He Who Testifies to These Things Says:
Yes, I Am Coming Soon
22: 20

In these last concluding verses, the Bible comes full circle. It began with the promise of a coming Savior, who would redeem His people from their sins. That promise came immediately after the Fall, when ADONAI said: And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike His heel (Genesis 3:15). Just as the Bible opens with the promise of Christ’s First Coming, it ends with the promise of His Second Coming.⁵³¹

Jesus testifies to these things that John wrote by saying: Yes, I am coming soon. The context here points to the fact that His coming is imminent, just as the rest of the New Covenant and the book of Revelation teaches. John speaks for all true believers when he says: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus, since they are the ones who have longed for His appearing (Second Timothy 4:8). Scoffers may sarcastically ask: Where is this coming Jesus promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation (Second Peter 3:4). But that is a lie from hell. The world will not continue on forever as it has. Jesus will return just as He said He would. You can count on it because He is truth (John 18:37-38). If the certainty of the Lord’s return to judge sinners in not enough to motivate people to repent, then nothing will.

The Seventh Seal:
Silence in Heaven For About Half an Hour
8: 1

The seventh seal: silence in heaven for about half an hour. DIG: Amidst all the seals and trumpets, why this heavenly silence? What did YHVH accomplish in this short amount of time?

REFLECT: When was the last time you were given a second chance for something that was really important? What have you done with Christ’s supreme sacrifice?

All eyes at the heavenly throne will be drawn irresistibly to the Lamb once more. As Jesus brakes open the seventh seal, the scroll will be completely open. Nothing will remain to restrain the carrying out of His remaining judgments. Before they can begin, though, there will be silence in heaven for about half an hour. Silence! Not a grand entrance or great calamity . . . just a thoughtful, sober quietness in heaven.

How appropriate! When Ha’Shem prepares to intensify His wrath, every creature is reduced to open-mouthed silence. In fact, silence is the only proper response to looming judgment. This theme runs throughout the TaNaKh. Psalm 76:8 declares: From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet. God proclaimed through Isaiah His prophet: Be silent before Me, You islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment (see the commentary on Isaiah, to see link click Hj – Who Has Stirred Up the One from the East?). And Zephaniah 1:7 warns: Keep silent before Adonai ELOHIM, for the Day of ADONAI is near. God has prepared a sacrifice; He has set apart those He invited.

Once opened, there will be a great hush that settles over heaven. Though thirty minutes are not ordinarily considered a long time, it really depends on the circumstances. Thirty minutes under water is a long, long time. So when about thirty minutes precedes such an ominous development as the opening of Messiah’s judgment on the earth, it is an indication that something of great importance is about to happen. The seventh seal will contain the seven trumpet judgments. This moment may be compared to the silence before the foreman of a murder trial reports the verdict.²³⁴

Before this time heaven and earth had been filled with sound. But now the flashes of lightening, rumblings, and peals of thunder coming from the throne will cease. The four living creatures will temporarily end their praise of the holiness of God. The twenty-four elders will suspend their rejoicing about the worthiness of the Lamb. The angels will stop their singing and the Tribulation martyrs will cease their praise.²³⁵ As the scroll is unrolled, an eerie silence will move across heaven as everyone sees the grim reality of the destruction written on it. It will be a pause in the action, the calm before the storm and all of creation will be overwhelmed by what they see.

The intense silence will not last long, however. John timed it out as best as he could, about a half hour. But I am sure it will feel like an eternity. Those in heaven will pray. Those on the earth will somehow sense the silence in heaven, and consider, or reconsider, their rejection of Jesus Christ. Will they soften their hearts and turn to Him as their Lord and Savior, or will they harden their hearts like Pharaoh and become reprobate, without excuse (Romans 1:19-20)? They will be given a reprieve, standing on the edge of the cliff between heaven and Sh’ol. They were not lost because they were merely sinners. They were lost because they had rejected Yeshua who died for them. What will they do with His sacrifice?

The hour of God’s final judgment will finally come. It will be a time when all believers will be vindicated, sin punished, Satan defeated and Messiah exalted. The greatest event since the Fall in the Garden will take place at that time and all those in heaven will be holding their breath, standing on tip-toes waiting to see what will happen.²³⁶

This brief interlude of quietness and prayer in heaven is an invitation to reflect on our own attitude of prayer. There are times when we need to quiet our souls before the Lord, and to listen for His word. John’s vision of heaven recalls the words of the psalmist: Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10a). As believers, we need not to fear or be anxious, but to rest in the Lord and place our trust in Him.

Lord Jesus, like the great multitude in heaven before Your throne, I want to quiet my soul before You. Teach me to put aside all cares and concerns as I come into Your presence. As I learn to be still before You, let Your love fill me with the certainty that when times are tough, You are there with me, sustaining me, filling me with Your Holy Spirit. In the stillness of my spirit, help me to remember that You love me ²³⁷ and have promised to never leave me. For God Himself has said: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). In the holy name of Your Son and the power of His resurrection. Amen

 

Bibliography

Anderson , Neil. Who I Am In Christ. Ventura: Regal Books, 2001.

Baldwin, Joyce. Tyndale Old Testament Commentary on Daniel. Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 1978.

Barnes, Peter. The Truth About Jesus and the Trinity. San Diego: Equippers, 1989.

Beale, Gregory. The Book of Revelation: The Greek Text. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

Boettner, Loraine. Roman Catholicism. Phillipsburg: The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1962.

Clouse, Robert. The Meaning of the Millennium. Downers Grove: Inter Varsity Press, 1977.

Coleman, Lyle. The Serendipity Bible. Littleton, Serendipity House, 1988.

Fee, Gordan and Stuart, Douglas. How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan House, 1982.

Fruchtenbaum, Arnold. The Footsteps of the Messiah. Tustin: Ariel Ministries, 2003.

Graham, Billy. Approaching Hoofbeats. New York: Avon Books, 1983.

Gustafson, Tim. Our Daily Bread. Grand Rapids: RBC Ministries, 2010.

Hemer, Colin. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in the Local Setting. Sheffield: Sheffield Press, 1986.

Hendriksen, William. More Than Conquerors. Rochester: Staples Printers Limited, 1940.

Hislop, Alexander. The Two Babylons. Neptune: Loizeaux Brothers, Inc., 1943.

Jensen, Irving. Revelation: A Self-Study Guide. Chicago: Moody Press, 1971.

Keil and Delitzsch. Commentary on the Old Testament: Ezekiel and Daniel, Number 9.

Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1985.

Ladd, George. A Commentary on the Revelation of John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1972.

LaHaye, Tim. Charting the End Times. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2001.

LaHaye, Tim. Revelation, Illustrated and Made Simple. Grand Rapids: Lamplighter Books, 1973.

MacArthur, John. First Peter. Chicago: Moody Press, 2004.

MacArthur, John. Matthew 8-15. Chicago: Moody Press, 1987.

MacArthur, John. Revelation 1-11. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.

MacArthur, John. Revelation 12-22. Chicago: Moody Press, 2000.

MacArthur, John. Tape Series: The Future of Israel. Panorama City: Word of Grace Communications, 1980.

McGee, J. Vernon, Who is the Antichrist? Pasadena: Thru the Bible Books, 1973.

McGee, J. Vernon, Revelation, Chapters 1-5, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991.

McGee, J. Vernon, Revelation, Chapters 6-13, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991.

McGee, J. Vernon, Revelation, Chapters 14-22, Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1991.

Montgomery, James. International Critical Commentary on Daniel. Edinburgh: T and T Clark Publishers, 1979.

Morris, Henry. The Revelation Record. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1983.

Morris, Leon. The Revelation of Saint John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984.

Mounce, Robert. The New International Commentary on the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977.

Newell, William, The Book of Revelation. Chicago: Grace Publications, 1935.

Nakhro, Mazie. Bibliotheca Sacra, Volume 158, Number 629. Dallas: Dallas Theological Sem, January-March 2001.

Pentecost, J. Dwight. Things to Come. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1958.

Phillips, John. Exploring Revelation. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publishing, 2001.

Piper, Don. Ninety Minutes in Heaven. Grand Rapids: Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, 2004.

Ramsay, William. Seven Letters to the Seven Churches. Whitefish: Kessinger Publishing, 2009.

Rogers, Cleon. Linguistic Key to the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1976.

Ryrie, Charles. Dispensationalism Today. Chicago: Moody Press, 1965.

Smith, Chuck. Snatched Away. Costa Mesa: Maranatha House Publishers, 1976.

Smith, Chuck. The Tribulation and the Church. Costa Mesa: The Word for Today, 1980.

Stern, David. The Jewish New Testament Commentary. Clarksville: Jewish New Testament Publications, 1992.

Tucker, Ruth. Another Gospel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989.

Walvoord, John. The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Chicago: Moody Press, 1966.

Walvoord, John. The Church in Prophecy. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1964.

Walvoord, John and Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the OT. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1986.

Walvoord, John and Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the NT. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1983.

Welsh, John. Chiasmus in Antiquity. Provo, Utah: Research Press, 1981.

Wood, Leon. A Commentary on Daniel. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1973.

Wuest, Kenneth. Wuest’s Word Studies: Prophetic Light in the Present Darkness. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1955.

Zanchettin, Leo. Revelation: A Devotional Commentary. Ijamsville: The Word Among Us Press, 2007.

 

End Notes

Introduction

1 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the Old Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 925.

2 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 3-7.

3 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 27-28.

Apocalyptic Literature

4 How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth, by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1982, pages 206-208.

The Use of Symbols

5 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, pages 10-12.

Relation to the Book of Genesis

6 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 23-24.

The Number Seven

7 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 28-31.

Chapter 1

8 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 13-14.

9 Revelation, by Leon Morris, Eerdmans Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1984, page 45.

10 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the Old Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 928.

11 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 35-36.

12 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 24.

13 Ibid, pages 39-40.

14 The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting, by Colin Hemer, Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, England, 1986, page 27.

15 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the Old Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 930.

16 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, page 16.

17 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 31.

18 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 40.

19 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 42.

20 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 37-38.

21 Revelation, by Leon Morris, Eerdmans Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1984, page 52.

22 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 41.

23 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, page 17.

24 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the Old Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 930.

25 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, page 17.

26 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 41-42.

27 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 44.

28 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 45.

29 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 40.

30 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 50-51.

31 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 47.

32 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the Old Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 931.

33 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, page 18.

34 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 49.

35 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 45.

The Times of the Gentiles

36 A Commentary on Daniel, Leon Wood, Zondervan Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1976, page 206.

37 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 33.

38 Ibid, pages 34-35

39 Tyndale Old Testament Commentary on Daniel, by Joyce Baldwin, Inter-Varsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1978, page 146.

Chapter 2

40 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 54-55.

41 The Letters to the Churches, by William Ramsey, Sheffield Press, Sheffield England, 1986, page 211.

42 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 86.

43 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 58.

44 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 37.

45 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 58.

46 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 52-53.

47 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 36.

48 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 51.

49 The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting, by Colin Hemer, Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, England, 1986, pages 51-52.

50 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 65.

51 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 36.

52 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 56.

53 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 68.

54 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 45.

55 Revelation, by Leon Morris, Eerdmans Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1984, page 63.

56 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 42.

57 Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 795-796.

58 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1977, page 93.

59 The Book of Revelation, by G. K. Beale, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1999, pages 241-242.

60 Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, by Tim LaHaye, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, page 30.

61 Matthew 8-15, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1987, page 275.

62 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, pages 44-45.

63 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 46.

64 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 52-53.

65 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 46.

66 Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, by Tim LaHaye, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, pages 30-32.

67 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 81-82.

68 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 47.

69 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 84.

70 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 95.

71 The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting, by Colin Hemer, Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, England, 1986, page 78.

72 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 85.

73 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 45.

74 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 86.

75 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 96.

76 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, pages 55-56.

77 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 58.

78 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 48.

79 The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting, by Colin Hemer, Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, England, 1986, page 96.

80 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 48.

81 Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, by Tim LaHaye, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, pages 36-37.

82 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 95-96.

83 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 50.

84 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 100.

85 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 52.

86 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, page 60.

87 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 49-50.

88 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 52.

89 Ibid, page 52.

90 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 48.

91 Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, by Tim LaHaye, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, pages 43-44.

Chapter 3

92 The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia in Their Local Setting, by Colin Hemer, Sheffield Academic Press, Sheffield, England, 1986, page 150.

93 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 55.

94 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 111-112.

95 Who I Am In Christ, Neil Anderson, Regal Books, Ventura, CA, 2001, pages 96-100.

96 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 68.

97 Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on Revelation, by Charles Swindoll, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2011, pages 62-70.

98 Who I Am In Christ, Neil Anderson, Regal Books, Ventura, California, 2001, page 100.

99 Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, by Tim LaHaye, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, page 50.

100 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, page 62.

101 Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, by Tim LaHaye, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, page 50.

102 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 118.

103 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 70-71.

104 Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, by Tim LaHaye, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, page 56.

105 Revelation, by Leon Morris, Eerdmans Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1984, page 78.

106 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the Old Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 939.

107 The Letters to the Churches, by William Ramsey, Sheffield Press, Sheffield England, 1986, pages 316-317.

108 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 115.

109 Ibid, page 117.

110 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 72.

111 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 124.

112 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 120.

113 Ibid, page 120.

114 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 127.

115 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 55.

116 Revelation Illustrated and Made Plain, by Tim LaHaye, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, page 55.

117 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 130-132.

118 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 65.

119 The Truth About Jesus and the Trinity, by Peter Barnes, Equippers, San Diego, California, 1989, pages 20-24.

120 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1977, page 122.

121 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 135.

122 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 64.

123 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, page 66.

124 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 66.

125 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the Old Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 940.

126 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 140.

127 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 57.

128 Things to Come, by Dwight Pentecost, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1958, page 213.

The Sequence of Pretribulation Events

129 The Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, CA, 2004, pages 154-155.

130 Charting the End Times, by Tim LaHaye and Tomas Ice, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 2001, page 92.

