REVELATION
SIMPLIFIED
CHAPTER 21.5
Gleanings
from the Book of Revelation:
A
Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series
The
REVELATION
TO JOHN
Chapter
Twenty-One
The
Eternal State
Introduction
Death ends man’s
potential on created earth. The prospect of a regenerated (saved, redeemed, born-again)
man has an eternity ahead of him. The eternal prize of being in the presence of
God will be the joy of the New Jerusalem. In this glorious city, the spiritual
thirst of all God's people will be satiated forever as God tabernacles with His
Church.
The new creation
will not be contaminated by sin. No more changes are possible in the eternal
state. The Devil, the Beast, and the False Prophet have already been cast into
the eternal Lake of Fire (cf.
Revelation 20:10). The unrepentant sealed their fate at the Great White Throne Judgment as well.
The two creations
of God are compared as stated:
A. An earthly one
B. A heavenly one
A. A corrupt one
B. An incorruptible
one
A. A natural one
B. A spiritual one
Now, God's voice
is heard…
(Verse
5)
And He that sat upon the Throne said, Behold, I
make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and
faithful.
The One sitting on the
Throne Who created all things now speaks. He informs the inhabitants of the
eternal state that they will experience a new beginning:
Isaiah 9:7 - Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of
David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with
judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the
LORD of hosts will perform this.
Behold
(look, see. Lo!), the Almighty Lord God will make all things brand new. Make means to form or construct. It is a
work of accomplishment. All things will be made new. New denotes a drastic change, fresh, unused, novel in the sense of
being recently made in form and character.
And He
said unto me (John), Write: for these words are true and faithful.
It appears John is so
astonished by the prior revelation of New Jerusalem that he lost his
concentration. He has to be reminded to continue writing.
God explains the
things he is told to write are faithful and true, faithful being dependable and true, and genuine. Both words connote His trustworthiness.
(Verse
6)
And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the
fountain of the water of life freely.
God continues His
message by saying, It is done (It has
come to pass, it has now been fulfilled, it is finished, i.e., My work has been
completed). Now, at the consummation of all things God rejoices over the work
of His hands.
Notice the
comparisons:
1. When God finished His original act of
creation He said, it was very good (cf.
Genesis 1:31)
2. When Christ finished His redemptive
work on the Cross He said, It is finished
(cf. John 19:30)
3. When God finishes His work on the new
creation of Heaven and earth He says, It
is done (cf. Revelation 21:6)
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end
The text continues by
saying I am the Alpha (the first
letter of the Greek alphabet – the beginning) and Omega (the last letter of the Greek alphabet –the finale). He
is the beginning and end of all
things. This is referencing all that has been accomplished throughout the
entire drama of human history before the eternal state. It is also a reminder
of Christ's promise earlier in the Book:
Revelation 1:8 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and
the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
I will give unto him that is athirst of the
fountain of the water of life freely
God's love and
gracious gift to His people are to freely drink water from the fountain (well
or spring) of eternal life. In view is partaking of spiritual, refreshing, and
abundant water that sustains everlasting life.
This is a promise and
theme predominant throughout Scripture. Some passages include:
Old Testament
Psalm 42:1 – As the hart (deer) panteth after the water brooks (flowing
streams of water), so
panteth my soul after Thee, O God.
Isaiah 12:3 - Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 55:1 – Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath
no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without
price.
New Testament
John
7:37 – In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood
and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture
hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Revelation 22:1 – And He shewed me a
pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb.
Revelation 22:7 - And the Spirit and the
bride say, Come. And let him that heareth
say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let
him take the water of life freely.
Accordingly, Almighty God will
meet everyone’s needs by providing spiritual cleansing and constant refreshing
from the eternal water of life.
(Verse 7)
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and
I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Another promise and
blessing are enumerated to all overcomers. The finite mind cannot comprehend
His abundant love and grace. But, they will inherit (obtain, acquire by
inheritance) all these things in this passage anew - An echo of the promises to
the seven churches (cf. Revelation 3-4).
And I will be his God and he shall be My son
Additionally, saving the best for last is
a new refreshing bond with God Almighty.
I
will be his God. This
is reminiscent of some passages peppered throughout the Old Testament. For
example:
To
Israel
Genesis
17:8 - I will give unto
thee, and to thy seed
after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of
Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
Exodus 6:7a - I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a
God: and ye shall know
that I am the LORD
your God.
Zechariah 8:8 - And I will bring them, and they shall dwell in
the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, in truth and in
righteousness.
He
shall be My son is
directed to the Church as adopted sons of God. Some verses embrace:
To
the Church
Romans
8:14, 17 – For as many as are led
by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God…And if children, then heirs;
heirs of God,
and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that
we may be also glorified together.
2
Corinthians 6:18 – And [I] will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My
sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
1
John 3:1a - Behold, what manner
of love the Father hath
bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.
And so, what is perceivably
embraced includes two blessings:
A. A full inheritance
from God of all heavenly possessions
B. A full personal
relationship with God as father and son
(Verse 8)
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the
abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and
all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and
brimstone: which is the second death.
