Revelation 17
Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast
Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed acts of immorality, and those who dwell on the earth were made drunk with the wine of her immorality.” 3 And he carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness; and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns. 4The woman was clothed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality, 5 and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” 6 And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly.
Chapters 17 and 18 tell us about the fall of Babylon, the great Harlot. Different people have stated this is Rome and the Roman Catholic church, the Ecumenical council, Jerusalem and many other specific groups or people. John does not specify any one group, peoples or person. He does tell us however what we should be looking for when considering Babylon the great. Twice before we have heard of Babylon and of her doom, in Rev_14:8 and Rev_16:19
VERSE 01-02
The angel tells John he will see the destruction of the great harlot that sites on many waters.
A harlot is a prostitute, a woman who does whatever pleases in order to get money and, in some cases power. We are told the harlot sits on many waters. (Rev. 17:15) Water represents people and here we are being told the harlot will be over many peoples, nations and governments. We need to understand the harlot is both religious and political. The harlot controls through both means. This is similar to what we see in history with the Roman Catholic church and other religious groups that are controlling people through the use of the fear of being excluded from heaven and fear of being imprisoned and killed. The immorality spoken of here is religious apostacy, unfaithfulness to YHWH. The immorality is saying and making a show of worshipping the one true God while chasing after immorality and things directly opposed to God’s Word and His holiness. The rulers of the earth took part with the harlot’s apostacy and the acts of that apostacy and also led the people to do the same. As a drunk person becomes desensitized to their surroundings, what they are doing and the results of their acts so the people who join in the adultery of the harlot become desensitized to the Word God, how they are violating the Word of God and the results of their actions. Proverb 5 warns against adultery. This is not a warning against just physical adultery but spiritual adultery. In Proverbs 5 we are very clearly shown the strategy of the adulteress, (the harlot) and the results of joining with her and her actions.
VERSE 03-05
John is now taken, in the spirit, to a wilderness area where he saw a woman on a scarlet beast. The woman is the harlot, the false church, and the woman riding on the beast shows she controls the beast. The beast has blasphemous names, seven heads and ten horns. The beast seems to be the harlot, the political Babylon, which supports the religious apostate Babylon. The blasphemous names indicate very clearly this beast is NOT of YHWH and actively works against God and God’s Word. (Daniel 7:25) The beast had seven heads and ten horns. Many theories explaining the seven heads and ten horns have been put forth. These include ten kingdoms coming after Rome to the old Roman Empire reformed into the ten common market nations in Europe in 1954. None of these theories have been proven to be the “only” correct interpretation. The woman on the beast was clothed as royalty and adorned with precious stones, jewels, etc. The woman works to make herself pleasing to people so the people of the earth will follow her instead of the one true God, YHWH. (Proverbs 7:6-27) Throughout the Scriptures people are told not to go into the harlot. Death and destruction are the only end. (Proverbs 1:8-19, 2:12-22, 7:6-27; Romans 8:6; James 5:20; Rev. 21:8) The gold cup is intended to show purity but is filled with abominations, unclean things and immorality. What is plain here is what looks good is not always what it appears. This is a continuation of verse 4 where the harlot makes herself look very good so she can entice people to follow her and not God. We can see a consistent pattern of behavior throughout Revelation: that is, Satan making himself look like something that should be worshipped while he is really the opposite. We can also see that those who do not truly worship God in Spirit and Truth will be led away to sin and destruction by Satan and his minions. Finally, we must look at the woman’s forehead and what is written on it. First, we are to what is written on her forehead is a mystery. Then we are told the words written on her forehead. At first this my appear like a contradiction but it is not. What was written was and is a mystery. “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” This inscription tells us this is who the woman truly is, how she thinks, her goals, her reason for being. The woman is Babylon the great. Babylon means confusion, idolatry, abominations and sinfulness. That is what the world system wants to do, confuse people to follow her, not YHWH. (Genesis 11:1-9.)
As a side note we must remember God told people to replenish and fill the earth. (Genesis 9:1) Nimrod decided to ignore what God commanded, keep the people in one place and build a tower worshipping the false gods of heaven This is much the same as what was going on before the flood. The woman is the mother of harlots, she has spawned many false churches who owe their allegiance to her, not YHWH. The woman, the harlot, drank the blood of the saints until she was drunk. To the harlot, led by Satan, the blood of the saints is an intoxicating drink. The woman caused many, many of God’s saints to be killed.
7And the angel said to me, “Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. 8 “The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction. And those who dwell on the earth, whose name has not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will wonder when they see the beast that he was and is not and will come. 9 Here is the mind which has wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits, 10and they are seven kings; five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain a little while. 11 The beast which was and is not, is himself also an eighth and is one of the seven, and he goes to destruction. 12 The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. 13 These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.