131 The Prophecy of Ezekiel, by Charles Feinberg, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1984, pages 220-221.

132 Ibid, page 222.

133 Ibid, page 223.

134 Ibid, page 224.

135 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the Old Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1986, page 1301.

136 Ibid, page 1301.

137 The Prophecy of Ezekiel, by Charles Feinberg, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1984, page 229.

138 Keil and Delitzsch, Commentary on the Old Testament, Number 9, Ezekiel and Daniel, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1984, page 173.

139 The Prophecy of Ezekiel, by Charles Feinberg, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1984, page 230.

140 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 117.

141 Ibid, pages 116-124.

142 Ibid, page 127.

143 A Commentary on Daniel, by Leon Wood, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, page 161.

144 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 718.

145 Charting the End Times, by Tim LaHaye and Tomas Ice, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 2001, page 115.

146 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 143.

147 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 704.

148 Wuest’s Word Studies, by Kenneth Wuest, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1980, page 60.

149 Charting the End Times, by Tim LaHaye and Tomas Ice, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 2001, page 114.

150 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 157-160.

151 Ibid, page 160.

The Things That Will Take Place Later

152 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 942.

153 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 145.

154 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 164.

155 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 86.

156 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 69.

157 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 108.

158 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 76.

159 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 91-92.

160 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 62-63.

161 Manners and Customs of the Bible, by James Freeman, Logos International, Plainfield, New Jersey, 1972, page 295.

162 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 1556.

163 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 76.

164 Ibid, pages 77-78.

165 Revelation, Chapters 1-5, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 145.

166 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 64-65.

167 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 162.

168 Revelation, Chapters 1-5, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 146.

169 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 168.

170 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 169.

171 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 91.

172 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 148.

173 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 946.

174 Ninety Minuets In Heaven, by Don Piper, Baker Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2004, pages 29-32.

175 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 81.

176 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 150.

177 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 67.

178 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 121.

179 The Day of Atonement, Manuscript Number 119, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 1986, pages 7-9.

180 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 177.

181 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 187.

182 A Commentary on Daniel, by Leon Wood, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, page 248.

183 Ibid, page 249.

184 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 1362.

185 A Commentary on Daniel, by Leon Wood, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, page 250.

186 Ibid, page 254.

187 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 1363.

188 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 194-195.

189 A Commentary on Daniel, by Leon Wood, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1973, page 258.

190 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 286.

The Events of the First Half of the Great Tribulation

191 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 203.

192 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 949.

193 Approaching Hoofbeats, by Billy Graham, Avon Books, New York, NY, 1983, pages 71-72.

194 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 91.

195 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois,

1983, page 113.

196 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 180.

197 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 114.

198 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 154.

199 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 216.

200 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 91.

201 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 182.

202 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 217.

203 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 93.

204 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 184.

205 Wuest’s Word Studies: Prophetic Light in the Present Darkness, by Kenneth Wuest, Eerdmans Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1955, pages 45-46.

206 Approaching Hoofbeats, by Billy Graham, Avon Books, New York, NY, 1983, page 200.

207 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 95.

208 Ibid, pages 94-95.

209 Approaching Hoofbeats, by Billy Graham, Avon Books, New York, NY, 1983, page 201.

210 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 184.

211 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 95.

212 Ibid, page 96.

213 More Than Conquerors, by William Hendriksen, Staples Printers Limited, Rochester, New York, 1940, page 106.

214 Ibid, page 114.

215 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 69.

216 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 98.

217 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 121.

218 Ibid, page 122.

219 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 206.

220 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 123.

221 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 70-71.

222 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 216.

223 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 126.

224 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 214.

225 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 108.

226 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 220.

227 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 220.

228 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 130.

229 Ibid, page 132.

230 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 73-74.

231 Revelation, Chapters 6-13, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, pages 57-58.

232 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 228.

233 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 75-76.

234 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 151.

235 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 116.

236 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 238.

237 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 77-78.

238 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 144.

239 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, pages 123-124.

240 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 115.

241 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 141.

242 Revelation, Chapters 6-13, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 86.

243 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 181.

244 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 143.

245 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 223.

246 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 241-242.

247 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 82-83.

248 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 951.

249 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 145-146.

250 Revelation, Chapters 6-13, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 90.

251 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 247.

252 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 148.

253 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 224.

254 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 249.

255 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 112.

256 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 150.

257 Ibid, page 151.

258 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 188.

259 Ibid, page 189.

260 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 153.

261 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 952.

262 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 226.

263 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 159.

264 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 261.

265 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 226.

266 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 128.

267 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 195.

268 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 84-85.

269 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 228.

270 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 133.

271 Ibid, page 137.

272 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 172.

273 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, page 273.

274 Roman Catholicism, by Loraine Boettner, The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 1962, pages 279-284.

275 More Than Conquerors, by William Hendriksen, William, Staples Printers Limited, Rochester, New York, 1940, page 123.

276 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 291-292.

277 Ibid, page 298.

278 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 196-197.

279 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 234.

280 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 250.

281 Ibid, page 252.

282 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 688.

283 Ibid, page 234.

The Events in the Middle of the Great Tribulation

284 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 237.

285 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 140.

286 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 693.

287 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 211.

288 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 287-288.

289 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 238-239.

290 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 90-91.

291 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 240.

292 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 128-129.

293 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 225.

294 Ibid, page 225.

295 Our Daily Bread Devotional, October, 2009.

296 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 143.

297 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 244.

298 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 172.

299 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 246.

300 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 821.

301 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 202-204.

302 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 93.

303 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 239-240.

304 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 515-516.

305 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 245.

306 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 106-107.

307 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 54-57.

308 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 249-250.

309 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 247-248.

310 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 61.

311 Ibid, page 62.

312 Ibid, page 65.

313 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 258.

314 Ibid, pages 260-261.

315 Ibid, pages 290-293.

316 Ibid, pages 264-265.

317 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 75.

318 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 260.

319 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 77.

320 Exploring Revelation, by John Phillips, Kregel Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2001, pages 180-181.

321 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 72-73.

322 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 262.

323 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 110.

324 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 209.

325 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 273.

326 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 209.

327 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 87.

328 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 267.

329 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 276.

330 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 92.

331 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 270.

332 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 96.

333 Roman Catholicism, by Loraine Boettner, The Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, Phillipsburg, New Jersey, 1962, pages 218-234.

334 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 112-113.

335 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 113.

336 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 273.

337 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 115.

338 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 114.

339 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 207.

340 Revelation 1-11, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 1999, pages 308-309.

341 Revelation, Chapters 6-13, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 141.

342 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 165.

343 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 211.

344 Ibid, page 212.

The Events in the Second Half of the Great Tribulation

345 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 140.

346 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 211.

347 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 123.

348 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 223.

349 Exploring Revelation, by John Phillips, Kregel Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan 2001, page 187.

350 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, pages 225-226.

351 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 833.

352 Our Daily Bread Devotional, 2009

353 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 136-137.

354 Ibid, page 139

355 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 833.

356 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 230.

357 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 297.

358 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 140-141.

359 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 231.

360 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 73.

361 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 142.

362 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 300.

363 Christian Theology, by Millard Erickson, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985, page 276.

364 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 303.

365 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 144.

366 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 834.

367 Revelation, by Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1984, page 196.

368 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 77.

369 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 145.

370 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 122-123.

371 Revelation, by Leon Morris, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1984, page 197.

372 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 147.

373 Insights on Revelation, by Charles Swindoll, Zondervan Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2011, page 222

374 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 309-313.

375 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 151.

376 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 320.

377 Ibid, page 318.

378 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 153.

379 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 40-43.

380 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, page 129.

381 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 345-346.

382 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 258.

383 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 172.

384 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 837.

385 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 258.

386 Ibid, page 260.

387 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 180.

388 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 260.

389 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 357.

390 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 182.

391 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 108.

392 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 267.

393 Ibid, page 268.

394 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 186.

395 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 131-132.

396 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 186-187.

397 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 325.

398 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 115.

399 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 189-190.

400 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 837.

401 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 135-136.

402 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 376.

403 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 277.

404 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 376.

The Second Coming of Jesus Christ

405 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 196-197.

406 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 138-139.

407 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 307.

408 Ibid, pages 293-307.

409 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 216-217.

410 Ibid, page 217.

411 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 346.

412 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 391.

413 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 222.

414 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 345-347.

415 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 841.

416 Exploring Revelation, by John Phillips, Kregel Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2001, page 236.

417 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 977.

418 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 144-145.

419 Charting the End Times, by Tim LaHaye, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon, 2001, page 62.

420 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 309-357.

The Seventy-Five Day Interval

421 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 361-362.

422 Ibid, page 362-363.

423 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 350.

424 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 225.

425 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, pages 842-843.

426 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 295.

427 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, pages 140, 148-149.

428 Second Peter and Jude, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2005, page 85.

429 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 364-367.

430 Ibid, pages 367-368.

431 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 1298.

432 Christian Theology, by Millard Erickson, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985, pages 1194-1199.

433 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 390.

434 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 130.

The Thousand-Year Messianic Kingdom

435 The Dispensations of God, Manuscript Number 41, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 1983.

436 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 394.

437 Ibid, page 396.

438 Ibid, page 403.

439 Ibid, pages 403-436.

440 Ibid, pages 468-480.

441 Ibid, page 485.

442 Ibid, pages 489-507.

When the Thousand Years Are Over

443 Christian Theology, by Millard Erickson, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985, pages 1200-1204.

444 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 982.

445 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 240.

446 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 302.

447 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 361.

448 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 442.

449 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 242.

450 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 304.

451 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, pages 154-155.

452 Revelation, A Devotional Commentary, by Leo Zanchettin, The Word Among Us Press, Ijamsville, Maryland, 1989, pages 148-149.

453 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 516.

454 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 252.

455 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 849.

456 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 308.

457 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 245-246.

458 Christian Theology, by Millard Erickson, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985, page 1200.

459 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 847.

460 Christian Theology, by Millard Erickson, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1985, page 1202.

461 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 272.

462 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 249.

463 Ibid, page 250.

464 Exploring Revelation, by John Phillips, Kregel Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2001, pages 242-243.

465 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 366.

466 Ibid, page 365.

467 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 427.

468 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 367.

469 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 255-256.

470 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, pages 159-160.

471 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 302.

472 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, pages 517-519.

473 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 256.

The Eternal Order

474 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 523.

475 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 435.

476 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 263.

477 Ibid, page 265.

478 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, pages 161 and 164.

479 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 371.

480 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 268.

481 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 442-443.

482 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, pages 310-311.

483 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, pages 276-277.

484 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 446.

485 The Book of Revelation, by Robert Mounce, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids,, Michigan, 1977, page 377.

486 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 278.

487 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 446.

488 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 312.

489 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 280.

490 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 447.

491 Ibid, page 448.

492 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 177.

493 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, pages 313-314.

494 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 986.

495 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 315.

496 Ibid, page 317.

497 The Jewish New Testament Commentary, by David Stern, Jewish New Testament Publications, Clarksville, Maryland, 1992, page 854.

498 Exploring Revelation, by John Phillips, Kregel Publishing, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2001, page 254.

499 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 455.

500 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 284.

501 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 284.

502 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, by John Walvoord, Moody Bible Institute, Chicago, Illinois, 1966, page 328.

503 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 463.

504 Ibid, page 464.

505 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 987.

506 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 523.

507 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 466.

508 Ibid, page 441.

509 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 987.

510 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 287.

511 Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically Inept, by Daymond Duck, Starburst Publishers, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1998, page 323.

512 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 288.

513 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 441.

514 Revelation, Chapters 14-22, by J. Vernon McGee, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991, page 194.

515 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 288.

516 Ibid, pages 289-290.

517 A Commentary on the Revelation of John, by George Ladd, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1972, page 289.

518 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 988.

519 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 295.

520 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 473.

521 Ibid, page 475.

522 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 537.

523 The Bible Knowledge Commentary on the New Testament, by John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 989.

524 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, page 478.

525 Footsteps of the Messiah, by Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Ariel Ministries, Tustin, California, 2004, page 538.

526 The Star of David, by Barney Kasdan, Kehilat Ariel Messianic Synagogue Newsletter Vol 26 Number 6 July/August 2010.

527 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 305.

528 Ibid, page 309.

529 The Revelation Record, by Henry Morris, Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois, 1983, pages 485-486.

530 Revelation 12-22, by John MacArthur, Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois, 2000, page 310.

531 Ibid, page 302.

 

Glossary

Abba: an affectionate way to say Father, hence dear Father, or even Daddy, Papa.

Adar: the twelfth month of the Jewish biblical calendar.

Adonai: literally, my Lord, a word the TaNaKh uses to refer to God.

ADONAI: the Tetragrammaton, meaning the four-letter name of YHVH. Both ADONAI and Ha’Shem are substitute names for YHVH. ADONAI, however, is more of an affectionate name like daddy.

ADONAI Elohei-Tzva’ot: the LORD God of heaven’s angelic armies.

ADONAI Eloheinu: LORD our God.

ADONAI Nissi: the LORD my Banner.

ADONAI Shalom: the LORD of Peace.

ADONAI Tzidkenu: the LORD our Righteousness.

ADONAI-Tzva’ot: The LORD of heaven’s angelic armies.

Adversary, the: Satan, the devil, and the old dragon.

Amen: “It is true,” or “So be it,” or “May it become true.”

Ariel: lion of God, fireplace on God’s altar.

Aviv: the first month of the biblical year, corresponding to the modern Jewish month of Nisan.

Beit-Lechem: Bethlehem, birthplace of David and Yeshua, meaning house of bread.

Bnei-Yisrael: The children of Isar’el.

B’rit Chadashah: The New Covenant, New Testament.

Chesed: Mercy, righteousness (see the commentary on Ruth Af – The Concept of Chesed).

Cohen of Ha’Elyon: Priest of the God Most High.

Echad: The Hebrew word for “one” or “unity.” Echad is used in the Shema (Deut 6:4).

