Revelation 21:25; And the Gates of It Shall Not Be Shut All the Day

Posted on Posted in Devotions Tagged with , ,

Revelation 21:25 (KJV)  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 

In a somewhat parenthetical way, the non closing of the city’s gates (cf. Isaiah 60:11) receives attention – And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 

Isaiah 60:11 (KJV)  Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. 

A future of emphatic negation “shall not be shut at all” draws extra attention to the continued access for the nations and their leaders into the city. It also serves notice of the perfect security of the city (Lee). Would be exploiters of the open city will be nonexistent.

The non closure will be by day only, but since there shall be no night, this amounts to an around-the-clock access for the kings. The presence of “night” alongside “day” have been customary throughout the book until now (cf. Revelation 4:8; 7:15; 12:10; 14:11; 20:10), but now the changes in cycles has come.

Revelation 4:8 (KJV)  And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 

Revelation 7:15 (KJV)  Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 

Revelation 12:10 (KJV)  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 

Revelation 14:11 (KJV)  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 

Revelation 20:10 (KJV)  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 

No nighttime will characterise the heavenly city because of the resident of divine glory (Revelation 21:11, 23; 22:5).

Revelation 21:11 (KJV)  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 

Revelation 21:23 (KJV)  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. 

Revelation 22:5 (KJV)  And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 

[Robert L. Thomas, Revelation 8-22 – An Exegetical Commentary, Moody 1995, 478-479]