Revelation 21-22 – Greater Church of God

Revelation 21-22 — the end of the plan of salvation of mankind! (verse by verse commentary)

Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.
Genesis 12:2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.
Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Galatians 3:7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.
Galatians 3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”

Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Genesis 17:7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.
Genesis 17:8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

We are seeing all this in vision with only terms that John knows and understands

Revelation 21:1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.

(kainos kahee-nos’ ; new (especially in freshness); different never before; not adding new to something old or refurbing it

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Isaiah 65:17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.
Isaiah 65:18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy.
Isaiah 65:19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying.
Isaiah 65:20 “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.
Isaiah 65:21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
Isaiah 65:22 They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.
Isaiah 65:23 They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD, And their offspring with them.
Isaiah 65:24 “It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Isaiah 65:25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” Says the LORD.

Mixing of Millennium and New Heavens and Earth

Isaiah 66:22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD, “So shall your descendants and your name remain.
Isaiah 66:23 And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD.
Isaiah 66:24 “And they shall go forth and look Upon the corpses of the men Who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, And their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh.

Psalms 102:25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Psalms 102:26 They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed.

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
2 Peter 3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
2 Peter 3:12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;

…no more sea

Simplest answer is that there is no need for it

Definition of “new” is something different that has never been

Revelation 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
Hebrews 11:9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;
Hebrews 11:10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Hebrews 11:14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
Hebrews 11:15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,
Hebrews 12:23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Hebrews 13:14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.

[more on New Jerusalem later]

Revelation 21:3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and betheir God.

Christ is already on Earth

The Father is now coming (first and only coming)

Sin has separated mankind from Him up to this point

He will return to a sinless earth

John 1:14 Jesus tabernacled among us

Exodus 40:34 Then the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:35 And Moses was not able to enter the tabernacle of meeting, because the cloud rested above it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

A pattern:

Hebrews 8:5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, “SEE THAT YOU MAKE ALL THINGS ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.”

Exodus 25:1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
Exodus 25:2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering.
Exodus 25:3 And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze;
Exodus 25:4 blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair;
Exodus 25:5 ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood;
Exodus 25:6 oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense;
Exodus 25:7 onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate.
Exodus 25:8 And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.
Exodus 25:9 According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.

Leviticus 26:2 You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 26:3 ‘If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments, and perform them,

Leviticus 26:11 I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you.
Leviticus 26:12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.
Leviticus 26:13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.
Leviticus 26:14 ‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments,
Leviticus 26:15 and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant,

Revelation 21:4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

no more

sea
death
sorrow
crying
pain
curse
night

Revelation 21:5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

New name, new jerusalem, new heaven earth

All things new (kainos kahee-nos’ ; new (especially in freshness); different never before; not adding new to something old or refurbing it)

Revelation 21:6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

The end of the plan of Salvation for mankind

Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,
Revelation 1:11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
Revelation 1:12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands,

Revelation 1:14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire
Revelation 1:15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters;
Revelation 1:16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
Revelation 1:18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.

…I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Additionally see: John 4:6-29

Isaiah 55:1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
Isaiah 55:2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David.
Isaiah 55:4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people.
Isaiah 55:5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the LORD your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

He who overcomes…

We see a fulfillment in Revelation 21-22 of what God promised to him that overcomes in the churches:

1. Ephesus

Revelation 2:7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ‘

Revelation 22:2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

2. Smyrna

Revelation 2:11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ‘

Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

3. Pergamos

Revelation 2:17 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ‘

Revelation 22:4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

4. Thyatira

Revelation 2:26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

Revelation 22:5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

5. Sardis

Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

6. Philadelphia

Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Revelation 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

7. Laodicea

Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 22:5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

…shall inherit all things…

Such as:

the earth (Matthew 5:5)
eternal life (Matthew 19:29)
the kingdom (Matthew 25:34)
salvation (Hebrews 1:14)
the promises (Hebrews 6:12)
etc

Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes … overcomes what?

Overcomes sin

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Psalms 119:172 My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.