El ‘Elyon: the Most High God.

El Shaddai: God Almighty.

Far Eschatology: end times prophecy.

Goyim: Nations, non-Jews, Gentiles.

Gehenna: The word for “hell,” the place of perpetual misery and suffering after this life. If comes from the Greek word Genna and the Hebrew word Gei-Hinnom, which means the valley of Hinnom. There was actually such a valley by that name south of the Temple in Jerusalem. It was used as a garbage dump, and fires were always burning there, making it a suitable picture of life in hell. In Jewish sources, the term is used as the opposite of Gan-Eden, or the garden of Eden or Paradise (Matthew 23:33; Mark 9:43).

Gentiles: The nations, or the goyim.

Halacha: The way, the Oral Law (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Ei – The Oral Law), or the rules governing Jewish life.

Ha’Shem: the Tetragrammaton, meaning the four-letter name of YHVH. Both ADONAI and Ha’Shem are substitute names for YHVH. While ADONAI is more of an affectionate name like daddy, while Ha’Shem is a more formal name like sir.

Hanukkah: Meaning dedication, the feast commemorating the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Antiochus Epiphanes in 165 BC and the rebuilding and dedication of the Temple after its desecration by Sy

Immerse: To dip the whole body under water as an act of dedication to the LORD, or as a profession of faith in Yeshua. The word is often seen in other translations as “baptize.” The ceremony of dipping is called “immersion” or “baptism.” Yeshua’s cousin was known as John the Immerser (Matthew 3:1; Mark 6:14; Luke 7:20).

Kadosh: Holy.

Levite: Descendants of the tribe of Levi, who served in the Tabernacle and Temple as gatekeepers, musicians, teachers, and assistants to the priests. The scribes, or Torah-teachers, came from among the Levites and were the forerunners of the Pharisees – though Pharisees were from all tribes, with no affiliation with Levi required.

Matzah: Unleavened bread, bread made without yeast.

Messiah (Greek): Christ, the Anointed One.

Mashiach (Hebrew): Messiah, the Anointed One.

Mikveh: a bath o pool with a flow of fresh water; used in Orthodox Judaism to this day for ritual purification or ceremonial cleansing, performed at various times in a person’s life.

Mitzvah: A good deed; literally command or commandment; more broadly, a general principle for living.

Mitzvot: commandments.

Moshe: Moses.

Near Historical Prophecy: a prophecy into the near historical future of the prophet. One of the tests of a prophet was to make a near historical prophecy. . . and if it came true then the people could trust his far eschatological prophecy as well. But if what a prophet proclaims in the name of ADONAI does not come true, that false prophet must be put to death (Deuteronomy 18:14-22). It may be that the prophet may still be alive when his prophecy is fulfilled, such as with Jeremiah, or it may be that the prophecy was fulfilled after his death, such as with Isaiah. But either way, the prophet was vindicated.

‘Olam haba, the: the age to come.

Redeemed: Setting free from slavery, buying back something lost, for a price.

Righteous of the TaNaKh, the: Old Testament believers.

Rosh ha-Shanah: The Feast of Trumpets.

Ruach: Wind or spirit.

Ruach ha-Kodesh: The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit.

Shabbat: The Sabbath Day, the seventh day of the week, when work ceases. Shabbat begins on Friday evening at sundown and ends Saturday evening after three stars appear.

Shalom: Peace, wholeness, wellness; a greeting used when meeting or departing.

Shaddai: A common name for God in the TaNaKh, usually translated as Almighty. The name is often used in a combination such as El Shaddai, or God Almighty.

Sh’khinah: The visual manifestation of the glory of God.

Sh’ol: The Hebrew equivalent of the Greek “Hades,” the place where the dead exist.

Shofar: A ram’s horn, used in the Bible for summoning armies, calling to repentance, and in other situations. Blasts of various lengths and numbers signified different instructions Metal trumpets were also used for similar purposes, but exclusively by the cohanim. Today, the shofar is used on Rosh ha-Shanah of Yom Kippur, the Jewish High Holy Days.

Sinai: the mountain in the desert between Egypt and the land of Isra’el.

Shuwb: turn, turning, and the big idea of Jeremiah.

Sukkot: the festival of Booths or Tabernacles, celebrating the forty years when the people of Isra’el lived in booths, tens, shacks, in the desert between Egypt and the land of Isra’el. The Hebrew word sukkah means booth and sukkot is the plural and means booths. Sukkot is one of the three “pilgrim festivals” that all able bodied Jews were expected to celebrate before YHVH in Yerushalayim.

Synagogue: Meaning “assembly,” an adopted Greek word for a house of prayer and study.

Tabernacle: A temporary dwelling, such as the booths constructed during Sukkot. It is also used in the TaNaKh of the tent in which God dwelt among the Jewish people, both in the wilderness and in the land of Isra’el. When the word is used as a verb, it refers to Yeshua coming to dwell among His people (John 1:14), reminding us of the wilderness Tabernacle and also of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Talmid (singular)or Talmudin (plural): Student or students.

Talmud: The codified body of Jewish Oral Law; includes literary creations, legends, scriptural interpretations, comprised of the Mishnah and the Gemara.

TaNaKh: The Hebrew word TaNaKh is an acronym, based on the letters T (for “Torah”),N (for “Nevi’im,” or the Prophets), and K (for “Ketuv’im,” or the Sacred Writings). It is the collection of the teachings of God to human beings in document form. This term is used instead of the phrase, “the Old Testament.”

Torah: literally, means teaching or instruction. It can be used for the five books of Moshe, or the whole TaNaKh (John 10:34). Uncapitalized, torah can be understood generally as a law or principle (Romans 7:21-8:2).

Tree of Life: The tree at the center of the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9, 3:24), the source of eternal life. Scripture points to a future in the B’rit Chadashah, with access to the Tree of Life. In the meantime, the Torah is like to the Tree of Life to those who embrace her, and blessed will be all who hold firmly to her (Proverbs 3:18 also see Revelation 2:7, 22:2 and 14).

Tzitzit: A fringe that was put on a garment in accordance with Numbers 15:37-41.

Tziyon: Zion, Mount Zion, was originally the City of David, south of the modern Old City of Yerushalayim. Later the name Tziyon came to refer metaphorically to the Temple Mount, Jerusalem, or the people of Isra’el. The hill now called Mount Tziyon was given its name in the fourth century AD (Isaiah 1:27; Psalm 65:2; Matthew 21:5; John 12:15).

Yeshua: Jesus, and is a masculine form, and a word play on yeshu’ah (salvation).

Yerushalayim: Jerusalem.

Y’hudah: Judah.

YHVH: the Tetragrammaton, meaning the Name, the four-letter name of God. Therefore, God does not have many names, He has only one name – YHVH (Yud Hay Vav Hay). All the other names in the Bible describe His characteristics and His attributes.

Yisra’el: Isra’el.

Yochanan: John.

Yom ha-Bikkurim: One of several names for The Feast of Firstfruits.

Yom Kippur: the Day of Atonement, the close of the High Holy Days, and considered the holiest day of the year in traditional Judaism.

Zion: the hill of Jerusalemon which the city of Davidwas built.The word Zion is also used in a theological or spiritual sense inthe Bible. In the TaNaKh Zion refers figuratively to Isra’el as the people of God(Isaiah 60:14). In the B’rit Chadashah, Zion refers to God’s spiritual Kingdom. We have not come to Mount Sinai, says the apostle, but to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem(Hebrews 12:22). Kefa (Peter), quotingIsaiah 28:16 refers to Messiahas the Cornerstone of Zion, saying: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts inHim will never be put to shame (First Peter 2:6).

 

The Grace of the Lord Jesus
Be With God’s People
22: 21

The TaNaKh ends with a curse. Malachi prophesied: See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of ADONAI comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse (Malachi 4:5-6). However, the New Covenant ends with a benediction of grace upon believers. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Grace is extended to all, but if anyone refuses the offer that is extended, he or she must bear the judgment pronounced in this book. Grace is still offered because it is the Lord’s method of saving sinners.

John Newton said it best:
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

To which we can only respond, along with John, and with deep thanksgiving say: Amen! He is trustworthy!

If Anyone Adds to the Words of this Book,
God Will Add to Them the Plagues Descried
22: 18-19

If anyone adds to the words of this book, God will add to them the plagues described DIG: What is the meaning of God’s final curse in these verses? Knowing what you know about the seven plagues, the tree of life, and the holy city of Jerusalem, how seriously do you take this warning?

REFLECT: Have you prepared yourself for the Second Coming? Do you feel more ready, or less ready, after reading Revelation than you did before? How have your perceptions of Jesus, Satan, heaven and hell changed? Why? How will these new perceptions affect your worship? Your life style? How would you sum up the central truth of this book?

It is of great significance that the Bible closes with an affirmation of its truthfulness. Because the words of Scripture are trustworthy and true (22:6), they must not be sealed up, but proclaimed (22:10). Sinners are to be called to respond to the warnings in the Word of God or suffer the consequences. All the prophecies of Revelation regarding the doom of unbelievers will come true. That terrifying certainty should drive people to accept Yeshua, who rescues us from the coming wrath (First Thessalonians 1:10).⁵²⁸

Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for rescuing Your children. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God (John 1:12). Praise You for giving Your children Your very own perfect righteousness so they may enter Your holy heaven, live with You and praise You forever! God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (Second Corinthians 5:21). We love You! In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen

John warns everyone who hears the word of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book (22:18). This reinforced what Moshe had said in the Torah: In order to obey the mitzvot of ADONAI your God that I am giving you, do not add to what I am saying (Deut 4:2a).

John’s warning refers to the book of Revelation, not the whole Bible. However, since this is the final revelation of God’s Word, the principle behind the warning can be extended to the whole Bible because the Scriptures are complete only with this final book. Once John died, no further inspired books would be written (Ephesians 2:11 to 3:12). If this were not true, revelation would be open-ended, and churches and messianic synagogues would have no way of distinguishing between false and true doctrine.

Examples of those who add are the numerous cults that accept other writing as inspired and authoritative and place them on equal (or higher) grounds with the Bible. The Mormons have their Book of Mormon, Christian Science have their Key to the Scriptures, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have their New World Translation (NWT), and the Muslims have their Koran. In view of the proliferation of all kinds of cults and winds of doctrine sweeping across the world today, most of them rooted in some charismatic personality with claims of divine wisdom and authority, John’s warning is needed more today than ever before.

And if anyone takes words away, literally to cut off, from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll (22:19). This also reinforced what Moses had written long ago: In order to obey the mitzvot of ADONAI your God which I am giving you . . . do not subtract from it (Deuteronomy 4:2b).

Now if it is a deadly crime to add to the words of Scripture, then it is even more wicked and dangerous to take them away. Adding false scripture to true Scripture at least leaves the truth, with the saving Gospel in tact. Trying to cut off certain unwanted words of God from the Bible, on the other hand, will dilute or destroy its saving message and living truth. That is why the influences of the cults, as bad as they are, still are not as deadly as those, like the Jesus Seminar, who specialize in cutting out or explaining away all those portions of the Bible that offend their humanistic prejudices and evolutionary presumptions. All of the Scriptures have been attacked by such people, but none so much as the books of Genesis and Revelation.⁵²⁹ The penalty for removing anything from the Bible is nothing less than the removal of that person’s name from the Lamb’s book of life, that person’s share in the tree of life and their entrance into the New Jerusalem.

The cults add to the words of the Bible and the liberals take them away. The form of the warning comes from Deuteronomy 4:2, where God admonishes Isra’el: Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of ADONAI your God that I give you. In Deuteronomy 12:32 he added: See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. Proverbs 30:5-6 warns: Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar. Therefore, the prohibition against altering the words of Revelation by implication extends to the entire Bible. As John had said: The Scripture cannot be broken (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Hl – Then Jesus Went Back Across the Jordan).

No true believer would ever deliberately tamper with Scripture. Those who know and love ADONAI will treat His Word with the utmost respect. They will agree with the psalter: How I love your Torah (Psalm 119:97, 119:113, 163, 167; John 14:23); and, I delight in Your Torah (Psalm 119:70, Psalm 1:2, 119:77, 92, 174). That does not, of course, mean that believers will never make errors in judgment or mistakenly interpret the Bible. The Lord’s warning here is addressed to those who purposefully distort or falsify Scripture. Paul says that these peddle the Word of God for profit (Second Corinthians 2:17).⁵³⁰

Come! Whoever is Thirsty,
Let Them Take the Free Gift of the Water of Life
22: 17

Come! Whoever is thirsty, let them take the free guilty of the water of life DIG: Who pleads for the Lord to come back? Who wants sinners to repent in this passage? Who is thirsty? When had Yeshua given this offer before? What is the most amazing part of this offer? 

REFLECT: Is it hard for you to want Jesus to return? What sacrifices would it require of you? Would there be things left undone in this life if He came today? A career ahead of you? A relationship you are in the middle of? A marriage? A family you looked forward to raising up? Children? Grandchildren? Would the Lord’s return be of greater satisfaction than any of these? Why? Why not?

There are two distinct invitations in this verse, separated by the invitation to come. The first part of the verse is a prayer addressed to Yeshua. The Holy Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!” This plea for Messiah to come again at the Rapture (First Thessalonians 4:15-18), and is the only recorded prayer of the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures.

The second part is an invitation to sinners. It is the last call for unbelievers reading Revelation to come to repentance. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears the message of this book say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life (22:17). These words are an invitation to salvation by faith/trust/belief in Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Bride, or the Church, made up of Jewish and Gentile believers. The Holy Spirit does the work of conviction concerning the truth of the gospel (John 15:26, 16:8), and it is He who does the work of calling and regenerating people to salvation. Then the Church presents the message that the Holy Spirit uses to convict and call. Those who respond will have the authority to take the free gift of water of life in the New Jerusalem.

