Bible study Revelation All are welcome

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ryanoneil said:
St John is clearly using symbolic language to describe a spiritual reality. The 1,000 years is symbolic of a very long time, when Satan is kept from deceiving the nations.

do you not recall that while I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. But the one who restrains is to do so only for the present, until he is removed from the scene. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord (Jesus) will kill with the breath of his mouth and render powerless by the manifestation of his coming (2 Thes 2:5-8)

The kingdom was established as a result of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection, and we have figuratively been in the millenium for a very long time. The Millennial Kingdom is the present ecclesiastical one. (the Church Age)

Christ is currently reigning. He isn’t waiting to reign until after victory. That is how we, the Church Militant, are active in cooperating with the Church Triumphant. The overcoming of Christ’s enemies is one of the main focus’ of ruling the Kingdom.

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. (1 Cor 15:25)
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Or there could be DEGREES of Christ’s reign. Like, for a great portion of Church history, Jesus is reigning in heaven, but the dragon is causing all kinds of **** on earth, and eventually raises up the beast that was present on earth in the war in heaven. Humanity falls for the intermediate deception, goes through a chastisement, then the dragon is chained in a practical sense, and not the merely in the wishy washy sense of augustinianism, so that Christ’s reign is on “earth” in a practical sense, in the sense that most Gentiles practice His teachings, and then the sob is let loose from his prison after a reasonably long time, in which case the beast and all that **** comes back, but that time, for the final time, when the world ends and Christ returns literally.

You know i get royally po’d at you, Ryan, because you so smugly like to hold on your pedastal the socalled glorious preterism and amill. I hate it with a passion, and I predict that in the coming age of peace, the Church in general will no longer ooh and ahh over this mostly useless data and think more like i do.

augustine may have given A solution, but was it the best? I seriously doubt it.

:mad: :mad: :mad:
 
My personal view of the text.

A thousand years indicates an era. An era’s duration can also be refered to as a day. The era lasts as long as the light of that day shines. The light of our day manifests through the Sacramental life of the Church.

The thrones set up for those who’s death gave witness to God rather than the law of death I think describes the martyrs and the Church Triumphant. The first ressurection is in measure happening as the Church continues to offer the Sacraments that sanctify souls.

The release of the evil spirit coincides with the end of the world’s reception of the light of the Church. Better said, the world’s claim that the light is natural rather than divine and does not originate from God and doesn’t shine through the Church will have won over all those who will not be converted by the means the Church is able to offer.

" if these are quited the very stones will cry out"

After this;

The pearls of Christ’s wisdom on earth given to the world by the Church will become trod upon and the Church will be trampled by them. Just as Christ was perfected through suffering so is the Church and I think this will make the invisible Church visible on earth. The physical manifestation of power over death will be an acceptable messianic witness to the Jews. The eighth day begins on earth.
 
spauline said:
Or there could be DEGREES of Christ’s reign.

You know i get royally po’d at you, Ryan, because you so smugly like to hold on your pedastal the socalled glorious preterism and amill. I hate it with a passion, and I predict that in the coming age of peace, the Church in general will no longer ooh and ahh over this mostly useless data and think more like i do.

augustine may have given A solution, but was it the best? I seriously doubt it.
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I’ve never discounted your view, and see no reason why the Augustinian model can not be a type for a final fulfillment of these verses.

The fact remains that Christ would be reigning in heaven no differently, during a future age of peace, than he is now.

I almost didn’t make my last post out fear I would upset you. (did you notice how quiet I’ve been) I have no problem reconciling Augustine’s view with your view (should it come to pass). It doesn’t have to be either/or. It can be both/and.

The view I discount is the one that includes a “physical” thousand year earthly reign of Christ. It seems almost blaphemous to picture Christ seated on a throne doing administative tasks, involved in ruling the day-to-day affairs of the earth. Christ’s Kingdom is spiritual, universal, and ecclesiastical.

I’m sorry you feel I’m a thorn in your side Scott.

Peace 🙂 🙂 🙂
 
Amillennialism– this position is most consistent with Catholic teaching. (past and present)

This view believes the millennium is the period of Christ’s rule in heaven and on earth through His Church. This is because the saints who reign with Christ and to whom judgment has been committed are said to be on their thrones in heaven.

