K-22. THE BOOK OF REVELATION CHAPTER 22.
Rev. 22:1. "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb."
Water in the Bible sometimes is symbolic of the Holy Spirit of God. We read about a well springing up giving life. we read about rivers of living water. The emphasis I suppose should be on the PURITY of the water. The word "PURE" means single without mixture. God is PURE. His words are PURE words. There is NO darkness is God. Another thing I want you to notice is that the THRONE is now shared with Almighty God the Father and his Son Jesus. Is is called the throne of God AND of the Lamb.
Rev. 22:2. "In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
In the midst of the flow of the river AND on either side of the river there was a TREE of life. Now when I read this I visualize a huge tree that the trunk of the tree spans not only the wide of the river but goes past the width of the river to be only both banks of the river as if the river flowed out of the tree of LIFE. Notice that this tree of life has leaves and bears fruit. And not just one kind of fruit, but TWELVE different kinds of fruit. To ME, it appears that one kind of fruit will be for one specific MONTH of the year. And then this tree will bear a different fruit for the NEXT month of the year. And so forth until there is a specific fruit for each and every month of the year, where there are TWELVE months in the year. To ME, this clearly shows that the 1000 years is a LITERAL 1000 years. We may not be able to distinguish the day from the night, but it seems certain that we will know when the MONTH changes. So to ME, there does seem to be TIME, but I do not think we will be so conscious of time as much as many of us are now in this present world. And this may be only during this 1000 years. Once every one of the RIGHTEOUS have received ETERNAL LIFE, then TIME may cease to exist as we know it. On can only guess. Also notice that the leaves are for HEALING. To ME this means that in the beginning of this 1000 year reign there will be people from all nations who have REPENTED of their sins in order to ENTER into the kingdom of God on this WAR torn planet that needs to be CLEANSED. There will be much hurt, pain and bitterness. A lot of "BAGGAGE" in those, who are in their mortal bodies, will brought into the kingdom of God that must be HEALED over time even to the third and fourth generation. So symbolically we as the church who are IN this CITY of God are these leaves that descend from this city to minister the word of God to the people on the first earth to bring HEALING to them. I do NOT see the need for healing of PHYSICAL sicknesses and diseases because of the next verse, which teaches us that there will be NO MORE CURSE.
Rev. 22:3. "And there shall be NO MORE CURSE: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:"
Now this may mean no more sickness and disease in the city itself, but I personally believe that there will be no more sickness and disease on the earth either during this 1000 years. Now it may be that the MORTAL humans on the earth will need to be healed of physical sickness during the first and possibly the second generations, if so be, the leaves of healing are intended By John to mean physical healing. Satan will be bound during this 1000 years and the New Testament teaches us that it is Satan who OPPRESSES and bind sickness and disease on mankind. This is why I say perhaps some MORTAL humans may be sick with a physical disease needing to be healed. But after the first generation and no longer than the second generation ALL mortals should be healed of any physical sicknesses.
Rev. 22:4. "And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads."
The forehead may represent the brain, perhaps even the frontal lobe of the brains where communication is processed. This may mean that God is forever on our minds and in our thoughts, because now we behold the FACE of God. Or in may mean that we have a visible mark in our foreheads showing we are God's children.
Rev. 22:5. "And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."
When it says that there will be no night THERE it seems to be saying that there will be no DARKNESS within the CITY of God. As far as outside the city we are told about OUTER DARKNESS. But we are also told that the nation shall walk IN the LIGHT of this city. So if it is taken literal then on the earth the sun may still be darkened and the only light will be from this city the NEW Jerusalem. Certainly for those of us who are living IN this city of God will have NO CURSE and behold the face of God and be blessed beyond our thinking. But to ME, those outside the city, who remain down on the surface of the earth, still speaking of the FIRST earth and not the NEW earth, there is much work that needs to be done to CLEANSE all the CORRUPTION that was created by Satan before he was bound. Like the saying goes OLD HABITS die hard, or the old habits of sin will take some TIME to be healed. Just like in this present world when a sinner believes on Jesus all their past sins are cleansed away, but they still have the desires of the FLESH that they must LEARN how to put off using the promises of God and the power of his Spirit dwelling in them. To say this another way some of those left of the nations called on Jesus to be saved ALIVE. Basically they will SURRENDER to Jesus who is making WAR with them, and will not be truly born again. This is what they will be TAUGHT of the Lord during the 1000 year reign of Jesus. Only Christians will rule and reign WITH Jesus UP in the CITY of God suspended in the AIR or sky over Jerusalem. The size of the city seems to even require the city to at least be partially is space orbiting the earth over Jerusalem. And to some on the earth it may APPEAR to be an alien invasion where the earth is being taken over by aliens. Please read the study '"WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT UFO'S?" So to ME, this is just another reason why we should strive and persevere all the more to be found worthy to take part in the FIRST resurrection and be given ETERNAL LIFE so that we will be living IN the CITY.