VERSE 08-13
The angel now explains the mystery of the woman on the beast that has seven heads and ten horns. Now we come to a very hard phrase to understand.” was, and is not, and is about to come up out of the abyss and go to destruction.” Some theologians say this is the old pagan worship systems that have passed away, but not really. A personal thought is the beast was and is not may mean he old pagan worship is still in the world, just using different names. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. There are also seven kings. Many have said the seven mountains, or as some translate it hills, denote Rome. This may or may not be the case. The Greek word (oros) translated “mountains” here really means, just as it is translated, “mountains” or large land masses, not “hills.” mountains also symbolize large areas of political power and dominion. When looking at the passage from the Greek it is possible we can say the woman sits on, or has under her influence seven large land masses. Next, we see seven kings, five have fallen, one is, and one will come, for a little while, a short time. The seven kings seem to fit into the seven land masses. I am not putting any commentary for verse 10 since I do not have an understanding of what is taking place. I can say the beast who was and is not is an eighth who embodies the spirits of the previous seven. This beast goes to destruction. John explains the 10 horns. An important thing to remember they receive authority for a very short time and their sole purpose is give their power and authority to the beast.
Victory for the Lamb
14 These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” 15 And he *said to me, “The waters which you saw where the harlot sits, are peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues. (Rev. 12:15 jas) 16 And the ten horns which you saw, and the beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her desolate and naked and will eat her flesh and will burn her up with fire. 17 For God has put it in their hearts to execute His purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled. 18 The woman whom you saw is the great city, which reigns over the kings of the earth.”
VERSE 14-16
The 10 kings and the beast will war against Christ and Christ will overcome them. The Lamb overcomes the kings and beast because He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings. There is none greater than the Lamb. The ones with the Lamb are those who have been called, are chosen out of the world and are faithful. Here we see a great difference between those with the Lamb and others who have the appearance of the Bride but who are not the Bride. Those with the Lamb have been faithful and have not committed spiritual adultery with the false church. Now we come to a very interesting happening, the 10 horns and the beast will hate the harlot, the spiritual Babylon and will destroy her. That is, the false church will be destroyed, and the political Babylon will take over all facets of the earth. The idea being the beast will work to unify the earth under his political system and power.
VERSE 17-18
Verse 17 makes it clear that this is done under the direction of God in order to fulfill His purpose and bring His words to pass. Verse 18, I will not comment on this verse since I am not at all sure of how it is to be understood.
Revelation 18
Lament Over Fallen Babylon
After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illumined with his glory. 2 And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit, and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the passion of her immorality, and the kings of the earth have committed acts of immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich by the wealth of her sensuality.”
VERSE 01
In chapter 18, we will see the judgment that comes from God poured out on them. This "angel" (in verse 1), was sent from heaven. This "power" spoken of here is power that God has endowed on this angel for the execution of this punishment. This "angel" has been in close association with the Light. We see here that this powerful Light of Jesus, even though second hand through the angel, still lightens the earth.
VERSE 02
Isaiah 21:9 "And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, [with] a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground." The "woman" was the corrupt religious system and not a city. The same applies here. Commercial Babylon is a corrupt commercial, social and political system that will be destroyed at the end of the Tribulation.
Verse 03
in chapter 16 we saw the actual destruction of commercial Babylon Religious Babylon (chapter 17), lures the nations into spiritual drunkenness and fornication with false gods (17:2, 4); commercial Babylon (chapter 18), seduces the unbelieving world into a materialistic stupor, so that the people of the world will become drunk with passion because of their relationship with Babylon.
4 I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; 5 for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.6 Pay her back even as she has paid, and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. 7 To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I sit as a queen and I am not a widow, and will never see mourning.’ 8 For this reason in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.
VERSE 04
God will call His own to disentangle themselves from this evil system. 2 Cor. 6:14-17 Come out of her my people". This is not speaking of Rome, but the apostate church. Be careful how you worship. Be careful about the things of God. Know who Jesus is and why you worship Him. Be thoroughly convinced in your heart. Do not listen to someone telling you what the Bible says. Read and study it for yourself. God will reveal to you what it is saying, if you are earnestly trying to learn.
VERSE 05
Babylon's sins will pile up like a new Tower of Babel, but unlike the ancient tower, her sins will reach as high as heaven. It is always good to remember that all of Revelation was addressed to the church. God gives us warnings and gives us time to repent. Even now, here, when He has already passed judgement on this apostate church, He is crying out for individuals to come out of this apostate church.
