& & & Teaching Notes Book of Revelation - Chapter 22 - The End of Revelation & & & Quarantine Day 72. Saturday. Georgia is going back to work.
Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia & & & Revelation 22 New International Version (NIV) Eden Restored 22 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. John and the Angel 6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” 10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” Epilogue: Invitation and Warning 12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[a] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. Footnotes:
The New Jerusalem (cont.) Verses 1-2 1He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2In the midst of its course, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve kinds of fruit and yielded its fruit every month, and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. Commentary: At the beginning of the Bible, in Genesis, Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden so that they might be denied access to the "tree of life" (symbolizing eternal life) in their corrupt state (Gen 3:22-24). Now, at the end of Revelation, the tree of life reappears. The water that flows is a healing water because it comes from the Throne of God. The water is always providing, like the Tree of Life. The tree continues to bring fruit and never dies. This proves that our spiritual lives will be sustained in Heaven. The fact that God and the Lamb share one throne again emphasizes their unity. There can be no doubt that John views Christ as untied with God. A pure, clear river symbolizes the pure life God gives forth to God’s people. The idea of a river flowing from God or the Temple is consistent with Old Testament imagery, including Zech. 14 and Ezek. 47. The text is unclear how many trees of life are being described. Tree is in the singular, suggesting one, which would also parallel with the Garden of Eden. However, can one tree be on both sides of a river? Perhaps it is a large tree that is somehow straddling the river. The idea that the tree bears fruit each month and that the leaves are good for healing again relates back to Ezek. 47. [1] Verses 3-4 3There will be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will serve him, 4and they will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Commentary: In Genesis, the earth is cursed because of Adam's sin (Gen 3:17). Here we are told that "there will be no more curse." In Genesis, the eternal paradise is lost; in Revelation, it is restored completely and man is satisfied both spiritually and physically. Jesus remains God's physical presence. We will be able to feel God, but still be unable to see him. Since the Father is invisible, the sense of the Lord’s words refers to the presence of God. The angels are continually in the presence of God (revelationcommentary.org). "...his name will be on their foreheads": See notes on 3:12 [1]. Verse 5 5There will be no night there, and they will need no candle, nor the light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light, and they will reign forever and ever. Commentary: Since God will conintuously be looking out for the people he will be the light of the world. Thus, night shall never fall upon the people. Night and day are used to measure time and there will be no time in Heaven for those there will be there for an eternity and need not measure the days. Therefore,night is taken away because it is associated with evil and harm. Jesus was betrayed in the night time,and night is when sin is committed. But the saints are the son of the light and God is light. Thus, light is a good omen and has good connotation. Epilogue: Final Observations and Exhortations Verse 6 6He said to me, “These sayings are faithful and true.” The Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show his servants the things which must shortly be done. Commentary: John is validating his vision by saying that his vision is faithful and true. He is saying that his vision is authentic and divine. This is likely saying that God is te source of the prophet's inspiration. This verse begins the conclusion of his revelation. Verse 7 7”Behold, I come quickly.” Blessed is the one who keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Commentary: The second coming of Christ Jesus is not coming quickly. But when he comes, it will be a quick return. Blessings are being wished upon by John to the readers of this vision. Verses 8-9 8I, John, saw these things and heard them, and when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9He 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 sayings of this book. Worship God.” Commentary: The first sentence of Verse 8 echoes Revelation 1 in that John reaffirms himself as the author of this work, as it was revealed to him from God via angelic beings. The second sentence echoes Revelation 19:10 in that again we see John falling to the ground so as to worship the angelic messenger. It is not clear whether this is indeed an additional attempt to worship the angel or if John is merely repeating his previous mistake for a rhetorical effect. In any event, perhaps John is attempting to identify with his audience's tendency to worship something less than God as God. Verse 9 indicates that God's people are essentially equal with angelic beings. Verses 10-11 10He said to me, “Do not seal the sayings of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. 11The one who is unjust, let him be unjust still. The one who is filthy, let him be filthy still. The one who is righteous, let him be righteous still. And the one who is holy, let him be holy still.” Commentary: Verse eleven here implies that beyond this point there will be no more repentance. The command to not seal up the prophecy of revelation stands in direct contrast to Daniel 12:4 which says, “But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end." It is possible that John is directly referencing this verse here, emphasizing that in Daniel's vision, the time had not yet come and so the scroll should be sealed up, but it is possible that for John the events he witnessed are close at hand and thus the command to not seal up the prophecy of Revelation. Verse 12 12“Behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work.” Commentary: This verse is confusing as it leaves discussion on salvation being by works rather than faith. Certainly the verse John 3:16 and others refer to the God given reward of eternal life to be based on faith, but many other verses refer to salvation being dependent on good works. <----??? What if they are one in the same? Strive to live like Jesus did and your faith is your work. Verse 13 13“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.” Commentary: Once again brings significance to the power and soverignty of the Lord. As mentioned before in Chapter 1:8 and 21:6, He is the beginning and the end, and encompasses all in between. This is a significant attribute of God.
