21:3-8 Who is speaking here and what do we learn from what they say?
21:3-8 Who is speaking here and what do we learn from what they say?
There are two speakers here - "a great voice out of heaven" - God, in V3, and "He that sat upon the throne" - Jesus, in V5. Jesus is the alpha and omega of V6 (cp Rev 1:4-8, 11, 17; 2:8; 3:14; 22:13-16
(See also comments on Rev 1:8).
The tabernacle of God that is with men in Rev 21:3, is God's temple in the New Jerusalem. That John said he saw no temple in V22 simply means that there is no temple or shrine in New Jerusalem as an object of worship. Both God and Jesus will be the objects of worship (cp V22).
Scriptures clearly teach that God's temple is in New Jerusalem; it is His throne forever (cp Isa 2:2-3; Eze 37:26-28; 43:1-7; Joel 3:17; Hag 2:6-9 with Rev 3:12; 7:15; 11:19; 15:5-8; 16:1, 17). God will live visibly among men in the New Jerusalem (cp Lev 26:11-12; Psa 68:15-18; Isa 33:17; Zech 2:10-11; 8:3; Mt 5:8; Lev 7:15; 22:3-5). New Jerusalem will be the capital of God in the new earth.
The fearful in Rev 21:8 who will be cast into the lake of fire, are professing Christians whose fear of man overrides their loyalty to Christ and the truth of His word.
Their personal feelings and status among men means more to them than proclaiming God's word and witnessing to His saving grace. Fearful means to be timid, afraid, faint-hearted. Jesus placed them first among those consigned to the lake of fire because they profess to be Christians, but they compromise His word, rather than proclaim it (cp Psa 119:46; Mt 10:32-33; 13:20-21; Mk 8:34-38; Ro 10:8-10; 2 Ti 2:12; Rev 3:5).