The one who hears is described as the one who is thirsty (Psalm 107:9; John 4:14 and 6:35). Whoever is thirsty may come because whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16b). The Bible frequently refers to thirst to picture a spiritual need to repent and accept Messiah as their Lord and Savior. In Isaiah, God called: All you who are thirsty to come to the waters of salvation (Isaiah 55:1a). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6). On the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Yeshua stood and said in a loud voice: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this He meant the Holy Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive (John 7:37-39). And earlier in Revelation, the LORD had promised: To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life (21:6b).

The most amazing thing is that this gift of salvation is free. That unlimited invitation is typical of the broad, sweeping, gracious offer of salvation made in the Scriptures (Isaiah 45:22; Matthew 11:28; John 3:15-16). It also illustrates the biblical truth that salvation involves both ADONAI’s sovereign choice (John 6:44), and human decision. God saves sinners, but only those who recognize their need to repent. The water of life, or the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5b), is offered without cost (Isaiah 55:1b) to the lost because Jesus has paid the price for it through His sacrificial death on the cross (Romans 3:24); thus He is mentioned thirty-one times as the Lamb in Revelation. The Lord freely offers the water of life to all those whose hearts are thirsty for forgiveness, whose minds are thirsty for truth, and whose souls are thirsty for Him.⁵²⁷ If you are tired of drinking from the cesspools of this world, He invites you to come.

I AM the Root and the Offspring of David,
and the Bright Morning Star
22: 16

Jesus Himself affirms that it was He who sent the angel to John to reveal everything found in the book of Revelation, so that John could deliver it to the churches in Asia Minor. It is the same Yeshua who, in His humanity, is the root and the offspring of David; but to His deity, He is the Sh’khinah glory, as seen in the brightness and visibility of the light of the morning star.⁵²⁵

There are many beautiful symbols associated with Judaism, but perhaps the most recognizable one today is the Star of David. It might surprise many people, however, to realize the star, as a strictly Jewish symbol, is a rather modern development. To look at the origins of the Star of David is to take a look into a diverse and interesting history.

The earliest apparent mention of this symbol is found in the Talmud, the written form of the Oral Law (see my commentary on The Life of Christ, to see link click Ei – The Oral Law), and it’s rabbinic commentary. In describing the reign of King Solomon, the mention is made of how he had power over demonic forces by the emblem on his ring known as the “Seal of Solomon” (Gittin 68). Although the specific design of this seal is not described in this passage, it is also called the “Shield of David” (Magen David) because according to later tradition this also appeared on King David’s battle gear. The first concrete evidence in archaeology was found in the city of Sidon. This consisted of a ring with a seal on it in the shape of a six-pointed star, which was dated from the seventh century BC. For those who have been to Isra’el, you will remember the famous six-pointed star on the synagogue of Capernaum. This structure has been dated from the second century BC but it is believed to be directly over the site of an earlier synagogue, the one likely used by Jesus Himself (Lu 4:31-37).

For the centuries to follow, the Star of David diversified beyond the Jewish community, with traces being found in Muslim and Christian circles as well. In the year 1190 CE, Christian groups in Spain adapted the hexagram as a notary for documents. Of course, the Jewish community continued to use the star, as is noted by the King of Prague, as the symbol for a Jewish flag in 1354. The Encyclopedia Judaica makes an interesting note that the symbol seems to have been especially used among the earlier “Judeo-Christians”, in other words, Messianic Jews! (See Encyclopedia Judaica article on Magen David).

By the middle ages, the Star of David seems to have taken on a more focused emphasis. The Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) expanded the concept of the star from being merely the “Magen David”, or the shield of David, to “the shield of the Son of David”; namely, the Christ, or the Messiah Himself! Of course, according to traditional Judaism, there would be no greater warrior and deliver than the Messiah, so this interpretation is a very logical progression.

The Jewish star basically fell into disuse again until the rise of modern Zionism in the nineteenth century. At that time it was revived as a particularly Jewish symbol to identify the faith and political aspirations of our people. On the dark side, the satanic movement of Nazism turned the symbol into a mark of persecution as Jews were forced to wear the yellow star, millions dying in the process. One might think that the star as a Jewish symbol would be tarnished forever, but despite the horrific disaster, I believe God’s justice has won out. Hitler and his evil kingdom was brought down, but the star of David today graces the flag of the modern state of Isra’el. No wonder the Star of David has become the most cherished symbol of Jews today.

Besides this distinctive history of the shield of David, messianic Jews also see an important spiritual truth associated with it. We would agree with those in rabbinic tradition who saw some kind of “messianic” connection with this particular symbol. After all, the Torah says that the great deliverer of Isra’el, the Messiah, will have some association with a star. As Balaam predicted concerning the future salvation of the Jewish people: I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a star shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Isra’el, and shall crush through the forehead of Moab, and tear down all the sons of Sheth (Numbers 24:17).

That this verse was interpreted in a messianic way is clear from the events of the last Jewish revolt (132-135 CE). There was a famous Jewish military leader named Bar Kozba who was leading the Jewish rebels in a last ditch effort. Somehow, it became apparent to the leading Rabbi of the day, Rabbi Akiva, that this Bar Kozba must be the long awaited Messiah. The rabbi was so convinced that he publicly called upon the Jews to accept him as the fulfillment of the promise of Numbers 24, even giving the General a new name; Bar Cochba (Son of the Star)! Sadly, this was proven to be a false hope as tens of thousands of Jews perished under the Roman sword.

I honestly can’t blame Rabbi Akiva for wanting the messianic redemption in his day, or even looking for this person in connection with the star. What is unfortunate is that the Rabbi along with many other Jews may have missed the true messianic redemption and the star just a few years earlier: I, Jesus, have sent My angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am, Shoresh, the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star (22:16).

Just as the roots of a tree provide stability, nourishment, and a firm foundation for growth, our Messiah, the Root of David, provides all this and more in our lives.

Indeed, a star has arisen from David who has fulfilled the first part of that redemptive plan and who will complete God’s plan at His glorious return to Jerusalem. No wonder the symbol of the star of David is especially precious to those Jews and Gentiles alike, who have acknowledged Jesus of Nazareth as that promised One!

Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for being the star of history! You are so wonderful! Your name is, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34:6b-7b). You are the best father that ever could be, and we long to praise and worship You for all eternity! We love You! In holy Yeshua’s name and power of resurrection. Amen

I AM the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End
22: 10-15

I Am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end DIG: What do you make of God’s summary of human destiny? In contrast to those inside the city and those outside, what is implied about the basis for our salvation and judgment? What does it mean to wash one’s robe?

REFLECT: Is it ever too late for people to change their ways, or to come to Messiah in faith? Why?

When Dani’el wrote his prophecy several hundred years before the birth of Christ, because of progressive revelation, he did not understand some things that the LORD had shown him. He wanted an explanation, but the fulfillment of his prophecies were a long time off, so he was told to seal them up until they could be explained by later revelation (Dani’el 12:4a and 12:8-9). With the book of Revelation, much of the book of Dani’el was clarified, expanded, detailed and explained. So, John, in contrast to Dani’el, was told not to seal up his book because John’s prophecy was already unfolding and the Church Age was underway. For that reason, the message was to be left unsealed. For that reason, the angel told the aged prophet, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near” (22:10). We are to guard the words of this book. God is surely capable of speaking plain words, through His angel, through John, to us, and He wants people to hear this message today.

It is an amazing paradox of human nature that the preaching of the gospel draws and wins some, while at the same time it offends and hardens others. The same sun that softens wax also hardens clay. The Rabbi Sha’ul said: We are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death, but to the other, the fragrance of life (Second Corinthians 2:15-16). Although a great multitude will be saved during the judgments of the Great Tribulation (7:9 and 14), there will be even more who determine to resist all the more stubbornly (6:15-17, 9:20-21, and 16:9). Similarly, the teaching of the book of Revelation today will bring great blessing to many but repel others, bringing only ridicule or anger.⁵²¹

Therefore, a remarkable principle is stated here. The greater the awareness of the full implications of the gospel and its ultimate conclusion in the book of Revelation, the more divisive it becomes. Nevertheless, it must still be proclaimed. The angel is speaking here, but obviously echoing the words of Messiah, saying: Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile. The unrighteous will confirm their unrighteousness by continuing in it, which will naturally happen when God’s revelation is rejected. But, on the other hand, let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy (22:11). The righteous, however, will confirm their righteousness by continuing to be righteous, which will naturally happen if Christ’s revelation is accepted (Dani’el 12:10; Ezeki’el 3:27).⁵²² It is sobering to realize that your response to God’s revelation will determine your eternal destiny. When you die, or when the Lord returns, your position with regard to Yeshua will be fixed forever. Those who respond to the warning of Revelation and accept Jesus Christ will spend eternity in heaven; however, those who fail to repent and reject Him will live forever apart from Him in a sinful state. The teaching of Revelation draws this line in the sand for everyone. Life has many choices, eternity has only two. Which one do you choose?

Dear Heavenly Father, You are the best choice that anyone could ever make! When we choose to live for You now on earth, though others may laugh and ridicule or even hurt us, but that will soon be over and forever all who love You will live with You in your home in heaven of eternal peace and joy! I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). Words cannot express our love and gratitude for Your great love and mercy to all who choose to follow You. We can hardly wait to spend eternity with You praising Yourholy, great and awesome Name forever! We love You! In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen

The speaker is no longer the angel but the Messiah, saying: Behold, I AM coming quickly! Twice He has indicated that He will come like a thief (3:3, 16:15), first as a threat, then as a promise. My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what they have done (Revelation 22:12, also see Psalm 62:12; Isaiah 40:10 and 62:11). The coming of the Rapture will bring reward to believers (to see link click Cc – For We Must All Appear Before the Bema Seat of Christ) for their work done while in the Body of Christ, and the purpose of the Second Coming will be to give judgment to unbelievers. Date setting is not warranted. Family Radio, based out of Oakland, California, foolishly set the date of May 21, 2011, as the end of the world! The Jehovah’s Witnesses have also set dates of 1914, 1918, 1925, 1975, and 1989 as the end of the world with similar success. Rather, believers should live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:12b-13).

Once again Christ is described as the Alpha and the Omega (the first and last letters in the Greek alphabet), the First (existing before anything) and the Last (who will live forever), the Beginning and the End (22:13). Messiah is before all Creation and He will continue to exist after the present creation is destroyed. He is the Eternal One (1:4, 8, 17, 2:8 and 21:6; Isaiah 44:6).⁵²³

Blessed are those believers who wash their robes in the blood of Christ because they will receive reward for their deeds. This is, of course, an earlier reference to the Tribulation martyrs who washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (7:14). They will have access to the New Jerusalem and its tree of life and permission to go through the gates into the City (22:14). This is the last of seven blessings in the book of Revelation (1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, 22:14).

It is only those who keep His commands who will have the right to the tree of life, not because they have obeyed the commands, but because their saving faith in Messiah has both compelled and enabled them to keep them. Their faith cannot be seen outwardly, but their love of Christ’s commands is obvious, and will demonstrate to all the genuineness of their inward faith.⁵²⁴ These have taken the narrow gate that Yeshua said leads to life and only a few find it, but most will enter through the wide and broad gate that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

In contrast to these believers, judgment is pronounced on the rebels who have rejected the grace of our Lord. Their names are not written in the Lamb’s book of life (21:27) and they will be confined for eternity in the lake of fire (20:15). Outside of the holy City are the dogs. The book of Deuteronomy illustrates the figurative use of the word dog in the Bible to mean a homosexual male prostitute. Deuteronomy reads: No daughter of Isra’el is to be a female prostitute (k’deshah), nor is a son of Isra’el to be a male prostitute (kadesh). You are to bring neither the wages of a female prostitute (zonah) nor the wages of a dog, or a male prostitute (kelev), into the house of ADONAI your God in payment of a vow; both of them are an abomination (Deuteronomy 23:17-18). For the B’rit Chadashah’s attitude toward homosexuality see Romans Ak – The Pagan Gentile.

In addition to the homosexuals, outside are those who practice magic arts (9:21, 18:23, 21:8 and 27), the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and the vile. And lest anyone feel self-righteous because they are free from such gross sins, the Lord adds liars, or those who practice falsehood, to the list as well (22:15). Although some believers have been guilty of these very same practices, they have had their robes washed in the blood of the Lamb and are acceptable to Him. But those who refuse to come to Messiah will receive their just reward for their sins. Though the world is very wicked, the Lord is faithful. Jesus will bring every single sin into judgment.

These Words Are Trustworthy and True
22: 6-9

These words are trustworthy and true DIG: How do we know that the words of this book are trustworthy and true? How do the words, in the twinkling of an eye, sum up the theme of Revelation? What was John’s mistake that we read about in this section?

REFLECT: What does it mean to you to know that Jesus Christ is a truth teller? What are the blessings associated with this book? What, or who, are you worshiping other than God? Sports? Music? A spouse? Education? You fill in the blank!

With the vision of the New Jerusalem, John’s prophecy is complete. Now God Himself, and Jesus in particular, authenticate all that John had written. ADONAI, who had inspired all the other books of the Bible, also inspired the book of Revelation. The specific means of revelation to John was a holy angel.

The angel said to him: These words are trustworthy and true (22:6a). The angel assures John that what he has seen and heard in the whole revelation of the future is true and reliable. He was not merely dreaming.⁵¹⁷ Everything he saw and heard was true. We can be sure that He who is called Faithful and True (19:11), will speak words that are trustworthy and true (21:5).