Then I saw thrones; those who sat on them were entrusted with judgment. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, and who had not worshiped the beast or its image nor had accepted its mark 4 on their foreheads or hands. They came to life and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (Rev 20:4)

Surrounding the throne I saw twenty-four other thrones on which twenty-four elders sat, dressed in white garments and with gold crowns on their heads. (Rev 4:4)

The twenty-four elders who sat on their thrones before God prostrated themselves and worshiped God (Rev 11:16)

During this time, satan is bound and cannot hinder the spread of the gospel.

and threw it into the abyss, which he locked over it and sealed, so that it could no longer lead the nations astray until the thousand years are completed. After this, it is to be released for a short time. (Rev 20:3)

This is why Jesus teaches the necessity of binding the “strong man” (satan) in order to plunder his house and rescue people from his grip.

How can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his property, unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house. (Matt. 12:29)

Also.

The seventy (-two) returned rejoicing, and said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name.” Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky. (Luke 10:17-18)

During this period, the world will not be entirely Christianized because satan, though bound, is still in some sense able to prowl around and attack souls.

Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for (someone) to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

(pre and post-millennium views have been rejected by the Catholic Church)
 
This is the first resurrection (Re.20:5 below) of those who have been judged by the saints of the most High during the Millennium (Re.20:4, Dan.7:22, 1 Cor.6:2-3).

Those who are not part of the first resurrection AFTER the Millennium will face the second death.

Those who take part in the first resurrection after the Millennium will be priest of God AND of Christ for a thousand years, in the “new” earth (2 Pe.3:10-13).

Re.20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN UNTO THEM (Dan.7:22, 1 Cor.6:2-3): and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived AND reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Re.20:5 But THE REST OF THE DEAD LIVED NOT AGAIN UNTIL THE THOUSAND YEARS WERE FINISHED. This is the first resurrection (Re.20:6 below).

Re.20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection (Re.20:5 above): on such the second death (Re.20:14) hath no power, but they shall be priests of God AND of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Patricia © Bible Prophecy on the Web
Author of the self-study aid, The Book of Revelation Explained © 1982
groups.yahoo.com/group/BibleProphecy
 
ryanoneil said:
I’ve never discounted your view, and see no reason why the Augustinian model can not be a type for a final fulfillment of these verses.

The fact remains that Christ would be reigning in heaven no differently, during a future age of peace, than he is now.

I almost didn’t make my last post out fear I would upset you. (did you notice how quiet I’ve been) I have no problem reconciling Augustine’s view with your view (should it come to pass). It doesn’t have to be either/or. It can be both/and.

The view I discount is the one that includes a “physical” thousand year earthly reign of Christ. It seems almost blaphemous to picture Christ seated on a throne doing administative tasks, involved in ruling the day-to-day affairs of the earth. Christ’s Kingdom is spiritual, universal, and ecclesiastical.

I’m sorry you feel I’m a thorn in your side Scott.

Peace 🙂 🙂 🙂
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I’m sorry, Ryan, I’ll try to keep my cool. Can you forgive me, brother?

😦
 
Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over these; they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for (the) thousand years. (Rev 20:6)

The first resurrection that John mentions is not a physical one, but the taking of a soul to Heaven by God. Upon death, these Christian saints join the Church Triumphant. It is the ultimate renewal and reconstitution of God’s people!
  1. First death is when we die.
  2. First resurrection is when the soul of the Christian saint goes to Heaven at the first death.
  3. Second resurrection is when all are raised to be judged at the final judgment.
  4. Second death is damnation, judgment in the lake of fire at the great white throne.
There is no indication that Christians will be physically resurrected at some future point to rule for a thousand years. The first resurrection has been occurring throughout the entire Church age, as saints have died and their souls have entered Heaven.
 
Originally Gog was the king of Magog. In the OT, Gog and Magog ultimatly took on the aura of a mythical people, representing the entire heathen world as it opposed Yahweh. They are the subject of Ezekiel 38 & 39.

The battle language in Revelation has the same sense of finality as Ezekiel.

I will send fire upon Magog and upon those who live securely in the coastlands; thus they shall know that I am the LORD. I will make my holy name known among my people Israel; I will no longer allow my holy name to be profaned. Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel (Ezek 39:6-7)

In Ezekiel, they are condemned for plotting war against God’s people when they are least expecting it.

