Revelation: Chapter 21

Transcription

1 193 Revelation: Chapter 21 The following is describing both the present state of the church on earth as it is in Heaven along with those saints who have already overcome, living in the realm of Paradise. It is not to be taken as in sequential order with the previous chapters since John stated he was in the tribulation and kingdom (1:9) with those he addressed here. The kingdom existed before John was exiled to Patmos. Chapters 21 and 22 are (as part of what was past, present and continuing into the future- 1:19) the epilogue and invitation of the Revelation. Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. This is where John describes the church presently (under the New Covenant) on earth as she is being prepared (v. 5). She is in a state of preparation (Rev 12) for when Christ returns to claim her as His bride (Jn 3:29). Heb 12:27 This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken- -that is, things that have been made (physical- 2 Pet 3:4-10) --in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain (Dan 2:44). 28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving (present future indicative; Gk Thayer: to receive something transmitted ) a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship (Jn 4:24), with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. What was revealed to John here has to do with where Daniel spoke to Nebuchadnezzar of the kingdom that would outlast all others; those who die faithful in the eternal kingdom are the ones coming out of the great tribulation (7:14). Those who receive the kingdom earnestly from a pure heart (1 Pet 1:22) through obedience (Act 2:38), having been added to the book of life (20:12), and who are faithful unto death (2:10) are continually being added to the great multitude (7:9) since the Lord s kingdom cannot be shaken. The following passage deals with the ultimate end of the world - Steve C. Singleton. 2Pe 3:12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to His promise we are waiting for (Gk Thayer- one s coming or return) new (Gk Thayer: new, which as recently made is superior to what it succeeds ) heavens (Gk Thayer: better heavens that will take the place of the present after the renovation of all things ) and a new earth (Gk world) in which righteousness dwells. This concerns the end of the church s stewardship of this physical realm (Mat 5:5) right before the final judgment (20:11) and correlates with the end of the thousand-year reign (20:7). new heaven and a new earth- here (contextually not the same as in 2 Pet 3), is the spiritual kingdom that Jesus said was within you (Lk 17:21- KJV), where salvation can only be found as the prophets revealed things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven, things into which the angels long to look (1 Pet 1:12; Eph 3:10). It is spiritual Israel from Old (the religious [Mosaic] system that governed Israel, the first heaven and the

2 194 first earth) that converted to spiritual Israel (the church governed by the final religious [Gospel] system, i.e., new heaven and new earth) under the New Covenant (Heb 11:40; Rev 12:17- the rest of her seed ). Heb 11:13 These (O.T. believers) all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14 For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in Heaven ( Jerusalem above - Gal 4:26), and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, no more sea- no more separation (spiritual) between God and His people. The physical sea will be destroyed along with the earth and sky of 20:11. But here no more sea refers to no more separation between God and the church of both realms (militant/victorious). Eph 3:11 This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in Whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in Him. Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. With the end of the first heaven and first earth (the Law of Moses having been nailed to the cross [Col 2:14]), John recalls what he saw personally at Pentecost just 10 days after Christ s ascension (Act 1:13) to the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven (Heb 1:2; 8:1). Jesus Himself said there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power (Mk 9:1; Act 2:1-2). This is the fulfillment of that statement. Only those who can enter this holy city are the faithful (spiritual Israel), the New Jerusalem. Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, Gal 4:26...the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. Gal 6:16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. Rom 2:28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. down out of Heaven- origin. Examples: Joh 3:13 No one has ascended into Heaven except He Who descended from Heaven, the Son of Man. Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is He Who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

