End times series:
Revelation 21, 22
By Liaf
This is the last message on this series of end-times messages. It is the one that is least talked about because it seems so far into the future, yet it is the most important one. It is the subject of the new heavens and Earth. This is what most people think about when they talk about dying and going to heaven. I bet you didn’t realize all the other stuff involved in-between that we’ve been having these messages on, did you? If you want the best description of heaven there is, read Revelation 21 and 22. This is the final goal. Keep in mind, however, this is a recreated heaven and Earth and as of now does not exist yet!
Let’s turn in our King James Bibles to Revelation 21. I will not quote the entire two chapters, but I will point out some of the main things to take into consideration.
Revelation 21:1-7: And I 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.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
These verses are straightforward. The old heaven and Earth pass away, and a new heaven and Earth are created. So many Bible students differ on whether the old material is simply re-shaped to make new things, or whether everything new simply pops into existence. I embrace the latter, for I have no trouble believing God can create everything out of nothing as the Bible teaches regarding the first creation. I won’t make this into a "faith or salvation issue", but I do find it hard to understand why students of the Bible toy with the Greek translation to fit a (suspiciously) preconceived notion that the old material must be used instead. Maybe the idea of science enters the mind that the total sum of matter and energy cannot be created nor destroyed. That’s in this universe, my friend. If the old ways must be followed, then it would cease to be a new creation. Maybe many of the current laws of physics or whatever might apply, but not necessarily. Before some of you moan and groan about that, did you know that physicists recently discovered the possibility that the speed of light was not always constant? This discovery helped to explain some discrepancies in modern theory. Besides, the idea of entirely new universe fits perfectly with what Peter taught about things passing away with fervent heat. And in the previous chapter of Revelation, the "face the earth and the heaven fled away". This sounds like a state of non-existence to me. There is only that dreadful White Throne for all to face.
In this new heaven and Earth is the New Jerusalem where God will "tabernacle" (to use it as a verb) with all men. Jesus came the first time literally "tabernacled" in a tent of flesh. This was a fulfillment of the "type" that the tabernacle of the Israelites represented. Now there will not be need for an Earthly copy of the heavenly tabernacle. The symbolism that the tabernacle of the Israelites had will reach its fruition here in the new universe. Notice there is no more death, no more sorrow, no more anything bad for that matter. Lessons were learned, the entire divine purpose was revealed. This is what God really intended from the beginning, but because he created us as free moral agents, he allowed us to have a choice in matters. I think if God just waved away all evil like many people want him to do, then we could not be free moral agents. Even if we could be free moral agents, God would have to keep waving evil away over and over again. That would not be justice, and suffering would go on forever.
Notice that the water of life is freely given --- no more seas are in this new Earth because Christ is all the water that is needed, and that is given freely. Notice also that the people here are "overcomers". Where did we see them before? Let’s read on:
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Let us take warning here. Those who would not stand up for or believe in Christ are the same as those who are abominable. All these sins were taken at the cross, except for the unbeliever. That’s why even people who may have outwardly done these things will still make it there if they repent by placing their trust in Christ.
Revelation 21:9-13: And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
In the New Jerusalem, here introduced as the Lamb’s (Christ’s) wife, I cannot help but to think that these are the people of Israel who made it in. The church was already married to Christ awhile back. Only those real, live, red-blooded people we discussed earlier were the ones that we said at some point must be translated like the church. Won’t even Israel be married to Christ in the millennium? Yeah, I think so---- so says prophecy. However, since they are in human form yet, they must be in the same position as the believer in Christ now is. That’s an engagement to be married (but as binding as marriage in the culture), if by that one defines marriage as being consummated to its fullest in the final glorified form. That is not the state of the Israelites in the millennium. These are one of those details again. I’ll invite anyone to prove me otherwise, but that will not significantly change the main idea. Let’s go on:
Revelation:21:14-17: And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
All through these verses we see the number twelve pop up. This is another reason why I believe the subject is Israel here. The twelve apostles of the Lamb were messengers to the Israelites. Although you should have read that message by now, go to the message
"Go Ye Therefore and Teach all Nations" for details concerning the apostles’ ministries. In addition, there is the 144 cubit wall. Again, I believe (and this goes without saying) that the 144,000 will have a special place there in eternity with God’s people. 144 is another number containing the number twelve in that it is 12 squared. That is the layout of the city. Twelve always represents God’s people and government. The word "foursquare" in the King James simply means "four-cornered" and square. This has the length, width, and height (a cube actually) of 12,000 furlongs. If we assume the furlong is the Greek measurement of about 600 plus feet, then this city is huge. It is a cube about 1400 miles! As of the time of this series, I did not teach anything on the tabernacle that the Israelites had made in accordance with God’s blueprint. That tabernacle, the furnishings, the priesthood and the sacrifices were rich with prophetic "types" to be fulfilled in Christ and his Kingdom. The inner most holy place contained the Ark of the Covenant and that room was a perfect cube. This represented heaven and the Throne of God (the Ark represented Christ). Nobody save the High Priest was allowed to enter but once yearly on the Day of Atonement. Violators would be struck dead by God’s power. There will be a heavenly city in the new universe coming that is also a cube. Needless to say, this is what that special inner place of the tabernacle represented. More on that soon.