& & & Teaching Notes Book of Revelation - Chapter 21 & & & Quarantine Day 72. Saturday. Georgia is going back to work.
Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia & & & Revelation 21 New International Version A New Heaven and a New Earth
21 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”[a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 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 water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb 9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia[c] in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits[d] thick.[e] 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.[f] 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.
22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 27 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Footnotes Revelation 21:1 Isaiah 65:17 Revelation 21:4 Isaiah 25:8 Revelation 21:16 That is, about 1,400 miles or about 2,200 kilometers Revelation 21:17 That is, about 200 feet or about 65 meters Revelation 21:17 Or high Revelation 21:20 The precise identification of some of these precious stones is uncertain. & & &
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpnIrbq2bKo Bible Project Revelation 12-22 & & & A New Heaven and Earth Verses 1-2 1I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away, and there was no more sea. 2I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Commentary: The Last Judgement has marked the end of history as we have previously known it. The drama of this earth has reached its conclusion and the curtain is lowered on the stage of human history. Isaiah also speaks of a new heaven and earth: "Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former will not be remembered nor come to mind."[Isa 65:17] Here John describes the New Jerusalem as a bride who is a gift from God. This imagery fits with other early Jewish apocalyptic work. One particular idea that may be in mind is the belief that the new city already existed and would soon be made visible. In fitting this to his audience, John may be suggesting that the New Jerusalem is currently in heaven as the dwelling place of the martyrs and will descend to earth. The details are not the important part. The message is that the new city and the fellowship of the believers will be beautiful. God will finally finish the work he began at the start of creation.[1] In verse 1 it states that there is no more sea. We as a people have for the most part a love for the sea and its beaches. In biblical times, the sea was seen as being rough and unstable, so taking this away is symbolic for removing that unstableness from the earth. People who went out to sea on boats were sometimes never heard from again. For one to truly understand why the sea may be seen as a bad thing one must look at this from the eyes of a person living in biblical times. Verse 3 3I heard a loud voice out of heaven, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them, and be their God. Commentary: This is an exciting verse for numerous reasons. It will be the first time humanity will see God and be in his presence. The believers will all be "his people" with no more references to race or diversity. There will be no more deaths, for all the people will be part of God's eternal life. Some translations use the word peoples instead of just people, which implies that there should be no racial or cultural division between the people of God. This shows early Christianity's nature; while Judaism was essentially a closed-off religion to outsiders, Christianity went out to the gentiles as well. Another well known instance of this occurring in the bible is the event of Pentecost. This verse foreshadows Revelation 21:22 which says that there is no temple in the New Jerusalem. Instead "the tabernacle of God is with men." Verse 3 depicts God dwelling among men as a set up for the revelation that no temple will be required in the New Jerusalem. The temple's importance was based on it being the dwelling place of God on earth. In the New Jerusalem God dwells not in the temple, but throughout the city. The verse is also a reference to Leviticus 26.11 and Exzekiel 37.27, which indicates that this passage would have special meaning for Jewish Christians. Verse 4 4God will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor will there be any more pain, for the former things have passed away. Commentary: After the period of judgment, God will make a new Heaven and earth that is pure and free from evil and mourning, there will no longer be suffering or a reason for tears. Just as our mothers have wiped away our tears in our earthly life, God will wipe away our tears in the heavenly life. The pain and suffering has passed and the people can now move forward into bliss. This heaven will now be a place of happiness and love rather than the turmoil previously experienced. The curse placed upon the world for the original sins will be removed. Verse 5 5He who sat upon the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And he said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Commentary: God is making a new world. But this time, Satan is not around to tempt and corrupt the people. The people who populate this new world are the people that have chosen God over evil. Thus, they deserve the utter bliss of this new earth. The people will not remember the pain and suffering that was endured to get to this place and they will inhabit newly created transformation that is free from all previous evil. This is a very