Definition: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Revelation 21:3. It’s a really beautiful and important passage! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it says that God is returning to dwell on Earth again. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Revelation 21:3” : This is the verse itself – a prophecy from the end times. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven…” : This suggests something significant and divine happening. “Out of heaven” means coming from a higher power, not just us. “…saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people…” : This is the core of the verse. "Tabernacle" was a temporary home for God on Earth during the Old Testament. It was like a tent or shelter. “Behold” means “look!” This voice says that God is returning to live with humanity again! "...and he will dwell with them..." : This is key – God isn’t just visiting; He's choosing to live with us. "...and they shall be his people..." : This means we, as humans, are now considered part of God's family and have a special relationship with Him. "...and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God." : This is the most profound part. It emphasizes that God isn’t just near us; He’s with us completely. He’s not just observing; He’s actively participating and making us his people. He's also declaring that God Himself – His divine presence – is with us, and we are now God’s people. In a nutshell: The verse describes the restoration of God’s relationship with humanity after a time of separation. God is returning to live with us, making us his people, and establishing a truly holy and personal connection between Him and humankind. It speaks of a complete renewal of our relationship with God. Important Note: This is a complex verse that has been interpreted in many ways throughout history. Different theological traditions have different understandings of its meaning. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of the verse in more detail? Connect this verse to other biblical stories or concepts? Discuss what it might mean for our lives today?