3 195 Joh 6:38 For I have come down from Heaven, not to do My own will but the will of Him Who sent Me. The "coming down out of Heaven" in these passages refers to the incarnation of Christ. His origin is the same as the city's origin (Heaven) except for the fact that Jesus always existed (Jn 1:1-2), and that the New Jerusalem only came into existence on earth after Pentecost (it existed prior to that before the foundation of the world since He had chosen us in Him [His body the church] back then- Eph 1:4). Faithful Christians, who make up the bride (1 Cor 3:16), constitute her citizenry once we have received (not that we can t lose it) the guarantee of our inheritance (Eph 1:14; 1 Jn 1:7). Only after Jesus ascended did the place He went to prepare (the kingdom/church- Jn 14:2-3) come on the day of Pentecost (Act 2:1). That place came down out of Heaven in the form of holy city, New Jerusalem. Jesus said He would go (back to Heaven in order to prepare a place ; Gk a spot [limited by occupancy]- Mat 7:14, i.e. the church/kingdom, His bride [Rev 12] which He sent on Pentecost), would come back (to earth to receive her after the 1,000-year reign of the saints is completed), receive the faithful (the kingdom, His bride the church via the resurrection- 1 Thes 4:14-17) and take such back to Heaven (His place of origin) with Him. prepared- Gk to prepare: -make ready. It is a prepared place for a prepared people (Jn 14:3). Rom 7:4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to Another, to Him Who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 2Co 11:2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one Husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. The city, existing in both realms (Paradise and earth), is presently being prepared on earth for the Lamb (Husband) via the Gospel (those in Paradise awaiting our preparation) so that He can present His bride (which includes both realms since Paradise will be part of the resurrection), the church, to Himself (Eph 5:27) after the judgment and then to His Father. 1Co 15:24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For He must reign (Rev 20:6) until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death (Rev 20:14). 27 For "God has put all things in subjection under His feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that He is excepted Who put all things in subjection under Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subjected to Him Who put all things in subjection under Him, that God may be all in all. Rev 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. from the throne- (16:17) It is here the voice of Christ declaring the fruition of His mission to return man to his original fellowship with his Creator.

4 196 When His disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray (Lk 11:1), one thing He said to pray for at that time was for the kingdom (a.k.a. the church) and that it would come with its aim at fulfilling God s purpose for mankind. Since it, in the form of the church, did come at Pentecost it ushered in God s will being done on earth as it is in Heaven (Mat 6:10). Now righteousness dwells on earth via the church, Christ s body (Jn 2:21), the temple of God since God said, I will make My dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people (2 Cor 6:16; Jer 24:7; 31:33; Eze 11:20). A mighty voice from God's presence proclaims that God can now dwell with man (Gk.444-human beings [the priesthood within the church]) as He did with O.T. Israel (via the Aaronic priesthood that served in the tabernacle [the shadow of the church- Heb 8:5] -Ex 29:45) since He cannot dwell with evil (Psa 5:4). The tabernacle (Gk tent) here is the type of the anti-type Moses built according to the instructions given to him (Heb 8:5); the Holy Place representing the church, the Most Holy where God dwelt. Christ (as the curtain between the Holy and Holiest- Heb 10:20) having washed away the sins of the saints (1:5), it is understood that the New Testament priesthood, i.e. the victorious church (in Paradise along with the church militant on earth), is now able (through having been washed- Eph 5:26) to stand in the presence of God Himself (see notes on 14:1 as it applies to being in God s presence). Jesus stated in Matt 28 when He gave the Great Commission (v. 20) And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. (1 Cor 6:19) Rev 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." This is a message of comfort, even knowing there will be those we will leave behind, speaking to the one who conquers (v. 7) in the eternal realm of the church (Paradise - 4:6; 15:2) where we will no longer have to fear death (Heb 2:15). Loved ones will not come to mind but will be thought of with a different understanding. Even their physical loss will not affect our future spiritual gain. When we have passed from this life, we will have a much sharper view of sin and the hideous nature of rebelling against God. Those of our loved ones who find themselves lost will not appear to us in the same sympathetic light as we saw them through the limitations of fleshly examination. Wayne Jackson- The Christian Courier/Will There Be Personal Recognition in Heaven Death, i.e. separation from God, will only exist in Hell (20:14). All the painful aspects of life (as they no longer exist in Paradise- Lk 16:25) will perish with the future removal of the physical creation. Rev 21:5 And He Who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also, He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Jesus Himself states: Everything is now new (Gk.2537-fresh) in answer to Mat 5:5 along with the meek having inherited the earth (post Pentecost) and the one who conquers and keeps [His] works until the end, to him [Christ gives] authority over the nations and he (the conqueror) will rule them with a rod of iron (2:26-27). This is also Heb 8:13 with the ending of the Old Covenant bringing in the New. In other words, Christians presently rule the world as stewards of the earth via the Gospel! His words are genuine and reliable. He has always kept them. Only man has corrupted the word (Deu 18:22).