important passage because it is one of the few times God is mentioned directly in the book of Revelation. And his instructions to write are informing John to write the whole book, not just this passage. Verse 6 6And he said to me, “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give from the fountain of the water of life freely to the one who thirsts.” Commentary: The phrase it is done is similar to Jesus Christ’s last words on the cross. However, this time the reader does not know what is finished. Perhaps it is what is finished is God’s new creation. The Alpha and Omega, beginning and end it has been previously mentioned, and is a very important phrase in the Christian faith. This phrase is showing absolute sovereignty and power, and saying the same thing twice brings attention to its importance. This water of life is also mentioned in the Gospels, and it is a symbol of eternal life (free of cost as water is most often free of cost). Unlike Chapter 20, this passage as well as the rest of this Chapter is very comforting and gives great hope to followers of Christ. Verse 7 7"The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be my child." Commentary: He who overcomes is promised “all things” it is a promise to those who are strong in faith and hope. This title is for the people of God. Note that it does not directly call God the Father, even through he takes on a father like role. The idea of a personal relationship is established in this verse between God and God's people. This goes back to Genesis 17:7 KJV where God made a covenant with Abraham: "7And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee." Verse 8 8“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Commentary: Scholars have questioned why John would include this list of censured activities. It is imperative to remember that John's target audience is Christians under pressure and threat of persecution. Therefore, it was important to remind the recipients of this work that these types of activities were not to be tolerated. As Ben Witherington III notes, "The intended rhetorical effect of this verse was not to castigate the lost or gloat over their demise, but rather to warn the faithful of the dangers of spiritual or moral apostasy." This verse actually concludes the chronological narrative of the Book of Revelation. The next verse commences John's tour of the New Jerusalem. The remainder of the book is essentially the rhetoric of praise, encomiums, and blame. The New Jerusalem Verse 9 9There came to me one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues, and he talked with me, saying, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.” Commentary: The reader is given the identity of John's "tour guide" of the New Jerusalem (one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues). This is the same angel who showed him the "harlot city of Babylon" in Revelation 17, a contrast city to the New Jerusalem. Given that the people of God are earlier represented as a bride[19:7-8], there may be a connection with the new Jerusalem, which is "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."[Rev 21:2] Some interpreters suggest that the new Jerusalem is actually a symbol of the people of God themselves, rather than a location, as such. Verses 10-11 10He carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11having the glory of God. Her light was like a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Commentary: John is transported in the spirit to a mountain in order to gain a deeper understanding of the bride and the Holy city. This is a contrast to chapter 17 where John is also carried away in the spirit and brought to a desert, in order to see the woman riding the beast. This great and high mountain may be an allusion to Mt. Zion (often referenced throughout the Scripture). The precious jasper stone is also referenced in Revelation 4:3: "And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance." Initially, the jasper was a descriptor of the illuminious beauty of God radiating from His throne. The holy city, Jerusalem also shines like a jasper stone may be represented as the Church, "clear as crystal" or free from blemish. God's glory shines over this city and therefore the comparison to such a precious stone is made once again. The City’s Walls, Gates, and Foundations Verses 12-14 12She had a great and high wall, and twelve gates with twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13three gates on the east; three gates on the north; three gates on the south; and three gates on the west. 14The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Commentary: The gates (tribes of Israel) and foundations (apostles) are often interpreted as symbolizing Israel (the people, not the land) and the Church. Each gate allows one tribe to enter, thus, each tribe has access to the city. There is also a reference to Ezekiel because he prophesied that King David would be one of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. Verses 15-17 15He that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16The city lies foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth, and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17He measured its wall, a hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel. Commentary: If these are comparable to earthly measurements, the city will cover an area about half the size of the contiguous United States. Oddly enough, the height is the same as the length and breadth, which implies a shape like a cube or a pyramid.
