Revelation 22:14 describes the blessed condition of God’s people in eternity: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.” The next verse adds, “But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral… and whoever loves and practices a lie.” This raises an important question: Who exactly are those “outside”?

The answer becomes clear when we understand that Revelation 21-22 describe the eternal state. At this point in God’s plan, the final judgment has already happened. Revelation 20:15 explains that anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. So the people “outside” the gates are not physically standing near the New Jerusalem. They are excluded from God’s kingdom forever.

John uses symbolic language to contrast two groups, including the redeemed inside the New Jerusalem, and the unredeemed who are eternally separated from God. It is not describing people lingering around heaven’s walls. Instead, it is describing the final, unchangeable divide between the saved and the lost.

Jesus used similar language in Matthew 25:46 when He said, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Being “outside” means not belonging to God, not entering His presence, and not sharing in eternal life.

For believers, this passage is a reminder of the hope we have in Christ. For those who reject Christ, it is a sober warning that only those who are born again will enter God’s city. As Jesus said in John 3:3, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Revelation 22 closes with an invitation to come to Jesus. God desires for everyone to enter the gates, but only those who trust Him will be inside forever.

For more answers, please check out Alex McFarland’s book, “100 Bible Questions and Answers on Prophecy and the End Times.”