NT Text: Revelation 21:3
OT Source(s):
Source: Beale & Carson (eds.), Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (2007); Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Reference Type: Allusion
Connection Method(s): Promise-Fulfillment + Longitudinal Theme
Anchor Text: Ezek 36-37 — A New Heart and Dry Bones
Significance: The throne-voice declares, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God" (Rev 21:3), fulfilling Ezekiel's covenant promise, "My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be My people" (Ezek 37:27). Ezekiel set this word within his vision of resurrection from dry bones and an everlasting covenant of peace, with God's sanctuary set among His people forever (Ezek 37:26-28). John shows the promise consummated: God's tabernacling presence is no longer mediated through a temple but is direct and unending, the climactic realization of the Immanuel pledge running through the whole canon. This is promise-fulfillment along the Temple and Presence longitudinal theme — the covenant formula "I will be their God and they will be My people" reaching its terminus. The escalation is total: not a sanctuary among the people but God Himself dwelling immediately with them, with the Lamb as the temple (Rev 21:22). The telos is the everlasting, face-to-face communion of God with the redeemed, the consummation of every shadow of presence from Eden to Sinai to Zion — Christ Himself the dwelling in whom the longing of the ages is satisfied.