Thus says the Lord GOD: At that time thoughts shall arise in your mind, and you shall devise an evil scheme: “I will go up against a land of open villages and attack the peaceful people who are living in security, all of them living without walls, having neither bars nor gates, to plunder and pillage, turning my hand against the ruins that were repeopled and against a people gathered from the nations, a people concerned with cattle and goods, who dwell at the navel of the earth.” (Ezek 38:10-12)

The same as Jesus said here:

For as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. In (those) days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark. They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. So will it be (also) at the coming of the Son of Man. (Mat 24:37-39)

We see the immense size of Satan’s influence when he is released.

He will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. (Rev 20:8)

Satan’s forces appear at least as numerous and powerful as Christ’s

You yourself said, ‘I will be very good to you, and I will make your descendants like the sands of the sea, which are too numerous to count.’" (Gen 32:12)

Who knows if this is a spiritual battle or a physical battle? 🤷

There are no details of an actual battle. When Gog and Magog surround the saints, when prospects for the Church are at their blackest fire comes down from Heaven and consumes them. That’s it. Divine judgment is administered quickly. "And The Devil who had led them astray was thrown into the pool of fire and sulfur.

We know this isn’t the battle of Armageddon though, because the beast and false prophet are already in the pool of fire and sulfur.
 
Immediately after the victory of Christ over Satan, a great white throne is set up for judgment (20:11) The second resurrection occurs, which is the bodily resurrection of all people for judgment on the basis of “what they had done.” (20:12)

remember:

I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” said the Spirit, “let them find rest from their labors, for their works accompany them.” (Rev 14:13)

and Mat 25:31-46

Then comes the second death, when those who are damned are judged. We know we are at the very end because Death is thrown into the lake of fire (Rev 20:14), and we know that death is the last enemy to be conquered. (1 Cor 15:26)
 
We can view the resurrections of Revelation 20 in an alternative manner to St. Augustine.

The first resurrection represents the fullest fruits of the redemption within human history, which will indeed be attained in the coming age of peace that follows the imminent chastisement.

the second resurrection unto damnation would then represent the fullest fruits of the fallen nature within human history, which is truly what shall be present in the great apostasy, where, as St. Paul indicates in 2 Thess. 2, the general fallen nature of man will be basically irredeemable at that time in history. Remember, once the Holy Spirit gives the fullness of the Gentiles (the age peace), no further Redemption of the general whole of humanity will be possible afterwards (except the Jews), that is, the Holy Spirit will no longer be able to restrain iniquity because humanity will be in an irrevocable rejection of the truth and grace of God, just as the angels were after their fall.

Look at it this way: for the angels, there is but ONE fall: because before they fall, they FULLY taste of the truth and grace of God (short only, of course, of the Beatific Vision), hence, it is such a radical and completely depraved and arrogant rejection of God, that, as the CCC puts it, the sin is unforgivable in its nature.

But when man falls the FIRST time, he does not have that fullness of knowledge, only a little. And so over the course of salvation history, humanity, through the Redemptive actions of God, gradually grows in the knowledge of truth and the experience of grace. Throughout this ordeal, it is a constant alternation between sin and grace. First comes darkness, then comes light, then darkness, then light. And with each successive victory of light, humanity understands and receives more fully of the Divine Knowledge, Love and Grace.

But the fullness of the Gentiles, the age of peace, being the seventh great light, brings man to the fullness of the experience of Redemption. Hence when man falls the eighth time in salvation history, it represents an unforgivable sin historically because it was preceded by the fullness of the experience of God’s Redemption.

So then, after the Millennium, that is, the glorious restoration of Catholic Christendom, when humanity falls into the GREAT apostasy (as opposed to now, which is just the MINOR apostasy), it will be the SECOND “fall of man in human history”, but one that, unlike the FIRST, is irredeemable, both because it is the ultimate insult to the love, graciousness, and patience of God, as well as the fact that, having tasted the full fruits of God’s Redemption, it will be impossible for man to come back to God (see Hebrews 6).

So, to cap: the first resurrection in a historical sense represents the seventh age of light, the peak of the Redemption within human history, the fullness of the Gentiles. The second resurrection unto death is the fullness of iniquity in human history that immediately follows the fullness of the Redemption, that is, the great apostasy that follows the age of peace, the ultimate, irrevocable, irredeemable manifestation of sin in human history.
 
