Some specific contrasts — Chapters 21-22
*Revelation 21:10 shows the paradise of “New Jerusalem” as having 12 gates that are all always open (see verse 21:25), while Jesus makes it quite clear in the Gospels that the Way to Salvation passes through a single gate that is narrow (see Matthew 7:13-14) – a gate that is indeed never locked, and yet a gate upon which one must first still knock in order to enter. (see Matthew 7:7 & Luke 11:9)
*Revelation 21:16 describes “New Jerusalem” as being grandiose in size and appearance, while the Jesus of the Gospels described his Kingdom of Heaven as being both miniscule & humble – comparing it both to the tiny mustard seed as well as a small portion of yeast that is mixed into many pounds of flour to make bread. (see Matthew 13:31-33, Mark4:30-32 & Luke 13:18-21)
*Revelation 21:21 shows “New Jerusalem” as containing 12 pearls, while Gospel Jesus spoke of only one Great Pearl – the Way of perfect Love; the Way of willing & selfless sacrifice. (see Matthew 13:45-46)
*Revelation 21:27 notes that all who are “unclean” could not enter that heavenly city, and yet Jesus built an entire ministry upon purposefully violating or altering most if not all of the prevalent Jewish laws related to cleanliness – annulling Jewish food laws (“What goes into one’s mouth does not defile” ~ Jesus in Matthew 15:11), dismissing conventional table etiquette (see Mark 7:5-8), and even flagrantly violating the edict forbidding mingling with lepers. (see Luke17:11-19)
*Revelation 22:14 notes that “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the Tree of Life”, and yet Jesus in the Gospels notes in contrast that “Blessed is he who first cleans the inside of his cup.” (see Matthew 23:25-26 & Luke 11:39)
*And finally, Revelation 22:16 tries to make Jesus into a “descendant of David” again, and yet we remember yet again that Jesus himself in the Gospels made it both directly and indirectly clear that he was not then – nor would he ever be – such a warlike Davidian Messiah. (see Matthew 22:41-46, Matthew1:1-18, Luke 3:23-38, Isaiah 9:6-7, Isaiah 11:1-10, Isaiah 55:3, Daniel 7:13-14+ Matthew 4:1-10, Matthew 5:9 et al)
;