Verses 18-21 18The wall was built of jasper, and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19The 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; 20the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst. 21The twelve gates were twelve pearls; each gate was of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. Commentary: This verse is basically explaining that the city's brilliance is like that of jasper and other precious stones. In Revelation 4.3, God's own presence is described as thus when describing his appearance on the throne. John is stating that the city is like God and equally beautiful and precious. This is also a direct contrast to Rome which was called the eternal city stating that only God can hand down a truly eternal city and that God needs to be at the center of any city for it to be truly brilliant. The twelve gates are a comparison to the twelve tribes of Israel suggesting a continuity of the twelve tribes of old and the new people of God. In Ezek. 28.13 precious stones are symbolic of God's own delling in Paradise. The list of stones is also taken from Ezek. 28.16 including nine stones that appear in both lists although no one stone list is exactly the same as John's. This could also be symbolic that the city has unlimited resources. The City’s Inhabitants Verse 22 22I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. Commentary: The lack of a temple is the main difference between New Jerusalem and any other city in John's time. In the Old Testament, the temple was one of the most important establishments for the Israelites. The Glory of God was said to reside in the temple. Witherington suggests that the lack of temple shows a total blending of sacred and secular. Also, this image of a city without a temple stands in contrast to Old Testament expectations. Witherington supposes that the city without a temple shows a deep intimacy between God and his people, so that they can themselves come within the presence of God without intermediaries such as priests or sacrifices or incense. No longer are sacrifices needed, there is no longer a barrier between God and his people. There are implications in this verse of the role of Christ in heaven; that the lamb and God are mentioned together shows a kind of equality in power and importance. Verse 23 23The city had no need of the sun, nor of the moon, to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and the Lamb is its light. Commentary: This verse could be symbolizing that there is no need to see because God will guide his believers as long as the follow his "light". Verse 24 24The nations of those who are saved will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it. Commentary: Witherington guesses that these kings are folks who realized the extent of Satan's deceit (after he's tosses into the lake of fire). If he is right this verse may demonstrate some kind of reconciliation, considering that the last time we heard about the kings of earth was when they were Satan's vassals. Verse 25 25Its gates will not be shut at all by day, and there will be no night there. Commentary: Verse 26-27 26They will bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27By no means will anything enter it that defiles, or whatever works abomination or makes a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. Commentary: & & &
Isaiah 65 New International Version (NIV) Judgment and Salvation 65 “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ 2 All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations— 3 a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; 4 who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of impure meat; 5 who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me, for I am too sacred for you!’ Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. 6 “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps— 7 both your sins and the sins of your ancestors,” says the Lord. “Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.” 8 This is what the Lord says: “As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and people say, ‘Don’t destroy it, there is still a blessing in it,’ so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all. 9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live. 10 Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me. 11 “But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, 12 I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will fall in the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” 13 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. 14 My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit. 15 You will leave your name for my chosen ones to use in their curses; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name. 16 Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.
& & & Teaching Notes Book of Revelation - Chapter 20 & & & Quarantine Day 70. Thursday. Georgia is going back to work. Much of the NE USA and Calif. are still on lockdown but few deaths.
Hugh C. Wood, Atlanta, Georgia & & & Revelation 20 New International Version
The Thousand Years 20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years. The Judgment of Satan 7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth—Gog and Magog—and to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The Judgment of the Dead 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. Footnotes Revelation 20:4 Or God; I also saw those who & & &