All will have a chance for salvation

Unpardonable Sin – any part of the law of God that we refuse to accept

This is what the plan of God has been sorting out from the beginning

Who is with Him and who is against Him

Started with Satan

So what we see is that the law of God has been intact from the very beginning until the very end (of human existence) and it will continue throughout eternity

Not as something that we have to constantly weigh our actions against

But now as our character (who and what we are and how we will live and want to live)

The law of God represents His character

We will put that on completely as spirit beings

So it stands to reason that those who don’t want to live that way God will extend His mercy

To them and to us

Not bound for eternity doing nothing as a punishment

Us not having to deal with them

But the cowardly, unbelieving…

fearful and lacking faith

Matthew 8:24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep.
Matthew 8:25 Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!”
Matthew 8:26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful [fearful,G1169 deilos di-los’], O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.

Peter walked on water – But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid;

…sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars…

pornos – sexual sins

sorcery (false religion) – potions – still apart of satanism today

idolatry – basis for other sin; Israel went into captivity; putting anything before God and His ways

lying is common place

shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone….

Matthew 3:10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

What is reserved for them:

…which is the second death.

Revelation 2:11 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ‘

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

[everyone at least once; some twice]

Will not be in the Kingdom of God – which makes sense

1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
1 Corinthians 6:10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
Ephesians 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
Ephesians 4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
Colossians 3:7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
Colossians 3:8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

It is very clear that law breakers will not be in God’s Kingdom

Not only are they not allowed into the holy city, but into the lake of fire they go

New Jerusalem

Ezekiel’s Vision is a forerunner

Obvious differences between the two:

this is how God works
often shows the spiritual by the physical

Similarities

Explainer	Ezekiel 47:2-8	Revelation 21:1-2
On a mountain high
Measuring stick
Water flowing Eastward
Trees on banks
Leaves for healing
12 tribes names on 12 gates
3 gates on each N E W S side

Differences

Origin of flowing water	The temple	God’s throne
City dimensions	4500 measures or reeds	1500 miles³
Temple
Boundaries	Sea	No sea left
Nature of People	Physical	Spiritual no sinning
God the Father	Not there	With Man

Revelation 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

I believe this is a literal city that is spiritual and not physical AND it is symbolic of the church as well

…coming down out of heaven from God, prepared…

He is currently constructing it in heaven – where it comes from

Hebrews 11:10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

We and Abraham have been looking forward to it

John 14:1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.
John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

Also, we need to remember that the timing of the event is after the 1000 and GWTJ

So the firstfruits are already married to the lamb on Earth

Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
Revelation 19:8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation 19:9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

church of god are living in the great city – the two are one

Revelation 21:9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”

This is the angel that is now talking to John

Revelation 15:6 And out of the temple came the seven angels having the seven plagues, clothed in pure bright linen, and having their chests girded with golden bands.

[Priestly functions]

Lamb mentioned 7 times (focuses on the fact He was our sacrifice)

Contrast to: (notice the similarities in verbiage)

Revelation 17:1 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and talked with me, saying to me, “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters,
Revelation 17:2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”
Revelation 17:3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Chaste bride of one husband v. great harlot; wilderness v great how mountain;

Revelation 18:9 “The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning,
Revelation 18:10 standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’

Revelation 18:16 and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls!
Revelation 18:17 For in one hour such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance
Revelation 18:21 Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.

Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

Ezekiel 40:2 In the visions of God He took me into the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain; on it toward the south was something like the structure of a city.

Millennial temple

Revelation 21:11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

having the glory of God

Ezekiel 43:1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, the gate that faces toward the east.
Ezekiel 43:2 And behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east. His voice was like the sound of many waters; and the earth shone with His glory.
Ezekiel 43:3 It was like the appearance of the vision which I saw—like the vision which I saw when I came to destroy the city. The visions were like the vision which I saw by the River Chebar; and I fell on my face.
Ezekiel 43:4 And the glory of the LORD came into the temple by way of the gate which faces toward the east.
Ezekiel 43:5 The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.

Ezekiel 43:7 And He said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile My holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places.

Ezekiel 43:9 Now let them put their harlotry and the carcasses of their kings far away from Me, and I will dwell in their midst forever.
Ezekiel 43:10 “Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.

Ezekiel 43:12 This is the law of the temple: The whole area surrounding the mountaintop is most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple.