Dear Heavenly Father, You are so wonderful! It will be worth it all! Your promise of heaven for all who love and worship You will come true. The trials of life will all be gone. Our time to show You our love on earth is short. We desire to make wise use of this time for we are so grateful for all You have done to rescue and save all who will choose to come to love and to follow You. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29). You are worthy of all our love, even though it may bring us trials and death. For death is a conquered enemy (First Corinthians 15:54-57). Indeed, death for those who love You (Romans 10:9-10), could be thought of as heaven’s calling card to a life of eternal peace and joy! We  love You and delight in serving You, no matter what it may cost us – for our eyes are on You and all eternity! In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection Amen  

The Lord, the God of the holy prophets, sent His angel to show His servants the things that must soon take place in the prophetic future (22:6b). The book of Revelation ends the same way it begins, with a promise of blessing to those who read the words of this prophecy, hear it and take to heart what is written (1:3). This is the exact opposite of many Bible teachers. They find Revelation to be an impossible mystery for which there is no answer today. This book is the Word of God and not the bizarre dreams or overactive imagination on John’s part. It is not an allegory from which readers can extract hidden meanings. Everything he said will come to pass. When taken in its literal, ordinary meaning, this is exactly what it does, even though much of Revelation is written in symbolic form. The Word of God is not written to be difficult to understand. It was given to be understood by those taught by the Holy Spirit.⁵¹⁸

The book of Revelation ends the same way it begins, with a promise of blessing to those read the words of this prophecy, hear it and obey what is written (1:3). Believers are called not only to hear the Word, but also to obey it. Jesus said: If you love Me, you will obey with I command . . . If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love (John 14:15, 15:10). The need to obey the Bible was strongly emphasized in John’s first epistle. He wrote: We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, “I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in Him (First John 2:3-4); This is how we know that we live as the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands (First John 5:2-3). Those who live as if Yeshua could come at any moment will obey His Word.

The word and marks a change in speakers. The speaker is no longer the angel, but the Lord Jesus Christ. He said: And behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed are those who keep the words of the prophecy of this book because they will be ready for Messiah’s Coming (22:7). This is the sixth of seven blessings in the book of Revelation (1:3, 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, here and 22:14). I use the phrase coming quickly here. People get the wrong impression when someone says, “Jesus will come very soon.” The Greek word tachos can be translated quickly or soon. From the divine perspective both are true; however, the context determines which should be used. What we should say is, “When Jesus comes, it will happen quickly, in the twinkling of an eye.” The context in this verse does not imply shortness, but suddenness. Rabbi Sha’ul said it this way: We will all be changed in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead in Christ will be raised imperishable (First Corinthians 15:51b-52).

Jesus does not command believers to read Revelation merely to satisfy their curiosity about the future. He did not inspire it to provide material for end-time seminars. It was not God’s purpose to give us a detailed analysis of the prophetic significance of current cultural, political, military or social events. God inspired Revelation for one purpose: to reveal the glory of His Son and call believers to godly, obedient lives. The purpose of the book is not to provide entertainment, but to provide motivation for godly living.⁵¹⁹

The word and appears once more and marks the change of speaker. The speaker is no longer Yeshua, but John, who named himself for the first time since 1:9. He said: I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things (22:8a). John now adds his own testimony for the benefit of his readers. Those first readers in the seven churches of Asia Minor knew him personally. They loved and honored him. Thus, he assures them again (1:9, 21:2) that he had actually seen and heard the tremendous events that he was reporting.⁵²⁰

Then overcome by what he had heard and seen them, John fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to him (22:8b). He had the right response, but being overwhelmed with the grandeur of the scene he mistakenly directed his reverence to the angel. He knew this was wrong. In fact, he had already been reprimanded for attempting to do so earlier (19:10). But like Ezeki’el (Ezeki’el 1:28), Dani’el (Dani’el 8:17, 10:9), and Peter, James and himself at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:6), John fell face down in awe and worship at the feet of the angel.

Since God alone is to be worshiped, the angel warned him, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book” (22:9a). Angels are servants of God. They helped to put the Torah into effect (Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2) and are often seen protecting believers (Exodus 23:20; 2 Chronicles 32:21; Psalm 91:11; Dani’el 3:28, 6:22; Acts 5:19, 12:7-11). Summarizing the ministry of angels, the writer to the Hebrews asks rhetorically: Are not all angels ministering spirits to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14)?

Jolting the confused apostle back to his senses, the angle commanded John to worship God (22:9b)! Only God is worthy of our worship. The Bible forbids us to worship anyone, including angels, saints, the Virgin Mary, or anything else. This is also a sharp rebuke to all those who feel they must have aids in order to worship God. Such things as images, a solemn atmosphere, excitement, prayer beads, ornaments, icons, a special building, a prayer room, nor anything else is needed to worship God. If not even a mighty angel of God provides a suitable atmosphere for worship, surely nothing we can make can add to it. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).

When God made His covenant with Isra’el, He exhorted them, saying: Do not worship any other god, for ADONAI, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). We think of jealous as a negative term. So what is God jealous of? Everything! Our time. Our thoughts. Our heart. Or anything else that gets in between Him and you. But actually the meaning here of Him being jealous is that He can tolerate no rivals and is zealous for your worship. He does not want to share His honor and glory with anything or anybody. When I married my wife Beth, I vowed that she would always be number two in my life. Where is ADONAI in yours?

Pay Attention! I Am Coming Soon
22: 6-21

Here John, the human author under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, brings the book of Revelation to a close. Although falling into a number of short sections, it emphasizes two major themes: first, the authenticity of the book as a divine revelation, or coming from God Himself, and secondly, the imminence of the return of Yeshua Messiah. Having taken the reader through the amazing sweep of future history all the way to into the Eternal State, all that’s left for John to record is this divine ending. By this point in the book all the glorious purposes that God commanded before the foundation of the world will have been accomplished. The devastating judgments of the Great Tribulation will have been carried out and their memory long forgotten. The Lord Jesus Christ will have returned in blazing glory, executed His enemies, and reigned over the earth for a thousand years. All rebels, both angels and humans, will have been sentenced to their eternal punishment in the lake of fire. The present universe will have been “uncreated,” and the eternal new heaven and the new earth created, in which the KING of kings and LORD of lords will be reigning with His Father. Believers from all the ages, both Jew and Gentile, will live in the light of the Sh’khinah glory. Absolute and unchanging holiness will characterize all who live in the capital city of the New Jerusalem. They will constantly praise, worship, and serve the Trinity throughout all eternity in an environment of perfect peace, joy and fulfillment.⁵¹⁶

Dear Heavenly Father, How wonderful it will be to live worshipping You forever! I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (First Corinthians 15:50-57). We delight in the thought of praising Your glorious name forever! In your holy Yeshua’s name and power of His resurrection. Amen

They Will See His Face,
and His Name Will Be On Their Foreheads
22: 3-5

They will see His face, and His Name will be on their foreheads DIG: What will the removal of the curse mean? Where else in the Bible does it say that His name will be on our foreheads? What does that represent? What is Jesus’ promise to him who overcomes?

REFLECT: Sometimes the Bible tells us something that is hard for us to understand or accept. How do you feel when it says that the LORD will serve us? Does it frighten you to think of seeing God face to face? 

John continues to contrast between life in this age and the age to come. This age is characterized by evil, sin, and many other things that fall under the divine curse (Genesis 3:17-19). But under conditions in the Eternal State, we and the earth will be completely transformed, and there will no longer be any curse (22:3a).⁵¹² Jesus not only bore the curse, He was made the curse for us (Galatians 3:13). Therefore, God in perfect justice can remove the curse forever because He was satisfied with Messiah’s sacrifice on the cross. In the entire world and throughout the ages, no one will ever die again. No one will suffer pain or sorrow of tears ever again, and death is swallowed up in victory. Like the first heaven and the first earth, all these former things are passed away.⁵¹³

The throne of God the Father and the Lamb Jesus Christ will be in the City and reign for all time. Therefore, His servants will serve Him (22:3b). This reveals that heaven is not a place of idleness, but a place of ceaseless activity. It will not be necessary to rest in order to give the body an opportunity to recover. The word for service is a special one in the sense that it came to be used by the Jews to denote their service to God as His special people. The writer to the Hebrews said: Then indeed, even the TaNaKh had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. . . Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the Most Holy Place, performing the service of God (Hebrews 9:1 and 6 NKJ). It will be a special service to ADONAI that you and I will perform in the Eternal State. What is it? I do not know. Perhaps each of us will be assigned an entire galaxy to explore and develop for the glory of the LORD. Remember that Adam was given the responsibility to work and take care of the perfect garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15a). Or perhaps each one of use will continue to develop the spiritual gifts that we had while living on the old earth. But whatever it is, we will at last fulfill our destiny and satisfy the desires of our heart.⁵¹⁴

Having unimpeded fellowship with the Lord, believers in the New Jerusalem will see His face (22:4a). Before the Eternal State this was not possible. When Moses wanted to see ADONAI’s Sh’khinah glory, he was warned: But you cannot see My face, for no one in a sinful state may see Me and live (Exodus 33:20). It would kill Moses instantly. The Scriptures are full of examples showing that mankind cannot see God (Exodus 3:6; Judges 13:22; Job 13:20). The LORD is sinless and holy, whereas mankind is sinful and unholy. But in the Eternal State, believers will be perfect and righteous and will be able to endure the Sh’khinah glory from God’s presence without being killed – something not possible for sinful human beings (John 1:18, 6:46; First Timothy 6:16; First John 4:12).

And His name will be on their foreheads (22:4b). Throughout the Bible, a name on the forehead points to ownership. We will be Yeshua’s personal possession. At the foot of Mount Sinai, ADONAI told the Israelites to fix His word in their hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hand and bind them on your foreheads (Deut 11:18). This was a symbol of His ownership of them; they were to be His chosen people.

When Ezeki’el was in exile from the Land in Babylon, the Spirit lifted him up and in visions of God he was taken back to Jerusalem. There he was shown the spiritual adultery that was taking place within the Temple itself. Then ADONAI called a scribe with a writing kit at his side to go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that were being done in the city. The Lord knew who had been faithful to Him and would spare those who were His. God then told the guards to follow the scribe through the city and kill those without the mark were destroyed without showing mercy. But He added: Do not touch anyone who has the mark because they belong to Me (Ez 9:1-6).

As the four angels who had been given the power to harm the land and the sea were ready to hold back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing, another mighty angel cried out: Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the 144,000 servants of God (7:2-3). Later, we find out that the seal was the Lamb’s name and His Father’s name written on their foreheads (14:1). These 144,000 will be servants, and their Master will be Jesus Christ Himself.

In the fifth trumpet judgment, a swarm of demons still under the Lord’s control were released from the Abyss. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads (9:4). In other words, the 144,000 or other believers were not to be harmed because they were His own adopted children (Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5).

In the end times, Satan will counterfeit the seal of God on the foreheads of believers. The false prophet will introduce his own counterfeit mark, the famous mark of the beast (13:16-18). By placing the mark on their forehead or right hand, the unbelievers of the earth will place themselves under the authority of the antichrist and worship him as god. On the other hand, the Tribulation martyrs are seen under the altar of incense in heaven (6:9-11). They had been beheaded because they refused to worship the beast and had not received his mark on their foreheads (20:4).

Finally, here in the Eternal State, we see once again that His name will be on their foreheads. This should not come as any surprise to us, since this has been His plan all along. After telling Isra’el that He would make a New Covenant with them, ADONAI said: This is the covenant I will make with the house of Isra’el. I will put My Torah in their minds and write it on their hearts; I will be their God, and they will be My people (see the commentary on Jeremiah, to see link click Eo – The Days are Coming, declares the LORD, When I Will Make a Covenant with the People of Isra’el).

Then John repeats his earlier description of the greatness of heaven by saying: There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the LORD God will give them light (22:5a). The Sh’khinah glory will provide all the light necessary for all eternity. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard. . . the things which God has prepared for those who love Him (First Corinthians 2:9).

And then John adds a final high point in describing believer’s heavenly experience. It will never end because God the Father and the Lamb Jesus Christ will reign forever and ever (22:5b). That will be the fulfillment of Christ’s promise to the church in Philadelphia: The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the Temple of My God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven (3:12).

The eternal capital city of heaven, the New Jerusalem, will be a place of indescribable, unimaginable beauty. From the center of it the brilliant Sh’khinah glory will shine through the gold and precious stones to illuminate the heavenly City. But the most glorious reality of all will be that sinful rebels will be made righteous, enjoy intimate fellowship with God and the Lamb, serve them, and reign with them forever in joy and never-ending praise.⁵¹⁵

Dear Heavenly Father, You are Awesome! It is so glorious to think of seeing Your face and having Your name on each of Your children (John 1:12). The trails of life will all be gone and the joy of a love relationship with You that we began on earth, will continue for all eternity! My heart is so full of gratitude for all that You have done and all that You are. Words cannot express how thankful and grateful Your children are. We bow in reverence, worshipping You and looking forward to praising Your great and holy name forever! In the name of holy Yeshua and the power of His resurrection. Amen

Then the Angel Showed Me the River of the Water of Life,
Clear as Crystal
22: 1-2

Then the angel showed me the River of the Water of Life, clear as crystal DIG: What is the source of the river of life? Where will it flow? What will it do? Where is the Lamb? Why is this important? What was on each side of the river? Is there sickness in the Eternal State? What did the leaves of the tree do? Who will have access to the tree of life and the Holy City?

REFLECT: When you have physical problems, how does the health-giving attributes of the tree of life encourage you today? What will it be like to walk down the main thoroughfare of the great City? What will the leaves and fruit of the tree be like?

In this final chapter in the Holy Scriptures John continues to describe the New Jerusalem, and then ushers us on into eternity. When he closes with the last invitation, last warning and last prayer, the Bible is complete. All we need to know will have been revealed and recorded. Now we must wait expectedly for its fulfillment.

