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Thus Say The Prophets
The Revelation
The New Heaven and the New Earth
Revelation 22:1 He showed me a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and His valor.The shower here is one of the seven angels who had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues continuing from 21:9.
22:2 Amid its streets and the river, from here and from there, was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit according to one month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.This waterway is the same sea of glass we have encountered several times in this study. It signifies humanity at large.
Again, we use "valor" instead of "lamb" to clarify the contextually intended meaning, as explained previously.
The Tree of Life references several things. It was the tree Elohim forbade Adam and Chava from eating from lest they live forever. Will it be a literal tree, or does it symbolize something? We read of the "tree" of Israel, signifying our connection to our roots, the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Israel. Now, that will be available for consumption. Chasids often see it as the Ten Sephirot through which Elohim (God) created material existence. The Tree produces twelve kinds of fruit. These are now restored Twelve Houses of Israel through which the entire planet has been blessed. Through Israel, the nations are healed, which supports the linkage of the Tree of Life and the Tree of Israel. The Tree of Life gives life and wellness to all who "eat" it. The Tree is, therefore, indicative of our devekut or attachment with HaShem, whereby we embrace Him as the "Root" of all existence. Instead of being separate from Him, those who partake of this Tree will achieve oneness with Him beyond our current conceptions.22:3 And then every curse will end, and the throne of God and His valor will be in it, and His servants will serve Him.Note the tenses here. The traditional translation as "Lamb" (rather than lambkin, which is what the Greek says literally), with the interpretation that this references Jesus, is incorrect because it says "His servants." There are not two intended persons in this verse, only one: God.
22:4 And they will see His face, and His Name will be in their foreheads
This references Revelation 7:3, where the servants of God were sealed as the Torah was written into the consciousness.
22:5 And there will be no night there. And they need no lamp, or light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light. And they will reign forever and ever.
22:6 And he said to me, These sayings are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His messenger to show His servants what must be done soon.Who is this messenger? In context, Yochanan is talking about Mashiach ben David. In the next verse, this messenger speaks, and we recognize his words.
22:7 "Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the Words of the prophecy of this Book"Yochanan was a lifelong talmid of Yeshua of Nazareth. He believed in Yeshua's reforms and hoped his teacher would eventually fulfill the Messianic prophecies and return to rule as king, as the Messiah must. We've also noted Yochanan's careful wording throughout this work. When he references HaMashiach, he never calls him Yeshua. He says, "...the one seated on the horse..." and so on. This "Messenger" says he is "coming," not "returning." He speaks with the authority of God's Anointed King, who will rule the earth as HaMashiach and HaMelekh (Messiah and King). One may consider him as one wishes, but when HaMashiach takes to the throne of his father David, all knees will bow before him as King, Judge, and Prophet.
22:8 I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the Messenger showing me these things.When Yochanan saw and heard what the Messenger revealed, his knees folded in awe. Finally, he understood and saw the Light of God and heard the Song of Redemption.
22:9 Then the Messenger said to me, Behold! See, do not do it! For I am your fellow-servant, and of your brothers the prophets and those who keep the Words of this Book. Only worship God.What could be more clear? Whether this Messenger is considered Yeshua or another, HaMashiach is not God. He will be a created being like the rest of us. He is depicted as our elder brother (compare Hebrew 2:11), but he is not to be worshipped. Worship only God!
22:10 And he said to me, Do not seal the Words of the prophecy of this Book; for the time is at hand.This is likely a reference back to the command to seal up the prophecy of Navi Daniel. As discussed near the beginning of this study, Yochanan's Revelation is considered by many the conclusion of the Book of Daniel (see Daniel 12:4).
22:11 Those who act unjustly, let them act unjustly still. And the filthy, let them be filthy still. And the righteous, let them be righteous still. And the holy, let them be holy still.The "Messenger," HaMashiach ben David, is still speaking here, and he promises those who read this prophecy that he will come and fulfill all the prophetic requirements "soon."
22:12 And behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to give to each according as his work is22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the ending, the first and the last."
22:14 Blessed are they who do His commandments that their authority will be over the Tree of Life, and they may enter in by the gates into the city.Remember his instruction in verse 9 above; the Messenger tells Yochanan to worship only God. Verse 13, therefore, can not be taken out of context as saying the Messenger is the Alpha and Omega, etc., as is evident with the very next verse: "Blessed are they who do His commandments." Context is essential. The Messenger of God does not claim to be the Alpha and Omega since just before and after this verse, he says to worship only God, not himself. The context seems straightforward: Worship only God, not the Messiah. In verse 13, he quotes the Torah and glorifies the One God as the beginning and the end.
22:15 But outside are the dogs, and sorcerers, fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and everyone who loves and makes a lie.
Now, turning from Yochanan to the readers of this book of prophecy, his Way sect followers, we read:
22:16 I, Yeshua, have sent my messenger to testify these things to you in the congregations. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star.As the one Yochanan credits as revealing this book of prophecy to him, Yeshua sent his talmid Yochanan to declare these prophecies in the congregations of Israel.
It was a great disappointment to his followers that Yeshua did not fulfill the Messianic prophecies. However, emunah in his reformed Judaism inspired his followers to believe that he was still with them and that one day, God willing, he would return and fulfill them. Yochanan's emunah in the God of Israel and his rabbi never wavered.22:17. The Spirit and the Bride say, Come! And let those who hear say, Come! And let those who are thirsty come. And let them drink the Water of Life freely.
22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add on him the plagues written in this book.
22:19 And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take his part out of the book of life, out of the holy city, and from the things written in this book.
22:20 He who testifies these things says, Yes, I am coming quickly, [and Yochanan adds] Amen. Yes, come, Kurios (master/rabbi) Yeshua.
22:21 The grace of our Kurios (master/rabbi), the anointed Yeshua, be with all of you. Amen.Here Ends Yochanan's Book of the Revelation
Revelation 1:3 Blessed are all who read and hears
the Words of this prophecy, and the ones keeping
the things written in it, for the time is near.REJECT THE MARK OF THE BEAST NO MATTER WHAT!
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