Her light…

Millennium

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
Isaiah 60:2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.
Isaiah 60:3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isaiah 60:4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
Isaiah 60:5 Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.

like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.

Not normally clear

Revelation 21:12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

The way into the Holy City, to God, is only through the gate of one of the 12 tribes

It is only through Israel

[Gentiles Message]

All become Israel

Exodus 12:47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it.
Exodus 12:48 And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it.

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh;
Romans 2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.

Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Revelation 21:13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west.

Tribes camped this way

Ezekiel 48:30-31 “These are the exits of the city. On the north side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits [measures] (the gates of the city shall be named after the tribes of Israel), the three gates northward: one gate for Reuben, one gate for Judah, and one gate for Levi;
Ezekiel 48:32 on the east side, four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Joseph, one gate for Benjamin, and one gate for Dan;
Ezekiel 48:33 on the south side, measuring four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates: one gate for Simeon, one gate for Issachar, and one gate for Zebulun;
Ezekiel 48:34 on the west side, four thousand five hundred cubits with their three gates: one gate for Gad, one gate for Asher, and one gate for Naphtali.
Ezekiel 48:35 All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.

Ezekiel

EAST Joseph, Benjamin, Dan
NORTH Reuben, Judah, Levi
SOUTH Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun
WEST Gad, Asher, Naphtali

Numbers

EAST Judah, Issachar, Zebulun
SOUTH Reuben, Simeon, Gad
WEST Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin
NORTH Dan, Asher, Naphtali

Revelation 7

Judah Reuben Gad
Asher Naphtali Manasseh
Simeon Levi Issachar
Zebulun Joseph Benjamin

Revelation 21:14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Matthew 19:27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”
Matthew 19:28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

All the original apostles were Jews, and of course Christ came as one (no other name)

John 4:22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.

Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Revelation 21:15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.

Ezekiel 40:3 He took me there, and behold, there was a man whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze. He had a line of flax and a measuring rod in his hand, and he stood in the gateway.
Ezekiel 40:5 Now there was a wall all around the outside of the temple. In the man’s hand was a measuring rod six cubits long, each being a cubit and a handbreadth; and he measured the width of the wall structure, one rod; and the height, one rod.

Zechariah 2:1 Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand.
Zechariah 2:2 So I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”
Zechariah 2:3 And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him,
Zechariah 2:4 who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.

We will talk about this more later, but the difference should be noted (because some believe they are the same thing)

we are not talking about the same thing

one is Millennial and physical

and the other is after that and spiritual

Of course this millennial one and the others (tabernacle in the wilderness and the temples) point toward the final culmination which we are now reading about in Revelation 21-22

Revelation 21:16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.

~1170 to 1560 miles

cube like hoh – not pyramid

remember we are talking about spirit

the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle, a cube 15 feet each way, and the Holy of Holies in Solomon’s Temple, a cube 30 feet each way, were types.”

he measured the city with the reed… the whole city not the side

12000 furlongs = 12×1000 or 1000 furlongs between each gate (10x10x10) a type of perfection

perfection

Revelation 21:17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
Revelation 21:18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
Revelation 21:19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
Revelation 21:20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

Test another assumption

Exodus 28:15 “You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it.
Exodus 28:16 It shall be doubled into a square: a span shall be its length, and a span shall be its width.
Exodus 28:17 And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: The first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and an emerald; this shall be the first row;
Exodus 28:18 the second row shall be a turquoise, a sapphire, and a diamond;
Exodus 28:19 the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst;
Exodus 28:20 and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They shall be set in gold settings.
Exodus 28:21 And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes.

the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles

high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel written on them

Revelation 21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.

Pearly gates; Peter;

On Earth

clarity (without flaw) and cleanness

city was pure gold in :18

Revelation 21:22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

We read last time:

Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Ephesians 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
Ephesians 2:21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
Ephesians 2:22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

John 17:20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
John 17:21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:
John 17:23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.
John 17:26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Revelation 21:23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Isaiah 60:19 “The sun shall no longer be your light by day, Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you; But the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, And your God your glory.
Isaiah 60:20 Your sun shall no longer go down, Nor shall your moon withdraw itself; For the LORD will be your everlasting light, And the days of your mourning shall be ended.