We were told at the beginning of the book that there is a blessing for the one who reads the words of this prophecy (1:3). So here at the end of Revelation, we can finally begin to comprehend, in some small way, Christ’s indescribable gift of eternal life (Second Corinthians 9:15) to sinners who had earned the wage of eternal death (Romans 6:23). Having heard and believed the word of life (Philippians 2:16), having feasted on the bread of life (John 6:35) and drunk deeply of the water of life (Revelation 21:6), assured that their names are indelibly written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 3:5), and knowing that they will receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10), they will have eternal access to the tree of life (see the commentary on Revelation Ga – I Am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the Bright Morning Star).⁵⁰³

Dear Heavenly Father, As I think of living with You forever in eternal peace and joy, my heart is filled to overflowing with gratefulness for who You are! You are so gracious to give us Yeshua’s righteousness. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (Second Corinthians 5:21). You have given Your Spirit to live within believers: I [Yeshua] will send Him to you (John 16:7c). Not only did You pay our penalty for our sin, but You graciously put our sins as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalms 103:12). We love You and delight in worshipping and serving You. In the holy name of Yeshua and the power of His resurrection. Amen

So far, John had only described the outer beauty of the New Jerusalem, with merely a quick glance at the golden street within it jasper walls. Now he will enter into the City itself, getting an introduction to the glory that has been prepared for our delight. The most noticeable of all is the mighty river of clear sparkling water (Psalm 46:4). Then the angel showed him the river of the water of life (22:1a). Since there was no longer any sea (21:1), the inexhaustible water supply of this mighty river will supply whatever hydrologic needs the new earth will have. This water will be as clear as crystal, just like the jasper walls of the City (21:11). There surely will be an abundance of luxurious grasses, herbs and trees everywhere, as in the original created world. The whole earth will be a well-watered paradise of rich resources and fulfilling ministries for His people.⁵⁰⁴

The source of this river is not the rain and the hydrologic system, it will constantly flow from God’s throne to God’s people. We are reminded that ADONAI will make everything new (21:5)! We learn from the Psalms that there will be a river whose streams make glad the City of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. The LORD is within her (Psalm 46:4-5a). So while the river is literal, its symbolism is clear. Out of the throne of God and the Lamb will flow pure water, symbolic of the holiness and purity of the LORD and the City. This reference to a river should not be confused with the Millennial river as seen in Ezeki’el 47:1, 12, or Zechariah 14:8. The river of life will be part of the New Jerusalem. It will flow down the middle of the great street, best translated in the middle of its path, or the down the main thoroughfare of the City (22:1c).⁵⁰⁵

It is significant that the Lamb is pictured on the throne. Some have said that when the end comes and Christ hands over the Kingdom to God the Father after He has destroyed all dominion, authority and power of the devil, that His reign will end. But the fact that He is pictured on the throne during the Eternal State shows us that the Messiah is King of kings and Lord of lords for all eternity (17:14, 19:16).

On each side of the river stood the tree of life. The placement of the street, the river, and the tree is less than clear. It seems that the tree is large enough to span the river, so that the river is in the middle of the great street, and the tree is on both sides of the river. The tree of life that existed in the garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9, 3:11, 22-24), will now return. It will be characterized by productivity, bearing twelve kinds of fruit each month of the year.⁵⁰⁶ Just as Jesus ate and drank after being raised from the dead, believers will eat and drink in the Holy City. The fact that months are identified as such in the New Jerusalem indicates that the orbital and rotational motions of the earth will go on as God established in the very beginning and that the moon likewise will continue orbiting around the earth.⁵⁰⁷

Presumably this means not only that everything will be made new but also that everything will then stay new. The law of entropy will no long apply. Nothing will wear out or decay, no one will age or atrophy any more. Every tree will bear fruit abundantly and eternally. All things will remain eternally young and fresh and new, just as they were in the week of creation itself.⁵⁰⁸

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. The word healing, or therapeian, can be understood as health-giving. The English word therapeutic is derived from this Greek word. Even though there is no sickness in the Eternal State, the tree’s fruit and leaves seem to contribute to the physical well-being of believers.⁵⁰⁹ The leaves of the tree will be like supernatural vitamins, since vitamins are taken not to treat illness, but to promote general health. Life in heaven will be fully energized, rich and exciting.⁵¹⁰ The word nations means Gentiles. This again shows that the Jewish-Gentile distinction will continue though there will be no functional difference.

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3:1-7) caused Adam and Eve to know right from wrong. It is how they learned what sin was. That tree caused their spiritual death (the separation of their soul and spirit from God) and their physical death (separation of their soul and spirit from the body), and as a result cost them immortality. The tree of life, however, does the opposite. Eating its fruit brings them immortality.⁵¹¹

Nothing Impure Will Enter the New Jerusalem
21: 22-27

Nothing impure will enter the New Jerusalem. DIG: Why is there no Temple in the New Jerusalem? Why will nothing impure, shameful or deceitful be allowed to enter the Holy City?

REFLECT: With all the filth in the world, can you imagine living forever with nothing impure to deal with?

With all the great structures and spectacular sights of the New Jerusalem, there does seem to be one surprising omission. In the old Jerusalem one great building had dominated both the landscape and the social life of the City. Set high on Mount Zion was the beautiful Temple of God. The people brought their sacrifices and offerings. But most important of all, it was where the Lord met His people.

But during the Eternal State (to see link click Fq – The Eternal State), ADONAI will dwell with His people in the New Jerusalem! The Lamb of God, who is the sacrifice for sins, will reign there on His throne. At that time, every believer will be a priest in service to the King of kings. There will no longer be any need for a physical structure, and you could look for all eternity and not find such a building. Nevertheless, there is a Temple there.⁴⁹⁹

John did not see a Temple in the City. In addition to the absence of the sea, the absence of the Temple is another difference between the Millennial Kingdom and the Eternal State. Since all the purposes of the earthly Temple will have been completed, no physical structure will be built in the Holy City. Even the New Jerusalem, before its descent to the earth, had a Temple (11:19) and an altar (8:3-5), but both of these will be removed for all time once their purpose is served. There will be no need for a physical structure because ADONAI, God of heaven’s angelic armies (CJB) will be its Temple, as will be the Lamb (21:22). There will be no need for anyone to go anywhere to worship the LORD. Life will be worship and worship will be life. Believers will constantly be in His presence (21:3). There will never be a moment when they will not be in perfect, holy communion with God.⁵⁰⁰

Dear Heavenly Father, How wonderful You are! It is such a joy to think of You and how loving and holy You are. Youare always perfect and could not get any better. You are always the Best! You rescued us from sin, giving us the perfect righteousness of Yeshua (Second Corinthians 5:21). It cost You so much and we want to give back love to You by our righteous. We are not doing these to earn salvation, for no one can be good enough to enter your perfect heaven, but we desire to show our genuine love for You by our actions. In all this [new birth into a living hope] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (First Peter 1:4c-7). We love to live for You, even when it costs us pain. These trials will be over so soon and heaven is eternal! I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). We humbly bow in worship of You, loving You always! In the holy name of Yeshua and the power of His resurrection. Amen

The City does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it. Since ADONAI is light and in Him there is no darkness at all (First John 1:5), it would be improper for the New Jerusalem to fall under the darkness of night. In the LORD’s intrinsic nature He lives in unapproachable light, which no one has seen or can see (First Timothy 6:16), at least in a natural body before the first resurrection (20:5-6). Just as the Sh’khinah glory of the LORD filled ancient Temple (First Kings 8:10-11), and then filled the Millennial Temple (Haggai 2:7-9; Ezeki’el 44:4), so will His Sh’khinah glory illuminate the New Jerusalem. For the Sh’khinah glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp for the Eternal State (21:23).

Neither the sun nor the moon will ever be destroyed because ADONAI has promised that they will endure forever and ever (Psalm 148:3 and 6; Dani’el 12:3). Nevertheless, their light will not be needed anymore to illuminate the New Jerusalem, for the Sh’khinah glory will be its light. The sun and the moon, however, will continue to function as they always have, serving as lights by day and by night for the other parts of the world.

Isaiah prophesied that the walls of this magnificent City will be called Salvation, and its gates will be called Praise. The inspired prophet wrote: The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for ADONAI will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; The LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will end. Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the Land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of My hands, for the display of My splendor. The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I AM ADONAI and in its time I will do this swiftly (Is 60:19-22).

The Gentile nations will walk by its light, as well as those who served as kings of the earth in the old order. The Gentiles will go to the New Jerusalem to give it glory and honor (21:24 and 26). The mention of the nations, or Gentiles, shows that the distinction between Jews and Gentiles will continue for all eternity. But in the Eternal State, there will be no functional difference between them as there was in the Messianic Kingdom (see Fi – The Government of the Messianic Kingdom). In the Eternal Order, believers will consist of peoples from every nation and tribe and people and tongue (7:9), but will not lose their national identity. John’s message is consistent with the statements of the prophets: And many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of Jacob” (Isaiah 2:3) . . . This supports the universality of the knowledge of God as promised in Jeremiah’s announcement of the New Covenant (Jer 31:31-33).⁵⁰¹

On no day will its gates ever be shut throughout eternity, for there will be no night there (21:25). Unlike earthly cities, whose walls and gates were needed for protection, the Holy City has no enemies. All people are welcome. Like Yeshua said Himself: I AM the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture (John 10:9). The fact that the gates of the New Jerusalem will never be shut is a picture of complete security.

When ADONAI created Adam and Eve He placed them in His perfect creation, the Garden of Eden. Then He allowed Satan to enter the Garden and tempt them. The result was that sin entered the world. But the LORD will never allow this to happen again. The righteous will live in the Eternal City, but nothing unrighteous will ever be allowed to enter it. The New Jerusalem will be completely kosher! Nothing unclean will ever enter it (see the commentary on Leviticus Bk – Ritually Clean and Unclean Animals), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful (21:27a). It will not be possible for the purity of the City to ever be defiled by some unclean thought or impure motive. All believers will have long since been conformed to the likeness of Christ (Romans 8:29) and purified themselves just as He is pure (First John 3:3). However, all those who practiced wickedness will have been imprisoned long ago in the lake of fire, hidden somewhere in the corner of the universe, never to be heard from again.

Those who enter the City are not the wicked and defiant, but those believers whose names have been written in the Lamb’s book of life (21:27b), saved before the creation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). All who enter the New Jerusalem are the objects of God’s grace, otherwise they would be excluded. It will be a perfect environment in contrast to the centuries of human sin and misery. Believers will enjoy this perfect life throughout all eternity to come.⁵⁰²

The New Jerusalem had a Great, High Wall
with Twelve Gates
21: 11-21

The New Jerusalem had a great, high wall with twelve gates DIG: Why will heaven need a great high wall? What is the significance of having the names of the twelve apostles as the twelve foundations and the twelve tribes of Isra’el on the twelve gates of the Holy City?

REFLECT: When you think of this scene, what comes to your mind? Can you imagine yourself there? Why or why not? Will it be worth the trials of this life?

Human language is inadequate to really describe the unimaginable splendor of the believers’ eternal home. However, some do not take the language of the Bible at face value. They seek some hidden meaning behind John’s description. But if the words do not mean what they say, who has the authority to say what they mean? Abandoning the literal meaning of these verses only leads to groundless and futile speculation. The truth about heaven is more than described here, but certainly not less than what is described here. It is a real, physical, material creation, yet so unique as to be unimaginable to us. The inspired words of John provide us with all the detail we need to excite our hope.⁴⁸⁹

As tenuous as our earthly citizenship is, our ultimate citizenship is in heaven. Sha’ul said it this way: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21).

It is little wonder that citizens of this world feel so insecure. Stress is a leading cause of physical illness. More money is spent on the temporary cures for anxiety than on any other consumer need. We mask our pain with prescription drugs or the escapes of alcohol, drugs, sex and food. Many people realize those habits are destructive, so they devote their lives to the preservation and glorification of their physical bodies.

Our hope doesn’t lie in a false assurance that we will never die; rather, our hope lies in the Resurrection. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as His children, and the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved (Ro 8:23-24a). If we only have the security of this world, we would have little hope, but our citizenship is in heaven. We are subject to a different King, whose Kingdom is not of this world, and as such, we will live in a Holy City.

The Holy City will be like no other city. The greatest of all human cities had been mighty Babylon the Great, dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls (17:4). The New Jerusalem, on the other hand, will shine with the Sh’khinah glory of God, and its brilliance will be like that of a very precious jewel that will look like jasper, clear as crystal (21:11). The word jasper in ancient times was not limited to the type of stone we call jasper today, but describes a translucent stone. Thus, the New Jerusalem is pictured as a huge, flawless diamond, refracting the Sh’khinah glory, or the visible manifestation of God, throughout the new heaven and the new earth.

This will be the same Sh’khinah glory that filled the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 40:34), and the Temple of Solomon (Second Chronicles 5:14). When the Lord Jesus had tabernacled among us, the glory of God was visible in a different sense, and we have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). In heaven, the Tabernacle of God, Yeshua Messiah, is finally dwelling with men (21:3), and His Sh’khinah glory will illuminate the New Jerusalem forever more.

It had a great, high wall emphasizing its security, with twelve gates. The millennial Temple had the same configuration (Ezeki’el 48:31-34). Although their dimensions are not given, it is likely that each gate extends to the top of the high wall. Unlike earthly cities, however, the wall is not for protection from enemies, for its gates are always open and there are no enemies to fear. It undoubtedly speaks of strength and eternal security, but perhaps most of all it is a structure of incomparable beauty.⁴⁹⁰ No details are given about the size or height of the wall at this point.

On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Isra’el (21:12). This will be the same as the Millennial Temple (Ezeki’el 48:31-34). Those who believe in “Replacement Theology,” (who believe that all of ADONAI’s promises to Isra’el have been forfeited by her and given to the Church) have a tough time with this verse. For all eternity the twelve tribes of Isra’el will be remembered. The LORD has not replaced Isra’el with the Church. These gates will be an eternal reminder that it was through the faith of Abraham, Isaac and Isra’el, with the twelve sons of Isra’el that the Gentiles first entered into the great family and City of God.