I respect your view/s; you are respectful of mine, and I appreciate that. The worst thing that can happen is that we will respectfully agree to disagree.

During and After the Millennium -

During the Millennium, upon the earth, the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Re.19:16 below - Jesus) will rule all nations with a rod of iron (Re.12:5, Re.19:15 below).

The Lamb’s wife (Re.19:7), saints of the most High (Dan.7:22 below), the church (1 Cor.10:32) throughout all ages (Eph.3:21), will live AND reign WITH Christ throughout the thousand years.

During the Millennium, immortal saints will judge the world (Dan.7:22, 1 Cor.6:2-3, Re.20:4 below).

During the Millennium, saints (Christ Jesus’ wife) are the glory set among the heathen (Eph.39:21 below).

After the Millennium, after Satan has been loosed out of his prison (Re.20:7-10 below), God will send a fire on Magog (Re.20:9, Eze.39:6 below). I believe Magog is the earth.

Satan is manifested in the flesh as Gog (Re.20:8 below).

Re. 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Re.19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Re.19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Dan.7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

1 Cor.6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1 Cor.6: 3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Re.20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived AND reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Eph.39:21 And I will set my glory among the heathen, and all the heathen shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid upon them.

Re.20:7 And WHEN THE THOUSAND YEARS ARE EXPIRED, SATAN SHALL BE LOOSED OUT OF HIS PRISON (Re.20:2-3),

Re.20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, TO GATHER THEM (the nations) TOGETHER TO BATTLE: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Re.20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the EARTH, and compassed the CAMP of the saints about, and the beloved city (Jerusalem): and FIRE CAME DOWN FROM GOD OUT OF HEAVEN, AND DEVOURED THEM (Eze.39:6 below).

Re.20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet ARE (Re.19:20), and shall be tormented day and night FOR EVER AND EVER (Re.14:11).

Eze.39:6 And I WILL SEND A FIRE ON MAGOG (Re.20:7-10 above), and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Patricia ©
groups.yahoo.com/group/BibleProphecy
 
**Chapter 21

1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.
2
I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them (as their God).
4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, (for) the old order has passed away.”
5
The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, “Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true.”
6
He said to me, “They are accomplished. I (am) the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give a gift from the spring of life-giving water.
7
The victor will inherit these gifts, and I shall be his God, and he will be my son.
8
But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
9
One of the seven angels who held the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
10
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.
11
It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal.
12
It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, (the names) of the twelve tribes of the Israelites.
13
There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west.
14
The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15
The one who spoke to me held a gold measuring rod to measure the city, its gates, and its wall.
16
The city was square, its length the same as (also) its width. He measured the city with the rod and found it fifteen hundred miles in length and width and height.
17
He also measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits according to the standard unit of measurement the angel used.
18
The wall was constructed of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass.
19
The foundations of the city wall were decorated with every precious stone; the first course of stones was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald,
20
the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh hyacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.
21
The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made from a single pearl; and the street of the city was of pure gold, transparent as glass.
22
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.
23
The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.
24
The nations will walk by its light, and to it the kings of the earth will bring their treasure.
25
During the day its gates will never be shut, and there will be no night there.
26
The treasure and wealth of the nations will be brought there,
27
but nothing unclean will enter it, nor any (one) who does abominable things or tells lies. Only those will enter whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. **
 
The bride of Christ (2 Cor.11:2 below), His wife (Re.19:7-8 below) ARE the entire church throughout all ages (1 Cor.10:32, Gal.1:3 below).

The entire body of Christ (Col.1:24) are in heaven at the Seventh Trumpet (Thess.4:16-17 below).
The marriage of the Lamb occurs in heaven AS Mystery Babylon falls (Re.19:2-3).

The marriage of the Lamb has taken place at Revelation 19:7 (below), and His wife prepares herself (Re.19:8 below) to join the Lamb and are the armies that follow Him to the battle of Armageddon (Re.19:14).

After the Millennium, in the “new earth”, that “great city, the holy Jerusalem”, descending out of heaven from God (Re.21:10 below), is prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Re.21:2 below) BECAUSE the saints of the most High (the Lamb’s wife) are in the city (Dan.7:18, Dan.7:22 below).

2 Cor.11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you (the church - 1 Cor.10:32, Gal.1:13 below) to one husband, that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ (Re.19:7-8 below).