Prophecy for the future

The way is only made possible through the Lamb

Revelation 21:24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.

Revelation 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.

Nations…

Genesis 17:5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.
Genesis 17:6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.

who are saved…

Already saved by this time

1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.

shall walk in its light..

Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,

the kings of the earth…

Exodus 19:4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself.
Exodus 19:5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
Exodus 19:6 And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”

1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Revelation 5:10 And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” (and other places Revelation 1:6)

God is speaking to those that can understand this; those that are being called now

Rule at first on this physical earth with JC

Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

And then on the spiritual one for eternity

Revelation 22:5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

As leaders of these families, tribes and nations

Revelation 21:25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there).

Showing that the way to God is accessible always, by all

no more sin

no more separation

Revelation 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Matthew 13:41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness,
Matthew 13:42 and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 13:43 Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Can be blotted out as well

Psalms 69:27 Add iniquity to their iniquity, And let them not come into Your righteousness.
Psalms 69:28 Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.
Psalms 69:29 But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.

Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

We must always keep this in mind!

Revelation 22:1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

pure river of water of life

Genesis 2:8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.
Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 2:10 Now a river went out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it parted and became four riverheads.

Zechariah 14:8 And in that day it shall be— That living waters shall flow from Jerusalem, Half of them toward the eastern sea And half of them toward the western sea; In both summer and winter it shall occur.
Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be “The LORD is one,” And His name one.

John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
John 7:38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Revelation 7:14 And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 7:15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.
Revelation 7:16 They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;
Revelation 7:17 for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 21:6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

Psalms 46:4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
Psalms 46:5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb… together finally

Revelation 22:2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Genesis 3:22 Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever“—
Genesis 3:23 therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.
Genesis 3:24 So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

ante-symbol

Ezekiel 47:12 Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

(ISV) Between the city street and the river, the tree of life was visible from each side. It produced twelve kinds of fruit, each month having its own fruit. The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

“were”

Will eating be a part of spiritual life

Jesus ate after His resurrection as a spirit being (Acts 10:40-41)
We will all eat at the wedding feast

If we do a little of reasoning with :4 we can see that we won’t be physical

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him.

no more curse…

Of any kind

Main curse is death

Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE”),

God and of the Lamb shall be in it…

Ezekiel 48:35 All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.

Revelation 22:4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

see His face…

Exodus 33:18 And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”
Exodus 33:19 Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”
Exodus 33:20 But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”
Exodus 33:21 And the LORD said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock.
Exodus 33:22 So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by.
Exodus 33:23 Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

His name shall be on their foreheads…

Revelation 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

Revelation 22:5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

Daniel 7:18 But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.’

Daniel 7:27 Then the kingdom and dominion, And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

they will always be obedient and submissive to God the Father (Revelation 22:3) and His servants shall serve Him.

This the culmination; this was the plan from the beginning

Matthew 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

This is the end of the revelation

[Angel speaking] Revelation 22:6 Then he said to me, “These words are faithful and true.” And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.

These words are faithful and true … In respect to the revelation

Isaiah 46:8 “Remember this, and show yourselves men; Recall to mind, O you transgressors.
Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,
Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things that are not yet done, Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, And I will do all My pleasure,’
Isaiah 46:11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man who executes My counsel, from a far country. Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it.
Isaiah 46:12 “Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted, Who are far from righteousness:
Isaiah 46:13 I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off; My salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion, For Israel My glory.

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
Revelation 1:2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.

Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.
Revelation 1:18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Revelation 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.

[Jesus Christ speaking] Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Behold, I am coming quickly... 3 times exactly in Revelation. 3 times in so many words in this last chapter

Revelation 22:12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Behold, I am coming quickly… relative to God and us later in the big scheme of things

In the book of Revelation it says this twice in the chapter and once to the Philadelphians (Rev 3:11)

Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Blessed is… 6^th of the 7 blessings Revelation

7 Blessings

Rev_1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Rev_14:13 Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

Rev_16:15 “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

Rev_19:9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

Rev_20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

Rev_22:7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Rev_22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

…who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book…

See the blessings above that come with doing!

We have been very plain in the previous chapter how we need to be acting and we will see it once again in some of the verses coming up

[ John speaking] Revelation 22:8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Revelation 22:9 Then he said to me, “See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”

Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last.

