Where We Truly Belong... Revelation Lesson 12 (End)

By all accounts, we should not be really surprised at how Revelation would end. It is, after all, a majestic book that promises much hope for the believing child of God. It spells out the final state of affairs, speaks of a guaranteed place in heaven - man's true home, and more importantly, God's design and plan for all things.

Chapters 21 and 22 fits the style of apocalypse literature, and should be read in parts. The beginning of chapter 21 consists of three "trailers" that would end in 21:5. These "trailers" would be fully expanded subsequently till the end of the book.

A more understandable reading plan would look like:

HOLY CITY - Intro in 21:1-2, fully expanded in 21:9-21
GOD WITH MAN - Intro in 21:3-4, fully expanded in 21:22 - 27
ALL THINGS NEW - Intro in 21:4-5, fully expanded in 22:1-5


Observations
Chapter 21

Revelation ends with the beginning of a magnificent new heaven and earth. The descriptions are vivid, sometimes even of a material kind. Streets paved with gold, gates made of pearls, etc. However we must not think John is saying the New Jerusalem would be as material as our earthly cities. John was merely using the language his readers can understand to indicate the utmost value of the New City. He is concerned with spiritual states, and not earthly realities.

Herein lies the crux message of John's prophecies. Only in the light of New Jerusalem, can the earthly splendours of Babylon be seen for what it is - tarty, gaudy seductions of a whore. In a series of vivid metaphors, John gives us important truths about the life to come.

v9-11. The marriage has arrived. The New City descended from above. It owes its existence to the condescension of God and not the efforts of man. It has the glory of God and its brilliance comes from God.

v12-13. Surrounded by a high wall, the City is secure and its gates are never shut (v25). Angels stand as gatekeepers on the 12 gates, which are inscribed the 12 tribes of Israel. Israel's high calling is honoured. There are 3 gates each in the north, south, east and west. Compare this to Israel's encampment in Numbers 2.

v14. Under the wall are 12 foundations bearing the names of the Apostles. This again signifies that Israel of the Old Testament (OT) and the Church are included in God's final scheme of things.

v15. The City is measured and found to be a perfect cube, measuring 12,000 stadia (approx 1,500 miles). The Holy of Holies in the OT's tabernacle is a perfect cube. Now, 12,000 stadia would be the distance from Kuala Lumpur to Macau, Adelaide to Darwin, or Delhi to Yangon. John was trying to relay the magnitude, and not the exact measurements. The size of this city boggles the mind. It can only mean that there is room for all.

v17-21. The heavenly city is built from every kind of precious stone, from the most costly material. Again, these are metaphors for the value of the city. There wasn't enough in the language to describe the true value of the city, therefore John used the highest that readers could relate to.

V22-27. This city does not need a temple, nor does it need light. God Himself is the sanctuary and illumination. The gates of this city do not shut, nor will darkness enter it. Nations and kings will bring homage. Anyone who does what is shameful and deceitful will not enter it. It is important that people speak truth and act truly.

Observations
Chapter 22

River. Tree of life. Fruit. If we look carefully, this picture resembles the garden of Eden. In fact, the last 3 chapters of Revelation somewhat mirrors the first 3 chapters of Genesis. In the final state of things, God will restore everything to what it was in the beginning. Man and women will again enjoy the bountiful provision of Eden in purity.

V6. John closes his visions by reiterating the authenticity of the book. The words, “see I am coming soon!” refers to the imminence of Christ’s return, rather than its immediacy. V8 confirms the book as a prophecy, and it should not be treated as some other kinds of literature. V9 sees John being tempted to worship the angel who delivered the visions but he was sternly stopped. Worship only belongs to God.

V10. The command “not to seal up” means not to keep hidden the words of this book (Revelation). They are meant for publication and are not some secret wisdom of a select few. v 12 – 15 stress the reward Christ will give to the faithful. V16 – Jesus Himself gives credence to this book.

V18, 19. A grave warning is issued. The words of prophecy in this book are not to be tampered with. It is a strong exhortation to heed what is written. There is punishment for those who fiddle and twist these words. V20, 21. Again, Jesus emphasizes on His return soon.

Thoughts

Some take Revelation as the ultimate ending. However, if we look carefully, it is only the beginning of a new life in the New City. We grossly misunderstand the text if we treat the New Jerusalem as a retirement centre where we while our time away doing all things enjoyable. Of course we will have joy – the deep-seated sense of happiness where we find our utmost satisfaction in God. And after all the dramas, climax, twists and turns, this is what it is all about – God bringing man and women back to their real home.

God Surprises... Revelation Lesson 11

Twists.

People love them. A story sells better with a twist. A date is much more exciting when you don't exactly know what to expect. In Revelation, the surprises keep coming.

Just when we think everything is put in order - the power of evil is broken, and the saints are robed and expecting the Bridegroom... John the scribe instead introduces us to a vision of a Warrior.