VERSE 06
Double”: Has the sense of “full”, or “overflowing”. The punishment will fit the crime (compare Jer. 16:18). All of those who are involved and are guilty will suffer double judgment as the cup is filled twice for her for what she has done to the Saints Psalm 79:1-4; 137:8 Isaiah 2:12-24
VERSE 07
Isa. 47:8; 6:20-23 This is describing 3 sins she is guilty of. "She has glorified herself" meaning she was proud; "She lived Deliciously" meaning she pursued self-gratification; and "I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow" meaning she was not only proud but boastful. Two issues are involved. First, to remain in the harlot/city exposes God’s people to the temptation to engage in the sinful conduct of the city’s citizens. If the people of God have not engaged in evil conduct prior to this point, this suggests that the level of temptation must increase in the days just prior to Armageddon. The second reason God’s people must evacuate the harlot/city is that to fail to do so will result in their experiencing God’s judgment. At this point in the narrative, we have not, as yet, been told all that God intends to do to the harlot/city I sit as a queen and I am not a widow and will never see mourning = indicates the mental attitude of the harlot/city.
VERSE 08
Pestilence and mourning and famine = are the specific plagues God will use against the harlot/city.
Lament for Babylon
9 “And the kings of the earth, who committed acts of immorality and lived sensuously with her, will weep and lament over her when they see the smoke of her burning, 10 standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’
VERSE 09-10
"Babylon" either refers to Rome, Jerusalem or the ancient city that bears that name. Most scholars see Rome as the referent.
11 “And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her, because no one buys their cargoes anymore— 12 cargoes of gold and silver and precious stones and pearls and fine linen and purple and silk and scarlet, and every kind of citron wood and every article of ivory and every article made from very costly wood and bronze and iron and marble, 13 and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives. 14 The fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxurious and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them. 15 The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning, 16 saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, she who was clothed in fine linen and purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls; 17 for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea, stood at a distance, 18 and were crying out as they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What city is like the great city?’ 19 And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had ships at sea became rich by her wealth, for in one hour she has been laid waste!’ 20 Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you saints and apostles and prophets, because God has pronounced judgment for you against her.”
(JAS Comments – Start)
VERSE 11-13
And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn over her = constitutes the second group who are not pleased with the destruction of harlot/city. Since buying and selling is done with the beast’s permission, it is clear that the merchants are beast-marked earth-dwellers. Therefore, the harlot/city must play a central role in the composite dragon-beast’s empire. Because no one buys their cargoes any more = states the reason the merchants are sad. The destruction of the harlot/city means a loss of commercial opportunity.
VERSE 14-17
Things have lost their value in the face of God’s judgment. The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning,
VERSE18-20
Psalm 63:9-11 And they threw dust on their heads and were crying out, weeping and mourning is an Old Testament custom. It accompanied mourning or sorrow (Josh 7:6, Lam 2:10) and repentance (Job 42:6). Here it expresses the deep sorrow of the sailors.
The Finality of Babylon’s Doom
21 Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will not be found any longer. 22 And the sound of harpists and musicians and flute-players and trumpeters will not be heard in you any longer; and no craftsman of any craft will be found in you any longer; and the sound of a mill will not be heard in you any longer; 23 and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints and of all who have been slain on the earth.”
VERSE 21-24
The rejoicing of the righteous is a proper response to God’s punishment of the wicked. heaven…saints…apostles…prophets = are the four groups called up to rejoice in God’s judgment of the harlot/city. O heaven is a figure of speech. Heaven is treated like a person in that it is called upon to rejoice. Three separate groups of individuals are recognized: (1) saints, (2) apostles, and (3) prophets. Saints is used throughout the Revelation to refer to the people of God. Since "apostles" and "prophets" are specifically identified, saints must refer to believers in general. Because God has pronounced judgment for you against her = gives the reason for the call to rejoice. Then a strong angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea. This is reminiscent of Matthew 18:6 where Jesus indicates that the punishment for those who cause believers to stumble is worse than one "to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. the city that the dragon/beast inhabits will be destroyed. It will not be found again. However, the land will remain. Isaiah 2:12-24
Revelation 19
Threefold Hallelujah Over Babylon’s Fall
This chapter is one of the most dramatic in all the Bible. In it, the Church, the Bride of Christ, is the guest of honor at the marriage of the Lamb in heaven (verses 1-10) and returns with Christ in His Triumphal Second Coming (verses 11-21). The people mentioned here are distinct from the other beings in heaven, for they are singing a song that includes mention of salvation. This scene incorporates believers; the Old Testament saints, the Church age saints, and the Tribulation saints. Together they join this great chorus proclaiming "Alleluia!"
After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,
“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; 2 because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His bond-servants on her.” 3 And a second time they said, “Hallelujah! Her smoke rises up forever and ever.” 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”5 And a voice came from the throne, saying,
“Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” 6 Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying,
“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.
