Revelation 22:15 refers to a group of people who will be excluded from the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21-22. In the final verses of Revelation, after describing the glories of the New Jerusalem, it says:
“Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Revelation 22:15 ESV)
This verse has sparked much discussion about who exactly these people are that are “outside” the city gates. Looking at the context and the rest of Scripture, we can gain some insight into this group.
1. They are characterized by sinful lifestyles and lack of repentance
The list includes several categories of sinners: the sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, and those who love and practice falsehood. This shows that persistently unrepentant sinners will be excluded from God’s presence and the joys of the New Jerusalem.
These are people who continued in lifestyles of sin and falsehood and never turned to Christ in repentance and faith. Their exclusion shows that while God offers salvation to all, not all will accept it. Those who continually reject God’s offer of grace and live in rebellion against Him will face judgment.
2. The reference to “dogs” likely refers to the unclean
Dogs were seen as unclean animals in biblical times. The term “dogs” is used elsewhere in Revelation (22:8) to refer to the unclean and immoral. Calling someone a “dog” was a severe insult.
So this likely refers to the ceremonially unclean, those who reject God’s moral purity standards. Even though we are saved by grace, willful participation in moral impurity will keep people from God’s kingdom.
3. “Sorcerers” points to those involved in occult practices
Sorcery and magic arts were strictly forbidden in Scripture, since they represent relying on evil spirits and demonic powers (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Yet some continued dabbling in these dark practices.
The inclusion of sorcerers shows that those who refuse to turn away from demonic influences and the occult will have no place in God’s kingdom. These practices reflect rejection of God’s truth and reliance on evil spirits.
4. It includes those who reject Christ as Savior
More broadly, this list likely includes all who ultimately reject Jesus Christ as the only Savior. The sexually immoral, murderers, idolaters, liars – these categories represent those refusing to turn from sin and rely fully on Christ.
All those who reject Christ’s atoning sacrifice for sin and refuse to trust in Him for salvation will be excluded from eternal life in God’s presence. They prefer their sin over the Savior.
5. They stand in contrast to the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem
This list in Revelation 22:15 provides a striking contrast with the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem described earlier in chapters 21-22. That group includes:
- Those written in the Lamb’s book of life (21:27)
- Only those who are faithful and victorious (21:7)
- People from every tribe, tongue, and nation (21:24, 26)
- Those whose names are on the foundation stones (21:14)
- Those who have washed their robes and have the right to the tree of life (22:14)
The sins that exclude the group in 22:15 are cleansed and forgiven for those who put their faith in Christ. But those who persist in sin and unbelief cannot enter the New Jerusalem.
6. Some key conclusions
In summary, we can gain these insights about the group excluded from the New Jerusalem in Revelation 22:15:
- They are characterized by lifestyles of sin and falsehood
- They refused to turn to Christ in repentance and faith
- They rejected God’s standards of purity and righteousness
- They participated in the occult, sorcery, and demonic practices
- They stand in contrast to the diverse, redeemed group inside the city
The descriptions show that heaven is only for those cleansed by Christ from their sin. Persisting in sin and rejecting Christ’s redemption leads only to exclusion from God’s presence and the New Jerusalem.
7. Other relevant points
There are a few other relevant points worth mentioning about this sobering verse:
- It underscores the exclusivity of the gospel. While God desires all to be saved, only those who come to Him through Christ will enter heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
- It motivates evangelism and repentance. Knowing unbelievers face exclusion, we must urgently call them to turn to Christ.
- Heaven will be completely pure. God will not allow any sin or rebellion to taint the New Jerusalem.
- Unbelief and rejection of Christ have eternal consequences. Those who exclude themselves by rejecting Christ face permanent exclusion.
In the end, Revelation 22:15 stands as a serious reminder to trust Christ as Savior and forsake all sin and rebellion. Only He can give us right standing before God.
8. Digging deeper
To explore this topic further, here are some additional key passages that provide insight into those excluded from God’s kingdom:
- 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – Lists the unrighteous who will not inherit God’s kingdom, including sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers.
- Ephesians 5:5 – No immoral, impure or greedy person has an inheritance in God’s kingdom.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 – Those who do not know God and disobey the gospel will face punishment and exclusion.
- Revelation 21:7-8 – The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, liars will face the lake of fire.
- Galatians 5:19-21 – Those who live in sinful indulgence, sexual immorality, etc. will not inherit God’s kingdom.
These passages give a comprehensive picture – those who continually indulge sin and refuse Christ as Savior will be shut out of the kingdom. But true believers, transformed by God’s Spirit, will dwell with Him forever.
9. How believers should respond
For believers today, Revelation 22:15 should lead to:
- Thankfulness – We can praise God that by His grace, we will enter the New Jerusalem and not face exclusion.
- Holiness – We should live holy lives that align with our future hope and avoid the sins listed here.
- Evangelism – We must urgently share Christ with the lost so they can avoid eternal separation from God.
- Perseverance – We should remain faithful to Christ to the end and not revert back to old sinful ways.
- Hope – We can look forward to the day when God’s kingdom is perfectly cleansed of all sin, rebellion and evil.
Though sobering, this verse highlights the beauty of the gospel and the hope believers have in Christ. By God’s grace, we can avoid exclusion and live forever as citizens of the New Jerusalem.