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The Revelation of Y'shua the Anointed:
A Study into the Noahide Nazarene Way
By Ben Ruach HaKodesh (John of AllFaith) © 11.17.09
Chapter Twenty One
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Revelation 21:1 I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more.Having witnessed the absolute apostasy of the Nicolaitane Nicean Church, having watched the rise and overthrow of the Novus Ordo Seclorum and Rex Mundi, having witnessed the rise and fall of Babylon the Great, having beheld the thousand year Kingdom of Moshiach that followed the Seven Year Tribulation, and having witnessed the final human revolution: the War of Gog and Magog, John now describes the new Heaven and the New Earth.
He writes here that he saw a kainos Heaven and a kainos Earth. This word kainos tells us that what John beheld was fresh and clean, renewed and restored. Through these struggles Heaven and Earth will have been purified for all time.
John notes that "the sea is no more." Recall from the earlier portions of the prophecy that John, in the heavenly throne room, beheld the sea of glass containing all of material creation. That sea existed due to the separation of humanity and the one God. That separation is now being done away with and John will tell us below that God Himself will dwell with the people of the Earth. This is the sea referenced here, not that the seas of water will be done away with.
21:2 I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.The Day of Purification and the Second Resurrection
Jewish Kabbalists have used the expression "As above so below" to describe the unity of being and its interplay. From their works, as through the biblical prophets, we have been assured that one day the kingdom of Heaven (as in the Kabbalist Kether) will become the kingdom of Man (as in the Kabbalist Malkuth) as all the Holy Sephirot -- as defined by Kabbalah -- (i.e. the 10 attributes/emanations of existence) are purified in the World to Come (or Olam Haba). That purification and realignment is now unfolding in John's description. Paul describes this glorious event as follows:
I Corinthians 15:36 You foolish one, that which you yourself sow is not made alive unless it dies. 15:37 That which you sow, you don't sow the body that will be, but a bare grain, maybe of wheat, or of some other kind. 15:38 But God gives it a body even as it pleased him, and to each seed a body of its own.
15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.
15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial differs from that of the terrestrial.
15:41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.
15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. 15:43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.15:45 So also it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living soul." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
15:46 However that which is spiritual isn't first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual.
15:47 The first man is of the earth, made of dust. The second man is the Lord from heaven.
15:48 As is the one made of dust, such are those who are also made of dust; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
15:49 As we have borne the image of those made of dust, let's also bear the image of the heavenly.
15:50 Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood can't inherit the Kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last shofar. For the shofar will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 15:54 But when this corruptible will have put on incorruption, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen:"Death is swallowed up in victory."
15:55 "Death, where is your sting?
Sheol, where is your victory?"15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Master Y'shua the Anointed.
15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord's work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.John is now describing the Old World being replaced by the New. The inhabitants of the restored planet are being changed as well. They are embracing their positions as the Children of God (Ps. 82 referenced several times in this study).
The Transfiguration of the Earth
I mentioned the Second Resurrection in the previous chapter, this is more on that same event.
As the dead are resurrected they will receive new, purified bodies. These bodies are spiritual in the same way the bodies of Y'shua, Moses and Elijah were when select disciples witnessed the Transfiguration:
Matthew 17:1 After six days, Y'shua took with him Peter, Jacob, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves.
17:2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light.
17:3 Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him.
17:4 Peter answered, and said to Y'shua, "Master, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let's make three tabernacles here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
17:5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him."
17:6 When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. 17:7 Y'shua came and touched them and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid."
17:8 Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Y'shua alone.In the Book of Genesis we read that following the fall of Adam and Eve HaShem covered them with flesh: Genesis 3:21 Yahweh God made coats of skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them. This was more than merely covering their nakedness, this act is when Adam and Eve became mortal and received 'bodies terrestrial.' Prior to this their appearance was like that of Y'shua, Moses and Elijah cited above.
