Revelation 21:5
“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
King James Version (KJV)
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These are the direct words of God on the throne, spoken as part of the vision of the renewed creation and the descent of the holy city.
What Does Revelation 21:5 Mean?
Revelation 21:5 contains God's own declaration from the throne that He is making all things new and that this promise is utterly trustworthy. For one of the rare moments in the book, the One seated on the throne speaks directly, and His words ring with sovereign authority: "Behold, I make all things new."
This is not a promise to discard the old and start over from scratch, but to renew and restore -- to take what is broken and make it fresh, whole, and glorious. The scope is breathtaking: "all things," the entire creation, will be made new under His renewing hand. This is the work that all the previous visions have been moving toward. God then commands John, "Write," and certifies the promise: "these words are true and faithful." Because the One making the promise is faithful, the renewal He announces is as good as done. This verse offers the believer firm ground for hope. The God who sits enthroned over all is personally committed to making everything new, and His word can be relied upon completely. No matter how broken the present world appears, the final reality is renewal, declared by the One who has the power and faithfulness to bring it to pass.
In the Original Language
"New" is "kainos" (καινός), new in quality and freshness. "True" is "alethinos" (ἀληθινός), genuine and dependable, and "faithful" is "pistos" (πιστός), trustworthy.
Cross References
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
- Isaiah 43:19
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.”
- Revelation 21:1
Application
This verse anchors believers in hope, assuring them that God is personally committed to making all things new and that His promise is completely trustworthy.
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