5 197 Rev 21:6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. It is done! - The new creation (v. 1, via the testament in His blood- Lk 22:20) having come to pass here (Dan 7:27), Christ again (as He did in 1:8) proclaims His eternal Being. This is assuring that even though earthly kingdoms came and went (come and go- Ex 9:16, Dan 4:34-35), it was/is God who allowed/allows their existence. Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." To the thirsty- the one who hungered and thirsted for righteousness would be filled (22:1) without charge in the kingdom since the price was paid in full. Mat 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Act 20:28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God (Christ, Who is God), which He obtained with His own blood (the price of ransom). Rev 21:7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be My son. Those who are faithful unto death (2:10), either martyred or of natural causes (of both Testaments), will receive their inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in Heaven for [them] (1 Pet 1:4). See also Act 20:32; Eph 1:11, 14; Col 1:12; 3:24; Heb 9:15. Heb 2:10 For it was fitting that He, for Whom and by Whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the Founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For He Who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why He is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, "I will tell of Your Name to My brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise." 13 And again, "I will put my trust in Him." And again, "Behold, I and the children God has given Me." The conqueror here in particular is the martyr. (In general, it is the saint who is faithful up to and through the time of his death.) This was a message of hope, then, to the persecuted church (the ones who would suffer but overcome). will have this heritage- This inheritance (Mat 25:34) is a place in Heaven with God which is only given to the Father's children, those who received it (via obedience to the Gospel call- 2 Thes 2:14) since the death of the One Who made it (New Testament via a will) [was] established (Heb 9:16-17). Only the faithful presently take part in this family type relationship. (6:9) Joh 14:2 In My Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place (the church) for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.

6 198 Eph 1:13 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory. Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." But- on the other hand. The cowards who did not overcome but participated in Rome's fornication (or any other persecution against God s people including those who deny Christ- Mat 10:33) and those who were faithless in the presence of the beast along with all others who participate in like sinful behaviors (Gal 5:21) without repentance, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, along with all others whose loyalty was (and is) to the dragon (Jn 8:44). Their eternal lot would (will) be the second (eternal) death (i.e. separation from God)- Hell. Rev 21:9 Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, "Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb." In contrast to his pouring out God's wrath on Rome (Rev 16), this angel shows John another site. She is first called the bride (Gk.3565-young married woman/ as veiled, bethrothed, by impl. A son's wife. This is her present distinction.) in anticipation (Rom 7:4) and wife (Gk.1135) in realization (her future distinction). Eph 5:29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. the Lamb- (5:6) the One Who paid the bride's (church's) dowry (ransom) for her that she might be His. He is a.k.a. Christ our Passover (1 Cor 5:7). See also Ex 12:1-12. Rev 21:10 And he carried me away in [spirit] to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from God, in spirit- (1:10; 4:2; 17:3) not "the". Here, John had to be in the right mindset (Gk.4151) to perceive what it was the angel was about to show him; the church, but here as holy city Jerusalem. mountain- authority. The mountain (Dan 2:45) and the city are synonymous. Again, the city's origin is Heaven. The pilgrimage of the earthly kingdom is the church (Col 1:13). The church's true citizenship (1 Pet 1:1, 2:11; Heb 11:13) is the heavenly kingdom described here where if children, then heirs heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him (Rom 8:17). Both aspects of the kingdom (earthly/heavenly) require change (Col 1:12) before admission (Rom 6:4; 1 Cor 15:51-53; 2 Cor 5:17; Phil 3:20-21).

7 199 Isa 2:2 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, (This speaking of the church.) Dan 2:44 And in the days of those kings the God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, (Again speaking of the church.) Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in Heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect (shows the dual nature of existence in the kingdom/ both in Paradise and on earth), 24 and to Jesus, the Mediator of a New Covenant (Rev 14:1), and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Rev 21:11 having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. glory- the city has God's majesty and honor. The radiance of her glory from God s presence is like that of a precious stone, the present kingdom and final home of the resurrected saints. G1391 δο ξα doxa dox'-ah From the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literally or figuratively, objectively or subjectively): - dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship. Mat 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Rev 21:12 It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed Rev 21:13 on the east three gates, on the north three gates, on the south three gates, and on the west three gates. Since Jesus came through Israel and salvation was offered to the Jew first (Rom 1:16) what a fitting way to honor Israel by naming the twelve gates after the twelve tribes to whom belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises (Rom 9:4). See notes on 12:1. Eze 48:29 This is the land that you shall allot as an inheritance among the tribes of Israel, and these are their portions, declares the Lord GOD. 30 "These shall be the exits of the city: On the north side, which is to be 4,500 cubits by measure, 31 three gates, the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi, the gates of the city being named after the tribes of Israel. 32 On the east side, which is to be 4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, and the gate of Dan. 33 On the south side, which is to be 4,500 cubits by measure, three gates, the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun. 34 On the west

