Revelation 21:27

My Notes

What Does Revelation 21:27 Mean?

The final description of the New Jerusalem includes an absolute exclusion: nothing that defiles shall enter. Nothing that works abomination. Nothing that makes a lie. The city's purity is absolute.

"In no wise" uses the strongest possible negation: absolutely not, under any circumstances. The defilement cannot sneak in. It cannot be smuggled past the gates. The exclusion is total.

"But they which are written in the Lamb's book of life" — the entrance criterion is singular: your name in the book. Not your achievements. Not your moral record. Your name — written by the Lamb, in his book, of life.

The verse creates an absolute binary: the book of life or exclusion. The purity of the New Jerusalem is maintained not by walls but by a book. The names determine the population.

Reflection Questions

• 1.What does 'in no wise' — absolute exclusion of defilement — mean for the nature of eternity?
• 2.How is the Lamb's book of life different from a list of morally qualified people?
• 3.What does the exclusion of lies and abomination suggest about the character of the new creation?
• 4.Where does your confidence for entry rest — in your own purity or in the Lamb's book?

Devotional

There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth. Nothing impure will enter the New Jerusalem. Nothing that contaminates, corrupts, or pollutes. The city is absolutely pure — and it stays that way.

Neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie. The exclusions are specific: those who practice abomination and those who create lies. The city has no room for what is detestable or deceptive. Both are permanently excluded.

But they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. The entrance is determined by one thing: the book. Not your résumé. Not your denomination. Not your spiritual impressiveness. Your name — written in the Lamb's book.

The Lamb's book. It belongs to Jesus. The names in it are his to write. The book of life is not a registry of the morally superior. It is the record of the redeemed — those who belong to the Lamb.

The New Jerusalem is pure. And the purification is not ongoing. It is settled. Nothing defiling enters because the only people inside are those whose names are in the book. The purity is guaranteed by the selection.

Is your name in the book? Not because you are pure enough — no one is. Because the Lamb wrote it there. That is the only entrance that matters. And it is sufficient.

Commentary

Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.

Cross References

Related passages throughout Scripture