1 Cor.10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God (Gal.1:13 below):

Gal.1:13 For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God (1 Cor.10:32 above), and wasted it:

1 Th.4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1 Th.4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Re.19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

Re.19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints (the church - 1 Cor.10:32, Gal.1:13 below).

Re.21:2 And I John saw the holy city, NEW Jerusalem (Re.21:10 below), coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Re.21:9 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 (Re.19:7-8 above).

Re.21:10 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 (Re.21:2 above),

Dan.7:18 But the saints of the most High (Re.15:3) shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom (Dan.7:22 below, Re.21:2 above) FOR EVER, EVEN FOR EVER AND EVER.

Dan.7:22 Until the Ancient of days came (Dan.7:13), and judgment was given to the saints of the most High (1 Cor.6:2-3); and THE TIME CAME THAT THE SAINTS POSSESSED THE KINGDOM (Dan.7:18 above).

Patricia © Bible Prophecy on the Web
Author of the self-study aid, The Book of Revelation Explained © 1982
groups.yahoo.com/group/BibleProphecy
 
So…a great vision of great promise of a great reward to those who have readied themselves for the marriage feast of the Lamb.

It is a nice ending to the book, after all that carnage and destruction now we have a beautiful vision of what it is to come for the righteous to which number we all hope to count among.

I like that part of the American hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ where it goes:

‘When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise then when we’d first begun.’

Everything bad will pass away and we will inherit the kingdom which will never pass away and shall last for eternity. I think that the gates are perhaps a clue to the names of the 24 elders, as twelve apostles and twelve sons of Israel make 24…

The wicked cannot enter the city… it would not be much of a paradise if it were filled with murderers, idolaters and fornicators…

There is nothing that we have seen which will compare with it. We have seen things that shall be in it on this earth, but what we have seen so far is incomparable to what is promised to come. The Lord Himself will be our only need, and if we conquer with Him He shall make us His children.

Verses of potential interest:

New heaven and new earth:

Isaiah 66:22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before me, says the Lord: so shall your descendants and your name remain.

He will dwell with them and they shall be His people

Ezekiel 37:27 My dwelling place shall be with them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

death will be no more, He will wipe away all tears:

Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death for ever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken.

Behold I make all things new:

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

to the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain of life:

Isaiah 55:1 "Ho, every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

He shall be my son:

Psalms 89:27-28 And I will make him the first-born, the highest of hte kings of the earth. My steadfast love I will keep for him for ever, and my covenant will stand firm for him.

There lot shall be in the lake of fire and brimstone:

Isaiah 30:33 For a burning place has long been prepared; yea, for the king it is made ready, its pyre made deep and wide, with fire and wood in abundance; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, kindles it.

he brought me up on a very high mountain and showed me new Jerusalem:

Ezekiel 40:2 and brought me in the visions of God into the land of Israel, and set me down upon a very high mountain, on which was a structure like a city opposite me.

the city with twelve gates that had the twelve names of the tribes of Israel inscribed:

Ezekiel 38:30-35 “These shall be the exits of the city: On the north side, which is to be four thousand five hundred cubits by measure, three gates, the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi, the gates of the city being named after the tribes of Israel. On the east side, which is to be four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates, the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, and the gate of Dan. On the south side, which is to be four thousand five hundred cubits by measure, three gates, the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun. On the west side, which is to be four thousand five hundred cubits, three gates, the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali. The circumference of the city shall be eighteen thousand cubits, And the name of the city henceforth shall be, The Lord is there.”

Measuring the city and its walls:

Ezekiel 40:5 And behold, there was a wall all around the outside of the temple area, and the length of the measuring reed in the man’s hand was six long cubits, each being a cubit and a handbreath in length; so he measure the thickness of the wall, one reed; and the height, one reed.

the city’s foundations adorned with jewels:

Isaiah 54:11-12 "O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones.

The Lord in place of the sun:

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory o the Lord has risen upon you.

gates shall never be shut:

Isaiah 60:11 Your gates shall be open continually; day and night they shall not be shut; that man may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession.

the wicked shall not enter it:

Isaiah 52:1 Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.
 
This chapter is focused on describing the divination of the flesh. Since all the earth fulfills their proper end when man’s proper end in God is fulfilled matter is also described in images and numbers of perfection.
11
It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal.