8 200 side, which is to be 4,500 cubits, three gates, the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali. 35 The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The LORD Is There." Ezekiel's gates were exits from which the twelve tribes went out to possess the land. Here, they are entrances that are open for the nations to enter. The O.T. opened the gates to reveal the ultimate plan for salvation to all people. angels- (see Overview and 2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14) G32 α γγελος aggelos ang'-el-os From α γγε λλω aggello (probably derived from G71; compare G34; to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an angel ; by implication a pastor: - angel, messenger. Isa 62:6 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the LORD in remembrance, take no rest, Rev 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. twelve- complete/perfect. These foundations support the walls of the church. As the twelve tribes were honored so here the twelve apostles by naming the twelve foundations after them. Even though a foundation is built before the structure is erected upon it, the New Testament is what supports the Old in fulfilling the prophesies found in it concerning the coming of the Messiah (Lk 24:44). It is upon their taking the inspired Gospel into every nation via the great commission that the church was being built up (Act 9:31) with living stones as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Pet 2:5). See notes on 12:1. Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, Mat 16:13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But Who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in Heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell (Gk.86-Hades) shall not prevail against it. (The foundation of the kingdom/church is Christ's deity.) Rev 21:15 And the one who spoke with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city and its gates and walls. A reed is a standard of measure (11:1-2), gold making it pure. Here, as in measuring the faithful of N.T, spiritual Israel. (Act 7:44; Heb 8:5)

9 201 Rev 21:16 The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal. height/width/breadth- 12,000 stadia (or furlongs - KJV). It, like the Most Holy Place (15' x 15' x 15') is a cube (Ex 26:15-37). Those of the Holy Place (the church) are with God in His temple (which denotes the existence of a separation), He is in the Most Holy Place (Heaven), as the Veil (Heb 10:20) serves as Mediator between them (Jn 14:6). Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father Who is in Heaven. (Jn 18:36) Rev 21:17 He also measured its wall, 144 cubits by human measurement, which is also an angel's measurement. 144 cubits- 216 feet. Thick, since we have already been given the measurements for the height, width and length. The gates are always open (v. 23). human measurement, which is also an angel s- a cubit equals approximately 18". On the average man it would extend from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. By this it is implied that an angel's apparent size is that of an average man thus it is the same as an angel's measurement (22:9). Rev 21:18 The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. Once again, the city radiates in the same manner as God Who sits on His throne in Heaven, like a precious stone- jasper (4:3), thus once again indicating His presence in it. Gold so pure as though polished glass (v. 21), like in Solomon s temple where the floor of the house he overlaid with gold (1 King 6:30). Rev 21:19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, Rev 21:20 the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. Twelve stones make up the foundation just as twelve stones made up the high priest's breast plate, twelve being a number of perfection (Eph 2:20). See also 1 King 5:17. Exo 28:17 You shall set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; 18 and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold filigree. 21 There shall be twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They shall be like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes. Rev 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.

10 202 The twelve gates of pearls so large an entrance is made through each of them. Pearls like precious stones were of great value. Mat 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. Mat 13:45 "Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. The (singular) street of gold polished beyond mirror finish. Gold here is like was silver as common in Jerusalem as stone that King Solomon had in such abundance (1 Kings 10:27). Thus, walking on it indicating our faith is more precious though it is tested by fire (1 Pet 1:7; see also Rev 15:2). In the church we are devoted to [God] and thus cannot serve God and money (Lk 16:13). Our wealth comes from a different source (Rev 3:18), physical gold being so insignificant in comparison. Rev 21:22 And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. in the city- (where those who walk in the light as He is in the light - I Jn 1:7) the presence of a temple would denote separation between God and His people. Num 18:22 so that the people of Israel do not come near the tent of meeting, lest they bear sin and die. Before Pentecost and the inception of New Jerusalem a temple existed that separated worshipers from God through the priesthood. The temple on earth now refers to the N.T. priesthood (1:6; 5:10), a.k.a., the church (1 Cor 3:16-17; 2 Cor 6:16; Eph 2:21; 1 Pet 2:5). God here dwells with His people (21:3). He and Christ replace the O.T. temple with the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27). In the Old Testament the focal point of worship was the temple (1 Kings 8:41-43; Dan 6:10). That focus here is changed since before this, man [could not] see [God] and live (Ex 33:20). Here, God and the Lamb are the center of the church s attention. According to 1 Cor 6:19 the body of a Christian is to be considered a temple. Since the presence of a temple denotes separation then it would figure that Christians are to live separated from the world (1 Cor 5:10). Rev 21:23 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its Lamp is the Lamb. Isa 60:19 The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 20 Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended. With the physical luminaries being insufficient, the city is lighted by God (Ex 34:29-35; Lk 2:9) and Christ as her Lamp (Ps 119:105; Jn 1:1-4). Remember, God created the lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night (Gen 1:14-18) after He said, let there be light (v. 3). Why then would Heaven on earth (Mat 6:10- not with reference to any of the false millennial doctrines) need anything physical (sun, moon, stars) to light it? See 2 Cor 4:4 and 2 Tim 1:10.