Rev. 22:6. "And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done."
Now the subject changes to this angel or messenger talking with John and to ME I see John saying that the Lord God has sent him as an angel or MESSENGER to show US the CHURCH the things that must shortly be done. Or this angel that is to say this MESSENGER is Jesus who was sent by Almighty God with this REVELATION from God to give to John and US the church, which to ME make more sense, because in the very next verse it definitely appears to be Jesus himself speaking that he is coming quickly.
Rev. 22:7. "Behold, I (clearly Jesus speaking) come QUICKLY: blessed is he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book."
In the previous verse we read that Jesus must show us thing that must SHORTY be done, then in the very NEXT verse Jesus tells us that he is coming QUICKLY. Now to ME, I am see that this ONE thing that Jesus MUST WARN us about is that WHEN he comes, then his coming for US will be QUICKLY as in, in an MOMENT or a TWINKLING of an eye of time. We talked a little about this in chapter 1. The Greek words that are used in BOTH Revelation 1: and here in Revelation 21:6 that is TRANSLATED as SHORTY are Strong's number 1722 plus another Greek word Strong's number 5034. These SAME Greek words are ALSO used in Acts 12:7 and Acts 22:18 and are translated as QUICKLY. Here in this verse the word "QUICKLY" is the Greek word 5036 which is the same root word as Strong's number 5034. In other words, what I believe Jesus is saying that his COMING will be QUICKLY as in a MOMENT and in a TWINKLING of an eye. And WHEN we begin to see the SIGNS of his coming then know that the time is at hand and these rest of these things that we are told about will shortly come to pass. But you have to keep in mind that John was told to write down what he heard and what he saw, which SOME of the things John wrote were ALREADY in the PAST when in wrote them, such as Jesus being born and being caught up into heaven in Revelation chapter 12. In other words SOME of the things John wrote was for his day and other things happened throughout history but some things are specifically for the future and would take many hundreds of years to be fulfilled. So we cannot be so DOGMATIC to DEMAND that shortly means very very SOON and THEREFORE everything John wrote was for the early church and has nothing to do with us today. To ME, it is certain that Jesus is WARNING us that when he comes he will come in and instant, in a moment of time so fast that there will be NO TIME to REPENT so you had better be READY at all time lest you be found naked or with SIN in your life and you be LEFT behind to suffer the WRATH of God. As we keep reading this rest of this chapter you wills see what I mean by this.
Rev. 22:8. "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things."
Now to ME I personally do NOT see John falling down and worshiping an ANGEL. Remember that very odd statement that John made in Revelation 21 about the "ANGEL" or messenger that measured the temple and John said it is the measure of a MAN, that is, of an ANGEL. Well to ME, it may have been that John SAW what look like a MAN, as is one like the Son of man. So to ME, I see this as John falling down to worship Jesus because Jesus just said to him behold I come QUICKLY. So John fell down at HIS feet to worship Jesus. Yes it says "ANGEL" but keep in mind that the word angel simply means messenger and does not always demand that this messenger be an angelic being that is NOT a man. Also keep in mind that John was one of the apostles of Jesus and a Jew which I personally believe would NOT KNOWINGLY fall down an worship and ANGELIC being. But I do believe that John would fall down and worship his Lord and savior Jesus Christ. So then, with that being said let us take a look at what this angel or messenger said to John when Johns fell down to worship him.
Rev. 22:9. "Then said he unto me, See you do it NOT (in other words, do NOT worship ME): for (or BECAUSE) I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God."