Furthermore, continually standing watch at the twelve gates will be twelve of ADONAI’s holy angels (21:12a). These will not be guardian angels, since there will be no more need for protection. They will be ministering spirits, serving those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14), entering or leaving the City of the living God. Since there will be thousands upon thousands of angels (Hebrews 12:22b), it seems that there will be a rotation of angels assigned to these heavenly gates. Each ready to go and serve wherever and whenever needed.⁴⁹¹

There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west (21:13). Everything in eternity will face in toward the New Jerusalem, for the LORD will be there. On each gate is the name of one of the tribes of Isra’el. This is very striking and suggests the order that the children of Isra’el camped around the Tabernacle in the wilderness wanderings (see my commentary on Exodus, to see link click Ep – The Camp of the Twelve Tribes of Isra’el).⁴⁹²

The wall of the city will have twelve foundations emphasizing its permanence. Each foundation will have the name of one the twelve apostles of the Lamb on it (21:14). Satan tries to copy everything ADONAI does. This explains why the rebuilt city of Babylon will have the names of blasphemy (17:3) written on it. But in contrast to the names of blasphemy, the names of the twelve apostles will be remembered for all eternity. This is important because the Bible tells us that God’s household will be built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19b-20).⁴⁹³

The number twelve is prominent in the New Jerusalem with twelve gates and twelve angels standing watch over them (21:12), twelve tribes of Isra’el (21:12), twelve foundations (21:14), twelve apostles (21:14), twelve pearls (21:21), twelve different kinds of fruit (22:2), with a wall 144 cubits thick, or twelve times twelve (21:16-17), and the height, length and width of the Holy City being 12,000 stadia.⁴⁹⁴ Twelve, like the number seven seems to represent completeness of the Lord’s plan.

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of God to measure the city, its gates and its walls (21:15). The measurements of the City emphasize its spaciousness. The City was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. To impress upon John the tremendous dimensions of the city, the angel actually measured the city himself with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, about 1,500 miles or 2,200 kilometers, and as wide and as high as it is long (21:16). A similar reed, although not gold, was used to measure the Tribulation temple (11:1). In both cases the measuring process points to judgment. In the case of the apostate Tribulation Temple, it and its worshipers failed to measure up to God’s standards and its dimensions were not even recorded. Yet, with the heavenly City all the dimensions are measured and meticulously recorded, satisfying ADONAI’s highest standards of perfection. The fact that its dimensions are to be measured tells us that it is a real place and not an allegory.

There has never been a city like this one. Using these measurements, there would be enough room for 3,375,000,000 people, each with one cubic mile. He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits, or about 216 feet or 65 meters high, by man’s measurement, which the angel was using (21:17). That’s the height of a twenty-story building. This City would stretch from about the eastern seaboard of the United States to the Mississippi River on one side, and from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico on the other.⁴⁹⁵

The dimensions of the wall are amazing; however, the material they are made of is even more amazing. The wall was made of transparent jasper, and the entire cubed City will be made of pure gold, as clear as glass (21:18). The gold in heaven is so flawless that, like the jasper stone, it is crystal clear. The words pure and clear in are actually the same Greek word, katharos, pointing to the flawless perfection of the materials used to construct the heavenly Jerusalem. People will be able to see through it into the Holy City, and the Sh’khinah glory will radiate out through it.

There are twelve different stones for the twelve foundations. These foundations do not rest beneath the ground like foundations normally do, but were visible to all because each foundation is inscribed with the name of one of the twelve apostles (21:14). The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone (Isaiah 54:11-12). The first foundation was a Jasper, a translucent stone like a diamond, the second a clear blue sapphire, the third a greenish chalcedony, the fourth a bright green emerald, the fifth a reddish white sardonyx, the sixth fiery red sardis, the seventh a golden yellow chrysolite, the eighth an aqua green beryl, the ninth a transparent greenish yellow topaz, the tenth a golden green chrysoprase, the eleventh a violet jacinth, and the twelfth a purple amethyst (21:19-20). There is no way of knowing which stone goes with each apostle. In the same way, there is no apparent correlation with the order of the stones in the breastpiece of the high priest (Exodus 28:17-20), or the stones in the heavenly garden (Ezeki’el 28:13), to these stones. The purpose of John’s description is to help us try to understand the indescribable beauty of the New Jerusalem.

The great street of the City is a mystery. Will this City, with a circumference of 1,500 miles long, 1,500 miles wide and 1,500 miles high have only one street? Or will one of the streets be called the great street? We simply don’t know. But what we do know is that it will be made of pure gold, like transparent glass (21:21).⁴⁹⁶ All this goes to show that the new heaven and the new earth and the New Jerusalem are beautiful, valuable, wondrous and glorious beyond anything we can know or imagine.⁴⁹⁷

The Holy City will have twelve gates made of twelve pearls. Each gate is made of a single gigantic pearl and seems to reach to the top of the twenty-story jasper wall. These gates are never closed (21:25), so they are really huge holes in the jasper wall. But in each open doorway there is one magnificent flawless pearl. How appropriate! All other precious gems are metals or stones, but a pearl is a gem formed within the oyster – the only one formed by living flesh. The humble oyster receives an irritation or wound, and around the offending object that has hurt it, it builds a pearl. It grows out of pain, suffering and finally death. The pearl, we might say, is the answer of the oyster to that which injured it. The heavenly Jerusalem is ADONAI’s answer, in Christ, to the wicked men who crucified and ridiculed Him. How like God to make the gates of the New Jerusalem out of pearl. As believers come and go they will be forever reminded, as they pass through the gates, that access to heaven is only because of the cross and the great suffering of the Messiah. His response to those who beat and tortured Him was to invite them to share His home.⁴⁹⁸

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for my citizenship in heaven. Forgive me for the times that I have sought my security in this world and lived as though I have no eternal relationship with You. I renounce the lies of Satan that my only citizenship is on earth and not in heaven. I now claim my rights and responsibilities as a citizen of heaven and declare to You to be my King. I commit myself to be Your servant and do Your will on earth as it is being done in heaven. My hope is not in this present world but in the one to come. I will seek to live a responsibly so that by Your grace, the world may see Your reflection in me and thereby glorify You – My King. In Yeshua’s precious name I pray. Amen

Come, I Will Show You the Bride,
the Wife of the Lamb
21: 9-10

Come, I will show you the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb DIG: What is it about the City that John and his readers are meant to notice in particular? What impresses you most about the City and its central figure?

REFLECT: How do you feel about the fact that the Holy City of Jerusalem will be your hometown? How do you feel about the fact that this is what Jesus has prepared for you?

God’s nature has more than one characteristic. He loves and judges; saves and condemns. Both of these characteristics are demonstrated here. Imagine, one of the same angels who poured out a bowl of ADONAI’s wrath one thousand years earlier is now inviting John to see the Lord’s love for His faithful ones. This angel was one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues (15:1). Either he or another of those seven angels had also poured out God’s judgment on the wicked city of Babylon (17:1). The book of Revelation has been called a tale of two cities – Babylon and the New Jerusalem; the prostitute and the Bride. One he saw thrown down with violence, to disappear forever (18:21); the other he saw coming down from heaven in glory to endure forever. Babylon was both a monstrous system of spiritual and political wickedness, and also a literal city that served as the capital city of Satan’s kingdom during the Millennium. On the other hand, the New Jerusalem is also both a glorious literal city as well as the universal tabernacle of God, and eternal Kingdom of righteousness.⁴⁸⁴

Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Your holy name! How wonderful to think of being Your bride! How awesome it will be to live with You in Your home in heaven in eternal peace and joy; but that is yet future and there is preparation to be done now for the wedding for the Bride. For the wedding of the Lamb has come and His Bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people) (Revelation 19:7c-8). We joyfully get ready our love gift by acts of righteous acts; which cannot save us, but are an expression of our deep love for all You have done for us – rescuing in from sin by taking our penalty and then giving us Your righteousness so we can enter heaven (Second Corinthians 5:21).

Whatever it costs us to follow You – it is worth it. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18). Trials on earth will seem so small compared to the eternal joy in heaven. We rejoice in serving You, our great and awesome Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10). In the holy name of Yeshua and His power of resurrection. Amen

Escorting John on a personal tour of heaven’s capital City, the angel came and said to the aged apostle, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the Wife of the Lamb” (21:9). The Holy City will have trees, streets, and mansions, but its true identity will be the Lamb and His Bride. The New Jerusalem is described as a bride because it draws it character from its people. Those people make up the Bride of the Lamb. However, as David Stein writes in his Jewish New Testament Commentary, there is no Church apart from the Jewish people and no Isra’el apart from the New Covenant. All those of faith, both Jew and Gentile, will comprise the Bride. As we approach the end of the book of Revelation, the figure of the Lamb becomes increasingly prominent. In the next twenty-two verses He is mentioned seven times.⁴⁸⁵

John’s amazing vision began when the angel lifted him up and carried him away in the Spirit (21:10a), similar to what Ezeki’el experienced (Ezeki’el 3:12-14, 8:3, 11:1, 11:24, 40:2,43:5). When he received the visions in the book of Revelation, John was a prisoner of the Romans on the island of Patmos (1:9). But he was transported from there in an incredible spiritual journey to see what human eyes could never see without God’s help. John’s visions were not dreams, but spiritual realities, like those Rabbi Sha’ul saw when he was also caught up to the third heaven (Second Corinthians 12:2-4).⁴⁸⁶

John’s first stop was a mountain great and high outside the City itself, in order to have a clear view from his vantage point. And he saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from ADONAI (21:10b). That emphasizes its divine origin. It is the city whose architect and builder is God (Hebrews 11:10). It will come down to the freshly created new earth from heaven where it has been for all eternity. Earlier in the chapter (21:2) Yochanan had given us a simple summary statement that the Holy City was coming down to the new earth. But his perspective seemed to be from a distance where he had observed the actual creation of the entire new earth and its atmosphere. Here, the angel seems to bring him to a closer location, where he can watch in great wonder as the glorious City moves down right past his very eyes.⁴⁸⁷

How far it will descend we do not know. Nothing is said about it coming to rest upon the new earth. It may do that, but it also may remain suspended above. One thing is for sure however, what goes on in the Holy City will be more important than what takes place on the earth because the New Jerusalem will be the capital city of God’s new creation.⁴⁸⁸

The Eternal New Jerusalem
21:9 to 22:5

On the night before His death, Jesus Christ, made a wonderful promise to all who have faith/trust/belief in Him. He said: Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am (John 14:1-3). The Father’s house Yeshua referred to is the New Jerusalem, where God will live with His people forever. It is the present heaven where God reigns with His holy angles, and where believers go when they die. The New Yerushalayim will descend from heaven to become the capital city of the new heaven and new earth (21:2-3).

Just as a person preparing to travel to a foreign country desires information about that country, so believers long for a glimpse of the glorious place where they will live eternally. Knowing their eager sense of anticipation, God has provided us with a description of heaven. Though only a precious few details are given, they are staggering nonetheless.

As the vision of the New Holy City unfolds, history will have ended and time will be no more. John and his readers are transported to the Eternal State. Having described the lake of fire, the fearful, eternal, destination of the lost, the vision takes the exiled apostle to the eternal Sabbath rest of all those of faith. Because it is the capital city of heaven and the link between the new heaven and the new earth, the New Jerusalem is central to the vision and is described in far more detail than the rest of the Eternal State.⁴⁸³

Then I Saw a New Heaven and a New Earth
21: 1-8

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth DIG: Where will the Eternal State be lived out? On earth or in heaven? Why do you think so? What things will be missing that we experience now? Why do you think John was told to write down these words that are trustworthy and true? When will the Holy City come to the earth and how far down will it come?

REFLECT: What do you think it will be like living without fear, pain, or death and with the continual and direct presence of the Lord? How does that knowledge put in perspective some of the problems you are having right now?

For ages it has seemed that futility rules the world. Year after year, the new year of hope soon becomes the old year of frustration and defeat. Resolutions to do better are regularly promised, and then as regularly broken. If God has had a purpose of the world and for mankind, it would seem to some that He has either failed or forgotten, and things keep getting worse every year. And yet ADONAI is all-powerful and all-knowing and cannot fail. He is longsuffering, but the day of the Lord will come. His purpose in creation involves a glorious future for His faithful ones, and sooner or later that purpose must be fulfilled.

Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for Your great love, justice, wisdom and power. How wonderful the thought of living with You forever in Your glorious home of eternal peace and joy and praising Your holy and great name for all eternity!  For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18). It will all be worth it. You are wonderful and heaven will be incredibly fantastic! In holy Yeshua’s name and power of His resurrection. Amen

Finally these ages of probation and testing and judgment are over. The dispensations have run their course and the times will have reached their fulfillment – to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ (Ephesians 1:10). The grand climax of the book of Revelation – indeed, the climax of the LORD’s entire revelation and all of His purposes in creation – is about to be unfolded. The most glorious chapters in the entire Bible are these last two chapters, opening up the wonders of the endless ages of eternity and the completion of the great plans of a loving God.⁴⁷⁵

Then John saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away (Isaiah 65:17, 66:22-24). The word new, or kainos, does not mean new in chronological time, but new in quality. The new heaven and earth will not just follow the present universe, but will be something brand new. ELOHIM had originally created the earth to be mankind’s permanent home. The entrance of sin, however, corrupted the earth and the universe (Job 15:15; Isaiah 24:5; Psalm 102:25-26). Therefore, God will destroy them (Second Peter 3:7) as part of His divine judgment (20:11).⁴⁷⁶

The first hint of what the new heaven and new earth will be like comes when John notices that will no longer be any sea (21:1). Today, nearly three fourths of the earth is covered by water. The sea is symbolic because all life depends on water for survival. Our blood is about ninety percent water and our skin is about sixty-five percent water. But our resurrection bodies will be completely different and we will not rely on water like we did before. The earth is the only known place in the universe where there is enough water to maintain life. With no sea, just think of all the parking space we will have!