The hypostatic union of the two natures of Christ becomes the pattern of the New Creation, the union of the new heaven’s and the new earth is copied perfectly So, the image of matter, the New Jerusalem, and the imagery of flesh, the Bride become united hypostatically like the two natures of Christ. It is in Christ that all things are made new.

**“Come here. I will show you the bride, the wife **
**of the Lamb.” **

In verse 9 the Angel introduces a vision to the revelator as something described in a human term intimately united to a sacrificial image of Christ.

Then the vision is descvribed in material terms as a city in verse 10

10
He took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.

The City and the Bride are described as one.

Notice it’s when the last bowls of plagues are imminent that the bride is made visible to the revelator. This possibly indicates that suffering is the means of sanctification. The means of which allows it to decend and become visible. The angel has to take him to a place where earth is elevated, a high mountain in order to see the New Jerusalem.

He describes matter in numerical terms of perfect physical dimension and images of perfect substance.

As a bride being prepared the chapter introduces the new jerusalem and then the focus is describing matter in the perfect pattern of Christ. That pattern is also described in flesh on earth but alsmost as a side note.

3
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God’s dwelling is with the human race. The Temple is with the human race.
22

yet this is true:

22
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb.

obviously this describes the renewed relationship made possible through the gifts of Christ ( Sacraments) which enables the Holy Spirit to dwell in us rather than outside like an earth bound spirit.

This chapter describes the process of divination that culminates in a final event.
4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, (for) the old order has passed away.
"5
The one who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Then he said, "Write these words down, for they are trustworthy and true."

The benefit to the earth that the human body has become the temple of God:

23
The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.
24
The nations will walk by its light, and to it the kings of the earth will bring their treasure.

The city is the souls in communion with Christ. It needs no sun or moon ( material light) because the Lamb ( sacrificial image) is a lamp that shines light in them given by the glory of God.

This is the union contemplatives experience and mystics write about. They describe God reaching down and lifting them up making their soul spotless in preperation for the union that can only happen then.

The world in turn is receiving the light of God through these souls that make up the Church.
 
Just a brief comment. Why start with Revelation?

The Orthodox Church does not read the book of Revelation except Great and Holy Saturday, the day of the Age to Come.

Speculating on this book is why. It leads to things like Armstrongism, knowing prophecy better than God.😛

It would make more sense to start with a book not so esoteric, so as to give a grounding to tackle Revelation.
 
Isa_Almisry said:
Just a brief comment. Why start with Revelation?

The Orthodox Church does not read the book of Revelation except Great and Holy Saturday, the day of the Age to Come.

Speculating on this book is why. It leads to things like Armstrongism, knowing prophecy better than God.😛

It would make more sense to start with a book not so esoteric, so as to give a grounding to tackle Revelation.
Click to expand...
Next I would like to tackle Romans maybe you can be there to help
 
**Chapter 22

1
Then the angel showed me the river of life-giving water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2
down the middle of its street. On either side of the river grew the tree of life that produces fruit twelve times a year, once each month; the leaves of the trees serve as medicine for the nations.
3
Nothing accursed will be found there anymore. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.
4
They will look upon his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5
Night will be no more, nor will they need light from lamp or sun, for the Lord God shall give them light, and they shall reign forever and ever.
6
And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true, and the Lord, the God of prophetic spirits, sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.”
7
“Behold, I am coming soon.” Blessed is the one who keeps the prophetic message of this book.
8
It is I, John, who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw them I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.
9
But he said to me, “Don’t! I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brothers the prophets and of those who keep the message of this book. Worship God.”
10
Then he said to me, “Do not seal up the prophetic words of this book, for the appointed time is near.
11
Let the wicked still act wickedly, and the filthy still be filthy. The righteous must still do right, and the holy still be holy.”
12
“Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me the recompense I will give to each according to his deeds.
13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
14
Blessed are they who wash their robes so as to have the right to the tree of life and enter the city through its gates.
15
Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the unchaste, the murderers, the idol-worshipers, and all who love and practice deceit.
16
“I, Jesus, sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the root and offspring of David, the bright morning star.”
17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let the hearer say, “Come.” Let the one who thirsts come forward, and the one who wants it receive the gift of life-giving water.
18
I warn everyone who hears the prophetic words in this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
19
and if anyone takes away from the words in this prophetic book, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in this book.
20
The one who gives this testimony says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
21
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. **
 
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