11 203 Rev 21:24 By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, The nations- Through the twelve gates, via the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ (2 Cor 4:4), named after the twelve tribes of Israel ( the Jew first ) came the preaching of the kingdom also to the Greek (Rom 1:16). They are those from every nation (Jew and Gentile) who are daily being received into the kingdom (7:9), and whose numbers expanded rapidly once Paul stated, I will go to the Gentiles (Act 18:6). kings of the earth- (those of 1:6 and 5:10, i.e., saints who possess it as per Dan 7:27) received their honor and dignity from God (Rom 2:7, 10; Heb 2:7) and are thus in this scene carrying such into the city with them. Rev 21:25 and its gates will never be shut by day--and there will be no night there. Neh 13:15 In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on the day when they sold food. 16 Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself! 17 Then I confronted the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Now you are bringing more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath." 19 As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 But I warned them and said to them, "Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love. Mat 24:20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. The gates of Jerusalem were closed because of the Sabbath, a day of rest that God held as a sign between Him and the Israelites. Exo 31:12 And the LORD said to Moses, 13 "You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, 'Above all you shall keep My Sabbaths, for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. 16 Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a

12 204 covenant forever. 17 It is a sign forever between Me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.'" Mar 2:27 And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath." The Sabbath was between God and Israel. Jesus, here, made a statement of equality with God (Php 2:6) by changing the Law (Heb 7:12) of the Sabbath as it would pertain to the New Covenant. Another sign between God and Israel was the sign of circumcision that He gave to Abraham. Gen 17:9 And God said to Abraham, "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall My covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant." Rom 4:8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." 9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. But that also was to be done away with once the Law became obsolete (Heb 8:13). Act 15:5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, "It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses." 6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, Who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us, 9 and He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Act 15:24 Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, 25 it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who

13 205 themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: 29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell." Col 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. As Minister (Heb 8:2) in the true tent (the church), the Old Testament one only the shadow of it, He exchanged the physical day of rest for the one that is to be eternal (Heb 4:8-9; 8:1-6). The significance of the gates never shutting; in Nehemiah the nations profaned the Sabbath thus the city was to be closed to them during its length. Here, in the New Jerusalem, they remain open since the nations are daily being received thus bringing their glory into it. no night- darkness (ignorance) obscures the light (of the Lamb). The day, here, is an eternal one in both realms since the saints on earth already possess it having the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it (Eph 1:14). Eph 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, Rev 21:26 They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. (See notes on verse 24.) Whatever glory and honor the nations had they received from God and would only be returning what is rightfully His (4:9-11). Rev 21:27 But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. In order to be written in the Lamb s book of life a person has to be qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints of light and be transferred into the kingdom of [God s] beloved Son (Col 1:13) here on earth (the church) and be devoted to the apostles teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers (Act 2:42). Just being baptized (Gk.907- to make whelmed) does not save unless a person is committed to the predenominational church/kingdom and her inspired teachings (2 Pet 1:21). So in order to be qualified a person needs to be found in Christ having put [Him] on by being baptized into [Him] (Gal 3:26-27). Being covered with the Lamb without blemish or spot (1 Pet 1:19) is accomplishing spiritually what God did with Adam and Eve in covering their shame in Gen 3:21. Anyone who has not been washed of their sin is unclean and cannot enter the kingdom/church described here. The great commission (Mat 28:19-20) explains the invitation. That invitation is offered in 22:17. Updated January 4,

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