So it seems to ME, that Jesus is instructing John as well as us the church to worship Almighty God the Father rather than himself. We certainly know that we are NOT to worship ANGELS. John knew this being a direct disciple of Jesus, so why would John bow and worship an angel. It may be that this was an angelic being, but I do not see where angelic beings are of the BRETHREN. To me it is for certain that angels are NOT men. They may appear or manifest in human form, but they are NOT of the BRETHREN in that they have a nature of a MAN. So John man have bowed down to an angelic being in the form of a man, but then again why would John worship a MAN? But on the other hand Jesus was a partaker of HUMAN NATURE and became a MAN like unto us. So again, to ME, I see this as being JESUS saying to John do NOT worship me but rather worship Almighty God, because it was not yet his TIME to be worshiped by the angels and by men. Now for me personally I HONOR Jesus. The Bible teaches us that we are to HONOR Jesus EVEN AS we HONOR the FATHER. I give Jesus THANKS for what he has done for us. I PRAISE the NAME of Jesus. I PRAY in the NAME of Jesus to the Father. I GLORIFY Jesus. I MAGNIFY the NAME of Jesus. I stand in the AUTHORITY of the NAME of Jesus and command Satan to leave and get behind me. But is all of this WORSHIP. If it is worship, then I worship Jesus even as I worship Almighty God the Father. I do indeed see and understand that Jesus came OUT FROM DEITY or was made from deity, by the spoke word of Yahweh to become a human being and then AFTER the Son of MAN become obedient to do all his God and Father sent of COMMISSIONED him to accomplish, then the Father HIGHLY EXALTED the Son of MAN to become the SON OF GOD by giving the Son of MAN the divine nature of immortality to become DEITY of a God under the one true and only Almighty God Yahweh who alone has always been the immortal divine Spirit who dwelt IN Jesus during the days of his FLESH. So yes Jesus is a God who will be worshiped in the world to come and knowing this I do not see it wrong to worship Jesus now in this present world. So then, if so be that this "messenger" was indeed Jesus, then what did Jesus mean by these words? Well again to me I see that Almighty God highly exalted his Son Jesus and gave him a NAME that is above every name and that one day EVERY tongue shall confess that NAME and every knee shall BOW DOWN to that NAME in the world to come so this is way the messenger said he was of the BRETHREN and told John to worship God only. This messenger could have been humbling himself saying I am not deserving to be worship so please worship God. To me I feel that John would not have worshiped any angel nor any man, but he may have worshiped Jesus after perceiving that this messenger was Jesus. Please read Philippians 2:5-11 and you will see that this verse says that every knee shall bow to the NAME that Almighty God has given to his Son Jesus.
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who (Speaking of Jesus being the WORD of God before the WORD was MADE flesh and dwelt among men), being in the FORM of God (where God is a SPIRIT and the WORD is SPIRIT and truth and the very LIFE given Spirit is IN every spoke word coming out of the mount of God. So the FORM that Jesus was BEFORE he became human was the WORD that was WITHIN Yahweh before Yahweh SPOKE forth the IMAGE that was WITHIN himself to come of out of himself to be created by his spoken word of saying. Then this spoke word or saying of God made to become FLESH and given the name Jesus learned that the Scriptures spoke of him and), thought it not robbery to be equal with God (which in other translations says that Jesus never once thought to make himself equal with God. It never even entered his mind even though Jesus knew that God gave him all power and authority. Jesus gave his disciple power and authority as well and some asked Jesus if they should call fire down from heaven and devour them all. Jesus did not laugh at them, as if, they had no power to do such a thing, but rather rebuked them of having a wrong spirit to MISUSE their power and authority given to them. Later when the disciple heal a man and men looked upon them as gods, then gave the glory to the NAME of Jesus and did not seek to have a reputation of having this power of their own doing.): 7. But made himself of no reputation (Jesus always gave all the glory to his God and Father Almighty God saying that he himself could do nothing, but the Father that dwelt in him through his holy Spirit did the works. For IN him DWELT the fullness of Almighty God BODILY or in the human body of Jesus dwelt the Holy Spirit of Almighty God the Father just as this SAME Holy Spirit of Almighty God dwells IN US.), and took upon him the form of a servant, and was MADE in the likeness of MEN: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became OBEDIENT unto death, even the death of the cross. 9. WHEREFORE (or for this very REASON of becoming OBEDIENT to his God and Father) God also has HIGHLY EXALTED him, and given him a NAME which is above every name: 10. That at the NAME of Jesus (which means YHWH saves or the salvation of YHWH) every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (it has always been God PLAN that HE HIMSELF be our SALVATION. And that we be HIS work, And the MEANS by which Almighty God chose to be our SALVATION was to have a SON who would be a MAN who would DO his ALL his WILL even to the point of giving his life for his FELLOW man so that Almighty God could REDEEM or buy back what his ENEMY had stolen from him. And his SON Jesus did just that. God's SON whom he NAMED Jesus, the SALVATION of YHWH or the SALVATION that I Almighty God has provided for you has given his very own life to reconcile you back to me) 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the GLORY OF God the Father."