Daniel 8:17 So he came near where I stood, and when he came I was afraid and fell on my face; but he said to me, “Understand, son of man, that the vision refers to the time of the end.”

Revelation 19:9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

Genesis 17:1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.
Genesis 17:2 And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.”
Genesis 17:3 Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying:

Colossians 2:18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

[Angel speaking] Revelation 22:10 And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

Unsealed at this time

[Angel speaking] Revelation 22:11 He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

This is the final judgment – now there is no switching between groups

everyone has every opportunity to do what is right and wh

[Jesus Christ speaking] Revelation 22:12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

There is a judgment according to works

Our reward is according to works

Our salvation is a gift, but our reward comes from how well we did with the talents that we have been given.

[Jesus Christ speaking] Revelation 22:13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

see: Revelation 21:6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.

The beginning and the end of the plan of Salvation for mankind – and the points in between

John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Zechariah 4:6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

[Jesus Christ speaking?] No real indication of change of speaker;

Rev_22:7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

14 and 15 go together; 16 is JC speaking;

Why is this Not in red b/c His commandments?; being Christ’s as though they were different;

Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

They have the same commandments any way – let’s not confuse that.

Nonetheless, it is only those that keep the commandments…that is do not sin, that will have eternal life and be allowed in the city

1 John 3:9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.

[Jesus Christ speaking?] Revelation 22:15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

So what are the progression of events here (as a refresher):

Revelation 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:1-2: The New Jerusalem has come down to earth.

We emphasized this verse at the time:

Revelation 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Revelation 21:8 [He who does not overcome] But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable,[how they are acting THEN actually what they are doing] murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,
1 Corinthians 6:10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Matthew 7:6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs [unclean and filthy]; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Outside… means they will never be inside the city

just like the garbage dump outside of old Jerusalem in the valley of Hinnom (gehenna in the greek)

In Jesus’ day this area had fires burning constantly in order to burn up the trash of the day as well as the dead bodies of criminals.
.

All is spirit:

God is spirit John 4:24
We will become spirit John 3; 1 Corinthians 15;
The heavens and earth will be spirit

Psalms 102:25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.
Psalms 102:26 They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed.

God creates
new heavens and a new earth (2 Peter 3:7, 10–13).
Isaiah 51:6 the heavens will vanish away
Isaiah 34:4 All the host of heaven shall be DISSOLVED and ROLLED UP like a scroll
Isaiah 65:17; 66:22 God will create new heavens and a new earth, which will remain (unlike the present one)
2 Corinthians 4:18 For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

[Jesus Christ speaking] Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

So in terms of :14-15 even if it is the angel speaking, he is speaking the words and revelation of Christ.

I am the Root and the Offspring of David…

This was prophesied in Isaiah and Zechariah, confirmed in the gospel of Matthew and Paul’s epistle to the Romans, prefaced in Revelation 5:5 and now finally it is stated by JC Himself that He is that Son of David.

Isaiah 11:1; Zechariah 6:12; Matthew 22:42, Matthew 22:45; Romans 1:3-4

the Bright and Morning Star…

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

And the Spirit …

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

And the Spirit and the bride say…

a bride can be called that right after the wedding. So in the scheme of things this just over a 1000 years later (like we were talking about “I come quickly”)

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
Romans 8:23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

In a sense this should be in red, since it is JC’s words mixed with others in the God family.

…who thirsts come. Whoever desires… those who really want this way of life [as we addressed before]

It is those that really want to be there that will be in the KOG with the Father and Son forever. This is what God encourages us in. He wants everyone to COME to Him.

Isaiah 55:1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts [Whoever desires], Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.
Isaiah 55:2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you— The sure mercies of David.
Isaiah 55:4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, A leader and commander for the people.
Isaiah 55:5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know, And nations who do not know you shall run to you, Because of the LORD your God, And the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.
Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

These verse segue back into the next verses in revelation 22

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Revelation 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
Revelation 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

This should be taken as a dire warning to those that wield the world of God with recklessness. When they take the words of the Bible and tweak them to say what THEY want it to say – God will not look too kindly on that – and that’s putting it mildly!

[Jesus Christ speaking] Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

1 Timothy 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.