This tragic passage is
a witnessing tool to evangelize unbelievers. Following is a list of people who are
excluded from the new Heaven and Earth. Being overcome by sin, these did not
place their faith in the blood of Jesus Christ while on earth. Adversely, their
characteristics conform to the followers of the beast.
Prohibited from
eternity incorporate those having the eight following distinctions:
1. The Fearful
Fearful people are timid cowardly
people who refused to accept Jesus Christ as a personal Saviour. Afraid, they
did not dare to pledge Christ's allegiance when faced with challenges or
persecution. For instance:
Psalm
119:46 - I will speak of Thy testimonies (witnesses, statutes) also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
Matthew
10:32 - Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before
men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in Heaven.
2. The Unbelieving
Atheists are categorized as
unbelievers. Those are those who profess and are called by Christ’s name but
reject His doctrine. They are steeped in unbelief. Jesus taught clearly against
such:
Matthew
7:22-23 – Many will say to Me
in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have
cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work
iniquity.
3. The Abominable
Abominable is a word in Greek meaning abhor or
detest. A reprobate or degenerate sinner is thus categorized. They are people
polluted with the world system and have drunk the cup of abomination. Such live
in beastly lusts, wickedness, and filth, and are addicted to the worst of
corruption.
Comprised are two examples:
Jeremiah
51:7 - Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken
of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
Revelation
17:4 - The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and
decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup
in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.
4. Murderers
Murderers are those who premeditate and kill men
willfully without a warrant from God. Prophets, saints, and martyrs are also
victims of this horrendous crime. The first example transpired very early in
the Bible:
Genesis
4:8 - And Cain talked with
Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against
Abel his brother, and slew him.
Jehovah God established this directive
in His Law to Moses:
Exodus
20:13 – Thou shalt not kill.
One of the woes of Jesus is declared:
Luke:
11:50-51 - That the blood of all the
prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of
this generation; from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished
between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required
of this generation.
5. Whoremongers
Whoremonger is an antiquated word for a
fornicator. It especially applies to male prostitutes that indulge in sexual
intercourse. Its Greek counterpart is pornos from which the word pornography is derived. This is an
extension of the pagan Mystery Babylon (cf. Revelation 17; see Revelation studies
17:5a and 5b).
The very act itself is vehemently
forbidden in both the Old and New Testaments:
Leviticus
18:22 – Thou [man] shalt not lie with man(kind),
as with womankind: it is an abomination.
Romans
1:27 - And likewise also the men, leaving the
natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working
that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense (penalty) of
their error which was meet (fit).
6. Sorcerers
Sorcery is also an extension of the
Tower of Babel religious mystery cults passed down through the ages. It is an
embodiment of the magical arts. Pharmakeus, from which the English word pharmacy is procured,
means indulgence in preparing poisons, i.e., drugs. All occult practices (demonism,
satanic worship, magical arts, conjurers, etc.) are embedded in this category.
Sorcery is thus prohibited Scripture:
Deuteronomy
18:10-12a – There shall not be found among you any
one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the
fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a
wizard, or a necromancer [mainly conjuring spirits of the dead – Of such was Saul (cf.
1 Samuel 28:7ff; 1 Chronicles 10:13)]. For all that
do these things are an
abomination unto the LORD.
When in the city of Ephesus, Paul preached the Gospel and
caused no small stir:
Acts
19:19a - Many of them also which used curious
arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men.
7. Idolaters
Idolaters are pagans or heathens who worship
everything else but the One true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - Yahweh (Elohim).
Strictly forbidden, idolatry was abhorred by God and foremost in His Ten
Commandments:
Exodus
20:3-5a - Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make
unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Thou shalt not bow
down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.
John reminds New Testament, believers:
1
John 5:21 - Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
8. Liars
Perhaps one the most detestable are
those who deceive others, distort the truth, and destroy mankind either by
direct falsehoods or by silence. When it becomes a habit of one’s life, he then
becomes a child of the Devil, for he is the father of all lies. Said of these persons:
John
8:44 – Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of
your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the
truth, because there is
no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of
it.
Note: Romans 1:29 has a comparative list as
well.
[They] shall have their part in the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Albeit these are just the
major categories of the fearful unrepentant and their final resting place will
be the eternal Lake of Fire. Along with the unholy trinity, they shall experience
torment in a burning fire of sulfur brimstone where the worm dieth not (cf. Mark 9:44, 46, 48).
Having no part of the
first resurrection (cf. Revelation 20:6) and they now inherit the second death.
The second death is spiritual death – Unbelievers receive eternal
separation from God and everlasting damnation. So be informed: This is the
wrath of the Almighty God.
The next Bible study discusses
the description of New Jerusalem.
QUESTIONS:
1. What are the two primary things not seen in the
new creation?
2. Who is speaking in this section?
3. What kind of fountain is the water of life?
4. What is the ultimate relationship for overcomers?
5. Name some people who will not enter eternity?
6. Of these, which one does God hate the most?
7. What will be their eternal destiny?
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