So then, whenever we HONOR, PRAISE of give GLORY to the NAME of Jesus we are giving GLORY to Almighty God the Father. The word of TRUTH teaches us that must must have BOTH the FATHER and the SON. So therefore I personally cannot believe those that teach that Jesus IS ALMIGHTY God the FATHER. The Bible teaches us that there are many THEOS or gods, but to US there is but ONE God EVEN the FATHER and ONE Lord Jesus Christ. I find that Jesus is and always will be UNDER and SUBJECT to his God and Father the one true and ONLY ALMIGHTY God. Yes I believe that Jesus is God in that his God and Father HIGHLY EXALTED his Son to sit on his throne and rule as God. The Bible teaches that Jesus shall be called the God of all the earth. But to ME there is only ONE ALMIGHTY and MOST HIGH God which is the FATHER. To ME, it is IMPORTANT to see that Jesus was ANOINTED with the Holy Spirit of Almighty God and this is HOW Jesus LIVED his life WITHOUT SIN and this is HOW Jesus did the many mighty miracles of healing that he did THROUGH the Holy Spirit of Almighty God DWELLING IN him, just like this SAME Holt Spirit DWELLS IN US the church, the BODY of Jesus Christ. So then, when you truly SEE and BELIEVE this, then you will begin DOING the WORKS that Jesus did. You can read all the studies that I wrote concerning this subject of Jesus but for now let us move on to the next verse.
Rev. 22:10. "And he said unto me, Seal NOT the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand."
In other words, the words of this book of REVELATION are UNVEILED and NOT sealed so that we are to UNDERSTAND what is being spoke to us.
Rev. 22:11. " He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still."
What I see here is that at that precise MOMENT when Jesus come QUICKLY that those who are found to be WITH SIN in the lives will NOT be a partaker of ETERNAL LIFE, and ONLY those of us who are found to be WITHOUT SIN shall be accounted WORTHY to receive their reward of ETERNAL LIFE. Do NOT be DECEIVED by the FALSE doctrine of once saved always saved. Jesus warns us to watch and be ready that no man TAKE our crown of ETERNAL LIFE. read the studies that I have on this subject about holiness and works and grace and salvation. Be like the men of Berea and search the TRUTH out for YOURSELF to be absolutely sure that what your are being taught is the WHOLE word of God. This is LIFE and DEATH we are talking about hear so are you going to TRUST you LIFE to the teachings of MEN? Get into the word of God and SEARCH the word daily to find out the TRUTH of God word for YOURSELF.
Rev. 22:12. "And, behold, I come quickly; and my REWARD (speaking of the promise of ETERNAL LIFE for those who are found FAITHFUL and without sin) is with me, to give every man ACCORDING as his WORK shall be."
Salvation is a TWO step PROCESS. First we are RECONCILED back to God as his GIFT to us and there is NOTHING that we DO except simply BELIEVE the gospel of Jesus Christ to receive this FIRST PART of salvation which is to be made righteous and be brought back into tight relationship with God. This is what the word SAVE means. The second step of salvation which is to OBTAIN our REWARD of ETERNAL LIFE by walking in OBEDIENCE to God's word. In other words, if we do not CONTINUE to follow Jesus and go back into our old lifestyle of SIN and do not repent and we DIE in that lifestyle of SIN, then we would have believed in VAIN and we will NOT receive ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come. So then, NO WORKS for the FIRST part and YES WORKS for the second part. But even then these works we do we do NOT do in our OWN strength but by FAITH in God's promises to help and strengthen us to over come the enemy. Let us move on to the next verse.
Rev. 22:13. "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
This is the only place in the Bible where Jesus speaks these words "I am Alpha and Omega", which means the beginning and the ending, the first and the last. And those that teach the ONENESS doctrine quote this verse quite often as showing proof that Jesus IS the FATHER. But just because Jesus says these words, "I am Alpha and Omega", does this really PROVE beyond any shadow of a doubt that Jesus, the SON of Almighty God, IS Almighty God the FATHER as in ONE and the SAME being but sometimes manifests as the Son and sometimes manifested as the FATHER. Remember Jesus said I speak NOT of MYSELF, but as I HEAR what the FATHER says that I speak. Look what Jesus says in the very next verse about keeping the commandment of Almighty God the Father by saying blessed he is who keeps HIS commandments. Please notice that Jesus did NOT say blessed is he that keeps MY commandments. To ME, IF Jesus was saying that he was Almighty God the FATHER when he said "I am Alpha and Omega" then why did he not go on in the next verse and say blessed is he who keeps MY commandments if he was TRULY saying that he is the one true and only ALMIGHTY God who is the FATHER?