VERSE 01
We are told that the multitude was as one loud voice. The multitude of believers were of one mind, one spirit and one voice declaring praises to the Lord.
VERSE 02
The praises are that God has delivered vengeance on the false church and world system for the killing of the bond servants of Christ. A bit of an explanation of bond servant is needed here. Look at Exodus 21:5-6
VERSE 04 - 06
After twice giving praise to God the 4 beasts and the 24 elders fall down and worship God and again praise God for His works and Holiness. Now a voice speaks from the throne instructing God’s bond-servants and all who fear Him to praise God. Again we hear the multitudes praising God and saying Hallelujah to God who reigns. Alleluia”: This Hebrew exclamation means “Praise the Lord. Five reasons for their praise can be seen: God’s deliverance of His people from their enemies (verse 1) God’s meting out of justice (verse 2); God’s permanent crushing of man’s rebellion (verse 3); God’s sovereignty (verse 6); God’s communion with His people (verse 7).
Marriage of the Lamb
7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.” 10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” John 5:39
VERSE 07-08
Those who attempt to limit the bride of Christ to those saved after the cross misunderstand Paul’s intent. The metaphor of a bridegroom/bride emphasizes the relationship between Christ and the saints. Paul never says the church is the bride of Christ. Rather, he compares the relationship between Christ and the church to that of a bride and her bridegroom. Therefore, one commits an error when he attempts to make a distinction between Old Testament saints and New Testament saints on the basis of this metaphor. The "righteous deeds" of the Old Testament saints are qualitatively no different from the "righteous deeds" of New Testament saints.
VERSE 09
Here we seem to have either the voice from the throne talking to John or another angel talking to him, it is not clear. Either way John is told that those invited to the marriage supper of the lamb are blessed these are the true words of God. There is no equivocation, these believers are truly blessed and will be forever.
VERSE 10
John starts to worship the angel (the fact John tries to worship leads me to believe it was a heavenly being not a disembodied voice). The angel immediately tells John not to worship him, he is a fellow servant just like all the other servants of God hold to the testimony of Christ, which is to worship God. Now we are told the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy. What does this phrase mean? Jesus fulfilled the prophesy concerning Him. We can look all through the Hebraic and Apostolic Scriptures and see everything prophesied about the Messiah was or is being fulfilled in and by Jesus. The law and prophets prophesied and testified to and about the Savior. To prophesy is to proclaim the truth concerning God by the Holy Spirit.
The Coming of Christ
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
VERSE 11-13
The person on the white horse would be Christ. This we can tell by His being called faithful and true. Faithful, who will not suffer one word that He has promised to fail; True, not true as opposed to false, but real as opposed to shadowy John makes it very clear Christ judges and wages war in righteousness. That is, He wages war against sin with mercy, loving kindness, and justice. We often think of the mercy and loving kindness but may not always consider the justice part of righteousness. Justice is fairness in the way that people are treated. Fire purifies, it burns away the dross in metals, esp. used in regard to precious metals. Christs eyes being flames of fire could well indicate Christ sees the truth about people. Nothing can be hidden from Him. Christ’s holiness burns the dross from people and exposes who they really are. The diadems (cro2ns) show Christ is king of everything, king of kings. While the beast, false prophet and antichrist wore crowns to convince people they were king Jesus is the true king of kings. Names are important to God. In Exodus Moses asked god’s name and God simply said I AM that I AM. (Exodus 3:14) This is more a statement and characteristic than a name. God DID NOT tell Moses His name. This verse and verse 16 seem (on a quick reading) to disagree. They do not. This verse does not say what the name is or where it is written. Verse 16 is very plain as the what was written and where it was written, Verse 16 is a title, not a name. We now are told He wears a robe dipped in blood. We are not told if this is the blood He shed or the blood of those who suffered and or died because of their belief in Christ as savior. We are given His name (title) Word of God. This tells us who He is, His character and His purpose. It also makes clear He is one with God. The words we speak are part of us, they come from our being and tell others our character.