Now HaShem will restore redeemed humanity to their natural states and death, suffering and pain will be no more. Humanity will no longer be separated from our Divine Parent.
21:3 I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, God's tabernacle is with humanity, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
21:4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. Such things have passed away."21:5 He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." He said to me, "Write, for these words of God are faithful and true." 21:6 And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alef and the Tav, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to all who are thirsty from the well of the water of life.
This phrase "It is done" is powerful! The word "done" here is ginomai (ghin'-om-ahee) and is difficult to translate in this context. HaShem at this point does not declare merely that something is finished because this word also conveys the idea that something will now begin! That the foundation has been laid upon which some new thing can be constructed.
HaShem's original plan was for humanity to live as glorified beings, superior to the angels (Heb 2:7) and to inherit His creation! This is what infuriated Lucifer! This is what he and a third of the Angels rebelled against.
What is "done" or finished at this point is the "legal challenge" fostered by Lucifer. What is now beginning is HaShem's original intention for the Earth and humanity!
What HaShem has in store for us is beyond our comprehension:
I Corinthians 2:7 But we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory, 2:8 which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn't have crucified the Lord of glory.
2:9 But as it is written,"Things which an eye didn't see, and an ear didn't hear,
which didn't enter into the heart of man,
these God has prepared for those who love him."21:7 He who overcomes will inherit all things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.Try and conceive this! "He who overcomes will inherit all things. I will be his God, and he will be my son."
Hence we read:
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Y'shua, who has been made a little lower than the angels because of the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 2:11 For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 2:12 saying,"I will declare your name to my brothers.
In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise."These are the victors by the grace and mercy of HaShem and His Moshiach. But as we have seen not everyone will take advantage of this offer of liberation and glorification. Regarding these people John continues:
The White Throne Judgment
21:8 But the cowardly and the unfaithful, the abominable, the murderers, fornicators, sorcerers and worshipers of false gods, and all liars, will have their part in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."Remember that John penned these words 3000 years before they will occur (a bit over a thousand years in our own future) as a warning. Of those he lists, when we consider the context of the prophecy, we may infer the following:
The Cowardly: These are the timid and fearful who bow submissively to the dictates of evil rulers and to society. They stand for nothing and therefore they fall for anything. Remember that the White Throne Judgment (which is what is being discussed) will be the judgment of all people who did enter the Tribulation period. This includes humanity past as well as those born within the Millennial reign. All those who died as martyrs within the Tribulation and those who survived it will not be subject to this judgment.
The Unfaithful: These are they who lacked faith in God despite the Light they were granted. They who rejected God, the materialists, the irreligious and the anti-religious as well as all those who claimed to have faith but were hypocrites.
The Abominable: This word in the Greek is bdelusso and refers to those whose deeds cause a stench due to their vileness. The idea is similar to the Hebrew notion of an abomination (Tow'ebah) that specifically refers to idolatrous activities and is used in the Torah to forbid such activities. For those who will have embraced the Mark of the Beast and/or the image of Rex Mundi the meaning is clear but its application is broader. Those who were defiled or obsessed with mammon and filthy lucre, with power and money during their lives are also included here.
The Murderers: Murderers of all sorts. Y'shua said that to think such an evil in ones heart is to be guilty of the act. It includes those who fought in unjust wars, to abortionists and to those who have their babies killed. It means those who hide in the dark preying on others and to all who unjustly take life.
The Fornicators: This word is pornos and references all manner of fornication including the spiritual fornication witnessed in the Whore of Babylon. Literally this is a male noun and refers to a male prostitute such as Paul speaks of at Romans 1 however here its meaning is more general. All manner of fornication is included here from marital infidelity to spiritual infidelity.
The Sorcerers: We discussed this word when talking about the Mark of the Beast. It is pharmakeus and is used in several ways. This prohibition includes literal sorcery, the abuse of pharmaceuticals, the invocation of evil spirits and so on.