Rev. 22:14. "Blessed are they that do HIS commandments (WHY? Why will we be blessed by keeping the commandments of Almighty God?), THAT (or in ORDER THAT) they (speaking of ONLY those that are found worthy by KEEPING the commandments of Almighty God) may have RIGHT to the tree of LIFE, and may ENTER in through the gates into the CITY."
Now even if you believe that Jesus IS the FATHER I am not here to DOGMATICALLY say that Jesus is NOT the FATHER. The may point of this verse is that you see the VITAL importance of OBEDIENCE to God's word so that you will be found FAITHFUL in the end in order to RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come. I only point out these DIFFERENCES between Almighty God the FATHER and his SON Jesus so that you can see the Jesus did the WORKS that he did THROUGH the POWER of the Holy Spirit and NOT in his OWN strength. Let us continue with the next verse.
Rev. 22:15. "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a LIE."
Most of us are pretty good with the so called BID sins, but sometimes do not keep in mind and always remember that even LYING can keep us from receiving our reward of ETERNAL LIFE in the world to come if we are not aware of all the excuses we make when the Holy Spirit is trying to get us NOT to lie.
Rev. 22:16. "I Jesus have sent mine angel (speaking of John as being a MESSENGER, which I personally believe is John. And on down the line of who ever believes John, then brings that same message and so forth and so on. we are all messengers of the gospel. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Thus we are all prophets foretelling what will be in the future every time we share the gospel of Jesus) to testify unto you these things in the CHURCHES. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."
Here Jesus calls himself the bright and morning star and in Revelation 2: 25-28 tells us that he who over comes will he give the morning star.
"And he that OVER COMES, and KEEPS my works unto the END, to him will I give power over the nations: 27. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28. And I will give him the morning star."
Now the CONTEXT here of everything else that were are GIVEN for over coming is POWER over the ENEMY, or those that persecuted and trouble us. So to ME I see the "morning star" here in Revelation 2: 25-28 as speaking of Satan, the morning star. Some disagree, because Jesus say that he is the bright and morning star and they argue that there can not be TWO morning stars referring to two different beings. We all know that Satan is a counterfeit so why is it so hard to see that he would have a name or title very similar to Jesus. The word for star is the same in both verse, however the word for morning is different. Both words mean early in the morning, but they have different root words. The root word for Jesus mean upright and the root word for Satan means before. Remember we are told that Nimrod was a mighty hunter BEFORE the Lord meaning he was full of pride.
Rev 22:17. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hear say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
In other words, after reading of all the judgments and plagues and great tribulation and persecution of the saints we are to say EVEN SO COME Lord Jesus. This may mean that our flesh wants Jesus to wait just a little longer for many different reasons. We might want our kids to grow up first. Then we will want them to have kids like we did. And then we will want our grand kids to grow up. Then our kids will do the same. There has to be some point where some must say EVEN SO come Lord. Some of our family may not be save yet so it will be hard for some to say EVEN SO come Lord Jesus. This is why God will give us POWER to be his witnesses in the last day an proclaim to all that are thirsty to COME and take of the water of life freely. Time is growing short so those that we have prayed for and witness to for that last forty years with need to be committed into God hands so we can move on to those who ARE thirsty and HUNGRY for God who WANT to be saved. I am not saying for anyone to give up on their loved ones, but there comes a time when we must trust the God will bring OTHERS to prayer for them and witness to them when YOU commit them to God and go out and pray for and witness to OTHERS.