The next four verses speak of the precious gems and metals that the city will be made of. Without debating the details, one thing can be said for certain. This place will be vibrant with color. No boredom here. The High Priest (Aaron) wore a breastplate with twelve precious stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Have you noticed the new age obsession with crystals and the like lately? This is one of many subtle hints of our connection with Israel, for gems were symbolic of the people. They have spiritual overtones.
Revelation 21:22-23: And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
The Lord God is the temple, the light, and the glory in that city just as there was no sunlight in the midst of the inner holy place of the tabernacle. The source of all power is God.
When we read the rest of the chapter, we see that there is only good, no defilement whatsoever. Even the twelve gates for each of the tribes remain open continually! This passage says to me that one is not limited to the New Jerusalem alone. However, for those who go in and out, they will be pure. Let’s continue to read chapter 22:
Revelation 22: 1-4: And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
Here again, life from Christ is as water from the Throne. In conjunction with that is the tree of life that pops up again. That’s the mysterious tree that God barred man from (i.e. from his Spirit) since the Garden of Eden. Notice that the tree is for the healing of the nations. There is no more curse. This is what the Garden was supposed to have been. It boggles my mind that Adam gave up so much. But God in his mercy makes it available again to all those who overcome. Don’t ask me…. Just don’t ask me the significance of twelve manners of fruits yielded every month. Twelve, of course, is a continuation of the theme involving God’s people and government. However, if there is no need for a sun or moon, I am at a loss to explain the concept of months. Seemingly, this is some sort of cycle. This seems to be time measured from an eternal aspect, albeit different than what we know. If we read this passage, it effectively is stating that there is fruit continually. Life there is continuous and ongoing.
The next few verses give a few more similar descriptions and blessings. If we go onto verse ten, we read:
Revelation 22:10-13: And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
The prophet Daniel was told to seal up the words of the prophecy in his time. Now, because of the church age, John is told not to. The admonitions that follow are effectively saying that Christ’s Second Coming will be so fast that whatever one is in character is what one will stay. I think (as I said before) this will be the purpose of the millennium as well. Those who make it in as "sheep" will always be sheep, but their offspring, even under a perfect government, will rebel because they are in the flesh (thus proving that flesh and blood does not inherit the Kingdom of God). I hate to say it, but a zebra will always have its stripes. There is a tone of pre-destination here. Christ is the beginning and the end (the alpha and omega). In the book of Isaiah, the Lord God said the same thing three times and in Revelation Christ says it four times (for the perfect number seven) thus it can be said that Christ and the Lord God are one and the same.
Revelation 22:16-21: I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
These are the last verses of the Bible. Jesus identified himself as both the root, or source, of David and his Kingdom and also David’s offspring. When Solomon (and by extension his descendents) sat on David’s throne, the Bible called that throne as the Throne of the Lord. The Lord God was the source of the throne that was meant to be eternal. Jesus came later in the flesh as a descendent as well. This makes it a "bookend" concept where Jesus was in effect (because he is the Lord God) the first King and last King. This is the same idea as being the "alpha and omega". Jesus in addition identified himself as "the bright and morning star". This shows his luminous and eternal nature. He is the Adam, if you will, from heaven above. Lucifer was described in a similar manner (Isaiah 14:12), but only Christ can really fulfill it.
Note the dire admonitions to anyone that would add or take away words of this prophecy. I personally do not believe this means the whole Bible, but the book of Revelation only. This assured the translation and transcription to be accurate by putting the fear of God into anyone who would attempt otherwise. In spite of poor translations, I must say that Revelation is one of the best that I have seen. God no doubt sees to it that it is that way. One gets pretty much the same idea with the newer translation as with the King James although I am still partial to the King James translation. I believe the warnings are literal, so don’t mess with Revelation.
The New Testament ends with grace whereas the Old Testament ends with a curse. Under the Old Covenant of the Law, we were indeed under the curse of the Law. Under the New Covenant of Christ, we have only grace! And these two wonderful chapters are the ultimate focal point, the bulls-eye if you will, of the whole story of grace! May God bless you, dear reader, with his grace!
This concludes our end-times series. That does not mean we will not have other specific messages. But one needs a framework to base their understanding. Now I must admit, all this eschatology stuff and our role in the future is a lot more than just "dying and going to heaven", isn’t it?