The Worshipers of False Gods: Here we have the word eidololatres (i-do-lol-at'-race) which is usually translated as "idol worshipers." Its meaning is more broad that the worship of idols however and includes the worship of all false gods, including money, fame etc. in any form or fashion.
All Liars: The meaning is clear.
Fortunately both HaShem and the Judges will mix justice with compassion and mercy!
The goal of the White Throne Judgment is not to condemn humanity but to establish justice and institute the New Earth. Everyone on Earth is guilty and no one deserves to enter the New Earth but HaShem is Merciful and desires our fellowship and our restitution.
New Jerusalem
21:9 One of the seven angels approached me who had the seven bowls, containing the seven last plagues saying, "Come here. I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife."Don't be confused here, this angel has already released his bowls or vials. John is merely saying this is the same angel.
21:10 He carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the splendid city, holy Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, 21:11 having the glory of God.Following the War of Gog and Magog the entire planet, including the Holy City will be destroyed according to the text. We are told at the same time however that the righteous will enter the city and behold HaShem's salvation, so it appears that the City (as well as the other places of refuge utilized by the faithful), will be spared.
John will now describe New Jerusalem.
As he does, note that although John is witnessing these things from within a vision (in the spirit) the events will literally take place on the Earth. There are those who believe all of this is metaphor, however I take it as written by the prophet and suggest you do as well. This city will exist on earth as described.
Human beings constructed the Three Jerusalem Temples (including the third to be built soon). Human beings constructed the city of Jerusalem all other structures on the planet as far as we know, however New Jerusalem will be built by God Himself!
21:11 ... Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
21:12 It had a great and high wall with twelve gates -- at the gates were twelve angels -- and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.
21:13 On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
21:14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.21:15 He who spoke with me had for a measure, a golden reed, to measure the city, its gates, and its walls.
[approximately 1,380.92 US miles or 2222.38 KM]. Its length, breadth, and height are equal.
21:16 The city lies foursquare, and its length is as great as its breadth. He measured the city with the reed, Twelve thousand twelve stadiaThere is some disagreement here on how big the City will be. In all cases it will be huge. First, the Greek stadion references a distance of 185 to 192 meters (607-630 ft) -- Source -- and so within that alone there is room for considerable size variance.
My approximation of 1,380.92 US miles or 2222.38 KM square is based on the minimal Greek calculation. There are also difference between the Greek, Roman and Arabic stadia and it is possible John could be using any of these. Complicating this even more is the fact that there existed a unique Hebrew stadia calculation when building the First Temple and John could be using that one here. Despite this debate however, remember that this is not a Fourth Temple. New Jerusalem will not have a Temple. The city will around 1400 miles square. HaShem is going to created the largest and most glorious city in human history. That's the point.
21:17 Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits [approximately 840 US yards or 769 M], by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.My calculation here is based on a cubit of about 17.5 inches or 444.5 mm.
21:18 The construction of its wall was jasper. The city was pure gold, like pure glass.
21:19 The foundations of the city's wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; 21:20 the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprasus; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst.
21:21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls. Each one of the gates was made of one pearl. The street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass.This is where the teaching originates that Heaven has streets of gold, pearly gates and so on. If you've been reading along with me however you will note that we have been on the Earth for many chapters and are still here. New Jerusalem will be a city on the Earth whose maker will be HaShem. Earth is the home of humanity and unless we begin seriously exploring other planets (which I fully expect) it will remain our home. Heaven is the abode of angels and celestial beings.
21:22 I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.The temples were needed when humanity was estranged from God, but that will no longer be the case. The presence of HaShem will dwell in New Jerusalem and all who enter there will enter into His Holy presence.
21:23 The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.It will be so exciting to visit Jerusalem and see if this is literal fact or metaphor!
21:24 The nations will walk in its light. The kings of the earth bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
21:25 Its gates will in no way be shut by day (for there will be no night there), 21:26 and they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it so that they may enter.
21:27 There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life.Here ends Chapter 21.
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