Rev. 22:18. "For I testify unto every man that HEARS the words of the prophecy of THIS book, If any man shall ADD unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:"
Now to me this verse has a couple of meanings. First of all I do not believe that we are to ADD of take away from any book of the Bible, but this verse here specifically states THIS book of prophecy. So to ME I believe Jesus is referring to the book of Revelation here about adding or taking away. But ALSO I see that this verse could mean that any other REVELATION that come AFTER this book is NOT to be ADDED to the word of Almighty God. For example: When the Mormons ADD the revelations from the angel Moroni to ADD the book of Moroni to the Holy Bible, then they are in danger of receiving the plagues written in this book! When the Muslims ADD the revelations of Muhammad by including the Quran as ADDED authority to the Holy Bible, then they shall suffer the plagues written in this book! Even the Jehovah's Witnesses when they place their writings of the Watch Tower Society that are INTERPRETATIONS of God's word above the Holy Bible by telling their people that they cannot understand the Bible without these writings of the Watch Tower, then they are in danger of receiving the plagues written in this book. This goes also for the Roman Catholic church as well when they ADD church TRADITION as being EQUAL to the Holy Bible, they too are in danger of receiving the plagues of this book. We only need the word of TRUTH, the Holy Bible to show us the way to eternal life. All these ADDED things only confuse and hinder people from seeing the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God. So put away all these ADDED so called "REVELATIONS" that CHANGE the word of TRUTH, the Holy Bible. If something is an INTERPRETATION then present it as an interpretation and being of your OWN opinion. State the FACTS as FACTS and everything else as INTERPRETATION. Do not read into the text your OWN personal interpretation even though "Orthodox" Christianity has accepted it as the truth for centuries, because it may be mere TRADITION that is being taught i the main stream orthodox church denominations. Let us continue with the next verse.
Rev. 22:19. "And if any man shall TAKE AWAY from the words of the book of THIS prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
Again I believe that this is specifically speaking about taking away from the book of Revelation. But I have my own personal OPINION about some of these modern translations and how they leave out sometime whole verses of scripture. Let me give you just one example to make you AWARE that there are some pretty major CHANGES being made ever so subtly over the years. Please read Romans 8:1 from the King James Version of the Bible and then I you can read this SAME verse from any modern translation such as the N.I.V. the New International Version and see for yourself that these newer translation are not merely changing a few words to help make the Bible to be easier to read and understand.
Romans 8:1 ( King James Version K.J.V.)
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, WHO WALK NOT after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
Romans 8:1 (New International Version N.I.V.)
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,"
You see my dear brothers and sister in the Lord, these newer translations have LEFT OUT or have TAKEN AWAY the last half of this verse, which to ME is a pretty important message from God to leave out or to TAKE AWAY, because it is ONLY those who WALK in OBEDIENCE to the Holy Spirit and NOT after their OWN lust of their FLESH that will have NO CONDEMNATION because they REMAIN IN CHRIST Jesus by their OBEDIENCE to the word. To ME this OPENS the door to FALSE doctrine of DEVILS because some are taking verses like this and teaching that NO MATTER WHAT you DO you can NEVER LOSE your salvation once you accept Jesus as your savior, because the moment you accept Jesus as your savior you are IN Christ Jesus and THEREFORE there is NOW NO CONDEMNATION to those who are IN Christ Jesus. I will leave it at this before I write a whole other study. Let us continue with the next verse.
Rev. 22:20. " He (Jesus) which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. EVEN SO, come, Lord Jesus."
After John hears these words he replies AMEN or so be it. EVEN SO, COME, Lord Jesus. In other words, no one is looking froward to this time of great tribulation, but we know that it must be so. Therefore we are to embrace these days ahead and know that God is our HELP and safe harbor during these days ahead. One last verse and we are finished with the book of Revelation.
Rev. 22:21. "The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."
This word GRACE means FAVOR. God gives us FAVOR and BLESSINGS and PROTECTION and PEACE and JOY even in the midst of suffering. Please read the studies "YOU CAN HAVE JOY IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING" , which I renamed as "MUST CHRISTIANS SUFFER" and "WHAT THE TRUE MEANING OF GRACE" This brings us to the end of this verse by verse study in the book of Revelation. Thanks for reading I pray that your understanding of the SECOND coming of Jesus has been aided by this study in God's word. May God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of God. Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Mark. As I promised I have included ANOTHER interpretation of the seven VIALS or seven bowls depending on what translation you may be reading. You can read it now or return to my home page to read a different study by clicking on the link below or any other link you came across in this study.
RETURN
TO HOMEPAGE
--------------------------------------------------------------- ANOTHER interpretation of the seven vials being THE WRATH of God.
Now I believe and teach in the above study that the FIRST SIX SEALS and the FIRST SIX TRUMPETS, AND the FIRST SIX VIALS or bowls or first six LAST plagues were ALL speaking of the time of GREAT tribulation. While ONLY the SEVENTH SEAL, the SEVENTH TRUMPET, and the SEVENTH VIAL are THE WRATH of God.