VERSE 13-16
Now John sees the armies of heaven Note that the word is plural, armies, not singular, army. Their clothing indicates holiness and righteousness and they are mounted on white horses again denoting holiness and righteousness. We are not told if the armies are made up of angels, the saved from the earth or both. It really does not matter, they are God’s armies. The armies would include both Hebraic (Old) and Apostolic (New) testaments believers. (A note is in order here. Often a separation is made between the angles and humans. The angels are with YHWH and sinless. They do not need to be saved by the blood of Christ. While that is true, they also went through their time of decision. That happened when Satan rebelled against God. One third of the angels followed Satan, the rest did not. They made the decision to be God’s, similar to the decision we must make.) Verse 15 takes us back to verse 13. Here we are told “From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations” Verse 13 tells us His name is Word of God. God’s Word is that sharp sword. (Matthew 10:34; Luke 2:35; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God strikes down the nations. God’s word destroys all that is not of God, all that is unrighteousness, all that is founded in and on sin. Ruling with a rod of iron is the Christ will insist God’s instructions (law) be followed and demand holiness. There will be no equivocation, no “gray” areas, no excuses. We also see Christ treading out the wine press of God’s fierce anger. This anger is against sin unrighteousness. The thinking that Christ tolerates sin because He is loving is very unscriptural. To tolerate sin is far from loving, in fact, it is very unloving. When Christ returns sin will not be tolerated. Now we come back to Verse 16 and Christ’s title, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This title leaves no doubt or question about who Christ is and His authority. Christ is greater than all kings or anyone who calls themselves king. Christ is greater than any other lord. This means everything, anything and anyone people worship or call lord. All other kings and lords are false and only Crist is truly King and Lord.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in mid heaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.”
VERSE 17-18
Here we see an angel standing in the sun. The brightness of the angel, a brightness coming from the Glory of God, is so great it is greater than the sun. (Ezekiel 10:4; Acts 26:13; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 1:3) The angel calls the birds to a feast. They shall feast on the bodies of those who made war against Christ and Hid believers. This takes us to Ezekiel 39:17-20. God showed Ezekiel this event happening.
19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
Doom of the Beast and False Prophet
20 And the beast was seized, and with him the false prophet who performed the signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image; these two were thrown alive into the lake of fire which burns with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which came from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
VERSE 20-21
God showed this to Ezekiel, David and others. (Ezekiel 39:17-19; Psalm 63:9-11; The beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire. This is a warning of what happens when we put our faith and decisions in signs, wonders and miracles instead of in Christ. Matthew 24:23-24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10. Those who followed the beast and the false prophet are killed by the sword of Christ, the Word of God, and the birds who were called will eat their bodies. A note: Those who followed the beast and false prophet were already dead spiritually. Their physical death is secondary since they would die physically at some point.
Revelation 20
The Thousand Years
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
VERSE 01 – 03
The angel that will subdue Satan is anonymous. There is some thought that the angel is Jesus but the lack of titles as is usual in Revelation would lead us to think it is not. The angel could be any one of God’s angels coming with God’s direction and power to bind Satan. Revelation makes it very clear that the one being imprisoned is the dragon, the serpent from the Garden of Eden, the devil, Satan. (The Greek says “he seized the dragon, the serpent…) John tells us Satan was bound and thrown into the abyss for a thousand years. Two things are noticeable here: 1) Satan is thrown into the abyss (an unfathomable depth), not into hell or the lake of fire; 2) Satan was to be in the abyss for a specific period-of-time, one thousand years. The abyss was shut over Satan and sealed in order that he would not deceive anyone for the thousand years. “One very important detail is to notice that the conquest of Satan and his powers does not come by any human effort.” (Barnhouse) God has no problem restraining Satan, and this incarceration is not for punishment, but restraint. By extension Satan’s demonic forces are also restrained and imprisoned. After the thousand years Satan was to be released, but only for a short time.
(NOTE: Until Augustine the early church almost universally believed in an earthly, historical reign of Jesus, initiated by His return. Tyconius (in the late 300’s) was the first to influentially champion a spiritualized interpretation. His contention was that the Millennium spoken of here is now (amillennialism) and must be understood as a spiritual reign of Jesus, not a literal reign. His view was adopted by Augustine, the Roman Catholic Church and most Reformation theologians.)
4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
(JAS Comments – Start)
The thrones would be for the twenty-four elders. (Rev. 4:4, 4:10, 5:8, 11:16, 19:4) This would seem to indicate there are Christians alive during the tribulation and perhaps some became Christian during the indignation. The ancient Greek word for beheaded really means “executed.” This verse is saying anyone executed because they believe in Christ. Again, John tells us who came to life and reigned with Christ, all those “who had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand.” This is not confined to only those from the time of Christs death and resurrection to now but rather ALL who believed and were executed because of their belief.
VERSE 05
A clear distinction is made between this resurrection, the first, and the resurrection that takes place at the end of the thousand years.
VERSE 06
Psalm 63:9-11 Those in this first resurrection are blessed and holy. This does not mean they lived sin free lives but rather their sins are forgiven through the death and resurrection of Christ and their belief in Him, His death and His resurrection. Here John states that the second resurrection, the second death, will have no power. Once again we are told that those in the first resurrection will be priests of God and Christ and will reign with Him. An interesting aside is John says God and Christ and in the same breath says Him. This is a clear statement that Christ is one with God.