Observations

Chapter 19

v 11 - 16 states the dominion of the risen Lord. In here the characteristics of Jesus are described. He makes war. His eyes are like fire - nothing escapes Him. On His head are many crowns - He has dominance over all. He has a name known only to Himself - we can never fully understand all about God. But He does reveal Himself in v 13 as the Word of God, and in v 16 as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.



The armies of heaven are behind Him. Christ will subdue nations and He will also execute the judgment of God.


v 17 - 21 Contrasted with the marriage supper of the Lamb, there will be a great supper of God where the antichrist and false prophet are defeated and thrown into the lake of fire, while their followers are "fed to the birds", a common imagery for final disaster. The rest of the followers of the antichrist were killed by the sword that came out from His mouth, meaning the Word destroyed them. The Word is our standard of truth. Truth will destroy evil.







Observations

Chapter 20


We now enter the most controversial part of the book of Revelation. The millennium. Scholars have split hairs over this and drove bitter schisms into the heart of eschatology (study of prophecy).





Strangely, never did the Scriptures mention the word "millennium". The word "thousand years" appear six times, and is only found within this chapter. Elsewhere in the Bible, "thousand years" are found in only 3 other passages - Ps 90:4, Ecc 6:6 and 2 Peter 3:8. In all these texts, "thousand years" were mentioned metaphorically. So we must be careful not to subscribe to any doctrine that is only represented by a minor / obscure portion of the Bible. Always zoom out to the Big Picture (what Revelation is about) and consider the entire counsel of the Bible before coming to any conclusions.


We will not go into detailed descriptions of the different millennial views as there are tonnes of material written about it and information is just a click away. A word of caution though - the 1000 years is a side theme in the book of Revelation, so please do not get mired in the controversy! Suffice to know that Christ will come in victory for the second time, and it will be the greatest event the earth has ever witnessed. Bear in mind that even Old Testament saints could not fully understand the many prophecies about the Messiah and the Jews crucified Him. (If they had understood the prophecies they would not have killed the Messiah).



Likewise, we will never be able to understand the end-times prophecies clearly... probably until after they have been fulfilled. So, relax. God has purposed it that way. Meanwhile, help yourselves to any of the attempts by schools of interpretation (post-millennialism, a-mill or pre-mill)... but you don't have to be absolutely dogmatic about it.



v 4 John saw thrones. He did not say where the thrones are, but it would fit the passage to assume they are in heaven. Out of the 47 times the word "throne" was used, once referred to Satan (2:13) and twice to the beast (13:2, 16:10). Other than that, all the thrones seemed to be located in heaven.



Those seated on the thrones are souls (as contrasted with bodies) that reign with Christ for the period of 1000 years. Compare this with Eph 2:6. If we follow the thread in our study all these while, we will take the 1000 years as symbolic. This is derived from 1000 being 10 x 10 x 10 = the number of completion. The 1000 years is a predestined time which God has set, where Satan is restrained from deceiving the nations. And how is deception nullified? By knowing the truth. So, this predetermined time (referred to here as "1000 years") is when people have access to the truth; as Satan is rendered powerless to deceive. Sometimes it is referred to the "times of the Gentiles" where non-Jews have access to the Gospel of truth. It is the time where deception is present, but not absolute.



v 5. The first resurrection. Some say this implies that there is a second resurrection. However, John does not say that in his text. He simply says there is a first resurrection; and nothing thereafter. Now, the rest of the dead did not come to life again until after the "1000 years". If we take the 1000 years to be symbolic of the Times of the Gentiles, that would indicate that those raised in the resurrection will be priests unto God and Christ (1 Peter 2:9), of which the second death has no power. Meaning they will not die a second time.


Remember that if you are born twice (physical and in spirit), you will die once (physical), but live eternally. If you are born once (only physical), you will die twice (physical and in spirit). Physical death - is self-explanatory. Spiritual death - is separation from God forever.



v7. When the appointed time of restraining Satan is over, he will be let loose for a short while to wage war against the people of God. He will gather a huge army and surround the saints. In a swift moment, they are destroyed by the fire that came down from heaven. Equally quickly, the devil is thrown into the lake of fire where the antichrist and false prophet already are.



v 11. Meanwhile in heaven, the books were opened. With the book of life opened, everyone is judged according to what had been recorded about their deeds. No one can escape. Finally Death and Hell (and its inhabitants) are thrown into the lake of fire. v 15 The text carried a solemn warning: Anyone whose name was not found in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Conclusion


There are no newfangled subplots and twists in the end of all things, according to Revelation. The end is crystal clear. Jesus is the Bridegroom coming for His church, and He is also the Warrior who fights to rescue her. Both are strong imageries of a God who pays the price of love in order to get back what belonged to Him in the first place. He is also the Just Judge who has the power to decide on the conclusion of the fate of the Universe.



The surprise is - man still rejects Him.


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