Its gates will never be shut at the end of the dayIn ancient cities, gates were typically closed at night to protect against invaders and ensure the safety of the inhabitants. The open gates in this passage symbolize perpetual safety and security, indicating that the New Jerusalem is a place of eternal peace. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promise of protection and the absence of any threat or danger. The imagery of open gates also suggests unrestricted access to God's presence, emphasizing the inclusivity and welcoming nature of the heavenly city. This can be connected to
Isaiah 60:11, where the gates of the city are always open, signifying the continuous influx of nations bringing their glory to God.
because there will be no night there
Night often symbolizes darkness, evil, and uncertainty in biblical literature. The absence of night in the New Jerusalem signifies the complete eradication of sin and evil, as well as the presence of God's eternal light. This aligns withRevelation 22:5, which states that there will be no need for the light of a lamp or the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. The perpetual light represents the unending presence and glory of God, who is often described as light in Scripture (e.g., 1John 1:5). This eternal day reflects the fulfillment of prophecies such asIsaiah 60:19-20, where the Lord is an everlasting light, and the days of mourning are ended.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
New JerusalemThe heavenly city described in
Revelation 21, representing the eternal dwelling place of God with His people. It is a place of perfect peace, security, and divine presence.
2.
John the ApostleThe author of the Book of Revelation, who received the vision of the New Jerusalem while exiled on the island of Patmos.
3.
God's PresenceThe central theme of
Revelation 21, where God's presence illuminates the city, eliminating the need for the sun or moon.
Teaching Points
Eternal SecurityThe open gates symbolize the eternal security and peace found in God's presence. Believers can find comfort in knowing that God's kingdom is unassailable and always accessible.
Perpetual LightThe absence of night signifies the perpetual light and guidance provided by God. In our lives, we should seek to walk in the light of God's truth and presence.
Unhindered AccessThe open gates represent the unhindered access believers have to God through Jesus Christ. We are encouraged to approach God with confidence and assurance.
Symbol of WelcomeThe open gates also symbolize God's welcoming nature, inviting all who are redeemed to enter and dwell with Him eternally. This should inspire us to live lives that reflect God's welcoming love to others.
Hope of GloryThe vision of the New Jerusalem provides hope and assurance of the future glory that awaits believers. This hope should motivate us to live faithfully and expectantly.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Revelation 21:25?
2.How does Revelation 21:25 inspire hope for eternal life without darkness?
3.What does "no night" in Revelation 21:25 symbolize about God's presence?
4.How does Revelation 21:25 connect to Genesis 1's creation of light?
5.How can we reflect the light of Revelation 21:25 in daily life?
6.What practical steps can we take to live as children of light?
7.How does Revelation 21:25 symbolize eternal access to God's presence?
8.Why is there no night in Revelation 21:25?
9.What does the open gate in Revelation 21:25 represent?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Revelation 21?
11.What are the Twelve Gates of Heaven?
12.Revelation 22:5: How can there be no night in the new creation if day and night cycles are governed by planetary rotation?
13.Why do 'the nations' still exist and 'walk by its light' (Revelation 21:24) if all believers are supposed to be gathered together?
14.What are the pearly gates?What Does Revelation 21:25 Mean
Its gates will never be shut• Continuous welcome: “Your gates will always stand open; they will never be shut, day or night” (Isaiah 60:11) foreshadows the New Jerusalem ofRevelation 21:12-13, a city whose doors stay open for all the redeemed.
• Perfect security: Ancient cities barred gates at dusk for defense. Here, no enemy exists—Satan is already in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10) and “nothing unclean will ever enter it” (Revelation 21:27).
• Unhindered fellowship:Revelation 3:12 promises believers citizenship in this city; God’s open gates proclaim communion with Him that nothing can interrupt.
at the end of the day• Normal earthly routine—locking up at sundown (Nehemiah 7:3)—is rendered obsolete.
• Eternal activity: “His servants will serve Him” (Revelation 22:3-4); worship and service never shut down.
• Ceaseless rest:Hebrews 4:9-10 speaks of a perpetual Sabbath; in the New Jerusalem, life is both restful and fruitful with no closing time.
because there will be no night there• God’s glory is the light: “The glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp” (Revelation 21:23).
• Darkness—physical or moral—is gone: “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
• Eternal safety and joy: “There will be no more night. They will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5).
• Guaranteed reality: “These words are faithful and true” (Revelation 21:5); the end of night is God’s literal promise.
summaryRevelation 21:25 assures believers of unbroken access to God, absolute security, and eternal daylight. Open gates signal welcome and safety, the vanished night signals the triumph of God’s light, and the absence of closing time signals everlasting worship, service, and rest for all who dwell in the New Jerusalem.
(25, 26)
And the gates ofit . . .--Better,
And the gates (or,
gate-towers)
shall never be shut by day, for night shall not be there. The gates shall never be shut: all day they shall be open, and that day shall be for ever, for there shall be no night there. All that darkens--the sin that brings night on the soul; the sorrow that brings night on the heart--shall be banished for ever. In peace by day, the city gates will be open; nor can there be night when God the Almighty is the Sun. (Comp.
Isaiah 60:11;
Ezekiel 38:11.) Through its open gates
they (
i.e.,
men)
will bring the glory and honour of the nations into her. As men find that every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and that their strength is in Christ, without whom they can do nothing, so will their lives bring back to Him the lustre of all their achievements.
Verse 25. -
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. The Revised Version correctly places the last clause in parentheses. The meaning is: The gates shall never be shut, either by day or night; but it is superfluous to say, "by night," for there is no night there. Some commentators think the open gates are a sign of perfect security; others, that they are open to admit the nations, as described in the following verse. Both ideas may well be understood.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Itsαὐτῆς(autēs)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.gatesπυλῶνες(pylōnes)Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4440:From pule; a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule.will never be shutκλεισθῶσιν(kleisthōsin)Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2808:To shut, shut up. A primary verb; to close.at the end of the day,ἡμέρας(hēmeras)Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2250:A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.becauseγὰρ(gar)Conjunction
Strong's 1063:For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.there will beἔσται(estai)Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510:I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.noοὐκ(ouk)Adverb
Strong's 3756:No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.nightνὺξ(nyx)Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3571:The night, night-time. A primary word; 'night'.there.ἐκεῖ(ekei)Adverb
Strong's 1563:(a) there, yonder, in that place, (b) thither, there. Of uncertain affinity; there; by extension, thither.
Links
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NT Prophecy: Revelation 21:25 Its gates will in no way be (Rev. Re Apocalypse) 
