After the rebellion in Paradise and exile from God’s presence, the Lord God had placed armed cherubim to prevent fallen humanity from approaching the tree of life (and so live forever in our depravity) (Genesis 3:24). The paradise of God at the end of history is portrayed as a city, the new Jerusalem, with access into the city possible only through its gates (Revelation 21:12–27). Here the picture is of people who have washed their robes in Christ’s blood boldly approaching this glorious city at its legitimate access points and not fearing that entry will be denied. The new Jerusalem, with all its privileges and blessings, is open to them.
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.