But some teach that the seven VIALS or seven bowls are THE WRATH of God, meaning that ALL SEVEN vials or bowls are THE WRATH of God and NONE of these LAST SEVEN plagues have anything to do with the time of GREAT tribulation. So I suppose ANOTHER way to INTERPRET Revelation chapters 15 and 16 would be that these seven LAST plagues actually take place AFTER the SECOND coming of Jesus when Jesus comes to RAPTURE or catch up the church and the 144,000 to be with him while the WRATH of God is being poured out upon the world. I can see this as a possibility, but I do not see HOW we can account for Jesus coming yet AGAIN a THIRD time to gather together his saints in Revelation 16:15,16, unless we having Jesus SECOND coming being DIVIDED into TWO parts, the first part where Jesus comes in the AIR which will be before the 1000 years and we will reign with Jesus in the AIR for 1000 years. Then AFTER then 1000 years when Satan is loosed God will FINISH pouring out the REST or the LSAT HALF of his WRATH to make an end of sins and the wicked once and for all time. I can see this happening, but to ME, this INTERPRETATION of the seven VIALS being THE WRATH of God would then mean that Jesus' SECOND coming would be before the 1000 year reign of Jesus and THEN Jesus would return AGAIN AFTER the 1000 year reign, which does makes sense to me, but it is more complicated to explain. And again it is an INTERPRETATION and not really clear. If it was not for this one point I can see how one would INTERPRET the seven VIALS as the WRATH of God. I have had this thought myself, but I go more with the interpretation of the first six vials being the great tribulation and ONLY the seventh vial being the WRATH of God. Now I could be wrong in my interpretation of the FIRST SIX VIALS taking place DURING the time of GREAT tribulation and the SEVENTH VIAL being the WRATH of God, so I think it worth while to at least try to explain ANOTHER interpretation of the seven last plagues or the seven VIALS. This is why I am including this OTHER interpretation at the end of this verse by verse study of Revelation. EITHER way those who are found FAITHFUL at the SECOND coming of Jesus will be given ETERNAL LIFE and the SECOND DEATH will have NO power over us, so in truth it really does not matter all that much to ME. But for those who it may matter here goes another explanation of Revelation 15 and 16 where we read about the seven last plagues called the seven vials of bowls.
Now this may take awhile to explain what I mean by this so please be patient with me. First of all I want you to notice the wording of LAST plagues. Well is Zechariah we are told that those who do not come up and worship the Lord from year to year DURING the 1000 year reign of Jesus, then they will NOT have rain on their crops. And if they continue to do this the next year, then they will suffer the PLAGUE of God. Please read Zechariah 14:9-21, which describes the LAST PLAGUE of Almighty God.
"And the LORD shall be KING over all the earth (in verses 1-8 we see the SECOND coming of Jesus and here in verse 9 we see Jesus as the KING over all the earth ruling in reigning for 1000 years): in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.(in other words, there will be no more idol worship or the worshiping of false gods. Those who worship false god sincerely believe that they are worshiping the true God and therefore they themselves do do see bowing down to an OBJECT is worshiping an IDOL, but in God's eyes it is and idol.) 10. All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it (speaking of Jerusalem) shall be LIFTED UP, and inhabited in HER PLACE (this could be meaning the rebuilding of Jerusalem or perhaps this may mean the city of God the New Jerusalem LIFTED UP above where the earthly city of Jerusalem was before it was made desolate), from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's wine presses. 11. And men shall dwell in IT, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be SAFELY inhabited (to ME, I see that during this 1000 year reign of Jesus there will be NO more WAR or even small battles, but people will dwell safely. This verse specifically says Jerusalem, and I believe it could be because the city of Jerusalem was just destroyed but not all the people of Jerusalem). 12 And THIS shall be the PLAGUE wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought AGAINST Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.(to ME, this sound a lot like a nuclear explosion. We see another description of this PLAGUE of God WRATH given to us in Revelation 6: in the opening of the sixth seal where the heavens roll back as a scroll and every mountain and island were move out of their places. This is why I say this may be the NEW Jerusalem that is in her place lifted up above where Jerusalem used to be, because Jerusalem is made desolate in the last days. But again this could meant that Jerusalem is rebuilt and then inhabited.) 13. And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor. 14. And Judah (I believe this is speaking of Jesus the lion of the tribe of Judah) also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.(I believe this is speaking of the all the treasure of the unjust or the world are laid up for the just or the righteous. So fulfilling the parable what good is it if a man shall gain the whole world and LOSE his SOUL.) 15. And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as THIS PLAGUE.