The Judgment of Satan
7 When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison, 8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore. 9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them. 10 And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
(JAS Comments – Start)
VERSE 09-10
With the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus, God will give mankind a thousand years of a perfect environment – with no Satan, no crime, no violence, no evil, or other social pathology. After the specified time of a thousand years Satan is released from the abyss and again deceives the nations. Even after being bound for a thousand years and knowing God is all powerful and deceives the nations again. Satan cannot change who he really is. Sadly, at the end of the thousand years, man will again rebel against God. This clearly and powerfully demonstrate that the problem is in us, not only in our environment. Without Christ man cannot change who he is. Outward conformity to Jesus’ rule will be required during His reign, but seemingly, an inward embrace of His Lordship will still be up to the individual. Satan gathers those who do not believe in Christ to war against God’s people. We are told they come from the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog. Many have tried to identify Gog and Magog as specific nations or regions. Reading this passage, I think it is using Gog and Magog as a symbol for all parts of the earth. Those who chose not to follow Christ come from all parts of the earth and all levels of society. The army of Satan marches on God’s people and God’s beloved city. The “city that God loves is Jerusalem. Once Satan’s army is in one place surrounding God’s people and planning to annihilate them God reigns fire down from heaven and destroys Satan’s army. Satan is now thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone where he will be tormented time without end for rebelling against God and deceiving people.
The Judgment of the Dead
11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
VERSE 11-13
Now we are told a great white throne and Him who sat on it. (Matthew 25:31) The throne is “great” because of He who sits on it. The earth and heavens fled away, there is no place to hide, no place where God and Christ are not. Now we see all the dead regardless of position, wealth, cultural standing, etc. standing before the throne. This seems similar to a convicted felon standing before the judge waiting to hear their sentence. There are books opened that contain a record of each person’s life, their actions, beliefs, philosophies, etc. There is also another book opened, the book of life containing those who accepted Christ as savior. The earth and sea gave up their dead to be judged. Hades and death were thrown into the lake of fire, there is no more need of them. All those who were not in the book of life were also thrown into the lake of fire. The one thing a person must have done was accept Jesus as Savior. If that did not happen no other good works matter. Isaiah 34:1-4
“Let us rejoice that Scripture is so clear and so explicit upon this great doctrine of the future triumph of Christ over the whole world … We believe that the Jews will be converted, and that they will be restored to their own land. We believe that Jerusalem will be the central metropolis of Christ’s kingdom; we also believe that all the nations shall walk in the light of the glorious city which shall be built at Jerusalem. We expect that the glory which shall have its center there, shall spread over the whole world, covering it as with a sea of holiness, happiness, and delight. For this we look with joyful expectation.” (Spurgeon)
Revelation 21
A New Heaven and a New Earth
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
VERSE 1-4
The idea of a new earth, with a new atmosphere and sky is a familiar theme in the Scriptures. Many places in both the Old and New Testaments, speak to this new heaven and new earth. Isaiah 65:17-19; Psalms 102:25-27; 2 Peter 3:12-13 The ancient Greek word translated new here (kaine) means “new in character, ‘fresh’.” It doesn’t mean “recent” or “new in time.” This isn’t just the next heaven and the next earth; this is the better heaven and better earth replacing the old (the first earth had passed away). To the Jewish mind, the sea was a place of separation and evil. Already in the Book of Revelation it is shown to be the source of the Satanic beast (Rev_13:1) and the place of the dead (Rev_20:13). The holy city, New Jerusalem: This is the Jerusalem of hope (Heb_12:22), the Jerusalem above (Gal_4:26), the place of our real citizenship (Php_3:20). The terms holy and new distinguish the city because it is holy and new. It is very different from any earthly city. The name Jerusalem gives it continuity with earth and God’s never changing plan of redemption. Once again, we hear God’s voice coming directly from His throne telling us the tabernacle of God will dwell with His people and God Himself will be among His people. This is Jesus the Messiah. John 2:19, 21-22 tells us “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up….But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them;…” God dries our tears. What has happened in the past are gone and forgotten “the first things have passed away.” There is no longer any reason for weeping, no death, no sorrow, no pain, etc., just unending joy in worshipping our Lord.
5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 7 He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8 But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
VERSE 5-8
There is some thought that the intent here is that earth will be rejuvenated, but that is not what is said. God is clear that He is making all things new. There will be no sin at all and no left over pieces of sin and the past earth. The command to “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” emphasize God means what He said. God now gives His title, Alpha and Omega, to further make the point He has made a new heaven and earth. He also states He will give water from the spring of life. This is a statement directly attributable to Christ in John 4:10-11 and 7:38 proving Christ is part of the Trinity. The person who overcomes will inherit the promises given but not the cowardly, etc. Those who do not accept Christ and follow him are consigned to the lake of fire.
