he called for them to place their “trust” not in the power evident in the world but in God and in himself. This direct linkage between God and Jesus has been a fundamental assertion of John, since he identified the Word with God (1:1–2) and later Jesus with the Father

monai does not mean a castle-like home anymore than mansiones in the Vulgate is to be interpreted in that manner. The word is derived from the Greek verb menein, “to remain,” and monai means “dwelling” or “abiding” places. So if the monai are in God’s house, the NIV’s “rooms,” or perhaps “apartments” or “flats,” would be much closer to the meaning of the text here.

the idea that Christians will dwell with their Lord is extremely significant

The purging of everything wicked and destructive from the entire cosmos gives rise to the new heaven and the new earth, in which righteousness will dwell

First, God himself will be with them (v. 3). Second, he will wipe away every tear from their eyes (v. 4). Third, death will be abolished (v. 4). Fourth, as a result, there shall be no more mourning or crying (v. 4). Further, there will be no pain, and generally speaking the former things will have passed away (v. 4). The doctrines of the omnipresence of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit throughout the history of the church have been doctrines of great comfort and an assurance of the providences of God. But the heart longs for the opportunity to walk visibly with Christ as was the privilege of the first-century apostles. “God is spirit,” and they that worship him “must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). It is not clear whether a simple visual presence or a visual presence contained in the second person of the Trinity (the glorified Lord) or whether what is intended here is not visual but rather a unique sense of God’s presence transcending anything that redeemed humans have ever experienced

Then God speaks. The One who sat on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” (v. 5). In the end only God can create. Though his angels and even redeemed humans are able to make a contribution to the work of God, no one can bring about life from nothing or resurrect life from the dead. God declares exactly what he is going to do. He is going to make all things new

The probable interpretation is that those of responsibility throughout the cosmos bring all of the glory of the expanse of the new heavens and the new earth into the glorious city. Anything that is defiled or deceitful does not enter the city but only those whose names have been inscribed (gegrammenoi, a perfect passive participle of graphō, meaning “write”) in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The perfect passive participle shows that this has been done with permanent effects. Those who have overcome all the powers of evil by the blood of the Lamb have their names permanently written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and therefore gain access forever to the holy city.