse appears in the grand finale of Revelation, as John describes the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. Just moments before, he’s marvelled at the city’s construction and its absence of a temple, because God and the Lamb are its dwelling place. This verse continues that awe-inspiring picture by explaining the city's eternal light source, a reality that directly contrasts with anything we know on earth.
Imagine a city where the very presence of God is the source of all illumination. Revelation 21:23 paints this picture, but what does it truly mean for God's glory to be the light?
In the New Jerusalem, the dazzling brilliance of God's own glory replaces the sun and moon. This isn't just about physical light; it signifies the complete, unmediated presence of God.
God's Unveiled Radiance
This is a light that banishes all darkness, all ignorance, and all sin, because it is the light of God Himself.
The Lamb is presented as the 'lamp' of this eternal city. What does this specific imagery tell us about Jesus in heaven?
While the overall glory of God provides the ambient light, the Lamb (Jesus Christ) is identified as the city's specific 'lamp.' This unique designation speaks volumes about His role and significance.
Christ's Centrality in Heaven
Understand the original words
doxa · Greek Noun
The visible manifestation of God’s character, presence, holiness, and majesty; it signifies the weight and brilliance of His divine essence.
This passage from Isaiah directly prefigures the imagery of Revelation, describing a future time when the Lord Himself will be an everlasting light, replacing the need for the sun and moon.
John 1:5Jesus is presented as the Light that came into the world, and this verse emphasizes that God is light and in Him there is no darkness, echoing the source of illumination in the New Jerusalem.
1 Corinthians 15:24This passage speaks of Christ delivering up the kingdom to God the Father after all rule and authority have been destroyed, aligning with the idea that in the eternal state, God and the Lamb are the ultimate and sole sources of light and governance.
John 8:12Jesus declares, 'I am the light of the world,' directly linking the Lamb in Revelation to the divine light that guides and illuminates His followers, both now and eternally.
Revelation 22:5This verse directly follows Revelation 21:23 and further emphasizes the eternal nature of God's light in the New Jerusalem, stating that night will be no more and no light will be needed because the Lord God will be their light.
ellicottRevelation 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."
(23) And the city had no need of the sun . . . —Rather, And the city hath not need of the sun, nor of the moon that they should shine on (or, for ) her; for the glory of God enlightened her, and her lamp is the Lamb. The Shechinah is again alluded to. Light is the emblem of knowledge and holiness. God is light, and in Him is no dar…
clarkeRevelation 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."
No need of the sun - This is also one of the traditions of the ancient Jews, that "in the world to come the Israelites shall have no need of the sun by day, nor the moon by night." - Yalcut Rubeni, fol. 7, 3. God's light shines in this city, and in the Lamb that light is concentrated, and from him everywhere diffused.
The verse highlights that the city's illumination comes not from created lights like the sun or moon, but from the glory of God itself. It's also striking that "the Lamb" is identified as the city's "lamp," signifying that Jesus, in his glorified humanity and through his sacrificial work, is the focal point of God's light and the source of all understanding and joy.
This verse appears in the grand finale of Revelation, as John describes the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. Just moments before, he’s marvelled at the city’s construction and its absence of a temple, because God and the Lamb are its dwelling place. This verse continues that awe-inspiring picture by explaining the city's eternal light source, a reality that directly contrasts with anything we know on earth.
This verse appears in the grand finale of Revelation, as John describes the New Jerusalem descending from heaven. Just moments before, he’s marvelled at the city’s construction and its absence of a temple, because God and the Lamb are its dwelling place. This verse continues that awe-inspiring picture by explaining the city's eternal light source, a reality that directly contrasts with anything we know on earth.
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His redemptive work makes the glory of God knowable and accessible to us, forever making Him the central 'lamp' of our eternal home.
"And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." — The verse highlights that the city's illumination comes not from created lights like the sun or moon, but from the glory of God itself. It's also striking that "the Lamb" is identified as the city'…