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
VERSE 9
Now one of the seven angels who had the seven last plagues tells John to come and the angel will show him the bride, the wife of the lamb.
I am not sure why one of the seven angels showed John the bride. I do not know if there is a connection.
The New Jerusalem
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her brilliance was like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper. 12 It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east and three gates on the north and three gates on the south and three gates on the west. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
VERSE 10-11
The angel tells John he will show him the bride, the wife of the Lamb and then shows him the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down from God. This may not be what we expect when John is told he will see the wife of the Lamb. The city shines with the glory of God. It is compared to Jasper, a very, very hard stone from the area. “This is the Jerusalem of hope (Heb_12:22), the Jerusalem above (Gal_4:26), the place of our real citizenship (Php_3:20).” (David Guzik Commentary)
VERSE 12-14
We enter in through the 12 gates and our beliefs are built on the foundation. Israel is the entry, the beginning. The doctrine of Christ given through the 12 Apostles is our foundation for belief and life. The Word of God came through the 12 tribes of Israel therefore they are the gates. The knowledge of who Jesus is, the Christ, the Word of God is built on the foundation of the teaching of the Apostles. Note, 12 for old covenant and 12 for new covenant.
15 The one who spoke with me had a gold measuring rod to measure the city, and its gates and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square, and its length is as great as the width; and he measured the city with the rod, fifteen hundred miles; its length and width and height are equal. 17 And he measured its wall, seventy-two yards, according to human measurements, which are also angelic measurements. 18 The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundation stones of the city wall were adorned with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation stone was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; the twelfth, amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.
VERSE 15-21
The city would be 1500 miles long, wide and high, the distance between Maine and Florida. The Word of God came through the 12 tribes of Israel therefore they are the gates. The knowledge of who Jesus is, the Christ, the Word of God is built on the foundation of the teaching of the Apostles. The precious stones mentioned here are the same as on the breastplate of the chief priest of YHWH. (Exodus 28:15-22; Exodus 39:9-14) Each precious stone represented a tribe of Israel, again showing a continuation of God’s plan through time. Finally, we are told each gate was a single pearl. Many commentators say this is not possible and pearls do not grow that large. The problem with this approach is the commentators are limiting God to their understanding of what is possible. With God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26; Mark 9:23, 10:27, 14:36; Luke 18:27)
22 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 In the daytime (for there will be no night there) its gates will never be closed; 26 and they will bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it; 27 and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
VERSE 23
There is no need for a temple or sacrifice since Christ is there with us and He is the perfect temple (tabernacle) and sacrifice. Every place and everything in the new Jerusalem is holy because Christ is there. Absolutely nothing unholy can enter the city. This is referring to the fact all unholiness was cast into the lake of fire when Satan was cast in. Isaiah 34:1-4…….(JAS Comments - End)
Eden Restored
Then he showed me a river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
VERSES 1-2
Up to this point we have been given a description of the outside if the new Jerusalem, now we are told about the inside of the city. People live inside a city and the inside of the city is very important to the life of its citizens. We can see the same thing in our present time. Almost no one wants to move to Flint, MI because of crime, crumbling infrastructure, polluted water, quality of life etc. We first see the river of the water of life coming from the throne of God. It is pure, clear, unadulterated water. Coming from God’s throne it can be nothing but absolutely pure. Many old and new testament scriptures talk about the river of life and living waters. In John 7:38-39 Jesus said from Him flow living waters. Those listening would immediately make connection to the prophesies. (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Psalms 46:4; Joel 3:18; Zechariah 14:8; Proverbs 14:27; John 7:38-39; Jeremiah 2:13) We are now shown the tree of Life and are taken back to the Garden of Eden where Adam and Eve chose to eat from the forbidden tree instead of the Tree of Life. The tree of life yields it fruit every month and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. The term nations refers to all those who are saved through the blood of Christ. At one time the term nations referred to those outside of Israel but here all nations are equal, anyone from any nation who has accepted Christ’s salvation can eat (and has eaten) from the Tree of Life, Christ.
3 There will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His bond-servants will serve Him; 4 they will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
VERSES 3-5
Because sin is cast into the lake of fire and God/Christ will be in the city there is no longer any curse. We must understand this to be the curse Adam and Eve brought on the world, and we continue, by rebelling against God. The curse, death and separation from God, are now gone. The Throne of God and the Lamb (Christ) are in the city. We are told His bond-servants will serve Him. To understand bond-servant we must go to Exodus 21:5-6. “5But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,’ 6then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently.” (NASB) A bond-slave is a slave out of love and permanently serves the master. Christians are love slave to Christ and serve Him because we WANT to, not because we must. It the city the true and pure light comes from God, not the sun, moon or any other created light.