There will be twelve things missing from the new heaven and new earth:

1. No more sea because chaos and calamity will be removed (21:1)

2. No more tears because hurtful memories will be replaced (21:4)

3. No more death because mortality will be swallowed up by life (21:4)

4. No more mourning because sorrow will be completely comforted (21:4)

5. No more crying because the sounds of weeping will be soothed (21:4)

6. No more pain because all human suffering will be cured (21:4)

7. No more thirst because God will graciously quench all desires (21:6)

8. No more wickedness because all evil will be banished (21:8 and 27)

9. No more Temple because the Father and Son are personally present (21:22)

10. No more night because the Sh’khinah glory will give eternal light (21:23-25)

11. No more closed gates because God’s gates will always be open (21:25)

12. No more curse because Christ’s blood has forever lifted the curse (22:3)

John’s vision continues with a description of the capital City of the Eternal State when he saw the Holy City, or the New Jerusalem. It is called the Holy City because it will be a City without sin; all who dwell there will be sinless (20:6). It will be a city in every sense of the word, with relationships, activity, responsibility, unity, socialization, communion, cooperation and purpose. Unlike the corrupt cities of today, the holy ones who will live in the New Jerusalem will live and work together in complete harmony.

John saw the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from ADONAI who is its architect and builder (Hebrews 11:10). This new city was promised in Chapter 3, when Yeshua Himself said: The one who overcomes . . . I will write on them the name of My God and the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God (3:12b). The aged apostle described the city in terms of a bride adorned for her husband – pure, radiant, lovely, elegant and stunning. This beautiful city descends like a star directly from God, made not by human hands, but by the word of ADONAI Himself. The idea of a dwelling place constructed by the LORD is typical biblical language regarding heaven (Acts 7:48; Hebrews 8:2, 9:11 and 24).

Although the new heaven and the new earth will need to be created, the New Jerusalem will not, because it already exists in heaven where the heavenly Tabernacle resides (Hebrews 8:5; Revelation 15:5). Long ago the LORD told the children of Isra’el: I will put My dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be My people (Leviticus 26:11). It was true for a while in the wilderness, and it was true for a while in the Promised Land. But when the New Jerusalem comes down from heaven, it will be true for all eternity.

Following the vision of the creation of the Eternal State, John heard a loud voice from the throne saying: Now God’s Sh’khinah glory is with the people, and He will live with them (21:3). ADONAI will pitch His tent among His people. No longer will He be far off or distant. No longer will His presence be veiled in the presence of Jesus Christ. They will be His people, and the LORD Himself will be with them and be their God (Leviticus 26:11-12, Ezekiel 37:26). Every nation will once again speak Hebrew as they had originally. All the names before the Flood were Hebrew names. Zephaniah prophesied that after the fire of God’s jealous anger consumes the whole world, He will return the people to a pure language. So that all of them may call on His name and serve Him shoulder to shoulder (Zephaniah 3:9 KJ).

The New Jerusalem is now separate from the present universe, which is tainted by sin. Today believers who die go to the heavenly Jerusalem, where Yeshua has gone before them to prepare a place for them (John 14:1-3). But when God creates the new heaven and the new earth, the New Jerusalem will come down from heaven to the earth (21:2a), and serve as the dwelling place of all believers for eternity.⁴⁷⁷ The law of gravity will be completely revised. There will be traffic between the New Jerusalem and the earth. When you talk about going to heaven, where do you think it is? It is a City called the New Jerusalem. It is a planet within itself.⁴⁷⁸ There are five names for the New Jerusalem: the City (21:14-23, 22:2-3, 14), the Holy City (21:2, 10 and 22:19), Mount Zion in heaven, the City of the living God, and the heavenly Jerusalem, all in Hebrews 12:22.

This new City is pictured as a Bride beautifully dressed for her husband (21:2b). The use of the marriage figure in both the TaNaKh and the B’rit Chadashah points to the fact that the Bride will be made up of believers from all ages, both Jew and Gentile. The Bride’s adornment is given in great detail in 21:11-21.⁴⁷⁹ The wedding took place at the beginning of the Millennium a thousand years earlier (to see link click Fg – Blessed Are Those who are Invited to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb), and it is over now. This sure has been a long honeymoon!

There will be seven distinct entities present in the New Jerusalem according to Hebrews 12:22-24. First, there will be thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly. Secondly, there will be the Church of the firstborn (Acts 2:1-47), whose names are written in heaven. These are first century Jews who represent the Church all through the ages. They were the firstborn of more to come. Thirdly, God, the Judge of all will be present there and emphasizes His role as Judge. God the Father will someday judge all of heaven. Fourthly, the spirits of the righteous made perfect, or the righteous of the TaNaKh will reside there. They were made perfect by the blood of Christ. Fifthly, Jesus, the mediator of a New Covenant will tabernacle there. Sixthly, there is the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. Yeshua brought His blood into the Most Holy Place of the heavenly Tabernacle. That sprinkled blood is still visible on the mercy seat in heaven because that is where the original ark rests. And seventh, the Ruach ha-Kodesh will minister there.

The greatest details of the New Jerusalem are found in Chapters 21 and 22; however, it was also mentioned in the New Covenant. In contrasting Hagar and Sarah, Paul tells us that Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children (Galatians 4:25). He mentions two Jerusalem’s. Hagar represented the first-century city of Jerusalem , a city enslaved to Rome and to the Oral Law (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Ei – The Oral Law). But Sarah, on the other hand, pictured the city of Jerusalem that is above, and free. She is the mother of all the children of grace. It was this city that Abraham sought (Hebrews 12:22-24).

What will it be like to live in ADONAI’s glorious presence? First, believers will enjoy fellowship with Him (First John 1:3); secondly, believers will see Him as He is (Matthew 5:8; First John 3:2); thirdly, believers will worship God (4:10, 5:14, 7:11, 11:1 and 16, 19:4); fourthly, believers will serve the LORD (7:15, 22:3); and finally, and most amazing of all, the Lord will serve believers. Jesus told a parable reflecting that truth (Luke 12:35-40). There, Yeshua pictures Himself as a wealthy master, who returns to His estate after a long trip. Finding that his servants have been faithful while He was gone, He rewards them by taking the role of a servant and preparing a banquet for them. So it will be for believers in heaven, forever served a feast of joy by their Lord.⁴⁸⁰

He will wipe every tear from their eyes (also see Isaiah 25:8). There will be nothing to worry about. No sadness, no disappointment and no pain. There will be no fears of misfortune, no tears over lost love, no tears of regret, no tears of sorrow, or tears over the death of loved ones (Isaiah 35:10, 51:11, 65:19). There will no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (21:4). The great curse of mankind will be swallowed up in victory (First Corinthians 15:54). Both the devil, who had the power of death (Hebrews 2:14) and death itself will be thrown into the lake of fire (20:10, 14).

We are reminded that the Sabbath is so significant, because in the Eternal State – when we are with Jesus Christ our King – in that time when time is no more, it will in fact be an eternal Sabbath (see my commentary on Exodus Dn – The Fourth Commandment: Keep the Sabbath Holy). Then there will be no more striving and no more pain and in that time – we will truly see Him and we shall be known as in Him we are now known! And although our hearts yearn for that day, where like with Moses we shall see Him face to face, it is nevertheless through the Sabbath and His Word that today we see the glimpse of divine presence and we get to touch the hem of His robe.

Were men and women to endure sorrow throughout their lives? Well then, He would become a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering and consequently He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53:3-4). Were we to suffer the physical pain of thorns and thistles (Genesis 3:18) and many other messengers of Satan sent to torment them around as they struggled through this life (Second Corinthians 12:7)? Then He would wear a crown of thorns (John 19:2). Would it require the sweat of bitter labor and never-ending toil for us to squeeze a meager living from the cursed ground under the bondage of decay (Romans 8:20-22)? Therefore, He was willing to sweat great drops of blood (Luke 22:44), to offer up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears (Hebrews 5:7) in order to give rest to all who are weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28). Then, after all our sorrow, pain and tear-stained labor, would our bodies finally die and return to dust anyway? Yes, but He would experience the dust of death (Psalm 22:15), make Himself an offering for sin (Isaiah 53:10), having exposed himself to death (Isaiah 53:12 CJB) as our substitute.

The absence of sin in heaven will also mean that there will be no more pain. On the cross, Messiah was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus not only healed spiritually, He also healed physically. Matthew, commenting on Christ’s healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, quotes Isaiah saying: He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases (Matthew 8:17). The healing ministry of Yeshua was an indication of the well-being that will characterize the Messianic Kingdom and the Eternal State. The resurrected bodies that believers will have in heaven will be pain free.

All the changes of the new heaven and the new earth will point to the fact that the old order of things has passed away. The old sin nature (Rom 7:7-25) will be gone forever, and with it all the grieving, suffering, sorrow, disease, pain and death that characterized it since the Fall in the Garden of Eden. The old order will give way to the new and perfect order. Reviewing all those changes in an encouraging way, He who is seated on the throne proclaims: I AM making everything new (21:5)! Earlier John saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from His presence, and there was no place for them (20:11). The universe will be uncreated. Jesus will not fix or repair His old creation. He will recreate everything, and in its place will be a new heaven and a new earth.

Then, talking to John, God added: Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true (21:5). Though the present heaven and earth will pass away, Christ’s words will never pass away (Luke 21:33). There will be an end to the present universe, but not to the truth that He has revealed through His Word. God is a promise keeper. One day, we’ll rejoice over a happy reunion in heaven with our heavenly Father. I cannot imagine what a day of rejoicing that will be!

Then by way of summery, the Bible tells us that He will say: It is done. Those words remind us of Messiah’s words on the cross: It is finished (John 19:30). Then, it marked the completion of His work of salvation; but here in Revelation, His words will signal the end of salvation history (First Corinthians 15:24-28). He is qualified to declare the end of it because He is the Alpha and the Omega (the A and the Z), the Beginning and the End (21:6a). God started history and He will end it. All of it has occurred according to His sovereign plan. We can take real comfort in knowing that.

To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life (21:6b). This water of life is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, with the eternal life He gives to all who believe in Yeshua as the Messiah. As He Himself said: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within them. By this He meant the Holy Spirit whom those who believed in Him were to receive (John 7:37b-39a). But it is also literal water, sparkling pure and abundant in the beautiful river flowing through the holy City. Having made everything new (21:5), He will maintain the resurrected bodies of believers in eternal health and strength by the fruit of the tree of life and the river of the water of life in the New Jerusalem (22:1-2).⁴⁸¹

Those who overcome will inherit all this, and I will be His God and he will be My son (21:7). In an earlier letter, John told us that everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he or she who believes that Yeshua is the Son of God (First John 5:4-5). The overcomer is a person who in faith drinks the water of salvation freely offered by Christ. Here Jesus uses this distinctive term for believers in the closing counsel of each of the letters to the seven churches (2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).

Then John concludes his vision with a solemn warning. He describes who will be left out of these eternal blessings – all those who have rejected Jesus Christ (Romans 1:28-32; First Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21 and Second Timothy 3:2-5). But the cowardly or those who were too embarrassed, ashamed or afraid to accept Yeshua as Lord, the unbelieving who rejected the Messiah, the vile who defile themselves with abominable sins such as stealing, taking the mark of the beast, taking drugs and drunkenness, the murderers who killed because they could or because they enjoyed it, the sexually immoral made up of adulterers, homosexuals, rapists and child molesters, those who practice magic arts of astrology, Satan worship, and witchcraft, the idolaters who worship anyone or anything other than God, and all liars who deceive the lost, falsely accuse believers, falsely claim to be those of faith, add to or take away from the Bible – their place will be in the lake of fire.⁴⁸² Those whose lives are characterized by such behaviors give clear evidence that they are not saved and will never enter the heavenly City. In comparison to the righteous ones in heaven, the wicked will suffer eternal torment in the lake of fire, this is the second death (21:8).

This is the last reference in the Bible to fire, and it refers to the lake of fire. The first reference in the Scriptures to fire is found in Genesis 19:24 where God rained down fire on Sodom and Gomorrah (see my commentary on Genesis Fa – The LORD Rained Down Burning Sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah). For this reason, the Messiah is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End in judgment as well as grace.

The new heaven and the new earth will be awaiting resurrected believers just like the lake of fire awaits resurrected unbelievers. For believers, it will be a time of eternal joy as they live forever in the presence of ADONAI. For unbelievers, it will be a horrifying place of unspeakable agony and suffering away from God’s love. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of His power (Second Thessalonians 1:9). The choices that we make in this life will determine which one of these realities we will live in forever.

Therefore, we can say with confidence that heaven is a real place, not merely a state of mind. Throughout history faithful believers have rightly focused their attention on heaven. They have longed for its joys and viewed themselves as aliens and strangers on this earth who long for a better country, that is, a heavenly one (Hebrews 11:13 and 16). That intense longing that nothing on this earth can satisfy (Hebrews 11:13-16) is the hallmark of the faithful.

The Eternal State
21:1 to 22:5

While the Messianic Kingdom is the high point of prophecy in the TaNaKh, the Eternal State is the high point of prophecy in the B’rit Chadashah. Whereas much of the information in the first twenty chapters of the book of Revelation can also be found in the TaNaKh, the last two chapters of Revelation contain material that is new and was not revealed to the prophets of the TaNaKh.

Genesis and Revelation mirror each other. Genesis, chapters 1 and 2 depicted a perfect order and Revelation, chapters 21 and 22 once again depict a perfect order.

The Messianic Kingdom itself is only one thousand years long. Yet, according to the promises of God’s Covenant with David (see the commentary on the Life of David, to see link click Ct – The LORD’s Covenant with David), there was to be an eternal dynasty, an Eternal State, and an eternal throne. The eternal existence of the dynasty is guaranteed because it ends in the eternal person of Jesus Christ. However, the eternal existence of the throne and the Kingdom must also be assured. The Millennial Kingdom will end after a thousand years. But ADONAI’s Kingdom will continue into the Eternal State because Yeshua will continue to rule on David’s throne.⁴⁷⁴

Dear Heavenly Father, Praise Your love, wisdom and Almighty power! You know every detail of the future. The final battle of the ages is as good as done and you have won (Revelation 20:7-9). You will reign eternally! We love, and worship You. Heaven’s peace and joy will be wonderful and we look forward to praising Your holy and great name through all eternity! In the holy name of Your Son and His power of resurrection. Amen