(in other words, unlike the days of Noah where many of the animals where saved on the ark this time all the animals in this are of Jerusalem will be vaporized just like all the men of war) 16. And it shall come to pass, that every one that is LEFT of ALL the NATIONS which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17. And it shall be, that whoso will NOT come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon THEM (speaking of those who are DISOBEDIENT and who do NOT go up from year to year to worship the Lord) shall be NO rain. 18. And if the family of Egypt (the family of Egypt is sometimes symbolic of the world. There may be a deeper meaning also.) go NOT up, and come NOT, that have NO rain; there shall be the PLAGUE, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come NOT up to keep the feast of tabernacles. (First of all I want you to notice that ALL of the seven feasts of the Lord have been fulfilled EXCEPT this ONE last feast, the feast of TABERNACLES, which will be fulfilled at the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus. Also the rest of this verse to ME, speaks of the first offense receiving a punishment of NO rain and IF they CONTINUE to be disobedient the next year and come not up AGAIN, then there will be NO MORE CHANCE of forgiveness and they will be destroyed by the LAST PLAGUE of Almighty God at the END of this 1000 year reign of Jesus.) 19. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of ALL nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.(again to me this speaks of the FINAL part of God's WRATH being poured out at the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus when Satan is loosed for a little season and goes out and DECEIVES the NATIONS to fight against the CITY of God and God's people one final time) 20. In that day (speaking of the 1000 year reign of Jesus) shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts."
So then, to ME, I am seeing these seven LAST PLAGUES as being poured out AT the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus. In other words, the first six of these last seven plagues are poured out when Satan is loose at the END of the 1000 year and when the people of the nations that are being DECEIVED do not repent, then FIRE from God comes down during the SEVENTH VIAL as being the LAST HALF of God's WRATH. Now the reason WHY I say the last HALF of God's WRATH is because we know that God will show MERCY during the pouring out of his WRATH upon his people Israel so that they be NOT utterly destroyed AT the SECOND coming of Jesus before this 1000 year reign of Jesus. Also in Revelation 8:1 we see that when the SEVENTH SEAL is opened that there is SILENCE in heaven for the SPACE of HALF and HOUR.
"And when he had opened the seventh seal (which is the WRATH of Almighty God), there was silence in heaven about the space of HALF an HOUR." Now to ME, I see the HOUR of God's judgment as being the WRATH of God. We can see this in several passages of scripture. We just read about the HOUR of God's judgment in chapter 14. Please read Revelation 14:6,7 again.
"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the HOUR of his judgment IS COME: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."
Again to ME, the HOUR of God's judgment is the WRATH of Almighty God. So then HALF and HOUR would be HALF of God's WRATH being poured out AT the SECOND coming of Jesus and the LAST HALF of God's WRATH will be poured out at the END of the 1000 year reign, thus being the LAST of the seven LAST plagues, or the seven VIALS or the seven bowls.
We are told of TWO WARS or BATTLES. The first is the battle of ARMAGEDDON, which is fought AT the SECOND coming of Jesus. And the FINAL battle is fought at the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus. So to ME, IF these seven last plagues or the seven VIALS are the WRATH of God, the to ME they ALL must be poured out at the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus in order to account for Jesus coming as a THIEF in BETWEEN the SIXTH vial and the SEVENTH vial. I can see this happening as a possibility, but in order for it to make any sense to ME, then when Jesus come AT his SECOND coming he REMAINS in the AIR for 1000 years and then at the END of the 1000 years there is ANOTHER GATHERING TOGETHER of the saints, who are taken to the SAME place called ARMAGEDDON to help execute the final last HALF of the WRATH of God. You can see why I say it is COMPLICATED to explain. This is why I prefer the first interpretation that I gave to you in the main part of this study and just include this interpretation as just another way to explain the seven last plagues without questioning the Bible scholars who wrote the translations of the Bible into the English language. So Christians really get upset when you question the different translation of the Bible into English so when I say that I personally believe that the word "WRATH" should have been translated as "FIERCENESS", then some think that I am changing the Bible to fit what I want it to say. And this is simply nit true. I am just offer you my many hours of prayer and study and trying to give you ALL the evidence so that you can draw your OWN conclusions. Again EITHER way you want to INTERPRET the seven VIALS or bowls the END result will still be the same when it come to concerning US the CHURCH because we are NOT appoint to the WRATH of Almighty God.
Thanks again for reading and I pray that you have come away more enlighten as to what to expect in these last days when Jesus will come again.
Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Mark.
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