6 And he said to me, “These words are faithful and true”; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place. 7 “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Verse 6-7
Once again John is told the words he heard are faithful and true. This emphasizes the truth and importance of what he heard. By saying the words are faithful emphasizes they will happen, and nothing can stop what he heard from happening. God made sure His bond-servants know what will happen. They should not be taken by surprise. The angel tells John Christ is coming quickly This translation (NASB) translates the Greek word τάχει as “soon take place.” Other translations use the word quickly, soon, speedily, etc. The definition of τάχει is “done as quickly (speedily) as is appropriate to the particular situation” (https://bibliaparalela.com/greek/5034.htm) Our definition of soon and quickly are predicated on our sense of time and the length of our lives, this is not God’s definition. Immediately after we are told Christ is coming soon a blessing for those who heed the prophesy of Revelation. This blessing is multifaceted. We will be blessed in our lives by following Christ. We will be blessed because wee will not be surprised by the workings of Satan during this time period. We will be blessed because Christ overcomes Satan. We will be blessed because we will spend eternity with God. We will be blessed because we will inherit a world where there is no sin, pain, depression, etc. We are blessed in many ways we are not even aware of yet.
8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 But he *said to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book. Worship God.”
Verse 8-9
John tells us he is the one who hears and saw what is written in Revelation. This takes us to John 21:24 where John says much the same testifying to what he heard and saw while with Jesus John was probably overwhelmed by what he saw and heard and fell down to worship the angel. He was immediately corrected and told not to do that, worship God only, not his creation.
The Final Message
10 And he *said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.”
Verse 10-11
Now John is told not to seal up the prophesy in Revelation. This is different than Revelation 10:4 and also Daniel where Daniel and in Revelation John, were told to seal what they heard. Even though God tells His creation (us) what will happen many people will ignore or denigrate the words and will continue being who they truly are and continue to serve the master they chose.
12 “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
See comments on verse 7. Christ brings His reward with Him, eternal life with Him. Every person, and here Christ is talking about the saved, will be rewarded for what they have done. This has nothing to do with salvation, as noted the people Christ is addressing are already saved. I will not attempt to guess what the rewards are or how Christ decides who gets what. I would be totally wrong to try to do so.
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the immoral persons and the murderers and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.
Verse 14-15
Washed their robes in the blood of Christ. That is to be made clean by the sacrifice Christ made and our faith in Christ. Only those who have accepted Christ have the right to eternal life through Christ. All who are not saved are not part of the city of Christ, the new Jerusalem.
16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.
18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
VERSE 16-20
Jesus is very clear that He sent the angel to testify to John what John saw so John could take it to the churches. We can look at this verse in the light of Revelation 1 through 3 and the seven churches. We must not make the mistake of thinking these are the only particular churches to which John was to carry the message. The seven churches are types of all Christian churches throughout time and geography. “The idea of a "bright morning star" is a star that outshines all the others, and Jesus is the One who is called "bright." Satan was a morning star. Jesus, as God incarnate, the Lord of the universe, is the BRIGHT and morning star. Jesus is the most holy and powerful "light" in all the universe.” https://www.gotquestions.org/morning-star.html Jesus is very clear He is both the root of and descendant of David. We can see the same thing in the first chapters of Matthew where the lineage of Jesus is traced back to Adam and then through David. In Revelation 5:5 we see Jesus referred to as the root of David, meaning He came before David and is He who provided for and protected David. The Holy Spirit and the Bride of Christ invite It occurs to me that many are taking from and/or adding to Revelation. Often this may be in an attempt to interpret the book or denigrate the book. Again Christ says He is coming quickly, He will not tarry or be slow but come at the appropriate time as planned and determined by the Father.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
References:
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
Christian Fruit, Jewish Roots John Garr PhD. ThD.
Full Life Study Bible NIV
eSword.com
Bullinger’s Commentary
New American Standard Bible
English Standard Version of the Holy Bible
E-SWORD, David Guzik Commentary
Virtually all of the eschatological musings of so-called “prophecy teachers” is wrong. They don’t start with the right premise: God’s good news for humankind (the everlasting Gospel that John wrote about) is that humanity has been given dominion over the whole earth, and nothing has changed. Jesus said that when the judgment comes, he will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom (not heaven) prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” There will be new heavens and a new earth in which dwells the righteous. If you don’t start from the premise that the resurrection and “rapture” are gathering mechanisms to initiate the kingdom of God on earth, then you are missing the point of all eschatology. “The meek shall inherit the earth (not heaven).” Dr. John Garr.
Eschatology is any system of doctrines concerning last, or final, matters, as death, the Judgment, the future state,
Etc.
Morph The definition of morph is to become something else. (verb) An example of to morph is a caterpillar becoming a butterfly...” https://www.yourdictionary.com/morph
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